AM/FM/HD/Satellite

All forms of broadcast.

James Cridland’s Radioland – WSQK: showing how radio innovates like no other

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

In this week’s column, James assesses innovation in radio. American: no innovation for 19 years. Other part of the world get kinder marks, and this iece focuses on WSQK, a globally produced station owned by, um, British network Global. Thing is, WSQK is a pop-up station that fits into the Stranger Things franchise — “a full, 24/7, six-week long radio station deep into the Stranger Things universe,” as James explains. “And everything is perfect”. James invokes real stations to listen — the writing and production are superb — and take notes. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Radioland – The biggest radio stations in the US

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

In this week’s exceptionally deep and thoughtful guest column, James puts a focus on the BBC Sounds media and radio app, which is scheduled to be discontinued outside of the UK today. Also covered: how BBC Sounds is performing inside the UK. (Preview: Slight gain; older listeners.) Moving on from the BBC, James reports on the biggest radio stations in the U.S., one great YouTube video, a retroactive look at “AI Ashley,” census data about radio listenership, visual advertising in radio, and James’ “universal radio” idea. Buckle in. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Radioland – BBC Radio overseas: a new plan after BBC Sounds closes

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

As James’s regular readers know, he has been interested in the availability of BBC Radio outside the UK. And there’s been some movement. The BBC Sounds app will be turned off for listeners outside the UK on 21 July 2025 — but there’s more to it than that. And a lot more news. Continue Reading →

Connected audio leads UK listening metrics (RAJAR)

Posted on by Brad Hill

RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research), the radio/audio measurement organization of the UK, released its Winter 2024 MIDAS report. It is designed to “provide context and insight into how, when, and where audio content is being consumed.” The mission is to show and quantify how listeners are embracing the multi-platform and multi-device offering, as well as how on-demand audio is contributing to listening behaviour. The report also reveals consumer location and behavior while listening, how listening happens in groups, and how audio makes listeners feel. Click for detailed coverage and download link.
Continue Reading →

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

Posted on by James Cridland

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 →