«As rádios online são escutadas por 921 mil portugueses (26.8%)»

fonte: Sara Ribeiro, «Internet no telemóvel usada por 373 mil portugueses», Diário Económico,  1/6/06, in http://diarioeconomico.sapo.pt/edicion/diario_economico/edicion_impresa/media_x_publicidade/pt/desarrollo/654680.html

«A Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (CML) acaba de abrir um concurso que visa disponibilizar o acesso à Internet sem fios a todos os habitantes desta cidade que pode assim tornar-se na primeira capital da Europa a disponibilizar esse serviço, revela a edição de hoje do jornal Diário Económico. Uma das empresas que já apresentou uma proposta ao município foi a ARTelecom, de João Pereira Coutinho. No entanto, a Câmara está ainda a analisar todas as propostas que entretanto chegarem pelo que ainda não existem prazos definidos para a instalação ou operacionalidade do serviço. Apesar do projecto ‘wireless’ de Carmona Rodrigues pretender ligar toda a cidade podem surgir algumas dificuldades técnicas relacionadas com as zonas mais elevadas das colinas pelo que a prioridade será cobrir primeiro as zonas históricas e outras que necessitem de reabilitação e de atrair novos habitantes, revelou fonte oficial da CML.

Mas ao contrário do que acontece com a cobertura wi-fi de outras cidades cuja autarquia suporta os custos do serviço, o acesso wi-fi promovido pela Câmara Municipal de Lisboa não deverá ser gratuito embora ainda não haja preço definido.»

fonte: «CML vai criar rede wireless para Lisboa» Exame Informática, 16/3/06, in http://exameinformatica.clix.pt/noticias/internet/213009.html

«CHANNEL 4 will today unveil details of its plans to diversify into radio, taking advantage of an absence of regulation to launch audio services over the internet. The broadcaster’s plans centre around programming that ties in with its existing content. The strategy begins by emphasising individual programmes rather than a radio station as a whole. Some of the new material will also be available on Channel 4’s majority-owned digital station Oneword, but the plan is to make all the content available via channel4radio.com. The new medium requires no regulatory approval before it is launched»

fonte: «Channel 4 to launch internet radio», The Times, 5/6/06, By Dan Sabbagh, Media Editor

«On Friday, the Indianapolis radio-station operator said it is working with Apple Computer to integrate iTunes into its radio stations' Web sites. It's an unusual partnership headed for a national rollout.

«The bottom line is that Arbitron, Media Audit, the radio industry, or others will need to do massive amounts of further research testing before determining whether or not the cell phone can function as a media measurement device. As of today, there are many unanswered questions about the suitability of the cell phone for this purpose»

fonte: «Edison On Cell Phone As Media Measurement Device: “Massive” Amounts Of Further Research Needed», radio Ink 6/6/06

«O desenvolvimento de parcerias com os operadores poderia resultar positivamente para os dois lados, aumentando a receita dos operadores e a audiência/ investimento publicitário para a rádio. Mesmo que os ouvintes da estação se transformassem mais em utilizadores do que ouvintes, a estação manteria a ligação ao ouvinte, acompanhando-o efectivamente ao longo das suas actividades diárias (ou não fosse o telemóvel o aparelho que hoje mais se aproxima da ideia de instrumento enquanto prótese humana) e aumentando tempo de contacto com os seus anunciantes, que estariam no ar e online. Neste caso, online de forma fixa (no computador) e móvel (no telemóvel). Aproximar ou ouvintes deste novo sistema não seria complexo. A receptividade aos serviços das redes móveis é bastante interessante, apesar dos elevados valores cobrados. Por outro lado, a participação exclusiva em passatempos com prémios relevantes para o alvo da estação seria uma excelente forma de adicionar utilizadores aos mais de 370 mil portugueses que já acedem à Internet através dos serviços da rede móvel»

fonte: netFM, 6/6/06Paula Cordeiro, http://netfm.blogspot.com/2006/06/oportunidades-para-rdio-se.html

Parecia impossível, mas...

«Bridge Ratings projects that of just over one million retail sales of satellite radios sold since April 1, 2006, 51% (534,994) were XM radio systems. But this percentage in recent weeks has flipped in Sirius’ favor. Over the last three weeks of May, Bridge projects 57% of the 350,000 satellite systems sold were Sirius, with 58% of sales going to Sirius during the week ending May 29»

fonte: «Report: Sirius outpacing XM», 7/6/06, Radio Ink, http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133876&pt=inkheadlines

«The Times newspaper, aiming to increase its online audience by supplying video news clips, said on Tuesday it planned to launch an internet television service this week. Third-party providers will initially provide news clips for the new service, Times TV, which plans in the longer term to encourage its readers to contribute newsworthy videos, the British daily said.

Such providers were not disclosed, but the daily said it could include Reuters, the British news and financial information group.

(...) The service is part of a plan to "triple our page impressions in the next few years for Times Online," Les Hinton, executive chairperson of News International, the daily's British parent, said when announcing the initiative.»

fonte: «The Times plans to launch internet television service», 6/6/06, Mail & Guardian On line (dica Irreal Tv)

«The unprecedented observational research tracked the real-time media use of 350 people, recording their actual activities every 15 seconds. The results show that the Web is now clearly a mass media -- ranking right alongside other major media when it comes to reach and duration of use. And when it comes to at-work media use, the study found that the Web clearly dominates (with 54.6% reach, compared to television's 21.1%), and is the only medium that ranks among the top two at both work and home»

fonte: «Online Publishers Association Media Usage Study Shows The Web Now Rivals TV In Reach And Extends The Impact Of All Media», Internet Ad sales, 6/6/06, http://www.internetadsales.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7706

Mas, entre os jovens dos 18 aos 24 anos, a percentagem sobe para os 52.1%, sendo os que observam maior taxa de respostas positivas a esta questão.

Da mesma forma, a maioria dos estudantes também afirma costumar fazer download de músicas, referência dada por 51.3%.»

fonte: «Um milhão de internautas faz download de músicas», 8/6/06, http://www.marktest.com/wap/a/n/id~b05.aspx

«CBS Radio and Vibes Media have announced a nationwide partnership for Vibes’ iRadio Instant Response Text Messaging Platform. Effective immediately, the agreement provides 25 CBS Radio stations in New York, Los Angeles and 16 additional US markets the ability to personally engage their listeners in real time and create a wide variety of locally customized radio promotions.

