...and the death of radio is here. Wifi now in cars.

[psonderman]

I already pay for god-awful slow DSL and unlimited edge internet (112k, woo) on my phone; I don't really want another internet fee. And since wi-max is probably a decade off in my rural area, the only option is cellular internet. Only one carrier offers anything close to broadband in my entire region and as far as I know it's $60/month for unlimited use.

$60/month for all the internet radio and video in the world (as long as I'm within range of a cell signal) or $13/month for satellite radio, with a limited set of poor quality audio channels and the same syndicated talk radio?

I'll take the $13/month. Much better deal.

I agree. The same can be said for conventional radio v. pay services. The advantage conventional radio has over WiFi is cost. People want local programming but in its absence, will listen to anything that's "free." There's a limit to what we are willing to pay for information/entertainment and as long as "free" (ad supported) options are available, it will attract listeners.

I feel the same way about all these $5-7/mo. fees for podcasts. The public will tire of being "nickel and dimed" to death and ultimately will seek cheaper options. Another aspect is ease of use, but that will diminish in time as people increasingly adapt to technology. An article about broadband v. dial-up in today's Columbus Dispatch seems to support this logic. http://dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2008/07/03/Broadband_study.ART_ART_07-03-08_A4_8AALBBQ.html?sid=101

Cable didn't kill broadcast TV, it just it. Broadcasting and "narrowcasting" can live side by side. I think of WiFi as an alternative rather than the ultimate delivery system for radio.

 

[KFodor]

And, another thing some aren't considering here:

The dramatic rise in oil and gas prices are going to squeeze consumers from both ends. Salaries are not coming close to keeping up with this. There will be less disposable income in the years ahead at least until the country gets a handle on energy, which I am not holding my breath on...at least not yet. That means fewer "early adopters" who will pay the $25, $50 or whatever per month to have Wi-fi in their cars.

That having been said, I think radio's biggest competition will eventually come from Wi-fi. But, not because of niche programming or far-out formats on internet. (Just look at satellite radio for proof: outside of 2 channels, the most listened to channels on satellite are the ones that play the same songs over and over and over...)

Local radio will survive, as long as it recovers being what it does best: a local radio service. There are broadcasters who are waking up to this notion now...we'll see how it develops.

 

[KFodor]

HALLELUJAH!!!

The day of reckoning is HERE and I couldn't be any happier.

Now of course the NAB and corporate broadcasters are going to scream bloody murder over this and I want them to scream...until they have NO VOICE LEFT.

For all these years of lousy, profit driven drivel, for Telecon '96, for silencing LOCAL stations and moving them into bigger cities, for the greed, corruption, payola and general self-righteousness, I hope they're satisfied. Karma's a bitch.

And if they think for one iota of a second they are going to stop this and attempt to drive everyone to their crappy little "HD" channels, I have a news flash for them: It's IMPOSSIBLE. Once the people get their hands on this - IT'S OVER! There ain't no putting the genie back in the bottle. Like MP3 file sharing, (legal or not), it's here to stay. The people are awfully restless right now and they want some good news for a change and this is the best damn news in YEARS.

The marketplace will decide. The corporate broadcasters had better not even THINK of doing the Commie thing and whine to their beloved GOP politicians to take that FREEDOM OF CHOICE away (although they all will inevitably attempt it - so much for the "free marketplace")....and with the popularity of internet radio as it is, there will be an EXPLOSION of GREAT new radio avaliable anywhere and made by anyone once Wi-Fi becomes standard, which it WILL be in about 10 years. And since terrestrial radio REFUSES to give up these worn out old "formulas" they have been recycling for nearly 30 years (probably because they simply can't think of anything actually innovative anymore - god forbid they don't ruffle those shareholder's feathers anymore than Clear Channel already has), Wi-Fi is not only going to be the final nail in the coffin of radio as it is, it's also going to be it's grave digger.

Now, I predict iPods with Wi-Fi capability soon. As well as Wi-Fi radios of ALL varieties...

Goodbye radio, hello Wi-Fi!!

You really need to stop smoking that stuff, Bongwater. It's warping your brain.

I don't work for Clear Channel, so I can't comment about them. But, there are broadcasters who are waking up to the notion of "locality".

No doubt. Wi-fi will be a competitor. But, I think the strongest local stations will survive just fine. If some don't, that'll be their fault.

Wi-fi can be standard, but it won't be free. And, I don't know, given the economic pressures already on people that will only get worse as our politicians on both sides of the aisle continue to dither and pontificate, but not resolve energy issues, whether a lot of people who will be trying to fill their tanks at $6 a gallon or more, will have the cash for internet in their cars...

Yes, though...the marketplace will decide. But you'd be wise to not start dancing on our graves yet. I'm still breathing.

