Internet Radio is Becoming More Relevant

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A study by Media Consulting Firm L.E.K. advises advertisers to consider Internet radio as part of its new media strategy.

The study, which interviewed 2,000 US households, found that “Among active radio listeners, 32% use Internet radio services on a weekly basis, logging an average of 5.8 hrs per week per user.”


That is 49.7 minutes per day, during which time 10 ad-replacement spots and 99 (486 and 234) banners can be displayed to this listener.

RadioTime and the First Free In-Car Web Radio

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Earlier this month, RadioTime, a developer of technology for finding and listening to radio online, announced that the Mini cars by BMW will have an integrated RadioTime web service (via MINI Connected) that will allow drivers to tune to Internet radio via the car’s dashboard and steering wheel controls.

BMW will be the first car manufacturer in the world to offer this function in a regular production car.

“Sitting in a MINI networked through MINI Connected, the driver can tune to web radio stations airing anywhere in the world and regardless of his current location, depending on Internet connection and network coverage. The driver chooses his station the usual way through the car’s audio and infotainment system, making the controls convenient and safe while driving.”

“Drivers love radio because it’s free and requires no registration or setup, but accessing Internet radio used to require patching a smartphone into a car’s existing sound system, and fiddling with a smartphone’s controls,” said Bill Moore, CEO, RadioTime. “Now, instead of looking at your smartphone screen, you can use the dash display and MINI Joystick to tune to web radio. Radio has always been an integral part of our cars, and we’re opening up the world of music, news, talk, sports and entertainment that only web radio can offer.”

If you are a broadcaster, you can check to see if your radio station is included. Best of all, it’s free - no setup costs, restrictions, or subscription fees.

Radio 'Greener' in 2010 Thanks to Radio WorkFlow

Author SSI Category

Many radio organizations are committed to increasing productivity and doing away with the painful paper system has been a part of radio organizations for decades.

Radio WorkFlow’s software links your sales, creative, traffic and production departments with a paperless software system designed exclusively for the radio industry. It even gives radio stations the ability to remotely submit and update production orders and material instructions.

When computers were first introduced, a lot of companies began using less and less paper….while some companies were slow to adapt to changing times and continued to use the same amount of paper they had been using in the past.

Radio WorkFlow may take some time to catch on, but it is a beneficial software that carries paperless workflow from the ordering of the creative and the booking of the spot, right through to the creative writing, traffic, production and dubbing procedures…making it easier for station managers by automating many processes.

Radio WorkFlow’s biggest new feature is the inclusion of "Ad Bank" which acts like a commercial universe, where users can listen to and link ads to material instructions without the need to get up from their desk.

During the Winter Olympics, Virgin Radio Vancouver was also operating without paper and has committed to a "Greener" environment.

Premier Radio App for iPhone by Spark Radio

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Spark Radio recently launched the only premier radio app for iPhone to feature graphics and social media tools while listening to music.

This new iPhone app allows listeners to enjoy more than 10,000 terrestrial and internet-only radio stations worldwide. Spark Radio projects that by April 2010 there will be more than 30,000 stations streaming.

Listeners can search for stations or programs by keyword, location, or station URL and can browse programming by genre or location. There is also a GPS component that allows listeners to find local stations in any city based on current GPS coordinates.

“We are excited to share the new Spark Radio listening experience with music lovers around the globe,” said Terry Anderson, President of Handcast Media Labs. “We have worked diligently to ensure Spark Radio provides the highest quality graphics, radio stations, social features and other functionality that users require in a mobile device today. In a world where media tastes are constantly changing, we are dedicated to offering the best entertainment options for everyone.”

Spark Radio is available for download from the iTunes App Store. To download the application, please visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spark-radio/id351471534?mt=8.