Good news for local stations – from today’s RADIO ONLINE, 6/3/09:
When it comes to listening to AM/FM radio, a new Jacobs Media survey reveals "the next big thing" is audio streaming. As hi-speed Internet connections become commonplace, audio streaming represents broadcast radio's best bet to successfully participate in the digital revolution. Of the various listening locations tested (at home, in vehicles, at work, and while walking), 30% say their radio listening on computers has increased in the past year.
Another finding shows the percentage of respondents who have never streamed has dropped from 50% in the 2005 Jacobs study to just 34% in this new survey. And now, four in ten respondents (39%) say they stream weekly or more frequently. This represents a 32% gain over the past year, and a steady rise since this study was first conducted in 2005.
The most frequent "streamies" are fans of Alternative stations, and iPhone/Touch owners. Among this latter group, 45% tune in streaming audio outlets at least weekly, while 23% do so at least daily. This finding strongly suggests mobile devices clearly enable accessing audio entertainment and information, and that AM/FM radio can be a primary beneficiary.
Additionally, among those who stream, their most frequent destinations are local radio stations. About half say they either listen to the survey station's stream or streams from other local market stations.
Of the many Internet-only outlets available, the most popular is Pandora, mentioned by 20% streaming radio users -- nearly doubling their 2008 score. Other sites, mentioned by at least 10% of streaming audio consumers include Sirius XM channels and iTunes radio channels (12% and 10%, respectively). (06-02-09)
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