James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: BBC cuts; TechSurvey, RAJAR
by James Cridland
A packed column this week from James. The title outlines a big scope … plus, BBC Radio 5 turns off its AM. And more.
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James Cridland
James Cridland is a U.K.-based radio futurologist, and owner of MediaUK, a website that has covered radio news for 20 years.
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Radio on the Telly
by James Cridland
In this week’s guest column, James reviews the newly launched TalkTV to start. It went well until technical problems interrupted a call-in critical of the show. “As a way to run TV and radio output as one service, it works very well,” James says. Then, the BBC fixes technical problems with its Radio 4 interviews. And more.
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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: A radio receiver for people with dementia
by James Cridland
In this week’s guest column, James reports that he has The Thing, after returning from Podcast Movement Evolutions — he speculates it was the trip, not the event, which gave it to him. Anyway, the temporary illness didn’t stop him from reporting a week of interesting news bits from around the world including Ukraine, A clever TalkTV-and-radio programming gambit, a BBC Radio show on Patreon, and (as the title promises) a radio set for people who have dementia.
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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Shortwave radio: who owns the receivers?
by James Cridland
An English-language Russian radio station is taken off the air. So was Echo of Moscow — and a journalist from that station was asked about what’s next. James also shows off a speaker badge from a Ukraine event at which he spoke. And a detailed review of shortwave radio. And more — among the news items: Union Jack Radio in the UK has closed.
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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Emergency broadcasting, radio’s market share, and the launch of Alfred
by James Cridland
James maintains his column schedule even as his home town of Brisbane (Australia) is flooded with nonstop rain. He tuned into radio during this time of weather emergency, and has things to say about public network ABC — “a good calming listen” (especially as the studio had to be evacuated). Then, his traditional linkfest, including a graph showing U.S. radio ad revenue market share. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The curious case of the radio station that broke peoples’ cars
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, an HD Radio debacle that breaks receivers in some Mazda cars, which cost $1,500 each to replace, but Mazda is offering a free replacement because apparently the problem is with Mazda, although one Seattle radio station seems to have started it all, and anyway, no receivers are available. Whew … and there’s much more here, including Absolute Radio giving a station to a listener.
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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The end of open, as audio goes exclusive
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James laments two business moves that restrict access to audio. The BBC will “window” some of its podcasts into the BBC Sounds app — a maneuver which James calls “another disappointing move from a broadcaster that should be widening its potential audience, not limiting it.” Also, Bauer Media plans to remove its radio stations from TuneIn. Other media groups in Europe don’t escape James’s withering gaze. But later, the BBC is redeemed with an audio piece which is “sublimely excellent.” And much more in this generous column.
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James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Is no news good news? And: funding the BBC
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James considers the length of news bulletins, citing examples from Radio 2 and other outlets. Upshot: Radio news has changed more than the style of news bulletins. Then — how to fund the BBC. Also, the demise of the Audio Content Fund. And more. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The BBC’s fight against stupid
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James utters a phrase never before seen in this space: “dangerously dim-witted oxygen-thieves.” The word “stupid” appears too many times to count. It’s a bracingly frank argument on behalf of the BBC, in an argument with the UK government. Then, after a deep breath, a dozen links to interesting news items and columns. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Radio vs Spotify — some data
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, how Spotify is eating into AM/FM listening — data is from Morgan Stanley. Also: The BBC in the pandemic. AM radio declining in Europe. Collectors of radio station beers. And much more. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: Infinite Dial UK results, and ‘Local BBC Radio’
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James enthuses about the first Infinite Dial UK released by Edison Research. Also, the all-podcast radio format has been dropped from two iHeartMedia stations after “dismal audience figures,” DAB in Brisbane, and how BBC Radio 4 dropped off the air. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: An Infinite Dial for the UK, at last
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James anticipates The Infinite Dial UK study from Edison Research, set to be presented this week in London. Also, fun history about CBS Mystery Theater, and a great documentary. Continue Reading