Listeners can participate in promotions and contests from anywhere via the text messaging function on their cell phone without getting shut out by busy signals. Using iRadio, stations can customize these promotions and contests through Vibes’ OptimumAnalysis Tools, effectively tailoring them according to listener response in real time. Everyone who sends a message receives a response, regardless of service provider. Additionally, listeners can text requests, shout-outs and votes using the cell phone they already have in their hand.

“We were looking for a vehicle to easily interact with our audiences on a one-to-one basis, even during large-scale contests, and Vibes’ iRadio platform fits that bill perfectly,” said Joel Hollander, chairman and CEO, CBS Radio. “By delivering this new content we are able to build loyalty through direct contact with our listeners and add tremendous value for our advertisers.”

“CBS Radio is known in the business as a pioneer in the way it merges new and traditional media using creative programming and alternate delivery methods,” said Jack Philbin, president and co-founder of Vibes Media. “Using iRadio, CBS Radio can extend its franchise in new directions, creating ground-breaking promotions that connect with its audience and drive new channels of sponsorship revenue.”

fonte: Radio Ink, 8/6/06, CBS Radio & Vibes Media Announce Mobile Marketing Partnership»,

http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133877&pt=inkheadlines

«What could be better than a beer or three? According to one recent survey, the iPod is now more important to college students than beer drinking. The finding was published by college market research firm Student Monitor, which found that 73 percent of all students described the iPod as "in," compared to 71 percent for beer. Student Monitor, which regularly runs the survey, interviewed 1,200 students across 100 universities for the result. Beer has topped the ranking in almost every other poll, though the internet topped the list in 1997. Other favorites included using Facebook, text messaging, and drinking other types of alcohol. The result is comical, especially for those that have survived the heavy-drinking and animal house rituals of college. But underneath the result is an iPod that keeps gaining strength, despite heavy and continued competition from rival portable MP3 manufacturers. Just last year, the iPod received a nod from 59 percent of students, making the latest leap quite remarkable. And even among early-adopting college students, the stand-alone iPod player is holding quite strongly against mobile phones, many of which now offer MP3 playback capabilities.»

fonte: «iPods Trump Beer Drinking in Recent College Survey», http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#060906beer

Therefore, 25 percent were familiar enough with HD Radio to have an understanding about it. Additionally, only one percent of 18-64 year-olds surveyed believe that HD Radio will bring more stations and programming options. And three percent believed it is the same as satellite radio»

fonte: «Study: Few Believe HD Radio Brings More Choices», FMQB, 8/6/06, http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=228026

The DLO nanoTune. FM transmitter, radio and headphone amp in one cool little iPod nano package. Boosts your headphone sound by up to 25%, which is probably nosebleed country. £49.99.

 You can switch modes on the fly. When in iPod Mode, the nanoTune increases the nano’s volume output by over 25%. Tune the nanoTune’s FM radio or control your iPod nano using the nanoTune’s external controls. The nanoTune features buttons for next track and previous track, volume control with headphone amplifier, tuning in FM Radio Mode and FM Transmitter Mode, and Mode selection

»We thought the whole iPod experience was supposed to be an alternative to the wasteland radio is becoming. But given that the airwaves still have a few prizes to offer — NPR and summer baseball broadcasts among them — we could see why one might be interested in the DLO nanoTune. This tuner slips into the bottom of your nano, giving you FM radio and the ability to play your nano’s music via FM frequency on any stereo or portable radio. It also works as a headphone amplifier, with claims that it can boost volume output by 25 percent. Available now for .»

«Arbitron announced yesterday that four leading radio groups – Bonneville International Corporation; Emmis Communications Corporation; Greater Media, Inc. and Lincoln Financial Media – have entered into multi-year agreements for Portable People Meter radio ratings when the new audience ratings technology is deployed in the 50 markets encompassed in Arbitron’s previously announced PPM rollout plan.

Arbitron plans to launch the Portable People Meter system as its radio ratings service to the top 50 markets, beginning with Houston in July 2006, pending Media Rating Council accreditation»

fonte: Four Leading Radio Groups Sign Agreements For Arbitron PPM, 9/6/06,

http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133896&pt=inkheadlines

«How to make a vintage radio iPod: Step one: Find your radio. It might be helpful to bring your ipod with you, for sizing purposes. I got mine at a thrift store, but they can easily be found at swap meets and yard sales. This step is the most fun! keep your eyes out for other cool craft projects while you're there.» (dica Chão de Papel)

Corre nos EUA uma petição para transformar os repetidores de FM (que se destinam a «gerar» emissão em locais de fraca ou nula cobertura) em rádios de FM, com emissão própria.

A entidade patronal norte-americana, a NAB,- receosa da perda de quota com o aparecimento de novos players no mercado - já disse que não aceita:

«NAB Opposes Original Content On FM Translators
In a Friday afternoon filing with the FCC, the NAB argued against a proposal that would allow FM translator stations to originate programming. Currently, translator stations are licensed only to fill in gaps in full service stations' coverage areas, but a petition currently pending before the FCC proposes to amend that rule.

Noting that translators have been licensed only as a secondary service since 1970, the NAB says, "the balance between broadcast stations as a primary service and translators as a secondary service has ensured the viability of the overall broadcast system. A change in the program orientation rule would turn FM translators into radio stations. While we agree that promoting localism is a laudable goal, amending the FM translator rules is not the best approach to achieving that goal. The detriments of such a change would outweigh any benefits."»

RadioInk, 12/6/06, http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133912&pt=inkheadlines 

"Local stations are suffering a full-fledged identity crisis. Networks used to need them to broadcast shows. But 85% of U.S. households now receive TV via cable or satellite, and the Internet is a fast-emerging competitor. As TV companies allow people to watch shows whenever they want — on iPods, on-demand cable services and network Web sites — local stations are apt to endure even more losses...»

fonte: wall street journal, via http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/061206/index.asp

«O jornal britânico The Guardian vai começar a disponibilizar na Internet as notícias mais importantes dos seus correspondentes no estrangeiro e dos seus jornalistas de economia antes de saírem na edição em papel.

Esta mudança de estratégia é vista como uma alteração significativa face à rotina estabelecida de publicação dos jornais impressos, em que as estórias são guardadas para publicação no dia seguinte.

