Take a close look at the pie chart. It's the latest national report on Media usage 2008-09, courtesy the research group Media Source. Radio still commands a substantial portion of the pie, beating internet usage - while newspaper and magazines shrink to almost zero. Is it any wonder that Apple has announced the addition of a "Radio Tuner" on all new ipod Nanos? Once again, radio proves to be relevant in 2009 for consumers, and a cost effective, powerful tool for driving sales. great blog article below from Ted Bolton.
Tagging feature drives listeners directly to Steve Jobs iTunes, which happens to be the number one music retailer in the world. Radio sells the music, and Apple collects the checks. Bingo. But I think there is more to it than that. See the chart of “Daily Media Hours by Media Source”?
Are you surprised to see that radio accounts for around 23 percent of the average media time spent by Adults 25-54? That exceeds the average time spent on the Internet!! With the addition of a radio tuner on Nano, Mr. Jobs has the ability to further tap into people’s daily media habits…and make a ton of money from it. The radio industry isn’t too upset about it either. Nano FM Tuner = Bigger Radio Audiences. Radio has always been a portable medium, and it is not surprising to find that it has once again morphed into the latest portable technology.
New personal media devices and mobile telephones become even more personalized when people can localize the content, listen to local radio stations, and local announcers, local traffic and weather, local and national sports, local news information, and even local advertisers. Yes, people want to hear about sales, discounts, and ways they can save money…locally.
Plus radio is free. Free works. Free is an outstanding media model. And free will continue to keep radio alive and well for many many years to come. Radio has moved from AM transistors, to stereo FM, to Internet radio, to Apple Nano’s, and onto mobile telephones. Radio provides free local content that is available in the car, in the office, on your Nano, and on your mobile telephone. The old media has become new again. And radio continues to be an important part of daily life even in a media abundant society. Thank you Mr. Jobs.
Ted Bolton Media Bait Blog 09/16/09