In the next five to ten years, the strongest competition for broadcast radio will be direct satellite distribution and internet (or wireless) "radio." This may be good news for independent producers: more audio outlets for their work, both commercial and non-commercial. I think it's also good news for public radio stations.

    With the introduction of new media services, including NPR's satellite channels and internet offerings, the need to carry nationally produced programs on local airwaves is greatly reduced. This provides an opportunity to focus services on regional and local programs. Combine this with locally managed websites and new media services, and the possibilities are very interesting.

    Will it work? Will local stations survive the explosion of new media services--including a distribution of the war horses (like "All Things Considered" and "Car Talk") that bypasses stations? Who knows. I certainly don't. But if stations don't survive, I would assume that someone else is doing the community service better. If we were a community service during our first three decades, "service" is the operative word even more in the future. The new competition will either hone our work, or bury us. The options seem pretty simple. Or am I missing something?