O objectivo do jornal é não ficar refém de um ciclo de impressão uma vez por dia e evitar assim ser ultrapassado em notícias importantes por outros títulos impressos ou por concorrentes de novos meios.»

fonte: «The Guardian aposta mais na Internet», Fábrica de Conteúdos, 8/6/06

Mais: http://www.publico.clix.pt/shownews.asp?id=1260276

A Arbitron decidiu adiar o arranque da primeira experiência nos EUA de medição de audiências de rádio com recurso ao PPM:

«Arbitron stands by its commitment to not replace diary-based radio ratings in Houston with Portable People Meter radio ratings until the Houston PPM service receives Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation. As a result, the July 2006 PPM data will not be the first release of "currency" ratings in Houston.

What the Houston market can expect:

Arbitron will continue to measure the Houston radio market using its current diary-based methodology. The Summer 2006 survey will begin as scheduled on Thursday, June 29, 2006.

The Spring 2006 quarterly survey diary ratings reports for Houston will begin releasing on July 25, 2006. The Arbitrends Phase 1 report of Summer 2006 survey will be released on its normal schedule.

Arbitron will continue to release monthly radio and television demonstration data from the 2,000 person PPM ratings panel in Houston. The July PPM demonstration data is scheduled to be released on August 17th. Subsequent monthly releases will continue as scheduled»

fonte: «Arbitron On PPM Launch: “Houston, We Have A Delay», 13/6/06, radio Ink

A recepção HD vai aparecer como opção nos novos BMW serie 5. É um sinal (a medo, é certo, mas um sinal)

fonte: HD-R Now on BMW 5 Series, 12/6/06,  Radio World

A Clear Channel está a estudá-los (conhecidos como blinks):

«The Blinks could be used in a number of ways. Clear Channel's Creative Services Group crafted a demonstration spot using the McDonald's jingle, minus the "I'm lovin' it" language, and placed it between one hip-hop song and another. The group also created a Blink for BMW's Mini Cooper with a horn honking and man's voice saying "Mini," and placed it before miniaturized news reports. (Neither marketer has a deal with Clear Channel for Blinks.) Other audio mnemonics that could use Blinks are the Intel chime and the NBC bells»

Mas a reacção do mercado não é animadora e já foi testada:

«Omnicom Group's BBDO Oslo earlier this year produced a less-than-one-second radio spot for the Norwegian edition of "Guinness World Records 2006." The spot, recorded in Norwegian, says "Guinness rekordbok," according to one of the spot's creators, Alexander Gjersoe, and clocks in at 0.954 seconds. (In English, the spot runs a tad longer, 1.1 seconds, thanks to the whopping mouthful "Guinness Book of Records.")

The ad ran in March for two weeks on channel 24, a popular radio station in Norway, said "Guinness" spokesman Sam Knights. Then on May 17, "Guinness" awarded the world record for the shortest radio advertisement»

fonte: Advertising Age

http://www.adage.com/mediaworks/article.php?article_id=109939 e http://www.adage.com/mediaworks/article.php?article_id=109796

MAis: «By now most people are familiar with Clear Channel Radio's "Less Is More" initiative when it comes to commercials, but is a one-second spot taking the idea too far? Clear Channel is reportedly discussing the idea of one-second spots, dubbed "blinks," with marketers and media buyers. (...) "It really is to find new uses of radio for advertisers who are continually asking us to demonstrate that our medium can successfully extend brands, can successfully reach the consumer with touchpoints that are new and surprising," Jim Cook, SVP/Creative for Clear Channel Radio, told AdAge»

fonte: «Clear Channel Advertising "Blinks"» FMQB, 12/6/06

É um problema típico dos EUA, e da rádio em particular - Howard Stern que o diga...

o governo acaba de aprovar uma lei que agrava dez vezes as penas por indecência verbal...

«President Bush yesterday signed into law legislation that raises fines on over-the-air radio and TV broadcasters that violate US decency standards by airing extensive profanity or sexual content.

The new law increases fines from ,500 to as much as 5,000 per violation. Additional, it also caps any continuing violations from an incident at million. »

fonte: «Indecency Just Got 10 Times More Expensive», Radio Ink, 17/6/06

A grande vantagem deste sistema é que não necessita de estar ligado a um computador para fazer a gestão do programa de música - como o iPod:

"Not only that, but Gremlin users can wirelessly exchange entire songs right from their players, legally, as long as both the sender and receiver are subscribers to the MusicGremlin Direct service, which costs .99 a month. This process, called 'beaming,' allows you to share songs with your Gremlin-toting pals, no matter where they are, without ever using a computer or a CD burner. You can even peer into other users' Gremlins to see what they're playing and what they've downloaded, and pluck any song you like from their devices, if they give you permission...»

fonte: http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/061506/index.asp, via Wall Street Journal Online.

«Bridge Ratings projects that over the last fifteen weeks 1,718,945 additional subscriptions to satellite radio have occurred at the retail level. XM's share of this 15 week projected retail sales total is 50.2%, Sirius 49.8%. Based on the slowing trend line of sales for XM, Bridge Ratings now projects XM total subscriber count at 8.4 million by year end 2006 and 6.5 million for Sirius. Projections are updated quarterly.»

fonte: Bridge Ratings Update: Sirius & XM Running Neck & Neck, Radio Ink, 17/6/06, http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133981&pt=inkheadlines

"The problem has not been eliminated," says association CEO Mitch Bainwol. "But we believe digital downloads have emerged into a growing, thriving business, and file-trading is flat."

That's an optimistic view from an industry that saw its numbers slide to near oblivion after the launch of the original Napster in 1999. CD sales fell as much as 30%, and the RIAA pressed Congress and the courts for relief against what it said was rampant piracy.»

fonte: RIAA chief says illegal song-sharing 'contained', Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY, 12/6/06, http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/services/2006-06-12-riaa_x.htm?csp=34

A Tversity anuncia ter disponibilizado um sistema que permite trazer a rádio da net, entre outras facilidades, a uma série de dispositivos:

«This includes devices like networked TVs, DVDs, Stereo Receivers, Digital Media Adapaters/Receivers, Mobile Phones, Satellite and Cable set-top-boxes and more.

 TVersity can handle almost any media format and streaming protocol whether it is coming from your home network or the Internet including live and on-demand Internet streams. This makes it possible to access from your device of choice, Internet TV and Radio stations, audio and video Podcasts, photo blogs and photo feeds (from flickr and other sources), Internet playlist communities (like Webjay.org), video search engines (from Yahoo, Google and others) and much more.

