Radio, especially local terrestrial radio, likes to tout itself as the place to turn to during a disaster, so it’s odd that when Houstonians were looking for information during the recent Winter Storm Uri, there was none to be found.

Many residents were without power (which also means no TV or internet) and had no idea what was happening. We have always been told to have a battery powered radio on hand in the event we lose power during hurricanes, storms, etc., but that it seems is no longer the case.

Check out this submission to the Houston Chronicle who asked people to submit what their experience was like…

So where does this leave us? It is interesting to draw a parallel between what took place with the Texas energy grid and today’s broadcasting environment. Deregulation is a popular term for politicians to use (especially here in Texas) when it comes to doing business.

Rick Perry, former Texas governor and Secretary of Energy, was quoted as saying ‘Texans would choose to be without power for longer ‘to keep government out of their business’ in a blog on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s website. (McCarthy later said the comment was “partially rhetorical”).

Deregulation also took place with local broadcasting. Let the market figure it out and keep government out of it. Well the Houston market did figure out that it was not worth staffing a radio newsroom, or even try to provide comprehensive coverage. To TV’s credit, they were able to provide continuous coverage of the events taking place, but you needed to have power (or backup power) to watch it.

National Association of Broadcasters President Gordon Smith recently defended broadcast news as ‘indispensable’ at the NAB New York show in 2020.

“I like to say that broadcasting is America’s indispensable communications medium. Available to all, regardless of income, rural or urban, Republican or Democrat,” said Smith. “And unlike our competitors – our programming comes free of charge. Our listeners and viewers know they can count on their local broadcasters to provide the news they trust most and to be their eyes and ears at the most pivotal events in history.”

I guess the adage that you get what you pay for can apply to both, the Texas energy grid and Houston radio news.