Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS), a private equity firm projects that in 2010, total spending on broadcast and satellite radio will grow for the first time since 2007. Together, they will enjoy a bump of 3.3% to $17.68 billion. While the bottom dropped out for broadcast radio by 19.4% in 2009 to $14.25 billion due to the economic downturn, satellite radio's subscription and advertising spending rose to 2.5% in 2009 to $2.39 billion, primarily due to subscription rate increases. Spending on online and mobile advertising rose 13.5% in 2009 to $480 million, as advertisers targeting younger listeners explored emerging outlets such as streaming audio websites and mobile phones. This mix of media usage, as homogenized as the milk you added to your cereal this morning is projected to remain relatively flat through 2014 as consumer and business users continue to migrate to digital platforms like computer tablets, eBooks and smart phones - seeking more searchable, shorter and more focused content, according to VSS. The forecast assumes that broadcast radio groups, seeking to shed heavy debt, will reorganize into smaller station groups that provide more focused content ...
One media form not expected to be included in the mix is HD Radio. VSS believes HD Radio will have "minimal" impact on drawing in more listeners - unless radio groups spend more on different programming as station conversions have slowed as groups cut expenses. Internet car radio is another story...
"When internet radio migrates into the car via OEM (original equipment manufacturer) wireless hubs in new vehicles, stations will be forced to compete directly against internet-only audio streams, and the issue of improved sound quality, one of HD Radio's biggest marketing points, will become a non issue.", VSS says. Whether radio can leverage its programming expertise into compelling content that will prevent listeners from drifting to other enticing digital audio options remains a question, VSS concludes...
One thing is certain. Radio sources will have to do much more than present a rubber-stamped music intensive format and nothing more. If you're not giving your audience anything different than every other radio source is offering - you lose...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1934] The Rock: Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay, receives federal prisoners for the 1st time. Get ready for the 'Birdman', mates...
2.1952] Long live the King: Hussein is proclaimed king of Jordan following the abdication of his father, King Talal...
3.1965] Watts explodes: 34 are killed and more than 1,000 injured during rioting in Watts...
4.1972] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley file for divorce. They married in May of '67...
5.1984] Not so funny to the Russians: Ronald Reagan jokes: "today we have signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."...
6.1992] Malled: The Mall of America, the biggest shopping mall in the country opens in Bloomington (MN)...
7.1998] Greasing the palm: British Petroleum (a.k.a. 'Bippy') purchases Amoco for $49 billion in the biggest foreign takeover of a U.S. company...
8.2000] Pat throws his hat: Pat Buchanan wins the Reform Party presidential nomination in a victory bitterly disputed by party founder Ross Perot's supporters...
9.2002] Chapter 11: U.S. Airways files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection...
10.2006] "Happy Trails": Former talk/variety show host Mike Douglas dies on his 81st birthday. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1990 but was considered cancer-free when he dies from unknown causes...
Music Memories:
•1956] Released on this date: "Don't Be Cruel" - Elvis Presley...1962] "Surfin' Safari" - Beach Boys...1962] "Green Onions" - Booker T and MG's...1968] "Hey Jude" - Beatles. The first Beatles release on Apple...1973] "Free Ride" - Edgar Winter Group...
•1964] #1 on this date: "Everybody Loves Somebody" - Dean Martin...1974] "The Night Chicago Died" - Paper Lace...1984] "Endless Love" - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie...
•1966] Farewell Tour: The Beatles begin their final tour of America in Chicago. At a press conference at O'Hare, John Lennon apologizes for his statements comparing the Beatles with Jesus Christ...
•1969] Making their debut: Diana Ross invites 350 guests to the Daisy Club in Beverly Hills to unveil her new discovery: The Jackson Five...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Singer Joe Jackson (56), Hulk Hogan (57), Steve Wozniak (60), Eric Carmen (61), (Ask) Marilyn vos Savant (64), Kenny Gamble (67), Arlene Dahl (82) and Claus von Bulow (84)...
Timeline Countdown: 26 days until Labor Day, 29 days before the NFL opener (Minn. @ N.O.) and 43 days until autumn arrives...