Etiquetas: consolas

(informações recolhidas na Revista ED, ABril de 06, texto «Musica sem CD» de José Carlos Marques)

- no iTunes português, os Clã estiveram em primeiro lugar com «Problema de Expressão»

- o Sapo iniciou as vendas em 2004; têm um catalogo de 1,1 milhões de musicas de 61 mil artistas ao preço base de 99 centimos e 11,99 por album;

- da Musicaonline não é dada qualquer informação;

- A Universal Musica Portugal vende tambem para a Vodafone (comprar e ouvir musica nos telemoveis de 3g); os conteudos digitais (downloads completos e formatos para telemoveis) na UMP representam 10 por cento da facturação total;

- A EMI Portugal espera ter o seu catalogo digitalizado até final de março de 2006 (!); esperam que o consumo digital represente mais de 5 por cento da facturação total até março de 2007;

- A Warner  não trabalha com o catalogo nacional nem o vai digitalizar em breve

«A Anacom autorizou a PT a prolongar os testes técnicos que tem vindo a realizar à tecnologia WiMAX até ao proximo mês de Outubro. Não obstante, a PT não é a única a testar esta tecnologia, uma vez que desde 2003 que a Intel e a Alcatel, em parceria, também o têm vindo a fazer, com o objectivo de acelerar a chegada desta tecnologia ao mercado nacional, tendo a Bradnet, também este ano, entrado na corrida para a realização de testes.

Num comunicado, a Anacom referiu que a realização destes testes não implica qualquer compromisso, obrigação ou condicionante à utilização futura de sistemas do tipo WiMAX em Portugal, nem implica qualquer vínculo do regulador à atribuição de direitos de utilização num eventual processo futuro de autorização desta tecnologia. Por outras palavras, os testes que têm vindo a ser realizados não influenciam qualquer decisão da Anacom relativamente à futura atribuição de licenças para operar a tecnologia. (...) Em relação a esta tecnologia, de referir que é um upgrade do Wi-Fi, que tem uma maior largura vde banda e cobertura, podendo oferecer até 124 Mbps e cobrir um raio de 50 a 70 KM - mais que os 54 Mbps num raio máximo de 120 metros oferecidos pelo Wi-Fi. Por outro lado, esta está a ser desenvolvida como alternativa ao DSL na última milha de ligação da infra-estrutura de comunicações, e numa componente móvel como alternativa para fornecer serviços de Internet em zonas onde as infra-estruturas físicas não estão disponíveis»

fonte: Connect, 05/2006 («PT irá fazer ensaios técnicos ao WIMAX até Outubro»)  

«More information is now surfacing on the possible launch of a Microsoft-branded iPod competitor. The device would be the latest attempt to chip away at the continued dominance of Apple in the space, and would be accompanied by a hand-in-glove, music software companion. A recent report in Reuters pointed to Robbie Bach, a major player within the Xbox division at Microsoft, as a contender to lead the project. Discussions and rumors have been circulating on a Microsoft bid for some time, driven by the inability of numerous partners to offer a serious threat to the iPod+iTunes stalwart.

The latest iTunes competitor to emerge was Urge from MTV, which beta launched in May. That system plugs into the freshly-unveiled Windows Media Player 11, which delivers enhanced media management, device synchronization, and a competitive interface. But early reviews have been sour on the release, both on early-stage bugs and the overall strength of the play. The system is part of the Microsoft PlaysForSure network of compatible devices and services, though an incompatibility with the iPod is likely to create serious adoption problems. The MTV launch was timed with the release of the iRiver Clix, which offers an innovative click-screen approach and tiny form factor, though most iPod competitors have had difficulty gaining significant market share.»

fonte: «More Chatter Bubbles on Microsoft-Branded iPod Killer», Digital Music News, 19;6,06

«Clear Channel Radio Chicago has announced that Gay Radio has arrived in the Windy City [Chicago]. WKSC-FM’s HD2 Side Channel will be the new home of Pride Radio. The company adds that this move will not affect the current programming on WKSC/Kiss-FM.

“Chicagoland is home to one of America's largest gay populations, and our new Pride Radio channel is designed to be a voice and a source of entertainment for the gay community,” said Darren Davis, Clear Channel RVP of Programming. “The music will be mostly upbeat, dance-oriented, and energetic. It's an idea that's so fabulous; we just had to do it in High Definition on HD Radio.”

fonte: WKSC-FM Chicago’s HD2 Side Channel Is All About Gay Pride, Radio Ink, 19/6/06

Sirius currently flies three satellites in highly elliptical orbits so that at least two of them are visible at any time in the United States. This fourth satellite will complement these three by being launched into a geostationary orbit. This hybrid constellation will provide redundancy and enhanced coverage.

The cost to design, build and launch the satellite will be about 0 million.»

fonte: «Sirius Orders Fourth Satellite», beradio: http://beradio.com/currents/radio_currents_061206/index.html#sirius 

A mítica Radio Caroline, que - a partir d um barco - desafiou os poderes na GB, no pós-guerra, e obrigou a desregulamentar o espectro, a mesma Radio Caroline está desde a semana passada a emitir via satélite, através da plataforma digital da Sky, a Sky's Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).

A RC recolheu donativos dos ouvintes para conseguir este objectivo:

Station manager Peter Moore said in a statement: "Yes, we are the same station that famously broadcast from ships at sea from 1964 to 1990. We might still be at sea had it not been for a dramatic shipwreck and a sinister change to UK law. "No, we are not owned by or connected with any other radio station or holding group, we are totally independent.

"Yes, many of our presenters and staff were with us during our time at sea and yes we still have our 'pirate ship' MV Ross Revenge, currently under restoration. Perhaps we will one day broadcast from our ship again. Certainly we would like to invite the public on board when restoration is more advanced.

We are all volunteers. Nobody in Caroline whether on air or behind the scenes, or even the Boss, gets a wage or takes any expenses. We create radio for the love of it. Some of our guys have walked out of good radio jobs to return to Caroline.»

Já aqui me tinha questionado - mas a distância impede-me de conhecer melhor essa realidade: a rádio via satélite aparece com um grande trunfo, livre de publicidade, e afinal retransmite publicidade, mesmo nos canais commercial-free?

Desenvolvimentos:

«Subscribers to XM Satellite Radio continue to be either upset, dismayed, or confused about XM’s policy concerning commercials on music channels. I have...noticed a marked increase in little "blurbs" such as "the next hour of music is brought to you by so-and-so". This is an advertisement, no matter how you look at it, and I pay premium dollar to not hear ONE advertisement. The promos pushing their own shows on other channels irritate me also, but I can deal with those since there is no extra money funneling into XM Radio to have these promos. I'm NOT happy about the plugs for sponsors... - Andy»

A Arbitron acaba de anunciar que alargou a sua amostra de diários de 100 mil para 125 mil!!!

