Author: James Cridland

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends – Radio in the car: and bad software

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by James Cridland

In his latest column, James Cridland buys a new car and reports on its audio features — especially the radio tuner. DAB is there, and FM, but no AM at all. Not a crisis, he observes, because AM is simulcast on DAB. But there is unfavorable UX in other ways, and the screen fail one usability test after another. All this while James is at the 14th Atelier Radiophonique Romand in Switzerland, listening to Tomas Granryd discuss the EBU’s Connected Car Playbook. Swinging over to a review of that document, James finds a mix of great ideas and self-serving ones. As always, an interesting read. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends – Radio advertising: your winners and duds

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by James Cridland

In his latest column, James unearths an old print ad for two Australian radio stations, and puzzles over a few conundrums. “There’s a lot to unpack from this press ad over thirty years later.” ALSO: A study from Audacy, an amazing face\t about Star Wars, the BBC applying for funds, James’ visit to the Pacific island of Niue, and more. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: DAB means even more new stations

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by James Cridland

In his latest column, James shares takeaways from the recent Radiodays Asia and Podcast Day Asia conferences. He brings back intel about the DAB digital radio format, which he reports is gaining interest in Asian countries. And James evangelizes the format, saying it offers a surprising amount of new choice for broadcasters, which helps draw new listeners. UK radio group Global announced twelve new stations. ALSO: a wide range of observations and news from Europe, Australia, and Connecticut. It’s not called International for nothing. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Multi-platform changes to radio, and respect

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by James Cridland

In his pre-Podcast Movement weekly bulleting, James documents a well publicized radio closure in New York (CBS AM) and another in Sydney. James muses on these two events, and moves on to an intriguing graphic which illustrates the market share of radio stations in Dublin.
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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Kyle and Jackie O – a damp squib? Or just poor-quality smut?

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by James Cridland

High expectations and low results; that’s a theme i this week’s guest column from James Cridland. He cites Kyle and Jackie O Live — the biggest radio show in Melbourne Australia , and syndicated across the continent — as an example. Can breakfast syndicated shows work? James has a lot to say in this. Also: Two recommended albums, a star interviewer, and how Star Wars saved NPR (sort of). Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Another pop-up station, and a drone light show

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by James Cridland

This week James reports the BBC’s new station, called Election 2024. It’s a 24-hour news stream, and interestingly it is available only on the BBC Sounds app … and only in-UK listeners can hear it, and James is dubious. Also: American radio jingles, Australian radio mascots, and much more. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Faking it – competition winners caught out

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by James Cridland

Capital Radio Network in Australia said it wasn’t trying to mislead listeners. Guest columnist James Cridland calls BS on that, and explains why. It’s about holding a listener contest without holding one. Nothing new, James says, and cites an example. Plus: Previewing the next iOS version, congratulations to winning broadcasters, and a preview of Swiss Radio Day. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Networking but sounding local; and could the BBC go commercial?

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by James Cridland

In his latest guest column: Bauer’s brand bundling. Then there is this piece of wistful idealism: “As the BBC gets ready to put advertising in its podcasts (on third parties) in the UK, you might think that if only BBC Radio took commercials, we’d not have to bother with the TV licence fee and everything would be good.” And than a deeper dive into that concept. A great, informative read. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Spinoff stations grow overall reach

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by James Cridland

In his latest guest column, James Cridland starts by looking at recent RAJAR statistics measuring UK radio listening. Interesting, he observes, that spinoff stations do not detract listening from their parent stations. Then he compares NPR’s Morning Edition U.S. radio program with the breakfast shows produced by BBC and Australia’s ABC. He is left “a bit cold.” Then he tried wake-up programming at LBC (a UK network) and RTE’s Radio Ireland. And much more. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Analysing morning news shows

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by James Cridland

In his latest guest column, James Cridland reviews and analyzes the Today program at BBC Radio 4. The exercise was enjoyable enough to motivate him to do the same for Australia’s ABC morning show. Also, how to effectively promote radio listening on the air. Continue Reading →

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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: How successful have HD Radio’s additional channels been?

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by James Cridland

In his latest guest column, James Cridland reviews and analyzes HD Radio, comparing it to the UK’s DAB digital radio solution. HD Radio does not fare well in the comparison, for reasons ranging from low usage to poor user experience. “Now that HD Radio is more than 21 years old, it might be interesting to know how much listening there is to these HD2/HD3 stations. And it turns out… not much.” And James analyzes why that is. A must read for anyone interested in what went wrong with HD Radio adoption in the U.S., and a cross-continental comparison. Continue Reading →