Is radio prepared for the future?

[bigtalkradiofan]

Is radio prepared for the future?

It is just a matter of time...

Within the next 5 years, we will likely be seeing a device (likely a cell phone or mp3 player) that is:
A.) Affordable,
B.) Portable (personal, car, home, work, etc), that
C.) Can play simultaneously:
1.) Terrestrial Analog & HD Digital Radio (free over-the-air radio),
2.) Satellite Radio (pay to listen radio),
3.) Internet Radio & Podcasting (free or paid, access via internet),
4.) Personal mp3 Library (free or paid mp3 library).

In addition, within the next 10 years, we will likely be seeing these affordable and portable devices will eventually also be able to simultaneously play:
5.) Terrestrial Analog & Digital TV (free over-the-air TV),
6.) Cable TV & Pay-Per View TV (pay per view TV),
7.) Internet TV Broadcasting & TV Blogs (free or paid, access via internet),
8.) Personal mp3 TV Library (free or paid TV mp3 library).

In this context, there will be a ton of audio/video content available for listeners/viewers. There will also be a lot of competition to reach these audiences, with some content focused on reaching:
* Mass audiences,
* Niche audiences,
* Both Mass & Niche audiences.

Is radio prepared for the future?


http://www.hear2.com/2007/01/the_first_inter.html

"The First Internet Service Provider Specifically Designed for Cars"

I told you so.

It's Autonet.

TURN YOUR CAR INTO A WI-FI HOTSPOT.

Fasten your seatbelt. Because the driving experience will never be the same again. With Autonet Mobile, the first ever, always-on mobile broadband network, you and your passengers can now enjoy internet services and Wi-Fi connectivity whenever you want to by turning your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot on wheels. IM, chat, stream media, email, games, on-line listen to music and more.

It ain't cheap ($49 per month) - YET.

But already these guys have a deal with Avis for later in 2007. You'll be able to rent your mobile Internet connection for about the same price as it costs for you to link up in an airport or at a hotel. ...

[Click link above for the complete internet article.]

 

[Ultimajock]

...you're putting us on, right? Radio is *never* prepared for the future. Whatever "next big thing" happens in the field is always stumbled upon; has been since at least Orson Welles, if not the very beginnings. The technology will be used in different manners, but businesswise it's a no-man's land...

 

[gr8oldies]

Once we have a few high-profile accidents from people simultaneously loading mp3s, watching TV, text messaging, playing solitaire and checking out the Playboy channel while driving, these devices will be outlawed justlike cellphones in certain jurisdictions!

 

[fred flintstone]

Radio's history of dealing with the future is:

First, denial. This board is filled with examples of broadcasters telling us satellite radio won't make it.

Then, try to quash it and preserve the status quo. The industry has a powerful lobby and usually get their way. They also have lots of lawyers. Radio tried to kill FM; they did drive its inventor to suicide. They are now trying to hobble satellite.

 

[Johnny Morgan]

The industry has a powerful lobby and usually get their way.

Watch how broad that statement is--the commercial broadcasting industry has a powerful lobby and usually get their way.

When was the last time the NAB came to bat exclusively for the benefot for something that would help non-comms of all varieties?

One need only look at their patent disingenuousness in regards to LPFM to see where the NAB's allegiances lie.

See also, the NAB's lobbying and mass representation efforts on behalf of commercial broadcasters and SoundExchange to get a sweetheart deal for streaming--a deal which DID NOT include, and explicitly EXCLUDED non-comms.

It's even more exclusive than an old-boys network. It's for the Episcopalian old-boys.

 

[davideduardo]

First, denial. This board is filled with examples of broadcasters telling us satellite radio won't make it.

That's because the major challenges to radio are not coming from satellite, and will not. Satellite is a niche for the always-present few percent of people who have not listened to radio at all or in any significant amount since ratings began.

 

[RadioStarOne]

First, denial. This board is filled with examples of broadcasters telling us satellite radio won't make it.

That's because the major challenges to radio are not coming from satellite, and will not. Satellite is a niche for the always-present few percent of people who have not listened to radio at all or in any significant amount since ratings began.

There he is again whisling past the graveyard, like always and most likely forever! David you are so totally wrong on what you said above. Satellite radio listeners are all deserting broadcast radio because it is not giving them any reason to listen at all with the exception of newstalk and sports radio! [EDIT] You are so into denial of the true facts!
Wake up already and listen to the callers to the satellite radio channels and hear what they are saying!

