 RAIN 7/27: Net radio audience up 27% year-over-year in new Webcast Metrics ·Jul 27, 06:52 AM TRITON’S JUNE RANKER SHOWS MONTHLY GROWTH FROM SLACKER, ACCURADIO AND OTHERSThe combined audience of the Top 20 webcasters in Triton Digital’s Webcast Metrics for June 2011 is up 27% from last year, according to results released yesterday.
Pandora and AccuRadio led the way in year-over-year growth at 47% and 30% increases, respectively, in AAS (Average Active Sessions, which is essentially equivalent to AQH — i.e., average simultaneous listeners). Presumably Slacker, too, would show impressive growth over June 2010, though they were not tracked in Webcast Metrics until July 2010. Slacker has grown 131% since July 2010 (though some of that was due to Triton Digital gradually incorporating the webcaster’s mobile audience). Several broadcasters grew their online audiences year-over-year, too, with Emmis up 24%, Citadel up 19%, and Radio One / Interactive One up 8%. Most month-over-month growth came from the pureplays. In the Domestic Mon-Sun 6a-12m daypart for June 2011, Slacker showed 7% growth over May 2011, AccuRadio 4% and broadcaster Greater Media 3%. Meanwhile, 977Music.com recovered after falling sharply in April and May. Other webcasters were generally flat. In fact, the combined AAS of the top 5 broadcasters in Webcast Metrics had 0% change month-to-month. Pandora and Cumulus’ numbers were again affected by tracking code issues. Presumably as a result, Pandora’s AAS of 499,691 is down 8% from May (and is about where it was earlier this year when the webcaster first had tracking software issues). You can find the Domestic and All Streams Mon-Sun 6a-12m rankings below. Find out more from Triton Digital’s Webcast Metrics report here (PDF) and find our coverage of May 2011’s ratings here.
JACOBS ARGUES THAT EVEN WITH GIANTS LIKE PANDORA, THERE’S STILL ROOM FOR OTHER PLAYERSWith giants like Pandora and iHeartRadio out there, do operators like “AccuRadio, jacAPPS, Livio, and smaller radio companies like Greater Media or even individual broadcasters like Jerry Lee“ stand a chance of building a sustainable business?
In his blog today, Jacobs Media and jacAPPS president Fred Jacobs says “absolutely.” The “long tail” quality of the dynamic Internet marketplace can enable “even companies with small footprints (to) do amazing things,” Jacobs writes. “In fact, many would argue that smaller, more agile businesses have a bit of an edge in this fluid environment.” Jacobs considers the slower-growing behemoths like Facebook and Twitter — paving the way for far-faster ascending Google+ and Foursquare — by doing the “heavy lifting” of introducing and familiarizing consumers to this new product category (in this case, social media). In a very similar way, the massive audience Pandora has assembled now understands and appreciates an Internet-delivered radio experience. Read the JacoBlog here for more. IN-CAR NET RADIO, FOR TIME BEING, STILL BETTER SUITED TO AFTERMARKETWe reported yesterday (here) on automaker Ford’s announced intention to phase out the in-dash CD player as consumers move towards smartphone-connectivity and mobile Internet.
Today, Jennifer Lane’s Audio4cast reports (here) the Consumer Electronics Association projects (here) 14% of aftermarket car radios sold in 2015 will be “Internet-radio capable” (up from 6% today).
Lane also points to a CE Outlook article (here) that says while “Internet radio may be too complex or just too esoteric for the new car buyer,” analyst Chris Schreiner says, “the aftermarket is a slightly different story…they are more tech-savvy than the OEM market.”
TEQUILA COMPANY LAUNCHES iPHONE APP FOR NET RADIO STREAMPura Video Tequila Company’s Internet radio stream, Radio Pura Vida (“the first station fueled by tequila”) recently debuted a free iPhone app.In addition to the web stream, the app features links to cocktail receipe and an alarm clock option. Radio Pura Vida’s programming includes Adult Alternative, Mexican Rock and more. Find the company’s press release here. 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 |
And among the masses that first came aboard because of the marketing reach of Pandora and iHeartRadio, there surely are those willing and wanting to branch out and try new experiences within this product category. Thus, the opportunity for smaller players with innovative ideas, willing to take the risk to attract customers looking beyond the giants.
Largely, it’s the popularity of Pandora that’s driving aftermarket suppliers to embrace in-car Internet radio. 
