[continued from previous message]

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/research-says-social-media-has-hit-a-plateau


This story is part of a week-long series where author Tom Vernon breaks
down the newly-released “Infinite Dial” report, which gives insights into various aspects of radio’s modern competitive environment and consumer consumption habits. 

The findings from The Infinite Dial 2022 suggest that growth in social
media usage has hit a plateau at around 82 percent of the population. That
does not mean that this space has stagnated, far from it. New players
continue to be a disruptive force that challenges the standard bearers. Consumers continue to be a driving force in the creation of content.
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing social media usage by year.

For the second year, the lead story in social media, according to The
Infinite Dial, is the explosive growth of TikTok. Brand awareness places it
in third place with 88 percent recognition, rapidly closing in on leaders Facebook and Instagram. 

Usage data tells a similar story, With TikTok again ranked third with 36 percent behind Facebook and Instagram. For comparison, recall that last
years Infinite Dial had ranked TikTok sixth in brand usage with 23 percent
of users. The data also suggests that at least some of TikToks gain has
come at the expense of Snapchat. 
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing social media usage by brand.

So what is TikToks secret for success? Edison Research SVP Tom Webster
posits it may  simply be the realization that most people dont want to
create content, but merely be consumers of it.

The implications of these findings for content creators seems clear. They
need to pay attention to this platform if they want to maximize audience
reach and penetration, particularly for the younger demographic.

When social media usage is broken out by age demographics, the Edisons
research shows  Instagram leading the 12-34 group holding 72 percent of respondents. TikTok is second with 61 percent and Facebook ranks third with
58 percent.

Those age 35-54 still preferred Facebook, which leads the pack with 76
percent, while Instagram grabbed second place with 45 percent. TikTok
appears with a strong third at 34 percent, more than doubling their 16
percent showing from last year.

Facebook still holds a commanding lead of 57 percent with those 55+. Coming
in a distant second, Pinterest took 20 percent, while Instagram lands in
third place with 18 percent. TikTok tied for fourth place with LinkedIn,
both getting 13 percent. Noteworthy though, TikTok again more than doubled their showing from last year when they held 6 percent, while LinkedIn
slipped two percentage points.
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing social media brand usage
over time, broken down by individual platforms.

When the survey asked what brands respondents use most often, Facebook came
in first with 54 percent, Instagram second with 14 percent  and TikTok finished third with 10 percent.
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing social media brand usage,
broken down by age group.

For the first time, The Infinite Dial is tracking audio-based social media services. The research shows Twitter Spaces ahead of the other two
entrants, Clubhouse and Spotify Greenroom. Usage data places Twitter Spaces with 2 percent, while Clubhouse and Spotify Greenroom each have 1 percent. These numbers suggest an insignificant impact, but might serve as an
important benchmark moving forward. Three years ago, who knew about TikTok?

[Read the next in this five-part series: “Spotify, Pandora and AppleMusic Lead in Online Audio Brand Awareness”]

The post Research Says Social Media Has Hit a Plateau appeared first on
Radio World.


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The World Radio Alliance: Radios Own, Global Voice

Posted: 30 Mar 2022 02:00 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/guest-commentaries/the-world-radio-alliance-radios-own-global-voice


The author is radio director of egta, a non-profit association based in Brussels, a European trade body that represents the interests of radio and television sales houses. 

Few if any current developments have moved faster than the digital
evolution. The pace of digital change, only accelerated as a result of the COVID crisis, is unprecedented and has disrupted the entire media industry.
The audio landscape was equally impacted and is now in constant flux.

Radio has always been a mobile medium and a trusted companion. But technological advances have amplified ATAWAD listening — available anytime, anywhere and on any device. The development of new delivery technologies
(5G, Wi-Fi, DAB+), connected devices (smart speakers, hearables) and an increase in sound quality (3D audio, noise cancellation), combined with the arrival of new players investing in the audio sphere, have resulted in a gigantic offering of audio content and formats. 

Audio has become ubiquitous in our lives. 

In this increasingly fragmented and complex media landscape, radio
companies face challenges in various advertising markets, demonstrated by
the significant gap between the volume of radio consumption and advertising investment. 

While all the evidence proves the strong performance of radio when
delivering real business growth, there is a disparity between the evidence
and the general market perception.