«Arbitron will boost the sample size of its RADAR network radio ratings service by twenty-five percent from 100,000 diarykeepers to 125,000 diarykeepers.

Starting with the release of RADAR 89 this month, more than 6,000 diaries were added to the sample of the most current quarter of the RADAR report, going from the current sample size of 100,000 diaries to 106,299 diaries. By the release of RADAR 92 in March 2007, the RADAR radio network service will be based on an annual sample size of 125,000 diarykeepers.» (fonte: Arbitron Increases RADAR Sample Size By 25%, Radio Ink, 19/6/06)

Ou seja, o PPM vai demorar muito até substituir os diários?

Nem de propósito: «The showdown comes as the industry has decided that the old diary system is an antiquated, unreliable embarrassment. Spurring the desire for change is the lackluster growth in radio advertising revenue, along with competition from advertising media like the Internet, which can show exactly how many people visited various Web sites and how long they stayed. "We're in an electronic age," says Joel Hollander, chairman and chief executive of CBS Radio. "We need more instantaneous measurement."

Radio companies say they could win a bigger chunk of ad dollars if they could prove exactly how much people listen to the radio. Arbitron's solution is the People Meter, a small device that clips onto a belt loop or slides into a purse. It automatically detects what stations its wearers are tuned in to and beams back that information to the number crunchers» (fonte: «Radio Stations, Arbitron Clash
Over How to Tally Listeners», WSJ.com, SARAH MCBRIDE, June 19, 2006; Page B1), via Clube de Jornalistas

"Sacramento... wanted to pursue an even more aggressive model: a completely free wireless service  supported solely by Internet advertising... Sacramento city officials say they make no apologies in asking for a free wireless network supported only by advertising...»

fonte: Wall Street Journal on line (com subscrição), via RAIN

A Sirius cumpriu a promessa e passou a ser possível ouvir Howard Stern fora do satélite - mas só para assinantes da Sirius (ou seja, no continente norte-americano). aqui

Um tribunal da Holanda ordenou o encerramento da página Zoekmp3 porque esta publicita páginas onde é possivel fazer descarregamentos ilegais.

É a terceira vez que isto acontece: «The decision is the latest judgment against "deep link" sites offering unauthorized links to copyrighted music. Similar websites recently were deemed illegal in Australia and China.»

«Apple is rumored to release an updated iPod within the next few months, and that will place even more pressure on precious, NAND flash memory supplies. According to a recent research report issued Wednesday by Gartner Research, global sales of portable MP3 players will soar to 187.7 million units this year, up from 134.5 million in 2005. A major chunk of that growth will come from Apple, which leverages its market dominance to craft longer-term memory supply contracts. The Gartner report pointed to a 5.8 percent supply deficit during the fourth quarter of this year, and a 2.6 percent shortage during the first quarter of 2007»

fonte: New iPod Release Could Prolong Flash Memory Shortages, digital music news, 22/6/06

NTT Docomo of Tokyo will offer a satellite radio package to consumers equipped with Mitubishi's new Music Porter X model handset. The satellite channels will originate from Mobile Broadcasting (MBCO), a Japanese provider currently offering more than 30 channels of audio as well as multi-channel video services via a single geostationary satellite with a terrestrial gap-filling network operating at about 2.6GHz. That system has been operating as a stand-alone service since 2004»

fonte: «New Japanese Handsets Include Satellite Audio Services», beradio, 21/6/06

Paula Cordeiro: «O anúncio do primeiro telemóvel capaz de receber rádio por satélite, transforma velhos transístores e walkan's fora de moda, num novo gadget, presente no quotidiano da maioria dos cidadãos»

While a number of countries outside of the United States have granted experimental permits for FM HD radio broadcasts, little testing of Ibiquity's AM hybrid technology has been undertaken outside of the Western hemisphere.

The medium-wave HD Radio system was installed for Radio Sangkakala's owner, Pohan E. Harliman in April--15 years after private AM stations in Indonesia migrated to FM, virtually abandoning the medium-wave band. The station, reportedly the first privately owned AM operation to return since the 1991 exodus, purchased the rights to three channels and is operating its carrier in the center of the available bandwidth with an output power of 10kW.

Coverage and reception of the digital signal has been reported as "excellent" by the station's owner/operator.»

fonte: «AM HD Radio on Air in Indonesia», beradio, 21/6/06

WAMU pulled the same stunt a couple of weeks later, silencing its second channel.

Much as I enjoyed my bonus nap time, this kind of thing does not bode well for HD radio's future. If the radio stations offering HD2 broadcasts (all of whom have shelled out some non-trivial cash to do so) can't be bothered to keep them on their air full-time, why should anybody at home bother risking their cash on this technology?

HD radio does have other selling points, but they hardly compete with the dramatic expansion of listening choices that HD2 broadcasts could bring. Digital FM just doesn't sound that much better than analog. Digital AM does, but it's too hard to find and is still limited to daylight hours.»

fonte: «HD Radio Needs Wake-Up Call» 19/6/06, Washington Post

«Satellite radio enthusiasts who subscribe to both XM and Sirius may soon be able to consolidate both of their satellite subscriptions into one radio receiver. A company called Interoperable Technologies, a joint venture between Sirius and XM, is currently working to create interoperable satellite radio receiver technology that allows subscribers to access both services. Last year the company successfully completed the design of a radio capable of receiving both services, and now they have a timeline to bring a receiver to market this year, says Orbitcast.com.»

fonte: Dual XM/Sirius Radio Could Appear This Year, FMQB, 19/6/06

É a confusão total...

«XM wants to transmit its signal into HD Radios. The satcaster applied for a patent in December 2005 to send its signal - as well as that of MP3s, CDs and other digital sources - via IBOC. Such a scheme would keep its signal digital throughout the entire transmission path, and eliminate the need for analog FM modulator add-ons, it says in the application published this month by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.»

fonte: «XM Wants to Co-Exist With IBOC», 22/6/06, http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=9242

Act a 26/6/06: Assim percebe-se (um pouco) melhor:

«Washington - Jun 15, 2006 - The idea of modulating an audio signal to a radio frequency so that it can be heard via a traditional radio receiver is not a new idea. When FM was young, there were plenty of converters to receive the FM and remodulate it to an AM frequency. Today, every media player offers an option to listen to the device via an FM radio.

