RadioInsight

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Infinite Dial: 62% Of Americans Listen To Online Audio

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 12:32 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...-online-audio/



Edison Research and Triton Digitals released their annual Infinite Dial
study today.

Among the findings in todays study, 62 percent of the United States 12+
population are now weekly online audio listeners. 28% of the population are
weekly podcast listeners, with the audience more diverse. Smart speaker
ownership has risen to 33% of Americans 12+, up from 7 percent in 2017. Of
those who own at least one smart speaker, 34 percent of those have three or
more devices in their household.

The study also states that TikTok usage has surged especially with 12-34
year olds with 44% of 12-34 using the platform up from 25% in 2020, while
one in five of those 12+ have watched a live stream of a videogame and 10%
broadcast their own games.

The full study can be viewed here.

Podcasting continues its significant and steady growthÂ*whileÂ*itsÂ*overall
audienceÂ*is more diverse than ever,Â*accordingÂ*to The Infinite Dial 2021®
from Edison Research andÂ*Triton Digital.Â*Along with podcasting, smart
speaker ownership and online audio consumption showed notable gains in this
year’s survey.Â*
ApproximatelyÂ*eighty million AmericansÂ*Â*28%Â*of the U.S.Â*12+Â*populationÂ*Â*are
now weekly podcast listeners, a 17% increase overÂ*2020.Â*The overall monthly
podcast listening audienceÂ*isÂ*nowÂ*more diverse than ever: 57%Â*of monthly
podcast listeners areÂ*white, 16% Latino,Â*13% AfricanÂ*American, 4% Asian,
and 10%Â*of some other background.Â*

Â*

Sixty-two percent of the U.S. 12+ population, around 176 million people,
are now weekly online audio listeners, an all-time high for this category.Â*
Â*
One-thirdÂ*(33%)Â*of Americans 12+,Â*approximatelyÂ*94 million
people,Â*nowÂ*ownÂ*a smart speaker, an increase of 22%Â*fromÂ*last
yearÂ*andÂ*nearly five times what it was in 2017 (7%). Of those who own a
smart speaker, 34% have three or more of the devices in theirÂ*household.Â*Â*

Â*

The Infinite Dial 2021 marks a significant year for the study,
asÂ*theÂ*mediaÂ*measurement was done almost entirely during a time of
quarantine or some level of restrictionÂ*dueÂ*toÂ*Covid-19.Â*The historical
data in The Infinite DialÂ*provides pre-Covid trending capability.Â*Â*

Â*

In the near quarter of a century that the Infinite Dial has been the survey
of record for digital audio, the space has never been more vibrant, or more
diverse, than it is today,� said Tom Webster, Senior Vice President at
Edison Research. “Podcasting, in particular, has made great gains with
women and non-White audiences, and truly reflects the diversity of America.Â*

We are pleased to partner with Edison Research to unveil the results of the
2021 U.S. Infinite Dial,� said John Rosso, President of Market Development
at Triton Digital.Â*“The results of this year’s study are exceptionally
interesting, as they provide insight into Americans’ consumption of radio,
streaming audio, podcasts, and usage ofÂ*smart speakers during a time of
unprecedented disruptionÂ*inÂ*our everyday lives.â€�Â*

Â*

Other findings include:Â*Â*
·Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* 88%Â*of Americans 12+ own a smartphone, another year of growth from
85% last
year.Â*TabletÂ*(51%)Â*andÂ*smar****chÂ*(18%)Â*owne rshipÂ*haveÂ*plateaued,Â*meaningÂ*theÂ*smartphone
isÂ*by farÂ*mostÂ*popularÂ*device for media consumption.Â*

Â*
·Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* TikTokÂ*usage surged,Â*particularly amongÂ*12-34 year-olds.Â*Forty-four
percent ofÂ*12-34 year-oldsÂ*are using the service,Â*up from 25% last year –
an increase of 76%.Â*