[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[davideduardo]

There he is again whisling past the graveyard, like always and most likely forever! David you are so totally wrong on what you said above. Satellite radio listeners are all deserting broadcast radio because it is not giving them any reason to listen at all with the exception of newstalk and sports radio! [EDIT] You are so into denial of the true facts!
Wake up already and listen to the callers to the satellite radio channels and hear what they are saying!

[EDIT-inflammatory]

There has always been a residual 5% to 6% of people who did and do not listen to terrestrial radio in any given week. This goes back to the first Arbitrons in the mid-60's, in fact. There has also been a 6% to 7% that are very light users, contributing very little to radio's AQH averages. All this predates satellite, iPods, and even the internet.

Those of us who talk to listeners for a living realize that there is and always has been a small, albeit vocal, group that is not satisfied by the kind of programming that the vast majority likes and enjoys. They want deeper playlists, and are receptive to unfamiliar music in ways that are atypical of the majority. These listeners want certain niche formats, too ("reggae in Minneapolis" is my example of a format that could never work on terrestrial, but can be viable on satellite). They are, in many cases, sensitive to commercials... all commercials. This subset often rejects popular culture in a spirit of individualism... and they are vocal critics of everything from Hip Hop to the "copout of smooth jazz."

These are listeners that can be served by the significantly different and more varied offerings of satellite and which could not be easily served via terrestrial radio... even trying is futile because serving them destroys the mass listening base of a station. So, satellite can reach 20 to 25 million subscribers with some ease just by serving these listeners that can't and won't be served by terrestrial radio much of the. That is a model that makes satellite profitable, and really has minimal impact on terrestrial radio.

As I said, the challenges are elsewhere. Some are very difficult, like the existence of over 120 million gaming consoles which compete for leisure time and can not be used simultanteously with radio. Others are simply new methods of transmission, like WiMax, which will at some point supplement the existing 540 to 1700 and 88 to 107 as the "channels" for distribution of existing stations.

And I will repeat my statement: the challenge is definitely not from satellite. Watching the satellite blip on the radar too closely will make radio fly into a mountain. The challenge is comeing on other fronts.

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

There may be "one audience segment" of satellite radio listeners who were never served by terrestrial radio.

But there are certainly many other audience segments of satellite radio as well - such as:
* Radio fanatics (i.e. some people on here) - People who listen to a ton of terrestrial radio, but also desire more choice and diversity of format than can be found on terrestrial radio.
* Mass audiences - People who bought a vehicle with satellite radio, and after trying it out, decided to keep it, because they enjoyed it.
* Radio Listeners in rural areas, and radio listeners in areas with limited choices in formats - People who subscribe to satellite radio to get programming that is mainstream in a Top 100 market but not in a Top 200 market.
* People who travel far distances in a vehicle (i.e. truckers, salespeople, people who work far from home).
* People who want content that would not be allowed by the FCC on terrestrial radio.
* People who want content that is soley found on satellite radio.
* Etc, etc, etc.

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

Is radio prepared for the future?

It is just a matter of time...

Within the next 5 years, we will likely be seeing a device (likely a cell phone or mp3 player) that is:
A.) Affordable,
B.) Portable (personal, car, home, work, etc), that
C.) Can play simultaneously:
1.) Terrestrial Analog & HD Digital Radio (free over-the-air radio),
2.) Satellite Radio (pay to listen radio),
3.) Internet Radio & Podcasting (free or paid, access via internet),
4.) Personal mp3 Library (free or paid mp3 library).

In addition, within the next 10 years, we will likely be seeing these affordable and portable devices will eventually also be able to simultaneously play:
5.) Terrestrial Analog & Digital TV (free over-the-air TV),
6.) Cable TV & Pay-Per View TV (pay per view TV),
7.) Internet TV Broadcasting & TV Blogs (free or paid, access via internet),
8.) Personal mp3 TV Library (free or paid TV mp3 library).

In this context, there will be a ton of audio/video content available for listeners/viewers. There will also be a lot of competition to reach these audiences, with some content focused on reaching:
* Mass audiences,
* Niche audiences,
* Both Mass & Niche audiences.

Is radio prepared for the future?


http://www.hear2.com/2007/01/the_first_inter.html

"The First Internet Service Provider Specifically Designed for Cars"

I told you so.

It's Autonet.

TURN YOUR CAR INTO A WI-FI HOTSPOT.

Fasten your seatbelt. Because the driving experience will never be the same again. With Autonet Mobile, the first ever, always-on mobile broadband network, you and your passengers can now enjoy internet services and Wi-Fi connectivity whenever you want to by turning your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot on wheels. IM, chat, stream media, email, games, on-line listen to music and more.

