Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 14, 2009 at 19:10:44:
In Reply to: Rick Dees fired, moves to Internet; Launches new radio website posted by chicagomedia.org on April 14, 2009 at 19:08:46:
Survey: Internet Radio Still Picking Up Steam
April 13, 2009
A new study from American Media Services (AMS) is showing that Internet-only radio is rapidly gaining acceptance as another way to listen to music, however, regular radio is maintaining its audience as well. The AMS Radio Index says that 27 percent of Americans have listened to Internet-only radio, and this includes nearly half (47 percent) of young adults 18-24 and about a third (34 percent) of those under the age of 50. Meanwhile, 73 percent said they are listening to the radio about the same as or more than they did five years ago. Dating back to the initial AMS Radio Index in January 2006, the number saying they're listening to the radio as much or more than five years earlier has remained remarkably steady.
"Our latest survey shows the continued vibrancy of radio," said AMS Chairman Edward F. Seeger. "Online radio is an increasingly important medium. Regular radio is holding its own. The two media offer choices that are compatible and complementary of each other."
The way of receiving online radio is also changing, as nearly half the homes in America now have WiFi. Home WiFi service increased from 37 percent in the September 2008 survey to 48 percent in the current survey. And if people begin to have Internet service in their cars, online radio listening could increase even more. Among those who have listened to Internet-only radio, 46 percent expect to listen to it in the future on an Internet connection in their vehicles, and 74 percent say they would listen to Internet-only radio more if their vehicle had an Internet connection. Even among those who have never listened to Internet-only radio, 48 percent say they would listen to it if they had an Internet connection in their cars.
Other findings of the latest AMS Radio Index show that 23 percent of respondents are willing to pay a monthly subscription charge of $8 or less to listen to commercial-free Internet radio; and 59 percent say they notice music while shopping in stores either always or most of the time.
(FMQB)