Â*
·Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* For the first time inÂ*the history of the study, Facebook is no
longerÂ*namedÂ*as theÂ*social media brand used most oftenÂ*by a majority of
social media users, as 47% say it is theÂ*platformÂ*they use mostÂ*(down
fromÂ*54% the year before andÂ*62% in 2016).Â*Â*

Â*Â*
·Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* One in five Americans 12+ have now watched a liveÂ*stream of a
videogame, andÂ*10%Â*broadcastÂ*their own games.Â*Â*

Â*
·Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* 51% of those age 12+Â*“frequentlyâ€�Â*orÂ*“sometimesâ€�Â*listen to audio
with other people, with this percentage rising to 69% amongÂ*thoseÂ*age
12-34.Â*

Â*Â*
·Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* The percentage of AmericansÂ*18+Â*who have driven or ridden in a car
in the last month decreasedÂ*from 87% in 2020 toÂ*83%Â*this year.Â*




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Dale Arnold Retires From WEEI

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 12:20 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...res-from-weei/



A second host will be stepping down from Entercom Sports 93.7 WEEI-FM
Lawrence/Boston MA and its regional network on Friday, March 12.

Dale Arnold, who has been part of the station since the Sports format
launched on 590 in 1991, will retire from the midday show he co-hosts with
Rich Keefe after Fridays show. Arnold will call a few Boston Red Sox games
on the station this upcoming season and anchor Boston Bruins studio
coverage for NESN, but will no longer host talk shows at the station.

Arnold has been paired with multiple hosts during his tenure at the
station. First hosting the 10am-1pm slot solo, he was then teamed with
Eddie Andelman until 2001. Bob Neumeier joined Arnold in middays until 2005
when Michael Holley joined him until 2011 when Holley moved to afternoons
and Arnold moved to weekends. The duo would reteam in afternoons in 2014
with Rich Keefe added as a third host in 2016. Holley would depart in
February 2018 to focus on his television jobs, and Arnold and Keefe moved
to middays in September 2018.

Arnold has also had an accomplished play-by-play career as the only person
to call games for the five big professional teams in Boston. He called New
Jersey Devils hockey in 1986 and 1987, the NFLs New England Patriots from
1988-90, the NHLs Boston Bruins from 1995-2007, and has been part of the
Red Sox team since 2008 where he is schedule to call ten games in 2021.

Boston.com reports that former WBZ-FM host Andy Gresh, who most recently
hosted evenings at Cumulus Media News/Talk 630 WPRO/99.7 WEAN-FM
Providence, will join WEEI as Keefes new co-host on Monday.

Arnolds final day will also be the final day of morning co-host Danielle
Murr.

As many of you heard, today @DaleEArnold announced his retirement from the
show, and ultimately @WEEI.

Dale will call select @RedSox games this summer on the station but tomorrow
will be his last day on the program.

Heres his announcement: pic.twitter.com/U8VjHAv5ob

- Dale & Keefe (@DaleKeefeWEEI) March 11, 2021





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Hamilton Lane & MetLife To Be Majority Stakeholders In Restructured Alpha
Media

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 11:00 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...d-alpha-media/



As Alpha Media continues to go through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy
restructuring, the company has filed with the FCC to begin its exit from
debtor-in-possession status.

The new Alpha will have two investment funds holding the majority of its
equity and voting interests. Hamilton Lane Incorporated will control 49% of
the company through two investments funds Florida Growth Fund LLC and
Hamilton Lane Strategic Opportunities 2016 Fund LP. MetLife Inc.s MetLife
Private Equity Holdings, LLC will control 43.7% of the equity, while
Intermediate Capital Group PLCs will hold 5.8% of Alpha following its
emergence from bankruptcy protection. The company states that approximately
14% of its voting interests and 22% of its equity interests will be held by
foreign entities.

Alpha Media CEO Bob Proffitt will lead a new five person board of
directors. Hamilton Lane and Intermediate Capital Group PLC will each
designate one member. A fourth member will be designated by all of the
equity holders who will not be an employee or agent of a foreign equity
holder. The fifth will be an independent director appointed by the other
four. Alpha Media CFO John Gorssi will serve as Secretary of each
subsidiary LLC of the restructured company.