In an ironic twist of the idea, XM Satellite Radio has filed a patent application that describes a system to receive an XM broadcast and then remodulate it on an FM HD Radio signal. The process would keep the audio signal in a digital form through the entire chain instead of converting it to analog at the input to the add-on transmitter.»

fonte: «XM Files Patent for HD Radio Converter», 19/6/06 Radio Currents Online

Não demorará muito tempo até que toda a música seja virtual e que os formatos fisicos sejam para revivalismo. Isto significa uma revolução a muitos níveis - por exemplo, o que acontecerá às lojas de discos?

A FNAC, em França, já vende downloads. E agora é a Tower Records:

«Tower Records will soon deliver a digital download store, according to early information received by Digital Music News. The store is officially slated for launch on Tuesday, though a sneak peek can be found at tower.com/digital. The store will carry a catalog of 1.2 million tracks, all encoded in a higher bitrate of 192 kbps. That edges the compression level of 128 kbps found on competing stores like iTunes, which sometimes draws complaints from audiophiles. And unlike iTunes, Tower Records Digital will be web-based, and optimized for the IE browser. That approach is decidedly low-tech, but will allow Tower to mimic a "standard e-commerce site," according to the company.»

fonte: «Tower Records Prepares Digital Download Destination», Digital Music News, 23/6/06

A propósito disto, «É intenção da Media Capital apoiar o sucesso televisivo da TVI com outros negócios e apostar na produção de conteúdos televisivos para telemóvel, segundo o responsável, citado hoje pelo Correio da Manhã.

«Queremos transformar a Media Capital no principal fornecedor ibérico de conteúdos», afirmou o administrador delegado do grupo, sublinhando a necessidade de alargar a estratégia não ficcional». (via NetFM)

«GCap is extending its two-ad policy to digital station Planet Rock from next week. The broadcaster [GCap] introduced the policy, which promises listeners that there will never be more than two ads in a row, on Capital Radio in January.
GCap said that it had improved ad effectiveness on Capital by 38% since it began, according to research by Ipsos.
Simon Daglish, national sales director, said: “We want to continue to drive the radio market with innovative programming and this gives us the platform to deliver this.
“We believe it provides a cleaner, clutter-free environment for advertisers and listeners and further encapsulates GCap Media’s pledge to drive radio’s digital future.”

fonte: «Planet Rock to adopt new GCap ad policy», Media Week, 22/6/06

«O serviço Vodafone Radio DJ permite-lhe, através de um sistema de personalização simples, criar os seus próprios canais de rádio com base na selecção de géneros e ambientes musicais da sua preferência. Basta, para isso, que o seu Vodafone live! 3G seja compatível com o serviço. Com dezenas de milhares de temas das maiores editoras discográficas ou de pequenas editoras independentes, poderá também aceder a vários canais pré-definidos (ex. Hip Hop, Jazz Club, Rock Alternativo…) e a colecções temáticas (ex. Colecção Especial Shakira, Hot Music, etc.), com cerca de 10 temas cada, concebidas por especialistas e actualizadas regularmente. Se associar as faixas da sua preferência às Músicas Favoritas, poderá fazer o download de músicas completas, que ficarão disponíveis no telemóvel e no PC, com qualidade digital. Para experimentar gratuitamente o serviço basta aceder ao Radio DJ no portal Vodafone live! e activar a subscrição mensal. Caso pretenda fazer download de faixas completas, o preço ser-lhe-á apresentado antes da compra.»

Mais: «A Vodafone Portugal acaba de lançar, em parceria com a Sony NetServices, o serviço Vodafone Radio DJ, que permite aos seus clientes 3G criarem o seu próprio canal de rádio, com base na selecção dos géneros musicais e ambientes da sua preferência. A audição deste canal poderá ser feita através do telemóvel e computador pessoal»

«Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday (June 14) that it would integrate TV and Internet measurement, add ratings for viewing on such portable devices as cell phones and iPods, and gave a firm date of 2011 for the end of paper diaries in even the smallest markets. (...) Nielsen's multifaceted approach will begin to answer many of the questions that are swirling around the industry these days, which is being reinvented around the digital revolution in video. One of the most intriguing is the integration of TV and online measurement, by tracking video programming delivered on the Web through its Nielsen//NetRatings unit, and adding the Internet to its People Meter sample that will give the industry what could be its first comprehensive look at viewing on TV and broadband(...)»

fonte: «Nielsen Ratings To Add Net, Cell Phones, iPods» June 15, 2006,Paul J. Gough, The Hollywood Reporter

Hear2.0 EVP Harve Alan said, "Given that some media prognosticators claim radio is dead or dying, we were pleasantly surprised at just how strong radio is; even with the youngest age groups." He added, "With only one format falling below 70% satisfaction and despite ongoing challenges from new media the American public still loves their terrestrial radio.  This research illustrates the power of radio to entertain, inform, and satisfy."»

fonte: «Study: Radio Listeners Satisfied», FMQB, 7/6/06

Esta lista permite perceber quais são as apostas das rádios EUA no multicasting (os tais nichos mais apertados) e permite também ouvir as que transmitem estes segundos canais de HD em streaming...

No entanto, a lista não condiz com a da iBiquity, a empresa detentora da tecnologia HD:

«Meanwhile, back at Radio & Records, this trade mag brings up a point of contention in its newly-posted "comprehensive HD Radio Station Links page." As of 6/18/06, R&R has 285 HD Radio stations listed which claim to be "on air" with HD signals. But the number of stations there does not jive with what iBiquity Corporation is telling us at its web site - that there are "822 HD Radio stations on the air in the US."

I trust Radio & Records. It would never print a negative story about the radio industry and, therefore, must be telling the truth when it says this is a "comprehensive" list of HD2 stations» (http://www.audiographics.com/agd/061906-1.htm)

O editor do site Audiographics esteve a ouvir um dos canais HD2 dos EUA e saiu desiludido, uma vez que é apenas um computador pré-programado e muitos jingles a promover a estação:

«Since Saturday, 6/17, I've been streaming WSMJ-HD2 through its online link. That it is solid music won't be challenged here. Though I will challenge calling it "radio."

