Our founder, Fred Jacobs, offers insights into the latest trends in broadcasting and digital media.
The Commish
A new year and a new FCC chairman coming into power. And by all accounts, that might very well mean that change is in the air for broadcasters. While the FCC may be famous for rubber stamping the vast majority of radio and TV license renewals, Brendan Carr is suggesting his term as chairman of the agency may indeed be very different. What might it mean for your station? Let’s talk about it.
Read MoreHow Radio Can Improve Its Digital Content Batting Average
Today’s post marks the end of our “Best of” series from 2024. It is a granular look at the digital content radio organizations have created during these past 30 years – and what might transpire moving forward. And I pose questions – 18 of them, in fact – every content creator and media executive should ask BEFORE greenlighting new media products and projects. This is an interactive process. I’m hoping to hear from many of you because this is truly a community effort. In fact, that may be the only way for radio to address its current set of daunting challenges. Have a look.
Read MoreIs It Time For Radio Broadcasters To “Thelma & Louise” Over The Demographic Cliff?
Radio’s not the only traditional media platform struggling in the revenue column of those harsh spreadsheets. In fact, network television has had a financial famine for some years now, due in large part to its aging demographics. But now a philosophical shift in marketing focus is spreading throughout the TV industry. Could it provide radio “cover” to make an attempt at the same “silver strategy?” Today’s “Best of 2024” blog post looks at a familiar conundrum – radio’s inability or unwillingness to take advantage of its growing 55+ audience.
Read MoreSome Good News About Radio? Yes!
It is anyone’s guess whether 2025 turns out to be a rebound year for radio or a continuation of arduous times for the business. Thus, here’s a “Best of” blog post that’s almost one year-old that brought much-needed positive news about radio, defying conventional wisdom about the state of the medium. No, it didn’t change anything, but it felt good to start the new year on a positive, uplifting note. So, let’s try it again. And if no one’s said it to you recently, Happy New Year!
Read MoreOne Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Radio Stations
The big – and rather shocking – radio stories this past year came from across the border. It wasn’t that Bell Media was selling off more that 40% of their radio group to seven different broadcast companies – it was that one of their corporate officers announced the reason for the sale: radio is no longer a viable business, according to the company. In today’s “Best of” post, I’ll revisit what it meant to say the quiet part out loud, and why the effects of their announcement was most definitely felt in the 50 states in 2024 – and perhaps, beyond.
Read MoreThe Revolution Will Not Be Monetized
The “Best of JacoBLOG” starts this holiday week off, and brother Paul gives me an always welcome writing break. Today, he takes control of the keyboard to author what became one of the most ambitious posts of 2024. It’s all about about the state of radio digital transformation. It’s a tough read, but an important one we hoped would stimulate thought, criticism, and new ideas. Change is hard. But not changing is even harder. This post also marked the launch of Jacobs D.R., our digital revenue initiative spearheaded by Chris Brunt. We’re looking forward to big things in the new year and hope we can be part of the solution.
Read MoreWhen Did Radio Stop Advertising?
We always hear “Radio needs to do a better job telling its story.” But where would the creative come from and how could broadcasters pay for it – especially in this economy? OK, here’s some back of the napkin math for you.
Read MoreRadio Listeners Don’t Get Tired Of Music, Only PDs And Music Directors Do
One of the existential quandaries in radio programming involves how long to keep spinning those songs on the playlist, whether you’re the new hip-hop station or the classic rock king. Today’s “Best of” post from earlier this year takes on the notion of music burn-out and its role in consumers getting tired of a radio station. It turns out we can learn a lot from a marketing whiz who offers insights about ad “wear-in” to the conversation. I think you’ll find it helpful as this crazy year wraps up.
Read MoreIt’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Happy holidays from Jacobs Media!
Read MoreIs Public Radio A Victim Of Its Own Org Chart – Part 2
Our “Best of JacoBLOG” continues during this holiday week. Today’s throwback post is part 2 of “Is Public Radio A Victim Of Its Own Org Chart?” a two-parter that stirred up much conversation when it first published last July. It questions public radio’s “the way we’ve always done it” mindset, taking a deep dive into “brilliant at the basics” programming and on-air marketing. Rethinking these “givens” could help turn around what may be remembered as the most challenging year in public radio’s long and prooud history.
