Venture capitalist, Fred Wilson, explains his firm's latest investment and the business opportunity in internet radio. Streaming radio is very popular already. A recent comScore study reported the cumulative monthly audience of the top four online radio networks at 6.2mm US listeners. If you include all internet radio, that number is certainly well over 10mm montly listeners and could be larger than the subscriber …
Radio By The Hour
The New York Times is reporting on an innovative move in the Dallas radio market, at a time when traditional radio is faced with increasing competition from satellite radio and iPods (which are often equipped for the car). Clear Channel Communications is trying something radically different at a commercial radio station in Texas: getting rid of the commercials. As of today, KZPS in Dallas — on the dial at 92.5 FM or …
Advertisers Dump Imus
Let's face it; advertising is the only reason Don Imus has ever had a job on radio. Because without sponsors paying to reach listeners, there's no show. Now, comes this story from Bloomberg: Staples Inc. and Bigelow Tea stopped advertising on radio host Don Imus's morning show to protest his racially charged remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Staples, the world's largest office-products …
I’ll Fight For You, Internet Radio
I don't like what I'm reading today about new fee structures for internet radio. Orbitcast and Arts Technica warn of the format's demise. While …
Wal-Mart Stocks New Receivers
According to USA Today, Wal-Mart is giving High-Def Radio a fighting chance. The world's largest retailer will carry a high-definition car radio from JVC in 1,989 of its stores in 85 markets, priced at about $190. Being on the shelf at Wal-Mart "underscores that HD Radio is ready for prime time, it's ready for the masses," says Peter Ferrara, CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance, a consortium that includes radio …
“Tell ‘Em Vince Sent You”
Of all the radio commercial cliches in the world, this has got to be one of the worst. This is Vince Dooley. He's a legendary University of Georgia football coach and a pretty stand-up guy. But right now, he's doing some radio spots for AAMCO in which he says, "Tell 'em Vince sent you." Why? Why? WHY? Does anyone ever do that? Have you ever said "So-and-so sent me" because you heard it in a radio spot? What am I …
Theatre of the Mind
Mark Ramsey of Hear 2.0 conducted an interview with Watts Wacker, the noted futurist and author. When dealing with Wacker, there's an abundance of great matter to slice from (as if his thoughts are prime rib of beef). Here's a plateful on radio for you: Q. Where do you see the future of radio? A. One of the reasons that I think radio could have such a vibrant next 50 years or so is the issue of imagination and …
Nintendo To Die For
Radio station promotions are often lowest common denominator affairs. But the category reached a new low last week when Sacramento's KDND 107.9 The End, appears to have accidentally killed a woman with one of their ill-conceived concepts. According to News 10, a 28-year-old mother of three from Rancho Cordova was found dead in her home just hours after competing in the station's "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest. The …