From the article: "The radio industry could find itself at the kids' table in the media banquet hall, as new technology threatens the business, advertising executives said this week at the Reuters Media and Advertising Summit.
Satellite radio, digital music players and the Internet are slowly encroaching on traditional radio's stronghold on local entertainment and advertising. Plus, radio ads themselves are less memorable and creative, these executives said."
No kidding. In many parts of the country, the offerings on ad supported radio versus subscription supported satellite radio isn't even close. My own part of the country is a case in point. There is a much wider variety available in urban centers and a less compelling reason to go to satellite radio, especially if you can get similar content via broadband. But you can't (yet) drive from point A to B and maintain a wireless connection suitable for streaming media, though it will come.
Some new car audio components are coming with "Ipod" ports. So are some new home radio/cd players. They give you a line-in so you can easily hook up your MP3 player and use the speakers.
We can all see where this is going. Broadcast, ad supported radio has some real competition. Maybe they will have to stop running their stations on autopilot and provide more true local programming and talent. I know that even during an emergency, our own local station will go to bed and play syndicated programming after the office closes. That's been one of the local broadcaster's plea: that we support them so they will be there in case of emergency. That means that they really will have to be there, and a lot of them aren't.
If you have comments good or bad about local broadcast radio, satellite radio, podcasts or streaming media, feel free to leave them here.
I remember the "good ol days" when one got tired of hearing all the requests for comments and suggestions. One DJ covers the same segment in several major markets at once. I remember John Boy and Billy, a local nationally syndicated show, were discussing having a program that would play different music, based on format, with JB&B doing the same act as always. Which proves that the same dj(s) can cross target audiences. Clear Channel has homogenized the radio industry, in the interest of profits, not serving the local community. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI think the lack of a local presence in "over the air" radio has made 'Podcast' the Word of the Year it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.