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Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Colt on March 12, 2021, 5:23 pm

Who would've thought podcasts would emerge as a "must listen" part of daily lives? Radio has always been an entertaining friend while you drive to work. Podcasting is slowly invading the day. The latest figures are out and podcasting now has "Sixty-two percent of the U.S. 12+ population, around 176 million people, are now weekly online audio listeners, an all-time high for this category."

How can radio in general fight back before it becomes a major problem?

Link: Edison Research

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Jake on March 12, 2021, 5:31 pm, in reply to "Radio In Trouble?"

I'm not quite so sure radio "has" to look at podcasting as the enemy, per say. I believe podcasting is an essential counterpart offering to the radio station's brand, and should be at this point. It can add value to what already exists.

And I think companies like iHeart know this, as they've been investing in podcast resources for some time now.

We can't resist the wave; we need to ride it.

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by WYTZZ95FM on March 12, 2021, 7:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Jake agreed again. But, I do not think radio does itself favors running 25 minute stopsets, jockless, off hard drives and voice tracks. Or having jocks crack the mic for 10 seconds and sound like drones.

Z

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Jeremy Andrews on March 13, 2021, 11:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Z, check your E-Mail. I sent an explaination of something. I know you don’t check it often so I wanted to let you know it’s there

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by WYTZZ95FM on March 14, 2021, 12:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Got it! Thanks Jeremy. Good hearing from you.

I set my email to poll every few minutes so I can keep up with people messaging me off of here.

Z

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by WYTZZ95FM on March 12, 2021, 7:51 pm, in reply to "Radio In Trouble?"

I think this is the more important statement:

Approximately eighty million Americans – 28% of the U.S. 12+ population – are now weekly podcast listeners, a 17% increase over 2020.

Also:

A total of 1,507 persons were interviewed

That is not a big enough sample, nor do we know the ethnic breakdown, or gender breakdown. I can't take the stats seriously, but we know the "other" category of entertainment consumption is increasing upward.

I read an article that 30% of all "music and talk" listening is now done via an app. That just says, people are not using AM/FM radios like they used to.

Z

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Stever on March 12, 2021, 8:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Content is king, and it is a continual struggle to find good content on AM/FM radio. It still fascinates me why any sponsor would want to have their spot placed in the middle of an eight minute commercial cluster. I love radio but if I had a business today I would never buy time on a station which runs commercial marathons.

And for the multitude of stations which are nothing more than jukeboxes with out-of-state liner readers, it’s an easy choice for me to find something other than traditional radio.

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by The Beatnik on March 13, 2021, 9:35 am, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

"Commercial Marathons" LOL! Great Description !

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Watts on March 13, 2021, 1:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

"Radio in Trouble"

...has been for a long, long time. Not even a "?" , it's been "!" for years and years.

Like I say from time to time here, while traveling it's nice to catch the occasional radio station that's actually local, unique, and the way radio had been and sadly probably will not ever be again in most places/markets. One great listen that always stands out is WDOR AM / FM. Other good ones include Northwoods 92.5 and The Lodge 106.9.

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Adam on March 14, 2021, 1:23 am, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Watts, next time you are on I-39 south of Stevens Point, check out 102.3 The Bug out of Wautoma. They also have a 250w translator in Oshkosh (98.3). Still locally owned and live mornings and middays (I think). Gigantic Oldies/Classic Hits playlist that stretches from the late '50s to the early 2000s, though the main focus tends to be '60s through '80s.

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Huh? on March 13, 2021, 1:58 pm, in reply to "Radio In Trouble?"

Radio in trouble with a question mark at the end? You’re asking whether or not radio is in trouble? Where have you been? Radio has been in trouble for a while now.

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by Watts on March 13, 2021, 2:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Gosh, people on this board have been nasty lately.

Did you notice this topic thread: Radio In Trouble? Notice the "?" mark at the end of the original post / message?

Thus, I made a point to focus on that "?" mark and point out that it's been more like "!" for a long time. And, I've been posting on this board for a long time and have made many references and links to radio's woes over the years.

I thought this whole pandemic mess has taught humanity to be more kind and gentle.

Re: Radio In Trouble?

Posted by WYTZZ95FM on March 13, 2021, 2:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Radio In Trouble?"

Watts, there are the radio haters on here and everywhere. We know radio is in the crapper, but for some, they are waiting for the last rusty nail to close the coffin shut. They see no positive, at all.

You are right the gems are usually in the unrated markets and the small town America. Issue is, even those are falling victim to the hard drive and national feeds, when cost savings can be recognized and send the audience away forever.

Z

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