Dayton Business Journal:
NPR looks to podcasting technology
Some local radio stations apprehensive of new service
Dayton Business Journal - March 10, 2006
by Suzelle Tempero, DBJ Staff Reporter
National Public Radio is pushing the use of podcasting, which has gone from a buzzword bandied about by tech geeks to a mainstream term, but some local affiliates are concerned about the plan. ...
Since NPR began placing podcasts on its Web site through a pilot program Aug. 31, more than 13 million downloads have occurred and a recent survey of users found that the majority listened to the content they'd selected, said Maria Thomas, vice president and general manager for NPR digital media. Thomas said the technology has the potential to expand NPR's audience by attracting people interested in the content and delivery method. Yet, affiliate stations aren't sold on the idea because of concerns that podcasting will eat away at their financial donation base. ...
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/03/13/story2.html
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Commercial talk shows are selling subscriptions to online "value-added" content. This sounds like a way public radio can increase "their financial donation base," not "eat away" at it. Members/subscribers to local stations get access to all public radio audio streams, audio archives and podcasts. That sounds a lot more attractive than coffee mugs, bumper stickers, tote bags and T-shirts. But the stations probably think that actually offering something of value which enhances their programming services might be "too commercial."
Warning: I'd go for this but don't nickel and dime me. Don't make me subscribe to every station I listen to online or every podcast. Basic membership gives me "all you can eat" access to public radio online, or forget the whole thing.
NPR looks to podcasting technology
Some local radio stations apprehensive of new service
Dayton Business Journal - March 10, 2006
by Suzelle Tempero, DBJ Staff Reporter
National Public Radio is pushing the use of podcasting, which has gone from a buzzword bandied about by tech geeks to a mainstream term, but some local affiliates are concerned about the plan. ...
Since NPR began placing podcasts on its Web site through a pilot program Aug. 31, more than 13 million downloads have occurred and a recent survey of users found that the majority listened to the content they'd selected, said Maria Thomas, vice president and general manager for NPR digital media. Thomas said the technology has the potential to expand NPR's audience by attracting people interested in the content and delivery method. Yet, affiliate stations aren't sold on the idea because of concerns that podcasting will eat away at their financial donation base. ...
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/03/13/story2.html
------------------------------
Commercial talk shows are selling subscriptions to online "value-added" content. This sounds like a way public radio can increase "their financial donation base," not "eat away" at it. Members/subscribers to local stations get access to all public radio audio streams, audio archives and podcasts. That sounds a lot more attractive than coffee mugs, bumper stickers, tote bags and T-shirts. But the stations probably think that actually offering something of value which enhances their programming services might be "too commercial."
Warning: I'd go for this but don't nickel and dime me. Don't make me subscribe to every station I listen to online or every podcast. Basic membership gives me "all you can eat" access to public radio online, or forget the whole thing.