New Rock Is Not Connecting On Radio

Alternative Rock stations in major markets across the country are tumbling like a line of dominoes, as the passion and public interest in hearing new Rock music on the radio has waned. What was a radio darling format after the explosion of Nirvana and Pearl Jam seems to be on life-support now. Is that loss real or are new Rock fans just finding other ways to hear it? The New York Times reports (requires AOL screen member log in or go to the New York Times website and log on for free)…

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Podcasting 201

To know podcasting is devine.

Well, maybe that is a little far-fetched…but it is a newly-opened media vacuum (less than one year old) that is quickly being filled. And gaining loads of attention. It is unwarranted? Is podcasting the new future to help save radio? To help bring the control of media ownership in ivory towers back down to the Everyday Joe? For the first time in years, it actually seems possible that the concept of “radio” (as developed by Marconi a century ago, the “wireless” electronic frequency broadcast of a message between just 2 people located many miles away), radio actually has the potential to be accessible TO THE PEOPLE once more.

The learn exactly what Podcasting is all about, read this informative primer from rss-specifications.com and decide for yourself: we are living in a constantly-customized world for our needs, wants, hopes, fears and desires…and the marketplace continues to respond with supply and new opportunties.

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Podcasting Continues To Be Hot

(image courtesy of AdAge.com; PlayPod is an example of one of today’s popular Podcasting software)

Podcasting keeps gaining interest. Broadcasters are now creating customized Podcast software which automatically download and save chosen broadcast shows from the web and then place directly into your iPod when you sync…all for a monthly or ala carte subscription. Infinity just launched an all-Podcast radio station in San Francisco which promises to play listener-created podcasts. And advertisers and radio networks are starting to see the potential to connect new content with an audience. AdAge.com has more on the subject…read on.

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– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Clear Channel Ratings Up, Revenues Down: Less Is More

According to a press release from Clear Channel discussing the just-released Winter ratings period from Arbitron, Clear Channel is up in ratings for its largest markets which implimented the “Less Is More”, 40% fewer commercials per hour policy beginning late 2004. Despite rate increases, revenues are still down almost 6% (while competing radio groups are averaging an estimated 2% gain in revenues during this same period comparison). Once these ratings gains take traction, rates can be set even higher for Clear Channel and those revenues might start seeing positive impact from “less is more”.

Click the headline to read the Yahoo! article.

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

From AdAge.com: Why Mel Karmazin is Sirius About Radio Advertising

(photo courtesy of Darryl Estrine)

An Interview With the New Satellite Media Mogul, AdAge.com shows how Karmazin plans to rev up Sirius ad revenues from $1M to $100M with the speed of a rocket.

(user ID log-in for AdAge.com is required)

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Despite XM and Sirius, Traditional Radio Remains Strong In-Car

(graphic courtesty of kurthanson.com)

Kurt Hanson’s Rain and Internet Newsletter (“RAIN”) has been a leading Webzine for the radio and internet industries for the last several years. A long-time market researcher, he’s got solid analysis skills. Plus, we like him. Kurt just completed a review of the past 6 years of Arbitron diaries to see what kind of impact Internet and Satellite radio may have had on traditional terrestrial radio listening. His conclusion: while overall radio tuning is down, in-car listening is up — despite the primary marketing approach of satellite radio for the car. Our conclusion: commute times keep going up (a national increase of over 34 minutes in the last 10 years). More time in the car, more time for radio, terrestrial or not. Good for both the old and new medias.

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Mark Cuban’s Blogsite

(photo courtesy of the AP and espn.com)

Former Broadcast.com and current Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban is an innovator and a content renegade...he is rewriting the rulebook in this rapidly-rule changing digital world. He IS a maverick owner. Love him or hate him...he's got the bank and the dynamic thinking. Read his blog to keep up with part of the leading edge for digital thinking.

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Research Brief from the Center of Media Research and MediaPost.com on Satellite Radio Usage

Satellite Radio Has a 4.2% Penetration, With 18-24 Year Olds Leading

According to BIGresearch’s March Consumer Intentions and Actions 18-34 year olds are the satellite radio providers #1 age group for current subscribers and also for those planning on buying in the next 6 months. However, it appears that for those 35+, the majority say they don’t plan on buying/subscribing to satellite radio at this time, and are less likely to be current subscribers.

Education about the advantages or useful outcomes of subscribing to satellite radio appear to be necessary in order to motivate the 35 plus crowd to subscribe as 22.7% of the 35-44 year olds said they didn’t know enough about the service, 24.3% of the 45-54 year olds, 28.5% of the 55-64 year olds and 42% of the 65+ said the same.

Ryan Brock, VP of Strategic Services with MarketStar Corporation, says “Lack of understanding of the benefits and technological anxiety are the key hurdles that the satellite radio vendors need to overcome at this stage, especially for sub-segments including older consumers.” Brock suggests that “… retailers need to target these consumer segments … with hands-on, face to face educational tools to overcome these specific objections.”

4.2% of consumers 18+ said they currently subscribe to one of the satellite radio services and 2.5% said they are planning to within the next 6 months. An additional 16.1% said they plan to subscribe someday.

Of those people who said they plan to subscribe, 28.7% said they would subscribe to Sirius, 16.7% said XM and 54.6% were undecided about which service they would choose. XM was the #1 pick for 18-24 year olds and Sirius was #1 for all other age groups.

Regarding satellite Radio (Sirius, XM), which statement best applies to you?
	All	Male	Female	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+
I have it
	4.2%	4.5%	3.9%	5.6%	5.3%	3.7%	3.3%	3.6%	4.0%
I plan to buy it in the next 6 months
	2.5%	3.5%	1.6%	4.4%	4.2%	2.6%	1.8%	0.9%	1.1%
I plan to buy it someday
	16.1%	20.6%	11.9%	28.5%	25.8%	15.9%	13.8%	7.5%	5.1%
I don’t think I’ll buy it at this time
	52.6%	57.8%	47.8%	47.7%	48.7%	55.2%	56.8%	59.5%	47.9%
I don’t know enough about it to make a purchase decision
	24.6%	13.7%3	4.7%	13.8%	15.9%	22.7%	24.3%	28.5%	42.0%
Source: BIGresearch, March 2005

Which brand will you most likely purchase?
	All	Male	Female	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+
Sirius	28.7%	31.3%	26.3%	23.4%	33.4%	29.4%	28.9%	33.0%	23.3%
XM	16.7%	20.4%	13.4%	36.4%	21.0%	13.8%	13.4%	7.7%	10.8%
Undecided	54.6%	48.4%	60.4%	40.2%	56.8%	56.8%	57.7%	59.3%	65.8%
Source: BIGresearch, March 2005

For more on satellite radio visit the BIGresearch blog.

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

Radio Still Has Gold To Mine Online

(image courtesy of ClickZ.com)

According to this ClickZ News article and their internet advertising reports, local radio online advertising has almost doubled in the last year and is poised to keep going up, up, up. Read their take on the potentials for radio still ahead…

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy

From the ANA: Great Marketers Market Great

(image courtesy of the ANA)

The Association of National Advertisers has an excellent blogsite located at ana.blogs.com which we recommend you include in your regular readings. This linked article from Bob Liodice of the ANA offers 6 excellent thoughts on distinct platforms for marketing excellence.

– All posts written by Chris Kennedy