8 Realities of Radio 2020

-40+ is FM’s sweet spot.  I recall at xm,  pre launch, we researched who the likely buyers were.  Over 40,  people recalled radio’s golden years and were excited about the choices,  the proposed style and the ad free environment.  Under 40 and the younger it went,  the more “ why would I pay for radio… radio sucks” emerged. A 20 year old for example never experienced “great radio” beyond some morning stars. And this was BEFORE Spotify and the like

-The Sound Pie is shrinking.  The share of radio is getting smaller as new media begins to crowd it out.  The share will likely not increase.  It can stabilize but increase is unlikely with the current state of things

-Around 92% listen to radio weekly.  But do they love it as fans or is it simply a utility?  A large percentage have cable tv,  but are they fans?   Utilities don’t last when there are better options.  Fans keep things involved and growing and involved  Radio has a utility issue

-Denial. It’s rampant.  It’s a new world.  Embrace it. The golden days won’t return but there’s a new golden age that CAN be created.  Radio ISNT in great shape.  Denying that limits the ability to adjust and fix 

– Creative overdrive.  It’s free. You’d think that with all of the competition,  radio would be in creative overdrive.  Reinventing. Breathing new life and ideas into the mix.  But that all clearly appears on the back burner 

-Corporate radio is ill.    Most are In the survival mode.  Focused on operational efficiencies to stay alive    More fuel to look outside the big companies to innovate and create experiments in modern radio that just might work.  The big companies can’t do it in terms of creative.  Individuals with ideas can.  Not easy but there’s hope

-Opportunities beyond am and fm.  It’s the new Wild West.  Anything is possible.   Beyond am and fm. Think Sound.  Not towers.  Radios creative decline creates a drawing board for new ways

Completeness.  What happened?  Stations used to have creative game plans.  Again, the thinking and effort was free. The whole staffing model Is different but that’s not an excuse for failure of creating and executing detailed plans. The great stations of the past launched with incredible depth of thought.  That’s why they were great. Nowadays it feels like stations are rushed on the air with maybe a top 1000 ad free countdown and some billboards claiming “more variety”.  Yawn….

I’m bullish on AMAZING SOUND.  Wherever it’s transmitted from.  The best sonic experience will prevail