Headline from Billboard Airplay Monitor: Kagan Summit: 35 Million Sat Radio Subs by 2010 Maybe it’s time to stop running those XM and Sirius spots?
Read MorejacoBLOG
Our founder, Fred Jacobs, discusses the issues facing broadcasters today.
To Pod Or Not To Pod…
Last Christmas, we bought our professional staff iPods (in addition to giving out exorbitant cash bonuses). They all raced home and started ripping CDs and creating their own playlists, and in the process, changing the way they individually consume music. Inspired by his new toy, our Ralph Cipolla wrote a great 4-page memo about cool […]
Read MoreDidn't You Want To Be A Rock Star?
At the root of it, I think all of us radio people (and that includes sales reps as well) grew up wanting to be in a rock band. There’s a great story in Sunday’s New York Times (free registration required) about a fiftysomething Princeton professor (who is also a poet) bought an electric guitar, got […]
Read MoreDidn’t You Want To Be A Rock Star?
At the root of it, I think all of us radio people (and that includes sales reps as well) grew up wanting to be in a rock band. There’s a great story in Sunday’s New York Times (free registration required) about a fiftysomething Princeton professor (who is also a poet) bought an electric guitar, got […]
Read MoreWhere Is Radio's Farm Team?
In Saturday’s New York Times (free registration required), there’s a story about a couple of brothers who have started a different kind of sports/pop culture talk show called “Cheap Seats.” The angle is that the show repurposes ESPN archive footage, and allows the hosts to add commentary. The noteworthy part is that it airs on […]
Read MoreWhere Is Radio’s Farm Team?
In Saturday’s New York Times (free registration required), there’s a story about a couple of brothers who have started a different kind of sports/pop culture talk show called “Cheap Seats.” The angle is that the show repurposes ESPN archive footage, and allows the hosts to add commentary. The noteworthy part is that it airs on […]
Read MoreNeo-ize Your Web Site
Some people don’t understand what NeoRadio is all about. It’s not a format – it’s a way of interfacing with customers – or in radio’s case, our audiences. This “listeners first” philosophy is the cornerstone of NeoRadio. That’s why it’s important to realize that Neo thinking goes beyond soliciting listener input on programming issues. Our […]
Read MoreBehind The Music
Why is new rock having so much trouble getting traction? Clearly, the record labels have had trouble telling the stories about new bands. What do I mean by that? Too often, they’re simply focused on the music, not the back story about the band. Who are these guys? And why should we care about them? […]
Read MoreCoolest New Radio Toy
Everybody in radio should have one of these. They’re called RadioSharks, and it’s akin to a TiVo for radio. But the real application is that you simply install the provided software, plug the Shark into a USB port on your computer, and up pops a radio dial. You “tune in” the station of your choice, […]
Read MoreMarket Your Stream
The ongoing topic these past few posts is streaming. If you’re providing a stream of your audio online, how do you get that message across to current fans and cumers? Hit them where they are – the Internet. A few years ago, Jacobs Media was involved in an Internet advertising venture called FastBlast. The concept […]
Read MoreStrategic Streaming Tip
We’re talking about streaming – how to most effectively get the word out to your cume (and beyond) that you’re providing this service. Because you’re probably not running commercials at stopsets, what do you use to fill those breaks? If you’re just playing another song or running filler material, rethink how you’re using this inventory. […]
Read MoreSo You’re Streaming – Now What?
Radio stations and companies are finally waking up to the reality that providing a stream isn’t just a neat idea – it is essential if radio is to compete with new media. So, if you’re providing a stream – or will be in the near future – congratulations on getting in-tune with your listeners. But […]
Read MoreStream Now… But Do It Right
We are thrilled to hear that so many stations / companies are actively pursuing streaming their audio signals on their web sites. This is long overdue, and we at Jacobs have been pushing this hard for some time now. Local radio needs to get in this game… yesterday. We have the familiar brands and the […]
Read MoreIt's An On-Demand World
It’s becoming an on-demand world. You know this if you own a TiVo. Now, many cable companies are offering DVRs – or digital video recorders – as part of their digital boxes. This trend is going to proliferate quickly, despite the protests of TV broadcasters who are justifiably terrified their commercials will be lost in […]
Read MoreIt’s An On-Demand World
It’s becoming an on-demand world. You know this if you own a TiVo. Now, many cable companies are offering DVRs – or digital video recorders – as part of their digital boxes. This trend is going to proliferate quickly, despite the protests of TV broadcasters who are justifiably terrified their commercials will be lost in […]
Read MoreThe Death of Alternative (“Oh, no – not again!”)
First, HFS threw in the towel. Last week, Radio One shut down Y100 in Philly. And now rumors are swirling about the fate of WXRK/New York in the post-Stern universe. So, of course, this is going to fan the flames of concern about Alternative – yet again. I spoke with former Y100 PD, Jim McGuinn, […]
Read MoreRadio's Biggest Threat?
What’s the biggest threat to radio over the next few years? Perhaps it’s satellite radio or maybe it’s Internet “radio.” Yet, terrestrial radio can compete against both, if we focus on what got us to the dance. We’re going to be a cheaper alternative to XM and Sirius, and if we start streaming initiatives en […]
Read MoreRadio’s Biggest Threat?
What’s the biggest threat to radio over the next few years? Perhaps it’s satellite radio or maybe it’s Internet “radio.” Yet, terrestrial radio can compete against both, if we focus on what got us to the dance. We’re going to be a cheaper alternative to XM and Sirius, and if we start streaming initiatives en […]
Read MoreXM Price Hike
The big news yesterday? XM hikes prices $3 a month. Remind you of anything? Like the way your cable company does business? And you know how highly regarded cable is with its customers. Radio hasn’t had a price hike since Marconi invented it.
Read MoreKids & Classic Rock
OK, we’re all seeing it in various research settings – there’s something going on among teens, 18-24s and Classic Rock. But then again, many of you don’t need research because you have kids who are spending more time listening to Led Zeppelin than they do 50 Cent or Godsmack. So what’s the deal? Here are […]
Read More