WHITHER AM RADIO

[TheBigA]

Well, it's actually not 'new', but seems to have really become more common over the last decade or so - the industry pro's that have chimed in will correct any discrepancies in that post-haste.

Speaking for myself, I addressed it earlier in the thread.

The advertising business in general has vastly changed in the past decade or two.

And it's dried up in the last six months. Right now, advertisers only care about highly rated stations in their target demo between 6AM and 6PM Monday-Friday. If that's all the advertisers care about, that's all the radio stations care about. If there was another revenue stream, things would be very different.

 

[gr8oldies]

That is not a business model. That is a model for complete failure. I point you to CVS for a perfect example. They are only alive because they made good deals with their insurance companies.

I had read several years ago that CVS had merged with one of the health insurance companies and people would be able to buy insurance through them (no doubt they'd prefer prescriptions be filled at CVS). I never heard another word about it until I found out that there's a CVS-branded Medicare Advantage plan.

 

[landtuna]

And it's dried up in the last six months. Right now, advertisers only care about highly rated stations in their target demo between 6AM and 6PM Monday-Friday. If that's all the advertisers care about, that's all the radio stations care about. If there was another revenue stream, things would be very different.

Radio is between a rock and a hard place with respect to advertisers. Agencies and direct buyers are obviously one rock and listeners are the hard place. If radio doesn't appease both they get into serious trouble very quickly.

 

[landtuna]

I had read several years ago that CVS had merged with one of the health insurance companies and people would be able to buy insurance through them (no doubt they'd prefer prescriptions be filled at CVS). I never heard another word about it until I found out that there's a CVS-branded Medicare Advantage plan.

I wonder if CVS' insurance business has the same poor reviews as does their pharmacy. Nothing could get me into, or buy something besides covered Rx's if it were not for my wife's employer's insurance. Easily the worst business I have to use.

 

[gr8oldies]

I wonder if CVS' insurance business has the same poor reviews as does their pharmacy. Nothing could get me into, or buy something besides covered Rx's if it were not for my wife's employer's insurance. Easily the worst business I have to use.

I know absolutely nothing about it and didn't purchase the product.

 

[landtuna]

I know absolutely nothing about it and didn't purchase the product.

After doing a bit of research I don't think most Medicare Advantage plans are cost effective. I still camp on to my wife's employers' insurance and opt in for Medicare Part A only (don't really have a choice as it is mandatory).

The advertisers of those Advantage plans sure keep the digi-nets in business though.

 

[RadioFan2J3]

I use CVS for the two prescription drugs I take on a regular (daily) basis, but more from a case of inertia. When I retired and moved to Florida, CVS was a Tricare provider and having Tricare, that was the deciding factor in 2016. Have never changed. The copays on these two drugs I take are about $3 each, for a 90 day supply.

This CVS outlet seems to be rather proactive in contacting my two prescribing doctors when the number of refills drops to zero and while it has been close, on running out, I've never gone without.

On the other hand, I seldom use CVS for anything else, well except for the occasional passport or visa photo service.

Perhaps a bit unique for our area and home location, the CVS and Walgreens stores are across the street from each other.
Walmart and Target are about a half mile away. Both stores have a pharmacy section. Even the Publix and Winn Dixie, both in the same area, also have pharmacy departments. Winn Dixie has now become a Tricare provider, but I've not changed to them.