Loss of Jobs in Media due to COVID-19

[tbolt909]

Thanks for correction. Same play, different actors.

Yes, very bad actors. You tried to imply that Limbaugh and others of his ilk are now somehow wise and compassionate. Sure, they really care about the poor frail elderly in nursing homes. A month ago, they said the virus was a hoax and not a big deal. "Go visit Grandma & Grandpa. Give em a big sloppy kiss".

It is true that people in nursing homes are at high risk from this virus. That was true 6 weeks ago when these "actors" you mentioned were in denial about the severity of the virus. They parroted what the President said even when they knew he was wrong.

New Zealand is having a much better outcome because they have competent leadership and acted swiftly. That did not happen here...

 

[TheBigA]

New Zealand is having a much better outcome because they have competent leadership and acted swiftly. That did not happen here...

The difference is that in this country nursing homes are used as investments, as a profit center, the same way we view hospitals.

 

[tbolt909]

The difference is that in this country nursing homes are used as investments, as a profit center, the same way we view hospitals.

That's true and sad. It's why nursing homes don't want Medicaid residents. They make less profit than private pay ones. They only take them because they are mandated to.

My point was that the New Zealand government reacted to the COVID 19 crisis. They accepted reality and took action.
The US nor the broadcasters that David mentioned did not. They delayed and denied...

 

[Rusty Bridges]

As this thread bends and wobbles it occurred to me, how many radio stations have I listened to for more than five minutes since we plunged into separation and containment? Six --- but only four that would qualify for quarter hour credit. Two news radio stations ( 1 AM, 1 FM), two FM music stations. How much time have I spent watching the coverage and press conferences? TV and Internet news consumption easily five times greater than radio consumption.

 

[davideduardo]

As this thread bends and wobbles it occurred to me, how many radio stations have I listened to for more than five minutes since we plunged into separation and containment? Six --- but only four that would qualify for quarter hour credit. Two news radio stations ( 1 AM, 1 FM), two FM music stations. How much time have I spent watching the coverage and press conferences? TV and Internet news consumption easily five times greater than radio consumption.

Remember that in the PPM, it only requires 5 discreet minutes of credit in a 15-minute period to win the quarter hour. And there is a lesser known standard that says if there are 3 non-consecutive minutes of credit with no intervening station getting credit, the quarter hour is given to the station.

 

[TheBigA]

TV and Internet news consumption easily five times greater than radio consumption.

Are you in the demo? Because I thought I saw that more that 70% of TV news channel viewing during March was from 55+.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Remember that in the PPM, it only requires 5 discreet minutes of credit in a 15-minute period to win the quarter hour. And there is a lesser known standard that says if there are 3 non-consecutive minutes of credit with no intervening station getting credit, the quarter hour is given to the station.

Good points of which I'm well aware despite this being a diary market.

Are you in the demo? Because I thought I saw that more that 70% of TV news channel viewing during March was from 55+

Funny. Take the "over." A good bet that more than half the participants on this particular board across all threads is in the 55+ demo.

 

[TheBigA]

A good bet that more than half the participants on this particular board across all threads is in the 55+ demo.

Then you are likely typical for the board. However, statistically, here are some numbers from Nielsen:

83% of Americans say they are listening more or the same to AM/FM radio because of the Coronavirus outbreak
55% of Americans say they are listening to AM/FM radio the same. 28% say they are listening more. Only 17% are listening less. 26% say they are listening more to audio at home. Across a variety of devices, time spent listening is up.

 

[Buddy Shula]

There is no doubt that this period of time has changed radio listening habits. In car listening is getting killed. I own a billboard company as well and outdoor advertising has plummeted because of the lack of commenters. Tv is cleaning up from a ratings standpoint but not a revenue standpoint. They are in the same revenue boat as every other advertising medium.

There is no doubt in my mind that radio streaming devices are being used more. Typical “ at work” stations are getting hurt. News Talk will be huge, although I think there will be a bad news fatigue.

Most of radio listening is in car, so there is no way to put a happy face on it. It is not helping radio listening right now or outdoor media.

I have talked to all the Gm’s at all the various Media’s in the market. Anyway you slice it, it has not been good for ad revenue, which is understandable. All of us must continue to provide a great product with an entirely different internal system.

I am blessed that i do not have to answer to Wall Street.

 

[Buddy Shula]

I should also say this, that much appreciation should go out to everyone who works in media. We are all doing our best. From the janitor to the gm and everyone in between, media is an essential business. During these times, the radio can be someone’s only friend. As a station that targets the listeners in the crosshairs of this pandemic, boomers and seniors, we have been inundated with thank you emails and phone calls. Yes, even letters. To know that a song or a memory can make someone’s day is just very humbling and gratifying. Many media personnel are being lay-off or terminated for nothing they did. I hope everyone can come bouncing back. I think they can. I tend to be an optimistic, but even I am getting tired of all the bad news. It’s getting to me. It’s scary not knowing. That’s the scary thing. Not knowing. Financially, things will come back, but the world will become different, especially for gyms, concerts, gatherings. It’s gonna take a while. Hang in there media people, especially radio people, it will get better.

