 RAIN 8/11: Slow growth for broadcasters through 2014 as digital's power grows, VSS forecasts ·Aug 11, 12:51 PM BY THEN, CONSUMERS WILL SPEND MORE ON DIGITAL MEDIA THAN PRINTPrivate-equity firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson is predicting slow growth for broadcast and satellite radio through 2014, “as consumers begin listening to radio using new digital formats, satellite radio subscription prices rise, and online and mobile platforms post double-digit gains,” reports RadioWorld. Veronis Suhler Stevenson, a private-equity firm, yesterday released its respected annual Communications Industry Forecast, predicting revenue and trends in media through 2014.
VSS suggests that by 2014, consumers will spend more on digital media than on print for the first time. USA Today reports, according to the forecast, “the average person will spend a little more than $1,080 in 2014 to be connected, informed and amused, up 27.6% from last year.” Broadcasters will increase their efforts on the digital front, VSS predicts, on platforms including HD Radio, Internet radio and wireless mobile. The press release announcing the VSS Communications Industry Forecast 2004-2014 is here. Read more on it from RadioWorld here and here, and USA Today’s coverage here. ROUNDING UP YOUR RADIO OPTIONS IN THE UKWe’re a U.S.-based publication, but we try to keep an eye on new media and radio trends in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom (e.g. we report RAJAR studies on digital and mobile radio use).
So, we found this MediaUK article interesting. It’s a run-down of the growing array of options a radio listener in the UK has to find audio content, including digital satellite, digital terrestrial television, cable, Internet radio, DAB Digital Radio, and (of course) AM/FM broadcasting. For each platform, MediaUK explains the pros/cons, listenership, sound quality, costs, ancillary features, and for what type of listener each platform is most beneficial. After reading the piece, we’d recommend this entry in Jennifer Lane’s Audio4Cast, in which Bridge Ratings President and CEO David Van Dyke explains his views on the differences in Internet radio listening patterns in the UK and U.S. share: del.icio.us.  Reddit  Digg  Yahoo  Wink  Windows  Google  Newsvine 
CommentCommenting is closed for this article.  Other stories RAIN has upgraded (and moved)! RAIN 9/13: RAIN Summit Chicago takes place today! RAIN 9/12: First Summit in RAIN's hometown takes place tomorrow RAIN 9/9: Summer holidays, "doldrums" impact July Webcast Metrics, but audience up over last year RAIN 9/8: Clear Channel launches new customizable iHeartRadio beta; RAIN goes hands-on RAIN 9/7: Meet more speakers you'll hear at RAIN Summit Chicago in less than a week RAIN 9/6: Clear Channel taps The Echo Nest to take on Pandora RAIN 9/2: RAIN reviews Spotify's radio-like product Artist Radio RAIN 9/1: UK online radio aggregator Radioplayer campaigns b'dcasters to create "all radio" ratings RAIN 8/31: Execs from Merlin, Triton Digital, jacAPPS and more to appear at RAIN Summit Chicago |
But the introduction of Internet radio into automobiles (and competition from pureplay webcasters) will make “improved sound quality, one of HD Radio’s biggest marketing points… a nonissue,” writes 
