Experience tells us there are fewer radio jobs here in America today than there were when we all got in the business. But what are the real numbers, and what do they say about the radio industry’s ability to survive and thrive? That’s the quest for today’s blog. And it tells some interesting stories about where we’ve been and where we may be headed – especially if you’re making your living on the air. We’re talkin’ this one up to the post.
Read MorejacoBLOG
Our founder, Fred Jacobs, discusses the issues facing broadcasters today.
What’s The ONE Thing?
Today, radio PDs have unprecedented pressure. They often wear multiple hats, and most have little in the way of support staffs. Budgets are tight – or maybe nonexistent. PDs often put in long days, and may wonder when they head home, what they actually accomplished that day. So, the ideas is to focus on accomplishing just ONE thing that improves the station every day. In this #TBT post, I put together a healthy list, but I bet many of you can easily add to it. What’s the ONE thing you can do that would make your station better today?
Read MoreThere’s No Place Like (At) Home
Don’t you love it when new research studies debunk our longstanding conventional wisdom? I just found a study that shows that despite our desire to get out of the house post-COVID, most Americans are spending more time at home – by themselves. For the radio broadcasting industry trying to find its footing in an unsettling new year, following the audience – the gadgets they own and the platforms they use – might be a strategic way to gain that competitive edge back. Click “READ MORE” to follow my logic.
Read MoreRadio’s Personality Dilemma
I’ve been especially vocal this year about the premium value of personalities to broadcast radio, particularly when new RIFs are announced. But now we’re seeing proof that talent trumps playlists. In fact, brand new data from our soon-to-be-released Techsurvey 2025 shows the audience is onto recent talent cuts.
Read MoreVOA RIFed
A 1,300 job radio RIF? It happened last week to Voice of America and its associated services. Of course, it’s a political story and a radio story. Most Americans tune in shows like Elvis Duran and Delilah, but more than 420 million listeners around the world cume VOA – or at least they did. Thoughts on what it all means in today’s blog post.
Read MoreUnder The Influence(rs)
Were radio DJs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s the original “influencers?” Maybe so. But today’s social media pitchmen and pitchwomen are likely pocketing a lot more revenue than radio personalities ever made from bar nights, phone store grand openings, and live endorsements. Is “influencer marketing” a place where still-popular radio personalities can go? And what can they learn from both teenage and geriatric influencers with big followings and the ability to sell lots of stuff?
Read MoreRadio’s Dilemma: Trump Or Get Trumped
Eight years ago right now, the 45th President – Donald J. Trump – was about halfway through the first 100 days of HIS FIRST TERM. Here we are exactly eight years later, and it’s a case of “deja vu all over again.” What did the media – especially radio – learn from the chief executive where the “gold T” stands for turbulence. Welcome to this week’s #TBT.”
Read MoreWhat About Bob?
It was a tough day for the radio family yesterday. We lost the best and brightest. Bob Rivers left us after a long but gallant fight with the ravages of cancer. I wrote this two-part post in 2014 when Bob left the radio studio. I’m republishing it today as a tribute to his life and all that he meant to so many of us.
Read MoreInside “3 Minutes” – An Exclusive Interview With Nielsen’s Rich Tunkel
Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about Nielsen’s new “3-Minute Rule” for PPM markets. It sparked a number of questions and even a misconception or two. So, I went to the source – Nielsen’s Rich Tunkel – who saw this project through after just 10 months. Rich answered all my questions – about how to measure this change without jumping to conclusions, as well as the metrics that can help any station navigate the new “3-Minute Rule.”
Read MoreBlack Thursday At Audacy
Another week in radio and another tragic round of RIFs. How can the industry make the tough calls while still maintaining a sense of empathy and class? And after years of staff reductions, when will the analyses tell us once and for all whether this painful “less is more” approach will ever work for radio? Fair warning: a tough JacoBLOG post today.
