The Radio Now Trails The Computer

According to a new Mediaweek study out this week, people now spend more time on the computer than they do with radio. While reach is similar for both, 77 percent for radio and 75 percent for the computer, consumers spend on average 2 hours and 33 minutes on the computer but spend only 1 hour and 49 minutes with radio.

This lends more credence than ever that radio stations must continue to find ways to integrate what they do on the air with their websites. Streaming, podcasts, downloads, text messages, all of these things are features that radio station websites should already be doing. Now, they should be looking to create their own social networks and ways to allow their listeners to interact and be part of the station's interactive community. This out-of-the-box thinking is what is going to help radio continue to thrive in the battle of New Media.

Old Model vs. New Model

Seth Godin recently spoke to country radio broadcasters at the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. During his keynote address, he compared the "old way" of doing business and the "new way." The Old model – finding customers for our products. The New model – finding products for our customers. Now, if you're already a Godin fan then you know that he says profound things like this all the time. But when I really analyzed this statement, I realized how true it really is for the radio/new media world we are evolving in. I think back even just ten years ago as a Program Director and how the ultimate goal was to constantly find ways to grow cume(finding customers for our products). In 2009, as a P.D. I am a content/service provider who's daily challenge is increasingly becoming creating compelling content and then using every media source at my disposal to "push" it to my customers. The radio stations and Program Directors that will survive in the new media world will be the ones who adopt this philosophy in their daily approach to the operation of their station.

Voiceover Legend Passes

Brian James, RIP. ALL ACCESS is saddened to report that voiceover legend BRIAN JAMES has suddenly passed away from a heart attack at 4a this morning (3/6), at his home in SCOTTSDALE, AZ. He was 48. BRIAN is survived by his wife KIMBERLY, his son MAX and a stepdaughter BROOKE.

Brian's voice was heard on hundreds of tv and radio stations across the country.

And You Thought Diary Day Was Nerve Wracking...

New technology from RCS and Arbitron might ensure that anal-retentive PD's never leave their computer again. The RAJAR system will allow Program Director's to see what their audience is doing minute-by-minute, and be just one click away from finding out what caused them to tune out. Sounds like an awesome product for determining the direction of your station, but man, it sure could drive you crazy. Check out the full story here: See Your Audience.

What do you think?

Cable Companies Going To Screw Us Again

If you are a fan of Hulu.com or any of the other sites where you can watch your favorite tv shows online for free, enjoy them while you can. Cable channels like HBO are freaking out because people are watching their shows online and not on the cable system. The problem? Their losing those outrageous subscription fees. Well, they're trying to do something about that by cutting deals with the big media conglomerates so that the shows would only be available to those with subscriptions. We should have known it was just a matter of time.