Great DJs make great stations
A few weeks back I wrote that having entertaining DJs has got to be the point of difference that makes a station great.
So it’s interesting to read the Jacobs Media survey results that show why people listen to FM/AM radio.
Top of the list is because it’s easy to listen to radio in the car, second is because it is free – but third (59% of those who responded to the survey) is because of the DJ, hosts and shows.
Good radio presenters add value to their station beyond the music they play.
Also interesting is the rise in people listening to digital radio broadcasts and podcasts via smartphone, smart speaker and computer. The figure is up from 14% in 2013 to 31% in February 2019. Using a wireless radio is down from 85% in 2013 to 65% now.
WiFi is the broadcasting medium of the future; not AM or FM.
Podcasts
Of those surveyed more than 20% listen to podcasts weekly or more frequently. Four in 10 weekly podcast listeners say they are listening to more podcasts today than a year ago. And two-thirds of weekly podcast listeners return to finish a podcast they couldn’t complete the first time.
It should be no surprise that most people (77%) use a smartphone to listen to podcasts. Computer 40%, tablet, 24%, in car, 22%; and smart speaker 9%.
Interestingly, 40% discover new podcasts thanks to recommendations from friends, family and work colleagues. Recommendations via social media sits at 38%, and 40% of people discover a podcast by browsing iTunes, Stitcher, etc.
Social media
For broadcasters and podcasters wanting to promote their content, YouTube and Instagram are up, Facebook and Linkedin are down.
In 2018 79% of people discovered content on Facebook, this year it dropped to 76%. During the same period; Linkedin dropped from 11% to 10%, and Snapchat was down from 37% to 30%.
The ages of those who took part in the survey were: 18-24, 2%; 25-34, 8%; 35-44, 15%; 45-54, 29%; 55-64, 32% and 65+, 15%.
Survey interviews were carried out by Jacobs Media between January 3 and February 3, 2019.