Read MoreIn 2024, The Forecast Calls For Pain
Welcome to the “Best of JacoBLOG” as we sprint – or perhaps better put – stagger to the end of yet another challenging year. Today’s throwback post from 2024 ran last January, looking ahead to the new year. While it wasn’t designed to be predictive of 2024, it turned out to discuss some of the key issues many of us have faced these past 12 months. I hope you find it helpful, and maybe even fodder for how we’ll need to prepare ourselves for the year ahead.
Read MoreOld Man, Take A Look At My Ratings
The only things worse than bad ratings is when your audience falls over that dreaded “demographic cliff.” The last thing a radio brand needs is a listener base that has “aged out.” Meanwhile over on television, some of the biggest new hits on broadcast TV and streaming video platforms stars gray-haired AARP members. What gives?
Read MoreIn The World Of On-Demand Audio, How Do We Define Success?
On-demand audio and video are advertiser darlings, while traditional media struggle to maintain their marketing relevance. Today’s #TBT from five years ago was about Netflix’s latest success, “The Irishman,” a Martin Scorsese gangster film being acclaimed as a “hit” – based on download data. It turns out the vast majority of those who started watching “The Irishman” never finished it. Today’s throwback blog post takes a look at the dichotomy between on-demand and traditional media as marketing vehicles and critical successes as we enter into what promises to be a challenging new year.
Read MoreScenes From The Classic Rock Highway – 2024 Edition
The media ecosphere is ever-changing and in a constant state of flux – with one exception. The popularity of Classic Rock – as music, a radio format, and as a prime part of our pop culture – is a constant. And today’s blog post is evidence of that – three remarkable stories from the “Classic Rock Highway.” Enjoy the ride.
Read MoreDoes Your Radio Station Need A Princess?
When you think about some of the most successful entities in entertainment history, there’s almost always been a face of the brand – a personality out in front who connects with fans. In today’s post, Jacobs Media’s Mike Stern channels one of the all-time best companies in the industry – Disney – to make the point that when they have a new princess to add to their lineup, success usually follows. So, who’s your radio brand’s princess?
Read MoreWhat “Spotify Wrapped” Tells Us About Our Music And Ourselves
Did you get your exclusive, personalized Spotify “Wrapped” package, a your musical consumption summary for 2024? This year, Spotify rolled out new features, leaning heavily on AI. Yet, reviews on their value are mixed. What do you think of the growing trend in personalized usage trends and what do they say about us as consumers? Today’s blog post is a look at how technology is being used to track our lifestyle habits.
Read MoreSiriusXM: The Car’s The Thing…Again!
While most broadcast radio companies are immersed in their mad dash to plump up Q4 and close the books on a mostly dismal 2024, SiriusXM is in a race to put the finishing touches on a new/old strategy to redouble its efforts in the car. Translation: AM/FM radio is in SXM’s crosshairs big-time, an effort to achieve dashboard dominance in this rapidly changing audio environment in cars. How will their plan fare? Should radio broadcasters be concerned? To learn more and engage in the conversation, just click on READ MORE. And buckle up.
Read MoreWhat If The Media Pie Is Actually SHRINKING?
Conventional wisdom says that media consumption has expanded as our choices – video streaming, podcasts, games, social media – have exponentially multiplied. But what if that’s not true? A new research study shows media usage slipping post-COVID, ushering in an era where experiences may matter more than ever. Does IRL = more TSL? Click to see why this may, in fact, be the case.
Read MoreMerry Merchmas! And A Profitable New Year
Back in the day, pretty much everyone owned a piece of radio station merch. These days, radio competes with some of the biggest brands in the world for the privilege of fans display logos. How can radio effectively keep pace with mega-brands like the NFL and Netflix, both focused on winning the merch wars? Today’s blog provides some answers.
Read MoreWith A Name Like Smucker’s…
Even companies on the brink of bankruptcy may be just an idea away from salvation. Innovation takes many forms and can come from unpredictable sources. Today’s blog post is a case in point. It tells the story of an unlikely pivot from a 100 year-old company that fortunately was open to embracing “the next big thing.” Would your company have the foresight and intelligence to seize a similar moment?
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