It ain't cheap ($49 per month) - YET.

But already these guys have a deal with Avis for later in 2007. You'll be able to rent your mobile Internet connection for about the same price as it costs for you to link up in an airport or at a hotel. ...

[Click link above for the complete internet article.]

A portable device that can play: satellite radio, HD radio, terrestrial radio, internet radio and mp3's - who would have thought of that (see quote above).

Now the government is getting involved, ensuring that the merged Sirius satellite radio company doesn't try to block manufacturers from making devices capable of HD & internet radio as well as satellite radio.

http://textpattern.kurthanson.com/articles/367/rain-0505-reps-want-hd-net-radio-on-xm-sirius-devices

RAIN 5/5: REPS WANT HD, NET RADIO ON XM-SIRIUS DEVICES
·May 5, 11:31 AM
Posted by: Paul Maloney

U.S. REPS WANT SATELLITE RECEIVERS TO HANDLE OTHER TECHS LIKE HD AND NET RADIO: Two powerful Congressmen insist that if XM and Sirius are allowed to merge, satellite radio devices must accommodate other technologies like HD Radio and Internet access in receivers. ...

[Click link above for the complete article.]

 

[Bongwater]

Is radio prepared for the future?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(HYPERVENTILATING)HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(CATCHING BREATH)HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!..... ;D

Yes, corporate terrestrial (and "HD") radio is ready for the future...just like my great grandma's Edison cylinder phonograph!

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

As a listener, non-commercial Internet-Only Radio broadcaster & podcaster (Both audio & video - More on the latter later in this post), I'm gonna weigh in here....

Is radio prepared for the future?

It is just a matter of time...

Within the next 5 years, we will likely be seeing a device (likely a cell phone or mp3 player) that is:
A.) Affordable,
B.) Portable (personal, car, home, work, etc), that
C.) Can play simultaneously:
1.) Terrestrial Analog & HD Digital Radio (free over-the-air radio),
2.) Satellite Radio (pay to listen radio),
3.) Internet Radio & Podcasting (free or paid, access via internet),
4.) Personal mp3 Library (free or paid mp3 library).

Portable? Yes (Eventually, if not available now via the iPod and similar devices). Terrestrial Analog & HD Radio? No. Because Terrestrial Analog Radio will slowly be phased out and HD Radio is radio's answer to the old Betamax/VHS battle that plagued VCR's. Guess which format won that battle (HD Radio = BETAMAX IMO!).

In addition, within the next 10 years, we will likely be seeing these affordable and portable devices will eventually also be able to simultaneously play:
5.) Terrestrial Analog & Digital TV (free over-the-air TV),
6.) Cable TV & Pay-Per View TV (pay per view TV),
7.) Internet TV Broadcasting & TV Blogs (free or paid, access via internet),
8.) Personal mp3 TV Library (free or paid TV mp3 library).

Again....Portable? Yes (Eventually, if not available now via the iPod and similar devices) BUT they won't be supporting Terrestrial Analog as what would be the point in doing that when all the analog transmitters are going to be shut off by then?

On top of that, MP3 is not a video format (You're thinking of the new MP4 format which is predominantly associated with Quicktime/iPod/iTunes, etc). MP3 is an audio format (Though it can be used to encode/transcode/convert video files from one video format to another, except MP4, which uses AAC for audio).

In this context, there will be a ton of audio/video content available for listeners/viewers. There will also be a lot of competition to reach these audiences, with some content focused on reaching:
* Mass audiences,
* Niche audiences,
* Both Mass & Niche audiences.

Is radio prepared for the future?

Not as long as you have companies such as Clear Channel & CBS Radio trying to homogenize it. That said, I think a bigger concern than companies like the two I just mentioned is the RIAA, who wants to DO AWAY with ANYTHING associated with THE INTERNET & MUSIC (Hell, they'd even love to see PodShow dump the PodSafe Music Network as it impedes their business - Or so they claim).

So is radio prepared for the future? I'd have to YES & NO. Yes because there's always Satellite Radio, but OTOH, no it's not because the infrastructure that allows local TV stations to be carried on cable and satellite TV just doesn't exist on radio. When you get Satellite Radio (Be it with XM or Sirius), the first several channels listed in the lineup you get are all music channels. When you get cable or satellite (At least with most cable comanies I know of and DirecTV), the first several channels listed in the lineup you get are almost all LOCAL TV STATIONS (With a government access and/or carrier-specific channel such as Comcast's CET or CN8 thrown in).

Bottom line is this - What's good for the goose SHOULD be good for the gander, right? Apparently not.

JMO...

Cheers

Pat