James Cridland is Managing Director of media.info, and an Australia-based radio futurologist. He is a consultant, writer and public speaker who concentrates on the effect that new platforms and technology are having on the radio business. Find out more or subscribe at http://james.cridland.net
James Cridland’s articles
- I watched a bit of telly in New Zealand that was actually radio. Here’s my column from last week, read to you.
- Malaysia – a united radio industry. Some of my travel notes from my visit there – in audio form
- One-man radio station now has 35,000 listeners – this is such a lovely good-news story, it’s brilliant.
United Kingdom
- RAJAR, the radio research figures, came out last week. My preferred RAJAR news source – are the relatively unbiased musings from Matt Deegan, and some fascinating RAJAR graphs from Adam Bowie particularly younger audiences. The media took the story about BBC 6music’s record figures, and mostly ignored an astonishing set of results from LBC. For me, another part of that story is the hugely-resourced BBC Radio London (FM/DAB), which has 424,000 listeners; and literally a station in a cupboard, LBC London News (AM/DAB) which has 464,000. Much of LBC London News is automated, re-used pieces of content from the main LBC service: it works well and is a great listen. The most popular radio stations in the UK? Heart nearly as big as Radio 1, but Island FM is #1 in two charts; it’s a tiny station in the Channel Islands.
- One-man radio station now has 35,000 listeners – this is such a lovely good-news story, it’s brilliant.
- BFBS gets exclusive interview with Andy McNab – this is nicely-relevant content for this audience
- Sessions announced for Radio TechCon 2016 – this looks like a great geeky event for radio-watchers
- Search begins for the Chair of the new BBC Board – surprisingly low salary for such a big responsibility
- Gambaccini: Met Police are a ‘third-rate stasi’ – I do hope he gets off the fence and tells us what he really thinks
- The Bugle podcast returns – now on Radiotopia. This is very good news – delighted to see its return.
- A format that has never really succeeded in the UK, Rock Radio is back in Glasgow on 96.3. But for how long?
- BBC Radio Scotland Music Extra to launch on DAB – another pop-up digital channel. Do these need public value tests?
Australia
- National podcast awards announced for Australia – this is a good move for the industry
- If you have 45 minutes spare, you should definitely watch Mark Ritson speaking at #CRAConf2016 – old media versus “a tsunami of bullshine”
- 101.7 WSFM to release entire station music archive as 3-CD box set (a bit mean, a bit funny)
- Classic Rock Radio: there’s a new radio station on AM in Melbourne (but it’s apparently announcer-free)
- Here’s why your radio station sponsors should be more than just a name credit – lovely story.
- ABC Radio app now supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (but it’s the other new feature I like more)
United States
- NPR are doing well in the ratings. Why? Jacobs Media take a peek.
- n10.as and The Lot radio: still alive and kicking – some good news from Radio Survivor
- I’m wondering why Pandora thinks people will spend same money as Spotify for just one of Spotify’s features?
Elsewhere
- Norway: as broadcasters switch off their FM transmitters, NRK is offering online chat to help listeners
- Germany: Bauer Media are likely to bid for the second DAB+ national multiplex
- Middle East: Pirate radio risks death to fight ISIS on airwaves
- Ireland: Silence – a powerful thing. Alan Swan highlights its strength in interviews.
- Germany: a RadioDNS compatible app for the LG Stylus DAB+ phone. I’d have expected a press release or something from RadioDNS about this; but the project’s current direction confuses me rather
- Ireland: The Frequency Fell Silent… Long Live Radio – when radio stations shut down (as one did in Dublin last week)