Does radio have a marketing problem? 

It is in this environment that the World Radio Alliance has been created. 

During the 25 years I’ve worked in the advertising industry, I have often heard that radio has become obsolete — more often than hearing its
strengths highlighted. But even if radio consumption has eroded since its
peak, the research consistently shows that radio is key in the media mix to boost brands’ business and is the centrepiece in the evolving audio ecosystem. 

Every day, radio reaches 70% of the population, enabling advertisers to
rapidly touch many potential consumers, in a safe and trusted environment. There are an immeasurable number of studies and cases proving the
effectiveness of radio advertising. 
A graphic from the World Radio Alliance lays out the benefits of radio for business success.

Long live radio

Since its birth over 100 years ago, the death of radio has been proclaimed
many times. Didn’t The Buggles sing in 1979 that video killed the radio
star?

The time has come for radio to stop being shy, to get out of its cave and loudly and widely promote its power. We have to remind advertisers, journalists, media gurus, agencies and industry peers about the strength, effectiveness and popularity of radio. 

On the occasion of World Radio Day 2021 came the idea of creating a
grouping of trade bodies representing radio companies and sales houses from different parts of the world to join forces and speak with a unified voice
and narrative, to inspire each other by exchanging ideas, research cases
and best practices. 

[Read More Guest Commentaries Here]

The concept of the World Radio Alliance was born. A year later, after
plenty of fruitful discussions between egta and radio associations around
the world, this collaboration across continents became a reality. We are currently 16 members, representing 14 markets, with the intention to grow, prosper and welcome more members. 

Radio is not dead. Radio is ubiquitous, a trusted companion for listeners
and a business partner for brands. It is the centrepiece in the grand audio ecosystem, as it has always been. And as of now, you can count on the World Radio Alliance to remind the world.

Learn more about the World Radio Alliance here.

The founding members of the World Radio Alliance are Radiocentre (UK), Radiozentrale (Germany), Audify (Netherlands), the Radio Advertising Bureau (U.S.), RadioMedia (Finland), the Bureau de la Radio (France), VIA—Association of AV Media (Belgium), ACR—the Associaciò Catalana de Ràdio
(Spain), Radiocentre Ireland, FCP AssoRadio (Italy), Radio Connects
(Canada), the Association of Austrian Commercial Broadcasters (VÖP), Commercial Radio Australia, and egta, the international association of TV
and radio sales houses. Lucy Barrett, client director at Radiocentre UK, is
the first president. 

The post The World Radio Alliance: Radio’s Own, Global Voice appeared first on Radio World.


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Workbench: Repairing an Ice-Damaged Antenna

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 02:03 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/workbench/workbench-repairing-an-ice-damaged-antenna


If you’re evaluating low-power FM antennas, consultant Frank Hertel discourages models that use “flat strap stingers,” the stainless-steel metal straps that run from the feed point to the individual radiating
elements. He says this is a concern particularly in an icy winter
environment.

One of Frank’s clients had the dilemma pictured in Fig. 1 following an ice and wind storm. Note the broken strap.
(Fig. 1) A combination of wind and falling ice broke the feeder straps on
this LPFM antenna bay.

The problem presented as high VSWR. The antenna was 400 feet up the tower (which meant an $800 climbing fee at $2 per foot, even before any work is done). Evaluation of a different bay also showed the strap pulling free
from the feed point because there was no flat washer; see Fig. 2.
(Fig. 2) On another bay, the feeder straps pulled free from the bolt.

A different model that Frank has seen uses round stock with flattened ends
for the feeder elements. He finds that design to be more robust and not
subject to flapping around in the wind.

Fig. 3 shows Frank’s suggested fix for the broken strap: a stainless steel “fender” washer drilled using a Dremel or similar brand tool to provide slots wide enough to secure the strap when it is tightened.
(Fig. 3) A suggested fix involves a stainless steel washer.

Fig. 4 shows how the strap can be routed through the slots, then sandwiched between the base washer and the top fender washer as in Fig. 5.
(Fig. 4) Route the strap through the slots in the washer.

Frank qualifies this “flat strap stinger” design as a “fair weather” model.
(Fig. 5) When you tighten down the nut, the straps are sandwiched between
the base washer and the top washer.

