Don't tune me out. I've got ideas.

People are buying new radios for the first time in decades. When was the last time people bought an electronic gadget because it was a radio? But the new radio's they're buying are satellite radios. And these radio buyers, about nine milliion so far, are taking a further step: they're signing up for subscription radio. The conclusion is inescapable; they're willing to pay for radio--for more radio, better radio.

So, commercial local radio station operators (and public ones) are pounding their foreheads for ideas about what to do about their future in a world where, for the first time, there are new ways to receive "radio stations"--new radios that add huge chunks of competition, sometimes in a way that excludes the old on-air local stations.

It's a new year, and only the first days of waking up after the holidays, but I'm inspired by three steps taken by tower radio broadcasters in response to the onrushing multi-path audio programming future. They're very different approaches, which is good--every market's different, every radio situation is different, and calls for its own solution. But, if you're a radio guy, you'll be happy to hear that there are some stimulating ideas here--that is, something you can steal.

1. First came The Morey Organization, which has turned its three Long Island New York FMs from conventional music stations into "FM Channelcasts". Go see their site for the full details. No jocks, no conventional commercial breaks. Just music--in each station's existing music niche. The real revolution is the way they sell time: by the hour, with four short sponsor shots per hour. It's about time to go back and see how they're doing. I'll do that later. Right now, I'm just touting ideas. Yes, it sounds suicidal, turning yourself into three satellite radio channels. But Morey is at least doing something. What are you doing?

2. Last week, Bonneville shuffled frequencies among its Washington DC stations, killing a Hot AC format and moving all-news WTOP onto their best FM spot, bumping WGMS--classical--onto a lesser FM, and announcing a new station to take over WTOP's old AM-FM spots in a month or two, programmed by The Washington Post. Yes, it sounds insane to move your top-rated all-news station after fifty-plus years. But things are different now. If the only idea you steal here is to make sure your best-performing station is on the best frequency you have, it's enough. There's much more to do to meet the challenges of digital media, but Bonneville's off to a great start in DC.

3. Honorable Mention: Last fall, Infinity flipped a non-performing AM in San Francisco to all-podcasting. A new, free source of programming. Sounds goofiest of all, doesn't it. But at least they're experimenting in the new world. Like I said, what are you doing?

I'll even be generous and include the "Jack" movement as a new-media idea--at least radio is addressing some of the things that have cost it audience and buzz--namely, here, music variety, lack thereof. And, as long as I'm being big, I guess CC's commercial load cutting is a tiny step in the right direction. I'm optimistic, because obviously radio guys are plotting and scheming. All I can say is, hurry up.