As if the world needed more proof that non-shitty radio just isn't profitable, hip L.A. radio station Indie 103.1 abruptly went off the air today, as reported by the L.A. Times. And it didn't go down without spitting some bile:
At 10 a.m. the station bowed out by playing “My Way,” both the versions by Frank Sinatra and late Sex Pistol Sid Vicious, a nod to the genre-bending playlist that Indie often aired. After that, listeners heard only a repeating loop of songs, interspersed by a recorded announcement that Indie was moving to the Internet, painting the station as a valiant martyr sticking to its programming principles rather than “play the corporate radio game,” and blaming an industry and a ratings system that it said favors Britney Spears, P-Diddy and “alternative music that is neither new, nor cutting edge.”
(Well, shows what they know: No one plays Diddy anymore, and no one's called him "Puffy," as the station does in its message, in ages. Stupid hipsters!)
Launched in 2003, Indie 103 drew attention for its eclectic programming and DJ staff, which included big names like Rob Zombie and Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. It wasn't, however, known for its ratings. According to Times writer Steve Charney, the station was ranked a lowly 38th in the crowded L.A. market.
Entravision, the Spanish-language broadcasting company that owns Indie 103 (!), has declined to say what will take the station's place. Smart money says it'll suck, whatever it is. Meanwhile, Indie 103.1 will continue online.