Nikola Tesla filed for a radio patent on September 2, 1897, and was granted a certificate. Since then, this media has gradually entered our homes and is now an integral part of our daily lives. It was once the primary medium and source of information. However, it is struggling to maintain its position today with other electronic media. Radio stations are being made expensive to gain listeners and keep pace with the Internet and television.
Race With Television and Internet
Many predicted the end of radio broadcasting when television took over as the dominant medium. But geniuses who couldn’t give up their “little talking boxes”, have created a program that allows them to interact with listeners. That was a great idea! Worldwide involvement with listeners continues to be very popular on different stations, believe it or not.
New shows that feature Top lists are also very popular. These shows attracted not only the attention of listeners but also artists who worked tirelessly to create the best songs possible for such music lists. The internet is also becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger generations.
This Media Is Very Popular
These media have seen a rise in popularity and benefits from the technological revolution. How? New TVs now have the option to listen to the radio. The internet allows you to stream live radio from any station that you want. Every newer smartphone has a radio application. We are becoming more and greater fans of this media, whether we want it or not.
Radio Station Is An Expensive “Toy”
Okay. This is where things get a little more complicated. Radio, no matter if it’s FM radio or the web, plays music. Music isn’t free, however. It also has high monthly costs. Radio stations that are highly professional and have high-quality equipment must invest a lot.
Radio stations can purchase equipment that costs thousands of dollars, just like home recording studios. Investment in professional-grade equipment is not always a guarantee of success.
Keep in mind that marketing is a major benefit to this media. A large investment doesn’t always guarantee success. It is not clear whether the station is commercial-only or part of a larger media company. There is a clear difference in the cost or size of an investment.
Does Being the Most Expensive Always imply Being the Best?
Some research shows that the most popular and expensive stations are P2, KEXP and Spectrum Radio. This list shows that there are stations that are owned by commercial media companies, as well as those that are owned by large media companies. We can all agree that no matter which station we choose, big money is always available. But popularity and quality are not always measured in big investments.
This criterion is not important for listeners. Radio listeners prefer good music. Stations that aren’t the most expensive or largest in their market often enjoy a lot of listeners. Good music is the main reason some stations are so popular and have a large listener base.
Chillout radio is an example of this statement. Listeners today are looking for music that is relaxing and informative. Radios such as this one are made specifically for listeners, and not influenced in any other way.
Radio Is Like All Other Products
Radios lose listeners from time to time and sometimes get new ones (so-called cross-tuners). It happens daily. A listener of radio “A” may switch to station “B”, or even station “C” if they like the music. He will eventually return to station “A”. It is clear that the winner of the cross-tuners has completed the job. How do you get them?
Let’s think of a program like a product. It must be enjoyed by the listener. It must be “dangerously good” in packaging. This includes the music content and advertising and imaging.
Sometimes, it is necessary to remind the listener of that product – this is why promotions are used. The word-of-mouth promotion begins, and then there is the possibility of continuous growth. It will happen if there is a serious plan.
Radio Needs To Be Recognizable
It is a serious business all over the globe. Program activities are just as important as marketing and sales. How does a radio station grow It won’t happen overnight. The program, which includes music, content, and commercials, must be first. It must be excellent! It should be easily identifiable! It must be visible at all times, day or night. Even if it’s a small, newly established station.
The Main Quality
Listeners enjoy good music, quick news, and accurate and reliable information. They also love serious topics, but they are open to discussing more casual topics on entertainment programs.
Hosts and presenters must be true musicians behind the mic. The presenter and host should not be able to express their moods, troubles, joy, or sadness in their voices. They should be professionals who come to the studio each day and make sure that everything they are unhappy about disappears when the “on the air” light turns on.
This is more difficult than television presenters, who can show a story that moves the viewer’s attention and have a picture that follows it. It is also interesting to see how listeners develop a relationship with the radio presenters. People can create an image of these radio persons and view them as friends by listening to them day after day.
In the End
Radio was fast and always has been. Radio is a medium that’s easy to listen to and difficult for those who make it. It stimulates the imagination and, in the face of other media, it finds its way to survival. So, it didn’t die at all. Radio is trusted and radio is increasing its popularity. It’s also always in fashion.
