US

iHeartRadio Adds Alexa Based Song Requests

iHeartMedia and Amazon are launching new interactive features through Alexa. Using an Alexa-enabled device, listeners will be able make song requests and dedications at specific radio stations. This is marketed as a first-time feature anywhere on the Alexa platform. Among the stations the feature is debuting on today are Country 97.5 WCOS Columbia SC and […] […]

No Picture
US

Why I Still Believe in Radio: 2021

“The author is in complete denial about the radio business.” That was a Twitter response to my column about whether jocks were doing enough when they opened the microphone to sell the radio experience. Were radio hosts being perfunctory? Were they providing companionship and reminding people what they liked about radio? I still heard things […] […]

US

Flow 105.3 Debuts In Jacksonville

Norsan Media has debuted Spanish Rhythmic “Flow 105.3” on its recently acquired 105.3 WYKB Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville FL. The station is listing Daddy Yankee, Karol G, J Balvin, Anitta, Maluma, Becky G, Bad Bunny, Rosalia, Nicky Jam, Natti Natasha, Annuel AA, Ozuna, and Wisin y Yandel as core artists. The station is currently running jockless, but […] […]

US

All Sinatra Coming To KKGO-HD3 Los Angeles

Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters will flip 105.1 KKGO-HD3 Los Angeles to all-Frank Sinatra on Friday, July 23. “Unforgettable FM” will feature Jerry Sharell has an on-air host while Pat Welsh serves as Program Director. Mount Wilson’s Russ Maloney and Dan Feely will be technical directors, Adam Bookbinder social media director, Saul Levine as general manager, […] […]

ASIA

PwC releases annual Global Entertainment & Media Outlook

PwC has released their special report on the annual Global Entertainment & Media Outlook. Now in its 22nd year, the Outlook is the premier source of information and insight into the evolution of this dynamic, diverse and fast-changing sector.
In 2020, the pandemic triggered the sharpest contraction in overall E&M revenues in the history of this research. And it accelerated changes in consumer behaviour to pull forward digital disruption and industry tipping points by several years. In 2021, those tipping points morphed and coalesced into power shifts that are rapidly reshaping the industry.
One of the clearest trends is that players are realising they may be better served by figuring out how to meet consumers at their convenience. People prefer the ease and convenience of self-directed podcast listening to adhering to radio stations’ schedules. As a result, audio content providers are diversifying their offerings to become more of a destination where consumers will linger and browse. For example, although podcast platforms in many territories tend to specialise in particular topics—comedy, politics and so on—the leading providers in the mature Chinese market, such as Ximalaya and Nasdaq-listed Lizhi, aggregate many different subjects and types of podcasts into a single offering. Clubhouse and Spotify use live and recorded podcasts to re-create a personalised radio type experience.
Total global entertainment and media (E&M) revenue fell -3.8% year on year in 2020, by far the most significant drop in revenue — US$81.0bn, or more than the value of 2020’s entire music, radio and podcasts segment — in the history of the Global Entertainment and Media Outlook.
As more global regions emerge from lockdown and see increasing rates of vaccination, a forecast year-on-year rise of 6.5% in 2021 and a further 6.7% rise in 2022 will help drive total global E&M revenue to increase at a 5.0% five-year CAGR. However, this seemingly healthy growth comes from a greatly depressed base year — extending the CAGR period to six years provides a less optimistic picture with a rate of just 3.5%.
Sectors that meet digital and mobile consumers where they are find rapid growth. The projected CAGR for Virtual Reality from 2020-25 is the highest among all segments at 30 percent, while Music, Radio and Podcasts are projected to grow at 9 percent. […]

ASIA

SPH Gift of Music returns

After more than a year-long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SPH Gift of Music, a series of free community concerts sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Foundation, will return with A Gift of Love, a concert by Ding Yi Music Company on 24 July at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium. SPH Radio is the official radio partner of the event.
Ding Yi Music Company, a renowned Chinese chamber ensemble and recipient of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award in 2019, will perform two shows at 3pm and 7pm respectively. Online audiences can catch the live-streamed concert at 7pm on the Facebook pages of SPH, Ding Yi and 96.3 Hao FM.
A Gift of Love concert aims to spread joy and hope amid the pandemic situation. It is a reminder to take comfort in the love of our family, friends and those around us during challenging times.
Inspired by the 2021 National Day Parade theme of ‘Together, Our Singapore Spirit‘, the multi-cultural repertoire will feature popular favourites such as Chinese pop hits Friends Forever and My Dearest Baby, Indian medley Veena Concerto, Malay medley Beruntung Jadi Anak Kelatan and one of Singapore’s favourite National Day songs Home, written by Dick Lee.
The concert, conducted by Wong De Li, Dedric, will be hosted by SPH Radio 96.3 Hao FM DJ De Ming who will also perform a song with the ensemble. The programme will also feature two soloists, Cellist Chee Jun Sian and Veena musician Madhavan Kalaichelvan. […]