The Jacobs Media Blog

Radio is a fluid business these days as the disruption by digital threatens incumbent stations, while it also provides an opportunity for them to grow audience and profitability. It is interesting to watch the evolution of local not just in radio but in the larger universe of social media.

Drumming up digital sales in 2026 is a priority for radio. And with $2.3 billion up for grabs, creative collaborations are in order. Last week, two radio broadcasters stepped up to announce new deals that are the subject of today’s blog post.

Welcome to Presidents’ Day 2026—and a deluge of sales that have nothing to do with America’s chief executive but has everything to do with commerce…and radio. While all those Presidents’ Day sales are good for radio, the ways in which America’s leader perceives radio can have a massive impact on the medium as public radio and television learned the hard way last year. What will happen to radio over the next three years? We don’t know specifically, but at this point, nothing would be a surprise.

There are times Spotify debuts so many new features and products, you might think they’re simply throwing spaghetti at the wall to see if anything sticks. But there’s a method to their innovative madness as illustrated in today’s blog post.

Over the years, radio’s trials and tribulations have been compared to other products and services. But mac & cheese? Yes, that’s the focus of today’s blog post, as the incumbent leader in the field—Kraft—has watched its share of this all-American staple erode in recent years. Why did this happen and what can radio broadcasters learn as a result?

Everyone knows advertising dollars are rapidly moving to the digital side of the street. But what lessons can radio learn from early believers in the world of legacy media? Today’s post looks at the potential of the “Digital Highway” for radio, along with some of the potholes along the way.

Super Bowl LX is in the books. If you were watching last night and paying attention to the sights and sounds of “The Big Game,” you might have come away with some observations about what this spectacle meant to us as media markets…and fans.

One week ago, I asked for your lists of your five favorite songs about RADIO. A few days later and more than 200 of you submitted your choice(s). It made for an interesting exercise and a pretty great list, mostly from an era in which radio ruled. Which song was #1, racking up nearly 40 entries. Click below to find out.

Radio’s ability to balance products and services with quality and revenue will be determinants in the industry’s ability to navigate the competitive waters ahead. It is far more complicated than “playing the hits.”

A new trend this year at CES 2026 is right in radio’s grille—using AI technology to create a sense of companionship. Can it work?

When brands spend upwards of $8 million for a :30 shot at fame and buzz, the pressure’s on. That’s what a brand like Skittles is up against this Sunday for the so-called “Big Game.” What can we learn from their strategy and how they’re approaching it?

There have been some major hit movies about radio throughout the decades. And no shortage of TV shows about the medium. But what about songs about RADIO? That’s the focus of today’s blog post. I’ve put together my list. Now, it’s your turn.

During the last couple decades, many radio broadcasting organizations have struggled to develop a digital content strategy that is both doable and successful. In today’s blog, we may have a timely solution for you. Let’s talk about it.

When music becomes too predictable, even core fans can get bored. More and more, artists and brands that specialize in music are experimenting with new innovations and feature concepts, all designed to make the end product more interesting. See what you think about these concepts, all built on the number five.

As the month of January winds down, it occurs to me AI has been an oft-discussed topic here at Jacobs Media during these past few weeks. A big reason for that is at CES 2026, AI was a major focus thanks in no small part to its ubiquity and prominence at this influential technology show. But unlike a hot new gadget, that I can describe in words and pictures, how can I communicate what I saw at CES about AI and what it may mean to radio? I decided to hold the mirror up and have ChatGPT analyze the future direction of JacoBLOG and share the results with you. Here we go: