New Media

FM on the iPhone: The Story Is Not Yet Told

By Jim Kerr, VP/Strategy, Triton Digital Media

Radio-Info debuts its New Media section with a weekly column “The Future Is Now” by Triton Digital Media’s Jim Kerr. Here’s his first entry with his thoughts on the new iPhone’s FM chip.

While the news that the iPhone and iPod FM chip might be activated, allowing FM radio integration with these mobile devices, is interesting, I’m not sure it achieves anything at the consumer level. For iPhone users, accessing radio has been something they’ve been doing for a long time. The only difference is that they access it via apps and streams. But, to them, they’re still listening to “radio.” Researcher Mark Ramsey has been particularly eloquent on this point recently.

But I think the most important part of the FM/iPhone rumor is the part that we don’t have information on yet: The actual software. The current model on the iPhone to initiate streaming is via stand-alone apps or limited directories. But this is not the familiar and functional model consumers are used to: They want presets. And not just presets, but presets of all their stations. For example, Radiotime powers the Wonder Radio app, which is a fantastic directory on the iPhone, but it doesn’t include all terrestrial streams.

Read the entire column in our New Media section, here:

Jim Kerr, VP/Strategy, Triton Digital Media
jkerr@tritonmedia.com

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Breaking News

Radio-Info launches "New Media" section

The “New Media” section will feature columns by industry thought leaders and experts in the world of digital media. The first column to debut is “The Future Is Now” written by respected radio, trade, and new media veteran Jim Kerr, VP of Strategy for Triton Digital Media. Each week, Kerr will give us his take on the ever-changing digital world and explain the new tools, technology, and ideas that we as an industry need to understand to further evolve and grow. In the coming weeks, Radio-Info.com will debut other columns by respected experts in the world of converging media. Read Kerr’s first column “FM on the iPhone: The Story Is Not Yet Told”:

“Embrace the digital world, and the younger generation will follow”

That was the message at the Group PD Super Session during the NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia. Rick Cummings, President of Programming for Emmis Communications, said “I see that we have two main issues to address in radio today: First, we have to right-size our business. But second, we must embrace the digital world, because that’s where young people are.” Reaching listeners through digital media is also a chance to communicate “one to one” says Cummings. Clear Channel EVP of programming Gene Romano adds that radio also needs “to deepen that [one-to-one] relationship.” In order to be “Cool” once again, Cummings says radio needs to be accessible through any mobile device – and that’s why the recent addition of the FM band on Apple’s new iPhone is good for radio. Read more about the Group PDs' thoughts on PPM, Twitter, HD Radio, and more.

Hot 97 New York debuts iPhone App; Returns to "Local" mornings

New York’s WQHT “Hot 97” announces it has launched an online stream and iPhone app, which gives hip hop fans internationally access to the station. In addition, the station is reverting back to all “locally based” programming. Meaning that the morning show, currently occupied by Citadel Media’s “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” will evolve, adopting “localized show content.” Inside sources at the station inform Radio-Info that means Hot 97 will continue to use some elements from the show, along with some voice work from Big Boy (who originates from co-owned Emmis Rhythmic KPWR, “Power 106" in Los Angeles). But that it will focus more on New York music hits.

CBS aggregates the websites of its music stations, music streams and Last.fm

The newly-named CBS Interactive Music Group will be led by David Goodman, who’s been the President of Digital Media and Integrated Marketing for CBS Radio since December 2007. The announcement comes from the very top of CBS – President/CEO Leslie Moonves. He says “we are combining two industry-leading music properties to form a single group dedicated to music fans everywhere.” The new CBS Interactive Music Group will fold in the streams of CBS Radio music stations, their web-only channels (including the ones available to iPhones and BlackBerrys); the interactive websites for all the CBS Radio music stations; and CBS-owned Last.fm. The company acquired London-based “music discovery site” Last.fm in May 2007 and paid $280 million for it.

Radio in England:

BBC Radio 1 morning host Chris Moyles blasts London’s Sun newspaper, which claimed Moyles was going to be fired for a younger morning talent. Read the Sun story by clicking here … The debut show of former BBC Radio 2’s Russell Brand gave London’s TalkSPORT a 250% increase in web traffic … Global Radio station Xfm will cut loose morning host Alex Zane, and replace him with former New York City WXRK-FM (92.3) and current Xfm PM drive host Ian Camfield … The Vibe (101.8) morning DJ & station manager Matt Cadman, who spent 24 hours broadcasting solely in his underwear, will put his pants up for auction on eBay … Volunteer radio station Penistone FM (95.7) in South Yorkshire is offering lessons on radio production & on-air, for people who want to “develop their skills” … BBC Worldwide has launched an application for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch devices for its UK television and radio listings publishing business named Radio Times … Twelve-year old Britain’s Got Talent star Shaheen Jafargholi will get his wish – to host a talk show on Swansea Bay Radio.

Other

Measuring Success

Games are more fun when you keep score—and the way you’re keeping score is going to be important in 2010. RETHINKING MEASUREMENT is an important undertaking for the media industry, and there’s already plenty of shifting in progress—from PPM to Streaming Measurement. Two of radio’s largest “metrics vendors,” Arbitron and Ando Media, have both earned headlines this year for their maneuvers in measurement. While they’ve drawn some heat from customers and buyers—and various debates rightfully continue about each of their practices—they both deserve some applause.

Super PD Session: “Embrace the digital world, and the younger generation will follow”

That was the message at the Group PD Super Session during the NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia. Rick Cummings, President of Programming for Emmis Communications said “I see that we have two main issues to address in radio today: First, we have to right-size our business. But second, we must embrace the digital world, because that’s where young people are.” Cummings added “Most of the attendees at this convention, and others I’ve been too in recent years, have all been around my age. I’m not seeing the 20 year olds any more. They’re not coming into our business.” Reaching listeners through digital media is also a chance to communicate “one to one” says Cummings. “The key is one to one communication with our fans. We have over 100-thousand peole signed up for text alerts from Hot 97 [WQHT] New York. Angie Martinez [PM Driver on Hot] has over 90,000 fans following her on Twitter. 15 minutes before Jay-Z showed up for a live interview on her show, she twittered it, and let them know to tune in. New media is a means for us to communicate with our biggest fans.”