Here's what I've uncovered about Clear Channel's WSMJ-HD2. It has just 18 liners positioned [frases promocionais] between every other song, except at the top and bottom of the hour when, sometimes, you'll hear three songs in a row. These are the positioning statements they use:

The artists that gave birth to the cool - played 24/7 on Jazzville, 104.3 HD2
Jazz - America's own music, Jazzville, 104.3 HD2
When you hear music, after it's over, it's gone, you can never capture
it again - Jazzville 104.3 HD2 (...)

When the above play through, they repeat. That's enough said about the programming of this new, exciting, HD2 radio station.

You decide if this is "radio," or some variation of jukebox music. Then, ask why a person would spend money to buy a new receiver to listen to what's offered. Not being a jazz aficionado, I won't comment on the music other than to say the playlist was repeated. But, so what? Songs have to repeat, eventually» (http://www.audiographics.com/agd/061906-1.htm)

Mark Ramsey desenvolve, sem chegar a uma conclusão:

«It's an interesting point, and it's central to our HD radio plans (not to mention the plans for Internet radio and, dare I say it, good old-fashioned terrestrial radio).

When you take out (or never put in) the personality, when you lack the voices that connect us to the music and each other, when there is no promotion, no news, no traffic, no weather, no contesting, no feeling that what you're hearing is in any sense "live" or, for that matter even "living,"...

...is that really "radio"?

Is that what we want "radio" to be?

Is that what the audience comes to us for?» (http://www.hear2.com/2006/06/what_is_radio_a.html)

(via NetFM)

«Cerca de 102 milhões de utilizadores estarão dispostos a subscrever os futuros serviços de TV Móvel dentro de quatro anos, revelam os dados de um estudo efectuado pela empresa In-Stat.

Actualmente, o total de subscritores de serviços televisão móvel ascende aos 3,4 milhões em todo o mundo pelo que a previsão agora revelada parece demasiado optimista.

Para já, o maior desafio para os operadores de televisão móvel é a aquisição do espectro necessário para a oferta dos serviços, um factor determinante quer na escolha dos padrões de transmissão utilizados quer para o impacto que a implementação da rede terá depois no negócio dos operadores.

A televisão móvel começou no ano passado a ser implementada e testada em vários países do mundo estando previsto para breve que os fabricantes de telemóveis, os operadores de televisão móvel e os produtores de conteúdos iniciem os testes para equipamentos empresariais. Desta forma será apurado o tipo de assinantes dispostos a pagar o serviço e quais os anunciantes que pretendem investir neste novo mercado.

Entretanto, um estudo conjunto realizado pela Goldmedia e pela NBC revelou que 80% dos utilizadores de telemóvel estão disponíveis a gastar entre 5 e 12,5 euros por mês em serviços de televisão móvel»

fonte: «Televisão móvel terá mais de 100 milhões de assinantes em 2010?», Exame Informatica, 26/6/06

«Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin said yesterday that Sirius would be interested in buying XM Satellite Radio at the right price, though regulatory issues "would be a question mark."

Karmazin added that he'd be less interested in being acquired, though he also would consider it if it were in the shareholders' best interest. Asked if he would consider a merger with a satellite-television provider, Karmazin said it would make more sense for DirecTV Group and EchoStar Communications to merge with each other than with Sirius.

Karmazin was speaking at a conference on media convergence at the Museum of Television & Radio.

"Regarding XM – would we like to buy them? Sure. We'd love to buy them. Price would matter, so that would be an issue (and) there would definitely be the regulatory issue," he said.

An XM spokesman said, "We do not comment on our competitors' wishful thinking."»

fonte: «Sirius CEO Karmazin ”Interested” In Buying XM», Radio Ink, 27/6/06

«"Fear of satellite radio is prompting an unprecedented level of cooperation among broadcasters in their efforts to launch HD Radio and HD2," says Frank Viquez, director of ABI Research's transportation practice. Viquez adds that HD Radio multi-casting is especially attractive to broadcasters because of its ability to divide the radio signal into separate audio channels, allowing new programming opportunities. "Traditionally, many stations with dual formats have been forced to split their programming according to a certain time schedule; thus HD2 offers them many new possibilities."»

fonte: «Fear Of Satellite Forcing Terrestrial Stations To Work Together?», Droxy, May 22nd 2006 7:33PM by Grant Robertson

«El ministro de Industria, José Montilla, ha anunciado en el Senado que el nuevo Plan Técnico Nacional de la FM dará origen en torno a 870 nuevas frecuencias de radio en toda España y que estará listo "mucho antes de las elecciones municipales y autonómicas" de 2007. Montilla ha explicado que Industria ha recibido 1.192 solicitudes de licencia del conjunto de comunidades autónomas, lo que supera el número de emisoras actualmente en funcionamiento, en torno a 1.092»

fonte:«Montilla anuncia que el Plan de FM estará listo antes de las autonómicas de 2007», 22/6/06, Europa Press

A aposta da Clear Channel, o maior grupo de rádio dos EUA, na internet está a provocar uma série de alterações, a nível do investimento e também das receitas. Há mesmo quem lhe chame, mais do que uma empresa de rádios, uma companhia de internet...

«The radio company's network of Web sites collectively were among the top five most-visited online music sites in May, according to comScore Media Metrix, ahead of Apple's iTunes and MTV.com after a year of steady growth.

The company said it is building a strong range of national and local advertisers for its online services, with food and beverage, including Oreo and Hershey's, the most prevalent brand group advertising.

Other sectors which have shown strong support for online ad opportunities include auto and telecommunications advertisers, Clear Channel said, including Dodge, Ford, Comcast and Verizon.» (fonte: «Clear Channel grabs Web share with music videos», reuters, 19/6/06)

Bob Law, Senior Vice President and General Manager Consumer Electronic Division for SIRIUS commented: “The market for digital audio on-the-go is exploding. We are working with ZING to expand the availability of SIRIUS content on new platforms and bring the best in satellite radio programming to an increasingly mobile audience.” 

fonte: http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/more-on-zing-sirius-partnership.html

That's a likely possibility given one of the latest trends among local television news stations: distributing their programs via mobile devices and the Web as they try to hold onto fickle audiences. Local stations are following the example of broadcast and cable networks, which are rushing to make hits like ``The Sopranos" and ``Lost" available to viewers unwilling to be tethered to a schedule or their TV sets. Locally though, it's the news instead of mob dramas that is migrating to new devices.

Boston TV executives say their multimedia strategies are a response to viewers who are increasingly shifting their viewing to the Web and portable devices. Doing so, they say, is a relatively cheap way to expand the reach of their programming because it usually doesn't involve investing in new equipment or in many cases even the time it takes to produce new video.(...)