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WHUR To Receive NAB Crystal Heritage Award

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 10:32 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...eritage-award/





The NAB has announced that Howard Universitys 96.3 WHUR Washington DC will
be the tenth station to receive the Crystal Heritage Award for winning five
Crystal Awards.

WHUR will receive the award at a special online ceremony on Tuesday, April
13 at which the other Crystal Awards will be received. The NAB has also
announced the list of the 51 stations nominated as finalists of which ten
will win.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today finalists
for the 34th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal
Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their year-round commitment
to community service. The finalists will be celebrated and the winners
announced during a special awards program held Tuesday, April 13 and
available exclusively on NAB Amplify.

NAB will also present Howard University’s WHUR-FM Washington, D.C. with the
esteemed Crystal Heritage Award during the special event. The Heritage
Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio
Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only nine
other stations have received this honor.

Finalists for the 2021 Crystal Radio Awards a

KBFB-FM Dallas, Texas

KCLY-FM Clay Center, Kansas

KDKA-AM Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

KIKV-FM Alexandria, Minnesota

KIRO-FM Seattle, Washington

KKBQ-FM Houston, Texas

KKFN-FM Denver, Colorado

KKZY-FM Bemidji, Minnesota

KMVP-FM Phoenix, Arizona

KNDE-FM College Station, Texas

KOSI-FM Denver, Colorado

KPNT-FM St. Louis, Missouri

KRSP-FM Salt Lake City, Utah

KSBJ-FM Humble, Texas

KSL-FM Salt Lake City, Utah

KSTP-FM Saint Paul, Minnesota

KTAR-FM Phoenix, Arizona

KTMY-FM Saint Paul, Minnesota

KUPD-FM Phoenix, Arizona

KYGO-FM Denver, Colorado

KYW-AM Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WARH-FM St. Louis, Missouri

WBAB-FM West Babylon, New York

WBAP-AM Dallas, Texas

WBLI-FM Patchogue, New York

WBYT-FM Mishawaka, Indiana

WCCO-AM Minneapolis, Minnesota

WDRV-FM Chicago, Illinois

WDSY-FM Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WDUV-FM St. Petersburg, Florida

WFXE-FM Columbus, Georgia

WGCI-FM Chicago, Illinois

WHPT-FM St Petersburg, Florida

WJJY-FM Brainerd, Minnesota

WKTI-FM Milwaukee, Wisconsin

WMCI-FM Mattoon, Illinois

WMMR-FM Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WNRP-AM Pensacola, Florida

WOKV-FM Jacksonville, Florida

WPLR-FM New Haven, Connecticut

WSB-AM Atlanta, Georgia

WSB-FM Atlanta, Georgia

WSHE-FM Chicago, Illinois

WTAW-AM College Station, Texas

WTMX-FM Chicago, Illinois

WTOP-FM Washington, D.C.

WWPR-FM New York City, New York

WWRM-FM Tampa Bay, Florida

WXGL-FM Tampa Bay, Florida

WXOS-FM St. Louis, Missouri

WYCT-FM Pensacola, Florida

WYKY-FM Somerset, Kentucky

Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the above finalists by
a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service
organizations and public relations firms.




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Domain Insight 3/11: Where Does iHeart Have A Breeze Blowing In Next?

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 07:43 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...owing-in-next/



iHeartMedia is preparing to launch another Soft AC Breeze.

While the newly registered 1065TheBreeze.com is currently pointing to the
site of Variety Hits 106.5 The Lake WHLK Cleveland, it is very much
possible that is a decoy. Of the other possibilities within the company
Tampa sticks out as the other lead contender with Albany, Charlotte,
Dayton, Huntsville, Las Vegas and Quad Cities less likely.

WHLK currently ranks eighth in the Cleveland market with a 5.8 share, but
also has significant overlap with iHearts market leading Classic Hits Majic
105.7 WMJI. With WMJI restructuring its morning show around a younger cast
this week, could the next play be to move WHLK into the older position in
the market and making more of an attack on Entercom AC Star 102.1 WDOK?

