In "The Bedroom Project," we identified CVC – or control-variety-choice as major attributes that separate desirable media devices and technologies (iPods, for example) from those that lack many of these same qualities. Radio – as it exists for most consumers today – often fails the CVC test.
And as we also saw in "Bedroom," music is rapidly becoming a commodity. Consumers have many different ways to control and arrange music. Thus, for younger people, in particular, listening to it on the radio has become tertiary to their overall entertainment experience.
And as technology marches on, radio’s ability to remain dominant will be seriously threatened. A case in point is a new offering from TiVo. They are pitching a free 30-day trial where TiVo owners can tie into Rhapsody to control 4,000,000+ songs in any way they want to hear them. It’s like having an iPod at home that is virtually loaded with a massive library, all accessible with a TiVo remote. As we saw in "Bedroom," radio is already under siege in homes, and these types of CVC advances will only make the situation more challenging.
Yes, not many people actually have a TiVo, but the technology behind this new offer is what you should be considering as we move forward.
Tomorrow: another new CVC innovation – for your car.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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