Satellite radio capability in new vehicles has jumped from 59% in 2009 to 66% in 2010, according to a new J.D. Power and Associates study. The 2010 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study, was based on a survey of 82,000 new-vehicle owners who purchased a 2010 model-year vehicle. Penetration of satellite navigation systems increased from 25% to 30% of new vehicles over the same period. Okay, we know satellite penetration is growing but what about customer satisfaction???
The report included some findings that may not bode well for Mel Karmazin. Car-buyers' favorite audio system feature was the ability to play music file formats of their own choosing (see: MP3 files and iTunes.) The Power report also found that overall satisfaction with multimedia systems including AM/FM radio, cassette players, single CD players, multiple CD changers, navigation systems and satellite radio decreased slightly from 7.77 to 7.76 on a 10-point scale. That may be due to their increasing complexity, which makes them more prone to glitches says Powers. Could it also be from the quality of the music sources? The news isn't entirely awe-inspiring for terrestrial radio either. The increasing penetration of new technologies, including satellite radio, MP3 device compatibility and streaming internet audio, threatens broadcast radio's traditional "drive time" dominance in vehicle media consumption...
Falling sales in the U.S. auto market, where sales dropped 21% from an annualized rate of 11.8 million in July to 10.6 million in August won't help any form of radio although Sirius XM has already claimed it won't affect them, apparently due to their other configurations of listening devices...
1.1813] Crying 'Uncle': The nickname 'Uncle Sam' is used as a symbolic reference to the U.S. in an editorial in the Troy (NY) Post...
2.1927] Must-see TV: Philo T. Farnsworth succeeds in transmitting an image through purely electronic means by using an image dissector...
3.1930] Stripped: "Blondie" makes its 1st appearance in the comic strips...
4.1963] Going to Hall: The National Professional Football Hall of Fame is dedicated in Canton (OH). First year inductees include Sammy Baugh, Red Grange, George Halas, Tim Mara, Bronko Nagurski and Jim Thorpe...
5.1966] Curtains: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" airs for the final time on CBS-TV after a 6-year run...1971] "The Beverly Hillbillies" is seen for the last time. It debuted in the fall of 1961...
6.1977] Liddy leaves: G. Gordon Liddy is released from prison after serving more than 4 years for his involvement in Watergate...
7.1978] "Happy Trails": Keith Moon, drummer for The Who, suffers a fatal overdose at 31...
8.1979] Sports-TV: ESPN begins when Lee Leonard introduces George Grande who describes the format concept of the 1st all-sports cable network...
9.1980] Tennis anyone?: John McEnroe beats Bjorn Borg in a classic U.S. Open final for his 2nd straight title...
10.1999] Sumnertime: Viacom Inc. announces its plans to buy CBS Corp...
Music Memories:
1986] #1 on this date: "Take My Breath Away" - Berlin...
Commentary...
The Tampa Bay Radio Reunion is set for Saturday, November 6, 2010. Please RSVP to Sandy Hall at swoodworth@embargmail.com or call 813-205-5247. Sandy needs a headcount for the reunion. Tedd Webb adds that "if you missed it last year, you missed a good one, so pass along the info and come swap lies and have a few brews." Note: The reunion will start at 2 PM...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Michael Feinstein (54), Corbin Bernsen (56), Chrissie Hynde (59), Julie ("Marge Simpson") Kavner (60) and Gloria Gaynor (61)...
Timeline Countdown: 1 night before Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown, 2 nights before the NFL begins play (Minn. @ New Orleans), 11 nights before Yom Kippur begins at sundown, 16 days until autumn arrives, 29 days before the MLB post-season begins and 54 nights until Halloween...
