AM/FM/HD/Satellite

All forms of broadcast.

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Kyle and Jackie O – a damp squib? Or just poor-quality smut?

Posted on by James Cridland

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

Posted on by Brad Hill

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

Posted on by Brad Hill

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: Faking it – competition winners caught out

Posted on by James Cridland

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: Capital – Taylor’s Version

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

In his latest edition of International Radio Trends, guest columnist James Cridland listens (with his young daughter) to a pop-up Taylor Swift station in the UK. It’s a Capital contemporary hits station. and is well programmed, James says, and “shows the power of DAB as a flexible radio transmission platform, and more. Also: The UK general election, a BBC radio flashback, a demonstration of dynamic advertising, and more. Continue Reading →

Streaming audio up, AM/FM down in new 2024 local advertising forecast from Borrell

Posted on by Brad Hill

Local media analytics company Borrell Associates has released a new forecast of local media advertising. This report is a follow-up to an initial forecast released in November and is, in the company’s words, “triggered by new information from Borrell’s principal sources.” We learn that streaming audio is a high achiever in local advertising expenditures. Click for lots of detail, revealing graphs, and the source link. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Momentum 24, and the BBC’s ads

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

In his latest edition of International Radio Trends, guest columnist James Cridland summarizes the Christian Music Broadcasters conference “a radio conference like no other.” — dancing before sessions, bands playing between speakers — “never such a positive and vocal audience. (And he “never felt so old, so British, so reserved.”) Then, back to a key topic lately in this column: The BBC’s plan to insert ads into podcasts. He calls it “penalising the UK public.” Plus much more from Australia and Canada. It’s not called “International” for nothing. Continue Reading →

Audacy Sports launches today, solving a “clunky” problem and better serving advertisers

Posted on by Brad Hill

Audio giant Audacy is announcing Audacy Sports, carving out a new umbrella brand which consolidates and represents the company’s considerable sports offerings. It launches today, coinciding with the start of the NFL Draft. The new configuration is built for advertisers, better showcasing Audacy’s range of ad opportunities. Click for more details. Continue Reading →

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

Posted on by James Cridland

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: Closures and bereavements

Posted on by Brad Hill

by James Cridland

In his latest guest column, James Cridland grieves the death of Paul Chantler and offers reminiscences. Then, how Bauer Media is closing radio stations, buildings, and transmission platforms. Then, a peek at one of Bauer’s studio renovations. James also continues his public commentary on the BBC decision to carry ads. And much more in a packed newsletter. Continue Reading →

New digital audio ad firm Audire launches in 3 regions, offers 150M reach with “cost per full listen”

Posted on by Brad Hill

A new company called Audire (a combination of “audio” and “dire” — to speak, in French) has launched in Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. It is a new venture for RAIN sponsor and RAIN Summit speaker Carlos Cordoba. The network spans 150-million users across its addressable regions, including 50-million in the U.S. Click for detail. Continue Reading →