With music and content available almost everywhere, how does the radio industry compete? The average person, with little effort, can receive a huge variety of music, talk, and information on their computers, mobile phone, GPS devices, and now through their car stereos. Blaupunkt and miRoamer will be announcing a new car radio that will not only receive AM and FM radio, but also connect to thousands of internet radio stations. Should the radio industry be concerned or are the multitude of devices and technologies too confusing for the average person?

The radio industry should be a little concerned and definitely keep an eye on emerging technologies that are becoming easier to use and more intuitive for the average person. Radio still has some big advantages over technologies that serve a mass audience. One of the biggest is location. Local content tapping into local pride and, of course, local advertisers is huge. Local DJs, talk hosts, and news personalities covering a listener’s backyard is very compelling and relatable. It will be very difficult for an online station to deliver fun banter about local happenings.

Also in radio’s favor, is a recent study by Paragon Media Strategies that reported an increase in radio listening by 14 to 24 year olds over the last few years. Even with 10,000 songs on your iPod, there is still a thirst for new music and local information.

The radio industry shouldn’t lose too much sleep right now but it should keep an eye on these new technologies and be prepared to evolve. To quote a Chinese proverb: “When the wind rises, some people build walls. Others build windmills.”

–Tom Stark, Partner, RadioGlue. tom@radioglue.com – 732.416.0900
Let RadioGlue help you with your new technology initiatives. Contact Tom for more information.

Source: cnet

Source: cnet

Source: cnet

Source: Wired

Source: Rolling Stone

Source: Wired

Source: Wired

Source: Wired

Source: TechCrunch