New decade, new radio?
Dec 28, 2009 22:44:32 GMT -7
Post by CAwasinNJ on Dec 28, 2009 22:44:32 GMT -7
So here we are. Poised on the verge of a new decade. Time to offer your predictions on what will happen in the radio. The only thing I think that's certain is that we won't leave the 2010's with things the same as when we entered. Other than that, who knows. Time to enter your prognostications.
Here are a few of mine:
IBOC's status will change. Either it will get a power boost so that listeners will have a fighting chance of hearing it, or it will die like Dolby FM and 8-track and other flawed technology. The problem is that with the power boost would come more interference to other stations which will end up hurting everyone.
At least one full market FM will make another run at a Spanish language format. This is almost a no-brainer. I actually think it will be more than 1, but I'll be conservative here. There's a big untapped market here. Clear Channel made a half-hearted run at it with La Preciosa, but that was gone in what 6 months? Put some muscle behind it and give it a chance. That would also benefit the English stations who would have to divide the pie of English speakers fewer ways. And speaking of that....
Some stations are going to start getting really creative with formats. With all of the new stations that will be created as a result of Docket 05-243 et al the tried and tested isn't going to be enough anymore. Think you can survive being the 5th AC station in the market? Yeah, good luck with that. A few might do well by resurrecting formats that were discarded for higher return formats (nostalgia, 50s/60s oldies on FM, etc) but that's isn't going to work for everyone. There are at least 6 stations that will be created or need to separate simulcasts. The only way to survive will be to think outside the box and hope it works.
Here are a few of mine:
IBOC's status will change. Either it will get a power boost so that listeners will have a fighting chance of hearing it, or it will die like Dolby FM and 8-track and other flawed technology. The problem is that with the power boost would come more interference to other stations which will end up hurting everyone.
At least one full market FM will make another run at a Spanish language format. This is almost a no-brainer. I actually think it will be more than 1, but I'll be conservative here. There's a big untapped market here. Clear Channel made a half-hearted run at it with La Preciosa, but that was gone in what 6 months? Put some muscle behind it and give it a chance. That would also benefit the English stations who would have to divide the pie of English speakers fewer ways. And speaking of that....
Some stations are going to start getting really creative with formats. With all of the new stations that will be created as a result of Docket 05-243 et al the tried and tested isn't going to be enough anymore. Think you can survive being the 5th AC station in the market? Yeah, good luck with that. A few might do well by resurrecting formats that were discarded for higher return formats (nostalgia, 50s/60s oldies on FM, etc) but that's isn't going to work for everyone. There are at least 6 stations that will be created or need to separate simulcasts. The only way to survive will be to think outside the box and hope it works.