Undesirable DXing

I turned on the radio here in South Carolina the other day and a new FM
station appeared clear as day, wiping out my local broadcaster. After
listening for a couple minutes, I realized the signal was coming from
Florida.

Tropospheric ducting occurs when a temperature inversion in the lowest
layer of the atmosphere permits FM and TV signals to travel much farther
than normal.

Hot, muggy summertime weather usually increases the ducting. But the effect
can happen any time of the year, as I found out.

What drives PDs and engineers crazy is that the ducting effect can occur
for hours or even days — and there’s no solution.

Share your own experiences of this phenomenon.

Programming insights

A good many readers of Workbench are current or former jocks, programmers
or operations directors. Even for those who haven’t programmed a station, discovering new ways to gain listenership can be a fascinating study.

Programming consultant Gary Berkowitz knows adult contemporary music. He’s been a major-market air talent, programmer and consultant. (Like me, Gary
is also a jingle nut. Google his interview with Jon Wolfert of JAM
Productions on YouTube.)

As a service to the industry, Gary publishes AC Programming Today, a
periodic e-newletter that’s free upon request. The most recent issue discusses cumulative audience — universally called cume — and TSL, or time spent listening.

[Check Out More of Workbench Here]

Gary explains you can’t have TSL without cume. It’s a quarter-hour game, and the station with the most quarter-hours is the winner. Holding the
audience for at least five minutes in a quarter hour is the goal.
Fascinating, even for engineers.

Even if your format is something other than AC, you’ll find Gary’s newsletter informative. Sign up for your newsletter here.

You’ll blow the minds of your GM and PD at the next managers meeting when
you start talking about cume and TSL instead of chips and modules.

Hey, sunny…

When Frank Hertel sent his antenna fix discussed at the beginning of this column, he included a note about increased sunspot activity.

Sunspots are bursts of electrically charged energy that can interfere with other electromagnetic waves. Pops or bursts of noise or hissing are common
to sunspot activity.

Frank noted that we are three years from the next peak of sunspot activity
in 2025. The sun activity then will yield increased sessions of
interference on a daily basis, but there are estimates that there’s
potential for more interference than normal this year, too.

Typical interference begins in late spring and runs through early December.
It can also affect satellite reception. It’s wise to be aware of this phenomenon.

John Bisset, CPBE, has 50 years in the broadcasting industry and is in his
32nd year writing Workbench. He handles western U.S. radio sales for the
Telos Alliance. He is a past recipient of the SBE’s Educator of the Year Award.

Got an idea? Workbench submissions are encouraged and qualify for SBE recertification credit. Email johnpbisset@gmail.com.  

The post Workbench: Repairing an Ice-Damaged Antenna appeared first on
Radio World.


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Sophi.io Joins PILOT Tech Initiative

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:37 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/sophi-io-joins-pilot-tech-initiative


PILOT has a new member, Sophi.io, which uses artificial intelligence to
make products that help media companies optimize revenue and increase engagement.

The platform is owned by The Globe and Mail in Canada, whose newsroom was
the environment for which the platform was developed.

“It’s great to have Sophi.io join PILOT given their experience developing and implementing strategies for digital revenue around first-party data,” said NAB PILOT Executive Director John Clark in the announcement.

PILOT is a coalition led by the National Association of Broadcasters. Its purpose includes supporting the creation and implementation of new
technologies and solutions for media.

Other members include Amazon Web Services, Edgecast, Facebook Journalism Project, Google, Nielsen and Xperi.

Sophi.io is an AI platform that uses prediction algorithms to “serve the right content to the right audience at the right time across text and
video.” According to NAB, the Sophi product suite offers automated content curation, personalization and dynamic registration that facilitate
first-party data acquisition, viewer engagement and monetization of video
and text across channels including web, app, OTT and streaming.

The post Sophi.io Joins PILOT Tech Initiative appeared first on Radio World.


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Audio-Technica to Exhibit New Podcast Microphone

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:01 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/audio-technica-to-exhibit-new-podcast-microphone


Audio-Technica will exhibit its new AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Podcast Microphone at the NAB Show this April.

Per a company press release, the AT2040 is geared towards podcasters and
other content creators looking to bring professional broadcast-quality
sound to their craft.

Audio-Technica said the AT2040 excels at isolated/up-close vocal
reproduction and rejection of unwanted room noise due to its tight hypercardioid polar pattern, ensuring professional-quality podcasts.