Read MoreFive Years Gone: How COVID Changed Radio
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’re likely not going to want to read today’s post. It’s about the 5-year anniversary of COVID, an event we’d just as soon forget. But I’m hoping you’ll open it up and join me in thinking about how radio has been permanently impacted by a tragedy no one anticipated or was prepared for. The pandemic forever changed radio, and in order to move forward, we’ve got to process the past. It’s about perceptions, trust, and giving the audience more credit and power than we usually do.
Read MoreRadio’s Dilemma: The Man And His Art
Last fall, every news outlet was on fire with the alleged bad behavior of P Diddy. But the idea of trying to separate the man from his music is not a new dilemma for audiences – or for radio programmers. It’s been happening for more than a century. Today’s post asks some difficult questions of the radio managers tasked with making these tough calls.
Read MoreLet’s Watch A Podcast!
Podcasting continues its growth curve, thanks to expanding audiences and the move to visual podcasts. For years, it was all about audio on this platform, but the growing trend is the increasing dominance of video podcasts – especially on YouTube. And now another massive player in television may be ready to throw its hat in the video podcasting ring. So what can radio learn from this burgeoning trend?
Read MoreHappy Birthday To You(Tube)!
The impressive YouTube empire now celebrates its 20th anniversary. It’s a platform with a fascinating growth curve. And as many radio broadcasters have learned, there’s revenue to be earned. Let me walk you through it.
Read MoreThe Digital Dash In 2025: Now You See It
JacoBLOG readers know a running topic here is dashboard metadata – how radio broadcasters can direct-message their listeners behind the wheel. While so much about audio entertainment has changed in recent years, there’s been one constant: the car remains radio’s #1 listening location. But the dashboard continues to rapidly evolve, and we’re tracking its progress in our annual Techsurveys. In fact, in today’s post, I’ve got a data point from the just completed Techsurvey 2025 study that may end up becoming the most dramatic finding of this year’s study. Buckle up!
Read MoreRadio: Don’t Get Scammed By “The 3-Minute Monte”
It’s a rare occurrence in radio, but right now, we’re witnessing a ratings methodological change the likes of which we haven’t seen in years. Nielsen’s switch “3-Minute” quarter-hour crediting has the makings of being a strategic game changer – if we let it. How will your station or company play the game now, and what impact will it have on your short- and long-term future?
Read More“I Watch A Lot Of Baseball On The Radio”
There are few things in life you can count on, but baseball is usually one of them. Every February, the teams congregate in Florida or Arizona for spring training – the beginning of a new season. And the other thing you can depend on is that these games will be broadcast on the radio, as they have been since KDKA/Pittsburgh started the tradition in 1921, carrying Pirates games. But back in 2020, just a couple weeks before COVID struck, the Oakland A’s announced all their play-by-play coverage would be stream only. A’s fans went nuts. How did this end up playing out? That’s the topic of our #TBT post today.
Read MoreGetting Better All The Time? JacoBLOG Turns 20
This week marks the 20th anniversary of JacoBLOG, my passion play project. In today’s post, I look back but also ahead to where we and it may be headed. As a wise philosopher once said, “What a long, strange trip it’s been!” And that’s thanks in no small part to you, those who take the time to read it and even occasionally comment on it. I appreciate you, and I hope today’s post conveys that.
Read MoreWhat Did You Get Done This Week?
What did YOU do last week? Did you earn your salary? Did you accomplish anything of value while on the job? If these questions rankle or even offend you, imagine how those federal workers were feeling when they were asked to bullet-point the five things they got done last week. And what if a similar exercise was instituted by a broadcast radio company to test its employees? Well, I did it for you in today’s timely blog post. Just click “READ MORE.”
Read MoreRadio DOGE – Are We RIFing The Wrong Employees?
Over the past few weeks, DOGE – which stands for the Department of Government Efficiency – has become a lightning rod for change through systematic downsizing. But for broadcast radio in the States, a DOGE-like philosophy has been in play for years. What can our government learn from radio about the strategy and execution of RIFs, and conversely, is there any wisdom broadcasters can glean from the chaos and fear rolling across the country?
Read More- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 270
- Next Page »
