James Cridland
The UK’s radio figures, RAJAR, were published. Matt Deegan has some good analysis, as ever – particularly interesting is the analysis of “spinoff stations”, like Heart 80s or Absolute 90s, and the effect they have on their “main” stations. No erosion at all: instead, an overall increase in audience. US radio, pay attention.
Clive Dickens is credited by Matt as coming up with the concept: I’m not sure he did, but Clive certainly grasped the opportunity offered to him by new platforms, and put them on a much more sensible business footing.
Last time round, I looked at BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, and ABC RN’s Breakfast program; looking at the subjects covered and the types of show they both were.
One person said “you should listen to Morning Edition”, and so I did, listening to WBEZ’s Morning Edition. I was surprised by the sound of it – lots of voices, lots of opt-points, lots of underwriting credits (is there a more boring and dull mechanism for a radio ad in the world, I wonder), and the experience left me a bit cold.
Delighted to also sample Nick Ferrari at breakfast on LBC. Lots of very clever techniques from the show – clips to introduce a story, talkback that works and adds to the show, good use of reporters around the country, and a way of explaining slang. It was a great listen.
And today I also sampled RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, which was much more accessible and modern-sounding than perhaps I was expecting.
These are fun to do; and thank you to Radio Monitor for giving me assistance.
Worth keeping a look at BBC Sounds, and its changing consumption.
In Q1/21, the BBC Sounds app achieved 149mn plays of on-demand radio and podcasts, while BBC podcasts were downloaded 265mn times worldwide elsewhere.
In Q4/23, just announced, the BBC Sounds app now achieves 231mn plays of on-demand radio and podcasts, while BBC global podcast downloads have shrunk to 222mn.
BBC Sounds on-demand audio has grown by 55% in two years; while BBC third-party podcast consumption has fallen by 16%.
I’m sure part of the BBC will see this as a success. I do wonder, though, whether the dip in third-party podcast consumption is something to be concerned about.
