All forms of broadcast.
NPR has revealed its newly appointed CEO: Katherine Maher, announced on the network’s news and commentary program All Things Considered. Maher will inherit the seat now occupied by John Lansing, who took the top job in September, 2019, when he replaced outgoing chief executive Jarl Mohn. Lansing recently announced his resignation. Katherine Maher owns a deep resume. Continue Reading
Radio giant Audacy, rocked by bankruptcy debt restructuring, is forging ahead with a five-point business projection. Looking at the company’s business plan filed with the SEC, we see five areas of focus. Click for details, graphs, and a link. Continue Reading
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
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
In a dramatic simplification of its mobile experiences, NPR is discontinuing the NPR One app. In this consolidation the company has moved NPR One features into the existing (and now revamped) NPR app. Click for details and history. Continue Reading
The FCC has announced an open application period, starting on November 1, for new Low Power FM (LPFM) Radio Stations. The opening follows a brief blackout period for new applications. Click for a help center with filing instructions. Continue Reading
In his latest piece, guest columnist James Cridland reports on a recent visit to Radio Formula, a national radio station in Mexico, owned by Grupo Formula. A new facility, opened in March of this year, offer gleaming photos. “It was astonishing how much the company had packed into what seemed to me like a quite small space.” James reports. He also reports on the latest RAJAR MIDAS report. Continue Reading
RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research Limited) has released the fall 2023 edition of its MIDAS (Measurement of Internet Delivered Audio) Services metrics report. The 17-page document sweeps across the entire audio landscape in the UK. Click for metrics, graphs, and a download link. Continue Reading
The Pew Research Center has mounted a study of how U.S. adults use devices to consume news. The preferences and trendlines are definite: Digital devices on the ascendence, while legacy delivery platforms are in decline. Click for charts. Continue Reading
AirKast, mobile app and web developer for media companies, has partnered with Ron Rivlin Media for sales representation and other client solutions. The goal is to expand AirKast’s market reach and further its mission to provide cutting-edge solutions to its clients.
Continue Reading
Media giant Audacy has released a “State of Audio” PDF presentation called “Level Up.” It evangelizes the benefits, formats, and best practices of audio advertising, and fashions itself a “Modern Blueprint.” Click for a sampling of details, graphics, and a download link. Continue Reading
In his latest piece, guest columnist James Cridland notes an odd finding from Edison Research’s Share of Ear study: “AM/FM is still the #1 audio source; but total listening goes down by a third. Everything else – music streaming, podcasts – doubles.” It’s a user-experience (UX) effect, James claims: “Make it simpler to listen to other things, and people will.” He emphasizes the shared experience and human connection of radio. Also, interesting corporate manoeuvrings in Australia. And more. Continue Reading