The Jacobs Media Blog

Conventional wisdom says that media consumption has expanded as our choices – video streaming, podcasts, games, social media – have exponentially multiplied. But what if that’s not true? A new research study shows media usage slipping post-COVID, ushering in an era where experiences may matter more than ever. Does IRL = more TSL? Click to see why this may, in fact, be the case.

There’s such a thing as a vision for broadcasting specifically, and media in general. But then there’s VISION – a sweeping “take” on the entire ecosphere. And that’s exactly what the BBC is up to. Here’s what it means to those of in the U.S. and around the globe.

Since those early days of AM radio a century ago, one of radio’s constants was its local news coverage. If you wanted to know what was going on in your city or region, you turned on the radio. But today, the hometown news mantle is being pursued by outside players, anxious to wrest away one of broadcast radio’s original “steel swords.” Who’s out there and what does the local news environment look like for 2023? Please click below.

“One may, in fact, be “the loneliest number,” but new research indicates the cohort made up of those going through life alone is growing. As you’d expect, they’re also engaged in more activities solo – like going to concerts by themselves, a growing trend. And these changing demographics open a unique door of opportunity for making connections with radio stations and personalities savvy enough to lean into this trend. Ready to go it alone? Click below.

The media winds are blustering as we approach the inevitability that “winter is coming.” In an already tough year of disappointing losses and layoffs, many media executives are at wit’s end. No, not in radio, but in television where streaming has become that double-edged sword, disrupting while generating less revenue. What’s a CEO to do? We’ll take a stab at that in today’s blog post.

Perception is reality…until it’s not. Especially at this time of year, marketers are busy at work, especially when they’re faced with having to position (or reposition) a product that’s gotten – shall we say – a little boring. Should our ears be burning? Well, if the shoe fits, right? Today’s blog post to start the final stretch of the year offers a little tough love to our old, but not dying, friend radio. And how we can all make it sound and feel as vital as it still is.

Today is a story about CEOs in the business, media, and tech worlds behaving badly. Despite their positions, their education, and their experience each is making headlines. And they serve an object lesson to leadership that they are far from omniscient and always in the right. Of course, the good ones know that, and they dutifully listen to their consultants. 🙂

How many video and audio services do you subscribe to? Do you know how much money month you’re paying on media content? Don’t feel bad because you’re not alone. And there’s a growing sense of anxiety and frustration among consumers that they’re signed up for too many services and paying too much in the process. There are lessons here for radio broadcasters, and that’s how we’ll start our holiday week here on JacoBLOG.