The AT2040 provides smooth, warm, natural sound, while the mic’s multistage windscreen combines a nonwoven filter with foam mesh to provide superior internal pop filtering, and its specially-designed integrated shock mount prevents unwanted noise by attenuating vibration from a boom arm or mic
stand.

[For More News on the NAB Show See Our NAB Show News Page]

The AT2040’s XLR output connects to a conventional analog microphone input, making the product compatible with everything from USB audio interfaces to professional mixing consoles. The microphone comes standard with a pivoting stand mount, 5/8-27 to 3/8-16 threaded adapter and a protective pouch.

Gary Boss, Audio-Technicas U.S. marketing director, said Audio-Technicas microphones have been used by streamers, YouTubers and other content
creators in recent years; however, their past models were not as suited for
the needs of podcasters. 

The AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Podcast Microphone is now available with
U.S. MAP pricing of $99. For more information, visit the company website.

Audio-Technica booth: C5826

The post Audio-Technica to Exhibit New Podcast Microphone appeared first on Radio World.


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Nielsen To Be Acquired by Private Equity Group for $16B

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 09:22 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/nielsen-to-be-acquired-by-private-equity-group-for-16b


This story was originally published by our sister publication TV
Technology. 

Nielsen Holdings announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by a
private equity consortium led by Evergreen Coast Capital Corp., an
affiliate of Elliott Investment Management and Brookfield Business Partners
for $28 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $16 billion, including the assumption of debt.

The deal comes a week after Nielsen turned down a $9 billion offer by the same group, saying that the proposed transaction “significantly undervalues” the company’s worth.


Nielsen has also come under increasing pressure to evolve its media
measurement platform to improve its monitoring of the increasing array of
media streaming options. In one of the most public demonstrations of the
lack of confidence in the company, several companies and networks owned by Byron Allen filed a civil suit earlier this month against Neilsen. alleging that its “outdated and unreliable” ratings significantly undercounted audiences, particularly for smaller networks, and that Nielsens inaccurate audience measurement cost media companies “billions of dollars.”

In January, the Video Advertising Bureau released a study that found Nielsen’s undercounting of audiences resulted in major losses for TV broadcasters totaling upwards of $700 million during a 16 month period. In response, Nielsen said that after reviewing VAB’s data that “while we acknowledge the understatement in a portion of our National out-of-home audiences, we stand by our prior statements that the magnitude of the issue
was very small for the majority of telecasts.”










The study was released just months after the Media Rating Council (MRC)
removed its accreditation of Nielsen’s national and local TV measurement services. The company has made several efforts to improve its image by expanding coverage offered by Nielsen Media Impact (NMI), its national
media planning and optimization solution, to include streaming data from connected television sets (CTV) as well as launching “Streaming Signals,” what the company calls a “first of its kind” solution for connected TV (CTV) operators and advertisers to better understand who is watching a show within the household.

The Nielsen Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the acquisition proposal, which represents a 10% premium over the consortium’s previous proposal and a 60% premium over Nielsen’s unaffected stock price as of
March 11, 2022, the last trading day before market speculation regarding a potential transaction.

“After a thorough assessment, the Board determined that this transaction represents an attractive outcome for our shareholders by providing a cash takeout at a substantial premium, while supporting Nielsen’s commitment to our clients, employees and stakeholders. The Consortium sees the full
potential of Nielsen’s leadership position in the media industry and the unique value we deliver for our clients worldwide,” said James A. Attwood, Chairperson of Nielsen’s Board of Directors.

After months of deep market analysis, industry diligence and management reviews, we are firmly convinced that Nielsen will continue to be the gold standard for audience measurement as it executes on the Nielsen ONE
roadmap, said Managing Partner Jesse Cohn and Senior Portfolio Manager Marc Steinberg on behalf of Evergreen and Elliott. Having first invested in
Nielsen nearly four years ago, we have a unique appreciation for the
Companys ongoing relevance to the global, digital-first media ecosystem.
Todays outcome represents a significant win for Nielsens shareholders and
for the business itself, as our multibillion-dollar investment will help Nielsen reinforce its transformation at this critical inflection point. We
are pleased to partner with David and the existing management team to lead Nielsen after the transaction is completed.

Nielsen is deeply embedded in the media ecosystem and a trusted service provider to its customers. As a private company, Nielsen will be even
better positioned to deliver the best measures of consumers rapidly
changing behaviors across all channels and platforms, commented Dave
Gregory, Managing Partner, Brookfield Business Partners. We are pleased to invest in this iconic company and help lead the industry into the next generation of audience measurement.

The Consortium has secured fully committed debt and equity financing,
including an approximately $5.7 billion equity commitment from the
consortium consisting of Evergreen and Brookfield.

The transaction is subject to approval by Nielsen shareholders, regulatory approvals, and is also subject to UK court approval. If the closing
conditions are met, the transaction is expected to close in the second half
of 2022.

The transaction agreement provides for a go-shop period, during which
Nielsen – with the assistance of its financial advisors, J.P. Morgan and Allen & Company, and its legal advisors – will actively solicit, evaluate
and potentially enter into negotiations with parties that offer alternative acquisition proposals. The go-shop period expires 45 days after Nielsens
entry into the transaction agreement.

Following that period, Nielsen will be permitted to continue discussions
and enter into or recommend a transaction with any person or group that submitted a qualifying proposal during the 45-day period, if the Board determines the proposal is superior to this transaction. A competing bidder
who makes a superior proposal would bear a $102 million (1% percent of
equity value) termination fee that is payable by Nielsen if Nielsen
terminates the transaction agreement with the consortium to accept such superior proposal.

The post Nielsen To Be Acquired by Private Equity Group for $16B appeared
first on Radio World.


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Survey Says AM/FM Radio Still #1 in the Car

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 09:01 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/survey-says-am-fm-radio-still-1-in-the-car


This story is part of a week-long series where author Tom Vernon breaks
down the newly-released Infinite Dial report, which gives insights into
various aspects of radios modern competitive environment and consumer consumption habits. 

How ironic it seems that the oldest of all electronic media – AM/FM radio, still holds the top position in  The Infinite Dial 2022s survey of in-car media. Another legacy device, the car CD player, according to the research,
is still ranked in third place. That said, their lead is slowly being
eroded by the newcomers. AM/FM radio slipped just two percentage points
from 75 to 73 percent, while the CD player remains unchanged with 35
percent.

Those gaining ground in the car, according to the survey, include
second-ranked owned digital music, which jumped five percentage points from
48 to 53 percent. Other media showing gains include podcasts, gaining two percentage points to 32 percent, and sixth-place SiriusXM, increasing by
one percentage point to 22 percent.
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing audio sources used in car.

Thats the end of The Infinite Dial 2022s good news for radio. When the
surveys number of radios in household data is examined, it suggests AM/FM radios continuing plunge into the abyss. In 2008, four percent of
respondents didnt own a radio, while 64 percent had one to three, and 32 percent owned four or more radios. Fast forward to 2022, and the reported number not owning a radio has jumped to 39 percent, while 54 percent own 1
to 3 and just 7 percent have four or more radios.
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing number of radios in
household.

When the data is broken down by age demographics, of those age 12-34, 57 percent report not owning a radio. 39 percent say they own 1-3, and just
four percent own four or more. 

Not surprisingly, most of those holding on to their radios are in the 55+ group. Just 21 percent of these respondents say they dont have a radio.
Edisons data suggests that 67 percent own 1-3.  Clearly, radios heroes are
the remaining 12 percent who report still owning four or more of these
devices.
The Infinite Dial 2022 report. Graph detailing number of radios in house
broken down by age demographics.

While The Infinite Dial offers no explanation for these numbers, its fun to speculate. Perhaps the persistence of legacy media in the car has much to
do with the current economic climate, where new car sales have virtually flatlined. People are holding on to their cars for much longer, and used
car prices are at a premium.

When you recall vehicles from the early 2000s, in-car entertainment systems
as we know them today didnt exist. The standard entertainment package was
an AM/FM radio-CD player combo. The luxury option back then was usually an enhanced sound system with outboard amp and subwoofer.

For radio, perhaps stagnant new car sales figures are a silver lining in
the otherwise dark cloud of the US economy.

[Read the next in this five-part series: “Research Says Social Media Has
Hit a Plateau”]

The post Survey Says AM/FM Radio Still #1 in the Car appeared first on
Radio World.

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