James Cridland is Managing Director of media.info, and a U.K.-based radio futurologist. He is a consultant, writer and public speaker who concentrates on the effect that new platforms and technology are having on the radio business. Find out more or subscribe at http://james.cridland.nets
I was interviewed on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme — the topic was supposed to be why DAB is still worthwhile using when everything’s moving to the internet. While I was on-air, 37% of BBC Radio 4’s listeners were using DAB, and only 3% were listening via the internet.
Things I wrote
- I reviewed the BBC iPlayer Radio app v2. It’s pretty brilliant, little niggles aside; I enjoyed Iggy Pop’s radio programme on the plane last weekend.
- It’s time for a better radio – my piece in radioinfo last week. I love the image they chose!
United States
- Why the push to launch podcasts is missing the point – a great thoughtful piece that points out, as I do regularly, that proper radio innovation isn’t just slinging a radio programme out on the internet. /via Guylaine L’Heureux
- Report: Streaming constitutes 28% of all US TV viewing. I’m not entirely sure about this; I suspect they’re not quite comparing like with like.
- CBS Radio Makes Massive Nationwide Cuts
- WXRY have an indiegogo crowdfunding effort at the moment to fund two additional transmitters – nice idea, and I hope it works for them
- Remember WJAK? Nope? Don’t blame you – it was this guy’s bedroom radio station. But what a playlist!
- Listened to WBBR yet? No, not that WBBR, this one – the Williamsburg Bridge’s own radio station.
- Interesting new stats from Triton about streaming radio in the US. Mobile somuch bigger than desktop now.
- Golly, The Intercept’s redesign is lovely. So white space. Much responsiveness. Wow. Makes most radio websites look like a game of Jenga.
United Kingdom
- Lots of talk of the BBC this week, as the government starts the debate on the future of the BBC. The national newspapers have predictably chimed in – lest we forget, they’re hardly unbiased in this. The BBC’s PR is in full effect – ‘BBC Turkeys Protest Christmas’ says Guido Fawkes of a letter written by showbiz stars defending it. He’s got a point – who in BBC PR thought that this was a good idea? And why did the BBC deny they were involved, only for Michael Palin, one of the signatories, to admit that Tony Hall called him directly to ask if he’d sign it? Meanwhile, the media blog argues it’s time to back the BBC, not pull it apart. This TV trail from thirty years ago still holds true, though argues quite successfully for both sides, showing that the BBC is involved in an awful lot.
- Meanwhile, in commercial media land, Bauer Media Group’s ZOO Magazine “steals” a video, edits out the guy that made it, and shares it, according to this Slate article. Bauer was also called out last year for not paying some of its radio presenters, something they’ve since corrected. Someone in Bauer is sure storing up some negative karma.
- Absolute Radio to go on FM in West Midlands: 12 years late – it all could have been so different had Ofcom given it to Golden Square anyway, all those years ago.
- ‘National radio ads that should be better’ – interesting example of a poor UK ad. Does the industry have the balls to tell ad agencies to do better? If well over 10 minutes of every hour is lame rubbish, shouldn’t we?
- Jon Gaunt’s launching a new talk radio station. It’s got proper studios and everything. This podcast has details; I’m going there on Wednesday to find out more. Exciting times.
- Interesting data from Spotify showing how music consumption changes in different places. – even in different cities in the UK.
- Fun Kids launches a long form podcast (and nicely produced too). Hosted by Omny, I notice.
Australia
- ABC’s MediaWatch is a great watch (and available without a geolock). Here’s a great dissection of how the media whips up faux outrage.
- Great article in Mumbrella: radio creative listens to an ad break and critiques the ads