Satellite radio did that, too a couple of years ago. Their business model is far from lighting up Wall Street.

 

[V.Riley]

Yes, though...the marketplace will decide. But you'd be wise to not start dancing on our graves yet. I'm still breathing.

Satellite radio did that, too a couple of years ago. Their business model is far from lighting up Wall Street.

Let me be the first to say that I'm glad that Jason Roberts is still breathing! ;D

While Internet Radio/WiFi may be the future of Radio, I agree with Jason Roberts. The current business model for Internet Radio/WiFi can't even afford to pay the new royalty rates. Also, the majority of Internet Radio stations have little or no local content. Mostly because they can't afford the staff that would be needed to put it together. I do believe that those radio stations that do not stream on the Internet, could stand to lose out in the long run. For instance, I work in a building where I can't pick up cell phone or good radio reception and it would not be appropriate for me to bring in a AM/FM radio to work. However, I can and often do pick up streaming radio on the computer at work. These are listener ears that Terrestrial Radio is missing out on if they are not streaming on the Internet. Listener ears that the Radio Station can put a hard number to. It's not like they have to wait to see what their ratings are, they could see it as it is happening.

If a Radio Station is streaming right now, then they have their foot in the door to something that could potentially be the next big thing in Radio. True the listener might have to buy a WiFi radio to hear it in the car as Jason pointed out, but they don't have to buy one to hear the station at work or at home. Internet Radio can be heard now, and for the listener it is free to listen just like AM/FM. That can't be said for HD Radio or Satellite Radio. WiFi radios aren't in abundance yet, nor is the average listener able to spare the cash to buy one, but listeners are listening on the Internet. If you want the listeners to be where you are, you should make sure your station is where the listeners are listening.

Jason Roberts is right, Radio isn't dead. I'm hoping it's getting ready to expand its reach. Internet Radio is where future listeners are, here's hoping your favorite station has it's foot in the door and is prepared for the future of Radio. As the Borg say, "Resistance is futile".

 

[tr130]

WiFi will only kill people as the idiot drivers in this town, who do not pay attention at this time, will become even more defunct. What next, Wii on the way to work?

 

[nmoore6676]

I have yet to bite and buy an HD radio, or Satellite. I am seriously shopping though for a WiFi radio. I spend so much time listening to online stations, mostly though terrestrial stations that stream (WVKO, WHIO, WBZI, WSM). Also since the airplane met the KFI tower I even listen a local, for me, station on line a lot, plus noise levels are a consideration overall. There are a couple of online only stations like Rich Bro Radio (http://www.richbroradio.com/main.html) that I listen to as well. My computer that I had dedicated to Internet Radio recently took a dump and after replacing the power supply it looks like the hard drive may be suspect as well. At present the WiFi radios are cheaper than a computer and some feature audio outs for a sound system as well. If they had regular AM/FM capabilities I'd like it better but I'm getting close to settling on a final decision and purchasing one.

When I'm away from home I miss my streaming broadcasts so the next logical step would be a car radio or even a Walk-Man like portable. I don't think it will kill regular radio as the majority my choices are just that only not local. I see it as an extension to what current operators are doping, and some of them are getting savvy about placing directed geek friendly commercials in their streaming broadcast. I probably doesn't benefit local sponsors so much and AFTRA cintracts keep some regular spots off the stream anyway.

 

[gr8oldies]

Soon as cars can drive themselves it's all over for any audio medium, because if we can watch movies and play video games while driving...well

 

[nmoore6676]

Soon as cars can drive themselves it's all over for any audio medium, because if we can watch movies and play video games while driving...well

Remember when "Popular Science and Popular Mechanics" used to feature articles on cars of the future that would drive them selves, following magnetic guides buried in the pavement?

How about those hover cars that would levitate us all over and avoid the traffic jams?

I actually listen to TV more than I watch most of the time anyway. The only times I really pay attention totally to the screen is when I'm watching some kinds of movies on DVD. I think audio media will always be with us, though Internet radio provides the opportunity for accompanying visual content as well and is being done already.

 

[V.Riley]

I have no interest in HD or Satellite Radio, however since I listen to Internet Radio, or Radio that streams over the Internet at work, I'm saving up my pennies and waiting for the thuds and the duds to get identified so I can purchase a good Internet Radio Receiver for my car. I figure it will take a while, so I have plenty of time to save those pennies.

 

[alans613]

WiFi will only kill people as the idiot drivers in this town, who do not pay attention at this time, will become even more defunct. What next, Wii on the way to work?

;D

 

[techie2]

I love having Sirius in the car (and at home thru my Dish box). I have several favorite 'net only stations that I would love to be able to hear in the car.

Either is better than the terrestrial offerings in my area.

 

[ohgary]

The wifi is your car to your device. From the Car to the internet its more air band at $40/month. You can have that right now if you want it.