The MootPOINT

Well Hey, been a while huh? Apologies for that but I'm sure no one is waiting by their itunes for this show to download right? Amidst special projects at work, jury duty (which I don't care what anyone says...SUCKS) and oh yeah, PAT GOT MARRIED! The ol' MootPOINT got away from us. Here actually is a bit of a throwback...following up our guest host, Alex Eppolito's in depth look at the bad news with a glance at the positive! Focusing on the early-on results from stimulus package efforts and the effects they have on many tiers of radio industry; especially those in the online avenue.

On that note, here are some interesting figures generated by Fredonia Alum and MootGuest:

The latest study by Arbitron and Edison Research shows continued growth in usage and ownership of various forms of digital audio platforms, including online radio, iPod/MP3 players, and podcasting. The weekly online radio audience increased significantly in the past year to 17% of the U.S. population age 12 and older; up from 13% in 2008. On a weekly basis, online radio reaches 20% of 25-to-54 year-olds; up from 15% in 2008.

Bill Rose, senior vice president of marketing, Arbitron Inc., says "The sharp growth in weekly usage of Online radio... provides compelling evidence that radio's digital platforms may be reaching critical mass. We are... seeing encoded streams of AM/FM broadcasts with significant audience in local markets."

Key findings from The Infinite Dial 2009: Radio's Digital Platforms, include:

More than one in five radio listeners (21%) say AM/FM radio has a big impact on their lives; ranking second only to owners of the Apple iPhone in particular (23%) and cell phone owners in general (47%) as the audio platform/device that has a big impact on people's lives.

Online radio listeners are more likely to be upscale, well-educated and employed full time;

54% of weekly online radio listeners are employed full-time (compared to 43% among persons 12 and older);
16% of weekly online radio listeners live in homes with an annual income greater than $100,000 (vs. 10% among persons 12 and older);
37% of weekly online radio listeners have a college degree or higher education level (vs. 29% among persons 12 and older).
Weekly online video viewing among persons age 12 and older is up significantly in the past year, from 18% in 2008 to 27% (approximately 69 million) in 2009.

34% of persons age 12 and older report having a profile on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, or any other social networking Web site, up from 24% in 2008
63% of teens age 12-to-17 report having a profile on these social networking sites
64% 18-to-24 year-olds have a profile on these social networking sites.
iPod/portable MP3 player ownership and iPod use continues to grow dramatically.

42% of persons age 12 and older own an iPod or other brand of portable MP3 player
64% of 18-to-24 year-olds own a digital audio player
32% of teens age 12-to-17 and persons 18-to-24 are spending less time with over-the-air radio specifically due to time spent with iPod/other portable MP3 players
22% of Americans age 12 and older have ever listened to an audio podcast
11% (27 million) reported having listened to an audio podcast in the past month in 2009
Tom Webster, vice president of strategy and marketing, Edison Research, concludes that "... consumer use of new digital platforms... is becoming nearly ubiquitous... a window of opportunity for radio to... spread its content across the expanding choices consumers use to control their media experience."

We will hear more from him in the near future

Also, here is some big news!
Internet radio sites and music industry reach agreement over royalties
http://tinyurl.com/l2yqxf

As per usual we consider the repercussions of new jobs as well as the potentiality for synergy of departments that COULD come with the reinvigoration of the field.

Here is a question for you: Social media technology speed and development...Pat thinks it will slow down or level off but what do you think?

Personally, I think the concept of twitter is synonymous with the principal of all things radio...

Tune in to find out more about radio technology, programming & content and industry theory and thanks for stickin with The MootPOINT!

P.S. did everyone hear that LAST.FM is coming to XBOX LIVE?

Hi folks!
Hope you dig the new player, expanded links and further interactivity of the site! Dig the DIGG and new-and-improved news fuction... dang we've been busy!

In this edition we take an in depth look at the bad-news. This meaning we divert from our original path to vent about layoffs, inter-department warfare (sales vs programming), and the downside of consolidation. The big question at hand of course is 'Who is the villain and who is the victim?' in all of this noise...or are there any TRUE villains? What do you think?

We are watchin' the big boys like Clear Channel, XM/Sirius, and Westwood One go down in flames and while its somewhat delicious to see, it is of course a double edged sword as we will see more unemployment and greater competition which only furhter hinders our chances of reviving the industry...however we DO concoct some interest end result theories!

Fighting to save Sirius/XM
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/13/technology/birger_sirius.fortune/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote

We mentioned the Early Bird Radio Blog last time but here is further incentive to check him out!
http://earlybirdradio.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/shot-5-8-final-for-the-semester/

That is the final dose of his regular program for the season, but he will be back in the fall with greater antics. Until then you can go to his blog and scoop past podcasts (full episodes) and more video-shots as well! AND from here on out all of his off-season operations blog posts will syndicate into the blog roll down below along with other accomplices of mine such as John Gorman and his Media Blog; Jon Nungesser whom is a promising and talented recent graduate about to break into the world of broadcast with his Vintage Radio Blog; and Professor Elmer Ploetz and his Jour de Fred journalism ..uh..journal! They definitely deserve your attention!

Finally here is a few links to some internship opportunities and broadcast schools I have churned up. Hope they help!

Career stimulus
http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite20/Members/ShowHeadLine.aspx?ContentID=34269&ContentTypeID=101&Archive=0&FormatId=0

http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite20/Members/IndJobs.aspx

Bad news for graduates
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103862921&sc=fb&cc=fp

Braodcast School
http://www.radioconnection.com/

MootTUNE: 'Walking on a Dream' by Empire of the Sun
http://www.last.fm/music/Empire+of+the+Sun

Sorry for the delay but it's worth the wait. More of the same digi-media discussion with focus on our respective 'teaching' experiences at Fredonia State and what is going through students heads in the current situation. Also we delve into the realm of interactivity in radio encompasing phone-in's, twitter, social networking and etc...

Also, new poll up: Is technology moving too fast for society (specifically in the broadcast world) Let's hear your throughts!!! Check the homepage at www.themootpoint.net to participate!

And finally here are some resources:
A very ambitious new project from a young broadcaster with great potential - www.earlybirdradio.wordpress.com
and respective youtube channels to compliment this -
www.youtube.com/user/fastfeet311
www.youtube.com/user/BrendenWelsh

Long ongoing convergence project at Fredonia State - http://www.fredportal.com
*Always looking for more involvement ... contact the webmaster for more info!

BVG gives his long overdue take on the Watchmen movie.. cuz he's a nerd

This is an extended episode because we really got into a great discussion about the challenge of monetizing digital media as well as the challenge and fears to overcome when leaving college / applying to a media related job. Also we are joined by Vincent Quatroche, General Manager of Fredonia Radio Systems WCVF & WDVL! It's a good one and we hope you enjoy! www.fredoniaradio.com

Time constraints led to a shortened episode this week but we argue over issues pertaining to sales and how it effects the quality of broadcast. We also continue previous discussions over technology and the influence/prediction as far as media impact; most specifically terminology like syndication, subscription and distribution.

This is our premiere episode of this experimental podcast...needless to say its a little rough. Please bear with us while we work out audio quality and structure issues. We chat topis ranging from the dangerous streets of NYC (in a very comical way of course) and get into a detailed/educational discussion about the changing radio industry. If you are aspiring in the broadcast industry we hope this can lend a hand and provide some insight into staying on top of your game...We're looking for any and all feedback (no matter how obvious the criticism may seem!) Until then sit back and listen to us make asses out of ourselves!

An educational segment designed to better educate those of us 'honkeys' who do not understand ebonics