``Do I expect to make a ton of extra advertising money the day we launch it? No. But I do expect that this is absolutely going to be a vital part of any station's future," said Steve Safran, director of digital media at New England Cable News.(...)

CBS4 Mobile , a subscription service designed to give Sprint and Verizon Wireless customers access to news, traffic, and weather videos from the station and blogs written by some of its reporters, is days away from launch, said vice president and station manager Angie Kucharski. The service will cost about per month and will be billed directly to subscribers by their cellphone companies.(...)»

fonte: «Local TV news when you want it», Boston.com, Keith Reed, Globe Staff  |  May 31, 2006

(diz mais um estudo da Bridger Ratings...):

«“We saw in this study that traditional radio listening benefits from some digital media alternatives,” explained Bridge Ratings President Dave Van Dyke. “Peer-to-peer file trading, podcasting and MP3 player use can cause increased time spent listening to traditional radio depending on format, while satellite radio and Internet radio can cause reduced listening to conventional radio.”

“What’s most interesting,“ Van Dyke continued, “is that traditional radio can benefit from some of these competitive media. However, some individual formats are hurt more than others.”»

fonte: «Bridge Ratings: Digital Media's Impact Varies By Format», 28/6/06, Radio Ink 

«The BBC in a statement said that "The decision to bring the show to an end after 42 years has not been taken lightly and over the past few years every effort has been made to maintain the quality and distinctiveness of the show".

"Over recent years the show has faced ever increasing competition from multi-media and niche musical outlets which enable viewers to consume music of their choice any time night or day in a way that Top of the Pops simply cannot deliver in its current weekly format."»

fonte: «BBC axe Top of the Pops following rise of digital downloads», Pocket-Lint, Stuart Miles, 20/6/06

«In a move that will extend the reach of its broadcast programming, Radio Disney announced a partnership with mSpot on Tuesday. An aggregator of mobile music and video, mSpot will incorporate Disney Radio within its 100 channel lineup, and subsequently stream the programming to wireless users. Radio Disney president and general manager Jean-Paul Colaco touted the initiative as "another step" in his company’s strategy to keep "connected with kids and families, whenever and wherever they are." The mSpot lineup of music, sports and movie content is currently available to Sprint subscribers»

fonte: «Radio Disney Pushes Mobile-Based Distribution, Taps mSpot» Digital Music News

Analysts are unfazed by the early returns. Walch said the next year will be "all about monetizing and the almighty buck," a belief the eMarketer study supported by predicting 0 million each year will be spent in advertising on podcasts by 2008. Thus far, Curry's PodShow network and another consortium, Podtrac, have each picked up a few network-wide advertisements from companies like GoDaddy.com, HBO and EarthLink, and one PodShow program, MommyCast, landed a 0,000 deal with the maker of Dixie brand paper products. Advertisers will continue to tread cautiously, Walch predicted, until someone devises a sensible means of tracking not just downloads but the portions of the files that are actually played. The only such programs out there, he said, amount to spyware, offering no incentive for listeners to allow them onto their computers."»

fonte: «Podcasting After ITunes», Wired News, Steve Friess, 02:00 AM Jun, 28, 2006

Este é o título de um texto do Wall Street Journal, republicado no suplemento económico do JN de hoje.

O texto reproduz este artigo de Walter S. Mossberg e Katherine Boehret, que anuncia um novo sistema, capaz de disputar com o iPod o mercado da música digital (embora tenha uma série de limitações, identificadas no texto):

«How do you dislodge Apple's mighty iPod music player, and its popular iTunes music service, from their total dominance in the digital-music market? Numerous hardware companies and music services -- most backed by Apple's historic rival, Microsoft -- have tried, and failed, with all sorts of approaches. Some contenders were cheaper. Others had built-in features the iPod lacked, like FM radios. Some had more capacity, or greater battery life. Others relied on monthly subscriptions instead of per-song fees. But the public has mainly yawned, and none of these approaches has gained any traction. On Wednesday, a small New York City company called MusicGremlin Inc. rolled out a fresh approach to denting the iPod hegemony: the wireless music player. Its new 9 Gremlin portable player has built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking, so it can download songs from an accompanying subscription service directly, without requiring the use of a personal computer. Not only that, but Gremlin users can wirelessly exchange entire songs right from their players, legally, as long as both the sender and receiver are subscribers to the MusicGremlin Direct service, which costs .99 a month. This process, called "beaming," allows you to share songs with your Gremlin-toting pals, no matter where they are, without ever using a computer or a CD burner. You can even peer into other users' Gremlins to see what they're playing and what they've downloaded, and pluck any song you like from their devices, if they give you permission.»

fonte: «Mossberg Solution: A Gremlin challenges the iPod», June 14, 2006, Wall Street Journal

«“Nearly three years after the debut of Adult Hits, most radio stations that have adopted radio’s newest format are still showing audience gains over what their previous programming delivered.” That’s the word from Arbitron and Edison Media Research.  “At least of half of Adult Hits stations have also defied the conventional wisdom that the audience for any oldies-based format has nowhere to go but down after any initial peak in audience.”  The study is called “Adult Hits 2006: Keeping Track Of Jack, Bob and Pals” and looked at 38 stations that have been with the format for at least three quarterly Arbitron ratings reports, including one that switched to the format in late 2003. “In terms of station performance since embracing the Adult Hits format, 15 were up among 25-54 year olds in the winter ’06 ratings, 22 were down and one was flat,” Arbitron stated. “Of the 38 stations examined, 36 were measured against their previous format (two were launched on brand new frequencies). Of those 36, 28 had higher ratings among 25-54s in winter ’06 than in that station’s last book before changing format.”  Of the 38 stations examined, at least half have rebounded from at least one decline in audience during a quarterly survey period, a number “that is only likely to increase as stations stay with the format during additional Arbitron surveys.” More than 80 percent of listeners to Adult Hits stations are adults, age 25–54. Only three stations – Bonneville's KPKX (the Peak) Phoenix and WARH (the Arch) St. Louis and Citadel’s KBBD (Bob FM) Spokane, Wash. – were ranked number one in average quarter hour ratings for adults, age 25-54, during the Winter 2006. An Edison exeuctive said in the announcement, “This study suggests that well-programmed, well-executed Adult Hits stations can be durable.”»

«Honda Sells One Millionth Vehicle with XM Satellite Radio Factory-Installed»