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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.
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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 →

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

Posted on by James Cridland

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 →

The case for news radio advertising (Audacy)

Posted on by Brad Hill

The Marketers’ Guide to News Radio, a new info-promo by radio giant Audacy, makes a richly graphical case for the quality of news radio audiences, and the unique values to advertisers. The presentation deck represents a 2024 study conducted for Audacy by market research company Alter Agents. In it, we are drenched with affirmations about the credibility and stickiness of radio news, and the advantages of advertising in that channel.  Continue Reading →