Or is iHeart looking to use rimshot Spanish CHR Rumba 106.5 WRUB Sarasota
to attack Cox Media Groups long-time market leader 105.5 WDUV? With just a
0.6 share and a signal fully competitive in about half of the market, WRUB
could create a flanker to iHeart AC Mix 100.7 WMTX to attack the upper end
of WDUV.


iHeartMedia may also be looking to up the ante in a Rhythmic battle in
Sacramento. Classic Hip Hop V101.1 KHYL changed its primary URL from
V1011FM.com to V1011Sacramento.com to differentiate it more from iHearts
Adult R&B V101.1 KJMS Memphis which uses V1011.com and MyV101.com. But it
also registered 1025KSFM.com and KSFM1025.com to tweak at Entercom Rhythmic
CHR 102.5 KSFM. KHYL has been trending upwards to a 3.3 share in the
January ratings, while KSFM currently sits at a 2.8 share.


Anonymous Registrations: 961NewCountry.com, NewCountry961.com, and
PureOldies1069.com.



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A Hotter Kool In Palm Springs

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 05:11 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...-palm-springs/



Marker Broadcasting Soft AC Kool 95.9 KJJZ Indian Wells/Palm Springs
quietly shifted to Hot AC at the start of the month.

The station has retained its current name and is now positioning as The
Deserts Hottest Hits. KJJZ has added Premiere Networks Elvis Duran Show for
mornings and On Air with Ryan Seacrest for afternoons. Former morning host
Brie Tennis moves to middays.

The move places KJJZ in direct format competition with Alpha Media Hot AC
Mix 100.5 KPSI and perhaps trying to help fill the upcoming CHR hole to be
created by the pending sale of Ed Stolz Hot Hits 97.7 KRCK-FM Mecca to VCY
America with the similar positioning and move of Seacrest from KRCK-FM.



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Eastlan Adds Three New Markets

Posted: 11 Mar 2021 04:00 AM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...e-new-markets/



Eastlan Ratings has announced it will begin measuring three new markets.

Eastlan will begin measuring Cumberland MD and Prairie View TX for the
first time and return to Syracuse NY beginning with the Spring 2021 survey.

`

Eastlan Ratings announces new service to three additional markets for
Spring 2021: Cumberland MD, Prairie View TX and Syracuse NY. The upstate
New York market represents a return of long-time subscriber Galaxy Media.

“Do you still bring your ‘Giant Boom Box’ to station promotions? Then YOU
should stick with Nielsen,� suggests Ed Levine, President/CEO of Galaxy
Media. “Face it, it’s time to change. Eastlan surveys more people and does
it for a fraction of the cost. Their research includes ALL stations. We’ve
got to stop letting a vendor dictate to an entire industry. It’s insane and
it’s just bad business!�

“Ed echoes what many local radio broadcasters are telling us,� remarked
Eastlan Ratings President/CEO. “They’re simply not being heard. Our new
initiative is “Putting Radio First�. Everything we do must be with the
intent to help broadcasters tell the true story of local radio’s power. We
willing accept the responsibility to advocate for local radio. We’ll said
it before, whether one subscriber or many, we have a moral obligation to
present the entire picture of a market.�

“We are extremely grateful that broadcasters are willing to commit to our
product as our nation begins to re-emerge,� said Gould. Just another case
in point that broadcasters are an optimistic and resilient breed.

The Spring 2021 books in Cumberland MD, Prairie View TX and Syracuse NY
will be delivered on July 28.




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TJ McEntire Exits Q104 Kansas City

Posted: 10 Mar 2021 02:27 PM PST
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2...4-kansas-city/



TJ McEntire has exited Steel City Media Country Q104 104.3 KBEQ Kansas City
after 28 years.

McEntire was on her second stint in afternoons after co-hosting mornings
from 2015-2017 and also served as Music Director. She joined KBEQ in 1993
shortly after its flip from CHR to Country.