[IRCA] For what it's worth...

From the latest GSF Media “Media and Marketing Highlights” e-newsletter (February 2006):

Turnaround in Terrestrial Radio

Even with many new listening options, traditional radio continues to deliver large audiences… According to initial results from a continuing audience attrition project by Bridge Ratings & Research, audience erosion, due to less time spent with AM/FM radio and more time spent with a variety of digital media, including MP3 players (including iPods), Internet radio, and satellite radio, from terrestrial radio has returned somewhat in the 4th quarter of 2005. The report finds that AM/FM radio listening is returning to former high-water marks as a result of both the medium's lower commercial load policies and a growing segment of MP3 users who after some time immersed in their new technology toy, become fatigued with their time spent with the MP3 player and return to terrestrial radio among other sources of audio entertainment. (Source: Center for Media Research 1/18/06)

Radio Multicasting is Here

The nation's big radio companies have rolled out their answer to satellite radio -- a new technology called "multicasting" that allows them to cram two or three stations onto FM frequencies that today carry just one. For listeners, that means dozens of new channels are coming onto the air. But there's a catch: They need to shell out several hundred dollars for new radio sets that pull in the digital signals, which regular radios don't pick up. Clear Channel has begun multicasting 10 new stations in New York and San Francisco, with 15 more rolling out soon, and will detail plans for a bigger push later. In all, more than 250 multicast digital stations will soon be available in 28 large markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, the HD Radio Alliance, a trade group of major radio companies, said recently. The radio companies hope the extra programming, which will be commercial-free for now, will lure back consumers who were thinking of purchasing a satellite radio. (Source: Wall Street Journal 1/19/06)

Randy Stewart

Springfield MO