Times change, so that the technology. It is not wise to say one technology is superior to another and it will trash the earlier one. Technologies complement each other, same the case with the media. When cable television came into the scene, people thought that will be the end of newspapers. But that never happened.
In the case of the radio also, it is still one of the unshakable media going strong. Even today the reach of radio is far more than any other media. No doubt traditional radio begins to compete with new era of audio technologies – internet and satellite radio, FM radio, iPods, digital HD radio and MP3 downloads etc. Similarly listener perceptions have changed. No more boring interviews or documentary styled programs! Of late radio listening is largely confined to the car. Still traditional radio has its loyal audience, though the time spent on listening to radio has reduced over the years.
However, the basic value or meaning of radio has not changed. Whether people likes to sit and listen to radio in their living rooms over a cup of coffee or listen to it while traveling in their cars or through net while browsing or chatting, they do spend considerable amount of time on radio. In India a person listen to radio on an average 70 minutes according to NRS 2006 report 10minutes lesser than 2003. Even today after having so many options Vividh Bharti is popular among the mass.
People may be going for Internet radio or FM radio most. While on net people can listen to programs and stations from other areas, at times that are more convenient to their schedules, and to content they might not be able to get anywhere else. In a survey by Arbitron/Edison Media Research, 17per cent of those who had reported listening to Internet radio said they did so to hear audio they couldn’t get other places; 13per cent said they wanted more music variety and 15per cent sought to control or choose the music played. In the modern era, people are looking for something more than what traditional radio offers and they have the choice.
Look at the way community radios operate. In America, they are non-profit and non-commercial services that caters to the needs of certain area, people and targeted audience. For UK it is an illegal pirate radio service. The ideology towards community radio may differ from place to place but its services more or less remain the same – providing entertainment to the people through music, local news and information. In India community radio is quite effectively used for education purposes. Universities and NGOs use it for social cause.
Similarly, internet radio or e-radio is a broadcasting service via internet is yet another form of traditional radio. Many Internet radio stations are associated with a corresponding traditional terrestrial radio station or radio network like BBC. Most of these Internet radio services offer news, sports, talkback, and various genres of music—everything that is on the radio station being simulcast over the internet with a netcast stream. Studies show roughly 1 in 5 Americans listen to internet radio regularly, BBC’s internet radio doubled its listenership in past one year.
The digital revolution has brought revolution in radio services. Once it is started there is no looking back. From web to satellite to mobile phones, listeners need not to worry how to reach radio in a particular time and there is variety of programs to chose. The traditional radio has not dead but taking new forms. Where traditional radio stations are struggling to cling on to the audience and get revenues, metamorphosed radio is opening new avenues.
In the case of the radio also, it is still one of the unshakable media going strong. Even today the reach of radio is far more than any other media. No doubt traditional radio begins to compete with new era of audio technologies – internet and satellite radio, FM radio, iPods, digital HD radio and MP3 downloads etc. Similarly listener perceptions have changed. No more boring interviews or documentary styled programs! Of late radio listening is largely confined to the car. Still traditional radio has its loyal audience, though the time spent on listening to radio has reduced over the years.
However, the basic value or meaning of radio has not changed. Whether people likes to sit and listen to radio in their living rooms over a cup of coffee or listen to it while traveling in their cars or through net while browsing or chatting, they do spend considerable amount of time on radio. In India a person listen to radio on an average 70 minutes according to NRS 2006 report 10minutes lesser than 2003. Even today after having so many options Vividh Bharti is popular among the mass.
People may be going for Internet radio or FM radio most. While on net people can listen to programs and stations from other areas, at times that are more convenient to their schedules, and to content they might not be able to get anywhere else. In a survey by Arbitron/Edison Media Research, 17per cent of those who had reported listening to Internet radio said they did so to hear audio they couldn’t get other places; 13per cent said they wanted more music variety and 15per cent sought to control or choose the music played. In the modern era, people are looking for something more than what traditional radio offers and they have the choice.
Look at the way community radios operate. In America, they are non-profit and non-commercial services that caters to the needs of certain area, people and targeted audience. For UK it is an illegal pirate radio service. The ideology towards community radio may differ from place to place but its services more or less remain the same – providing entertainment to the people through music, local news and information. In India community radio is quite effectively used for education purposes. Universities and NGOs use it for social cause.
Similarly, internet radio or e-radio is a broadcasting service via internet is yet another form of traditional radio. Many Internet radio stations are associated with a corresponding traditional terrestrial radio station or radio network like BBC. Most of these Internet radio services offer news, sports, talkback, and various genres of music—everything that is on the radio station being simulcast over the internet with a netcast stream. Studies show roughly 1 in 5 Americans listen to internet radio regularly, BBC’s internet radio doubled its listenership in past one year.
The digital revolution has brought revolution in radio services. Once it is started there is no looking back. From web to satellite to mobile phones, listeners need not to worry how to reach radio in a particular time and there is variety of programs to chose. The traditional radio has not dead but taking new forms. Where traditional radio stations are struggling to cling on to the audience and get revenues, metamorphosed radio is opening new avenues.
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