James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Radio vs Spotify — some data

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, how Spotify is eating into AM/FM listening — data is from Morgan Stanley. Also: The BBC in the pandemic. AM radio declining in Europe. Collectors of radio station beers. And much more. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Infinite Dial UK results, and ‘Local BBC Radio’

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James enthuses about the first Infinite Dial UK released by Edison Research. Also, the all-podcast radio format has been dropped from two iHeartMedia stations after “dismal audience figures,” DAB in Brisbane, and how BBC Radio 4 dropped off the air. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: An Infinite Dial for the UK, at last

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James anticipates The Infinite Dial UK study from Edison Research, set to be presented this week in London. Also, fun history about CBS Mystery Theater, and a great documentary. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: More talk, less music

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James examines The Spoken Word Audio Report, produced by Edison Research with support from NPR. Speaking words is where radio should excel in the future, according to this perspective: “Radio’s unique selling proposition – the thing radio does that nobody else does – is the human being. Not the music; we can get that everywhere.” Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Radio is a hit for car drivers

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with an epic edition of his weekly column, starting with new research spanning survey respondents in Australia, Europe, and the U.S. — 80% of them really like radio to other listening experiences in the car. Then, a big radio acquisition in Brisbane. Much more, including a “youthquake.” Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The UK’s new radio figures

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with an analysis of a newly released RAJAR, the UK radio ratings report of record. One item of note, and graphed in this piece: UK radio formats now behave the same throughout dayparts. ALSO: Foxtel, Fred Jacobs, Bob Hoffman, and more. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: FM switchoff in the UK; and a nerdy look at AM transmission characteristics Inbox

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with one of his more technical columns, in which he closes the can of worms opened in last week’s coverage of a frequency switch at 4BC in Brisbane, Cridland’s home base. Lots of graphics. But first, the UK’s decision about FM switch-off, a new rule for smart speakers, the geography of Wales according to TuneIn, and the new BBC logo. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: 4BC switches frequency; and a landmark for UK commercial radio

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with a richly informative newsletter about radio around the world. In this week’s edition: A frequency trade in Brisbane; a Flash review; a milestone in commercial UK radio; some on-brand whistling and much more. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The BBC World Service sees more listeners, and Ceefax lives!

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with a richly informative newsletter about radio around the world. In this week’s edition: Discussion of BBC World Service’s new five-year review: listener reach, digital growth, and more. Also, the demolition of a radio tower. And some dinky doo, too. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Stories of goodbyes, radio in Afghanistan, and that’s a good question

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with a richly informative newsletter about radio around the world. In this week’s edition: Classy radio exits. Reporting of inept radio. Praise for Pierre Bouvard’s data-based advice. And more. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Podcast-first radio

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with a richly informative newsletter about radio around the world. In this week’s edition: An online radio station that repurposes as a podcast. As always a raft of links to interesting audio stories around the world, and after reading a podcast show script James concludes: “Anyone who writes in all-capitals in 2021 is a masochist.” Continue Reading

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The CRA’s Good Week

by James Cridland

James Cridland returns with a richly informative newsletter about radio around the world. In this meaty edition, the CRA (Commercial Radio Australia) is featured for several recent accomplishments — it’s “quite a force to be reckoned with.” Plus a rich selection of links to audio business news around the world. Continue Reading