 

[boombox4]

Most of radio listening is in car, so there is no way to put a happy face on it. It is not helping radio listening right now or outdoor media.

I keep reading on these RD forums that most radio listening is at home or at work, maybe 30% is in-car listening. Still a significant chunk, though.

 

[TheBigA]

I keep reading on these RD forums that most radio listening is at home or at work, maybe 30% is in-car listening. Still a significant chunk, though.

If the radio station is presenting something people want, they will seek it out on whatever devices they have.

 

[davideduardo]

I keep reading on these RD forums that most radio listening is at home or at work, maybe 30% is in-car listening. Still a significant chunk, though.

In car is now estimated at around 50%. In diary markets, we have precise numbers, but in the PPM markets we only have at home and away from home. Away includes car and work listening.

Independent studies put the in car, today, at half of all listening.

 

[CTListener]

In car is now estimated at around 50%. In diary markets, we have precise numbers, but in the PPM markets we only have at home and away from home. Away includes car and work listening.

Independent studies put the in car, today, at half of all listening.

That's quite an uptick in a short time. You were pretty consistently in the 30-35 percent range when setting non-radio people (who'd say things like "Nobody I know listens to the radio at home.") straight on those statistics a year or so ago.

 

[davideduardo]

That's quite an uptick in a short time. You were pretty consistently in the 30-35 percent range when setting non-radio people (who'd say things like "Nobody I know listens to the radio at home.") straight on those statistics a year or so ago.

A lot has changed in the last year or two. The increase of usage of the Amazon Alexa app has made about a third of homes remove radios from kitchens and bedrooms and even rec rooms and man caves. This has changed the numbers radically and rapidly.

In the diary world, we still see in-car in the 30's for usage percentage. But we know from the PPM that at-home and at-work listening was always exaggerated by the lack of detailing interruptions in the diary. So if we want to project the bits of knowledge we have, we need to admit that in-home has declined severely.

Unfortunately, the PPM does not give us in-car data... just away from home. But there is enough other information for us to reach rather radical and even frightening conclusions.

 

[crainbebo]

Most of the ads I've heard on the radio have been messages of support from local businesses, and hardware stores/restaurants that are still doing drive-thru and takeout offering their help and the stance that "we're here to serve you".
Maybe a stupid question but do those 'messages of support' still translate to a normal radio ad? Or is it more of a local PSA than anything else? Because there has to be some way for the station to make money in this tough time.

 

[Buddy Shula]

I keep reading on these RD forums that most radio listening is at home or at work, maybe 30% is in-car listening. Still a significant chunk, though.

I am not sure I know one person outside of radio, who has an actual radio at home. If they do, they are older people.

 

[b-turner]

At the station I work, the ads are just those: commercials and are not discounted. We sell on the need to advertise especially in bad times because it's when you need the business most. The 'we're here for you' is to offer the 'familiar and comfortable' angle to a known business and to decrease any hesitation from the consumer to hold off that buying decision until later. Consumers are shell-shocked by the 'stay at home' order. They're scared about the future. When you can say it's okay and we will work with you, it's a chance to gain a new customer. Now is the time to change buying habits and develop loyal customers that will put you far ahead when things return to normal. Aside from that, it's just a good idea to tell people how they can do business with you if that has changed in some way.

 

[davideduardo]

I am not sure I know one person outside of radio, who has an actual radio at home. If they do, they are older people.

The actual data is that about 30% of homes have Alexa as a permanent visitor. That is in addition to Siri being present on all those iPhones and other phones having similar command options that will cause music to play.

I'm older, and have not had a working radio for perhaps 5 or 6 years. Part is because the local stations are not impressive, and part is because I don't want to hear commercials.

Most stations have streams. And they still have too many commercials. And they are still unlistenable.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

The actual data is that about 30% of homes have Alexa as a permanent visitor. That is in addition to Siri being present on all those iPhones and other phones having similar command options that will cause music to play. I'm older, and have not had a working radio for perhaps 5 or 6 years. Part is because the local stations are not impressive, and part is because I don't want to hear commercials. Most stations have streams. And they still have too many commercials. And they are still unlistenable.

You may have portrayed the characteristics of a significant number of 'radio-non-radio' users. Although I have a radio, I also use Pandora Free, however it becomes tiresome. Just because I 'like' James Taylor-Steely Dan-Santana doesn't mean I'll also like the Third World Cantaloupe Band. Accolades to Buddy. His posts here have been more realistic than ever. While reading other publications, the question arose, how will music box stations like Ben-Mike-Jack come through this crisis. A noted consultant believes they'll have trouble and may wither. OTOH, I've read that a major market PPM Ben-Mike-Jack type station has seen an uptick in Cume and TSL.