The State of the Radio Union, according to the NY Times
This morning finds a well written piece by Richard Siklos on the current state of radio here in the U.S. There has probably not been a time in the history of radio that so many variables are changing at once. To Siklos’ credit, the writing is well balanced. Large radio conglomerates, such as Clear Channel and CBS Radio are looking to sell stations and invest their cash in other technologies - whether that be greater web presence, HD Radio, or satellite.
At the core of the matter is the changing listening habits of the new generation. He even quotes a surgeon over 50 yrs of age listening to his iPod in the operating room rather than radio, along with what we would expect - a college student who doesn’t listen to radio at all anymore.
Other than drive time, listening in all hours of the day in terrestrial radio are down. Way down.