Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home2/burns/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/burns/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/burns/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/burns/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/burns/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/burns/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
For most of this spring, traffic reports on most radio stations could be paraphrased as “um, nothing to see here, Dave, back to you.” Streets felt relatively empty (I know, LA: that’s why I said “relatively”).
We are dealing with an extraordinary moment in our history, one that brings with it extraordinary disruption to our listener’s daily lives. Obviously, this includes how people feel and how people will use radio.
This is the time in which radio stations needs to stand-up and be the voice of their community. Radio’s defining strengths are being local and serving their community. We need to be the trusted friend that we have worked so hard to become for these listeners.
RADIO’S 2020 VISION – What drove the last, and will define the next, ten years?
“Visibility is cloudy” sounds like a weather observation, but it’s a favorite phrase of CFO’s and analysts when the future of their company or industry is unclear. Hindsight, of course, is always 20/20, and given that that’s the name of the year that ends this decade we thought we’d take a look at the trends and events that shaped radio’s last ten years - and those that are likely to influence the next ten.
Earlier this year, Alan Burns and Associates was asked to conduct perceptual research along with focus groups to help Christian Music Broadcasters radio stations determine the best strategy for growing audience. The research results showed that it is totally possible to grow the weekly cume to 50 million (from the current national cume of 32 million) but the format may have “milked” the P1 audience for all its worth.
All music radio formats suffer through cycles of ratings ebb and flow based on what’s happening in the format’s core music genres – or in the genres of other formats that compete for listening. Country has been there at times; so has rock; and even Classic Hits suffers when one of the more contemporary genres are hot. Current pop has been in decline for several years now, and it’s affecting Top 40 and Hot AC (and, soon, AC as well). As we noted in our last post, many Top 40 stations are seeing the worst callout scores ever for current powers, and current pop has weakened at Hot AC.
Despite releases from Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, and Ed Sheeran/Justin Bieber in the last few weeks, hit music has been weakening for several years now. Top 40’s ratings have fallen as a result. It’s affecting Hot AC as well, and will eventually impact AC.
Current “mainstream” music is definitely poor. Many Top 40 stations are seeing the worst scores ever for power currents. Currents are weaker at Hot AC as well; in one market we’ve seen Current pop decline from 24% of the top-testers to now just 7%.
Everybody knows creativity is important in the entertainment world, right? So why bother to write a blog post about something so obvious? Good question. I hope you like the answer.
I often suggest to program directors and audio producers that they observe and analyze other forms of entertainment - movies, circus, theater, etc. - in order to learn and be stimulated to produce fun and drama in their radio/audio product. Recently I ran across a quote from Rick Rubin that reinforces that.
One of the best quotes I have stumbled on in the past several months came from one of radio’s youngest and brightest owners, Vince Benedetto, whose Bold Gold Media has assembled a group of stations in small and medium markets in Pennsylvania and New York state. Interviewed in a recent RAB podcast, Vince said:
We've been consulting radio stations since 1985. During that time Alan Burns & Associates is proud to have helped hundreds of AC, CHR and Gold AC stations succeed in even the toughest of market circumstances. The result of our accumulated knowledge, experience, and skills is successful clients.
