Earlier this week, the RIAA and the record companies issued a request to the US Congress to mandate the inclusion of FM radios on all future mobile phones. The motivations are clear: having them on devices that everyone already uses will increase listenership, and therefore ad revenue. Not to mention the fact that all one really needs is a pair of headphones plugged into a 3.5mm jack, and you have yourself a built-in antenna.

Indeed, the latest Android phones that I have used, including the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant and the HTC Desire, both have FM radio capabilities included in the kernel. All you need is a pair of headphones to act as an antenna (copper wire is a great antenna of FM signal) and you’re good to go.

But why do they want to move backwards when the rest of the industry seems to want to move forward with digital music sales? Doesn’t it scream desperation? Absolutely! And they don’t care! Advertising is still, by far, the more profitable way for media to be consumed. There is a reason that HBO/TMN is so expensive when added to an existing cable line-up, or that movie ticket prices haven’t greatly increased in the last ten years despite exponentially larger budgets.

FM radio, according to Ars Technica, isn’t decreasing in listenership, either. In fact, it has grown in the past few years. 239 million people listen to radio on a regular basis, and 93% of individuals aged 12 and higher listen to radio at least weekly. I know some people who have it on all day at their office desks. And for those who commute, it is much easier to turn on the dial than load up a CD that ends after 50 minutes.

Like the TV that is always there, blabbing away in the background, FM radio will never die, as long as their is pop music to keep listeners coming back. But do you listen to the radio on your phone? And would you, if it was there? Despite having it on my Galaxy S for the past couple weeks, I have never listened to the radio because I hate ads. Why would I subject myself to something I don’t want to hear for 10 minutes of every hour?

Would you? Let us know.

(via Ars Technica)