Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family
Report: iPods stealing radio listeners
When I read this article at Podcasting News, I
immediately saw myself. The very first iPod accessory I really fell in love with was my original iTrip FM transmitter, which I bought a
couple of years ago. I have since replaced it with a RoadTrip, but one thing remains the same: It comes
with me each and every time I get into the car. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've listened to
terrestrial radio in the past 2-3 years. I don't know about your town, but where I live, radio programming stinks. Why should I sit through six or seven songs I don't like, not to mention all those extremely annoying ads, just to hear one I do? Plus, thanks to podcasting, I can get many of the great NPR shows that I enjoy.
Apparently, I'm not alone. According to Bridge Ratings, terrestrial radio's penetration could drop from 94% to 85% by 2010. Nearly 30% of respondents between the ages of 12 and 24 stated that Mp3 player use accounted for their abandoning radio. While I'm not in that demographic, I certainly share the sentiment. My iPod blows radio away.
So, what's your take? Do you still listen to radio when your iPod is around?
[Via Micro Persuasion]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
harrisjamieh said 11:09AM on 4-13-2006
We're not allowed iTrips (or similar products) in the UK. They are illegal! :(
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jon said 11:12AM on 4-13-2006
hmmm.... i wonder why this is, maybe because commercial radio is effing terrible.
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FritzLaurel said 11:16AM on 4-13-2006
This topic is extremeling interesting to me, but I'm not sure why.
I stopped listening to American radio in the late 90s, mostly because I couldn't take the "everything's a ZOO here!" mentality anymore. The only radio I listen to now is via the internet and originating from a foreign country. I like feeling like I'm a part of the culture that I can't get at home.
One favorite so far has been a few DJs on VirginRadio.co.uk. I find that I don't mind the ads because that sexy British accent, and the way they say "Apple are announcing..." instead of "Apple announced..." gets me beyond the fact that there are any ads.
For me, the next revolution in radio will be when iPods (or something like them) can tune into live internet broadcasts.
Cheers,
FL
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arkowi said 11:19AM on 4-13-2006
"So, what's your take? Do you still listen to radio when your iPod is around?"
I never really started listening to the radio. My first turd-on-wheels, excuse me, "character builder" (a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Brougham...became mine when I turned 16 in 1996...you do the math on that bad boy) did not have a radio (well it did, but it did not work by the time I got it), just a 5 dollar tapedeck from k-mart. It was used exclusivly with a discman and tape adaptor.
My parents bought me a new car in 1997 when I graduated high school. It had a CD player. It was pretty much only CD's until the iPod. The ONLY thing I listen to on the radio is NPR news...and that was before I worked from home...
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_don said 11:20AM on 4-13-2006
I agree. The radio stations in the Ottawa (Canada) area are horrible...unless you like the same bands that the program directors like. The rest is all format radio - nothing unique.
While I don't have an iTrip , I use the cassette thing in the tape player to listen to my iPod. Its a bad driving day if I don't bring the iPod (short trip) or the battery dies en route.
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Azhar said 11:22AM on 4-13-2006
In most cars its still difficult ot use your ipod through the stereo in the UK and radio often has the advantage over CD's. Also the radio stations not only play music but you can have a laugh at the same time. Podcasting is only good if for example you miss an episode of the chris moyles show or you have a video ipod and dont want to pay for video, (the BMW vodcast is superb)
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Paul said 11:29AM on 4-13-2006
i cant remember the last time i listened to the radio, its itrip all the way!!!
i have 87.9 spray painted on the back of my car...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyrannous/113523978/
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Jack Beckman said 11:31AM on 4-13-2006
I stopped listening to the radio when I got my first iPod, too. I was using iTrips but now use a cassette adapter.
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Silver said 11:39AM on 4-13-2006
"I don't know about your town, but where I live, radio programming stinks."
Yeah, the same goes for Anytown, U.S.A.
This thread reminds me of that much-mocked Microsoft web page that touted the benefits of its Plays4Shizzle units, which included the FM tuner feature, where you can "have a professional choose your song lists for you" (I'm paraphrasing).
Um yeah, sure, Microsoft, but that's why I bought an MP3 player, so I can pick my own tunes.
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James hare said 11:39AM on 4-13-2006
Having used the FM modulators, I've got to say--the integration kits are worth it just for the sound quality. I've got an Alpine head unit and the KC-420i iPod integration kit and it's just great. Getting to your music is a little bit harder because the interface on a car stereo isn't as nicely thought out, but it's great not having to listen to the radio. In my area (Washington, DC) we've gotten down to ONE rock station so it's great to have an alternative.
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IAMEvilBeAr said 11:44AM on 4-13-2006
I haven't touched my radio for almost 2 years now.. except for maybe the 30 second local traffic update..
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FritzLaurel said 12:07PM on 4-13-2006
There's a sick side of me that loves the fact that the radio/10-disc changer/dvd player that came with my 2004 car is already outdated.
That means technology is moving along at a great, lovingly fast clip. And I _like_ that.
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Ultim8Fury said 12:08PM on 4-13-2006
The only time I put the car radio on is when I forgot my iPod after updating it with more podcasts.
I have Densions iPod:Ice>link thing. But seriously thinking about changing to the harmon kardon offering that recently popped up on the UK apple store.
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David said 12:12PM on 4-13-2006
"We're not allowed iTrips (or similar products) in the UK. They are illegal! :("
They are changing the law to allow for them i believe - also them being illegal doesnt mean you cant get a hold of one!
I only listen to radio for the news as obviously it is not so easy to get up to date news from your ipod but for music i will never even think to turn the radio on!
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twentysomething said 12:13PM on 4-13-2006
lets see...no commercials, no gimicks to promise "your favorite variety", just me and my playlist powering through 87.9, i cringe when i hear radio....its like giving somebody a choice of their favorite dessert and then the option of moldy bread and water
but honestly we need to keep up w/ prouduction of ipod car interfaces like the new BMW screen, cuz i'm tired of hearing that static from my itrip and i can't afford an M5
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BobMac said 12:17PM on 4-13-2006
I listen to my iPod all day at work and at the gym (total: about 10 hours a day). However, when I'm in the car, I still listen to radio...AM radio, in fact. I listen to a local sports radio station, so I can keep caught up on the latest Sacramento Kings action. With over 20,000 songs available to me, why would I listen to FM radio's 20?
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Jack Barker said 12:57PM on 4-13-2006
to hell with terrestrial radio! I got the Alpine 9856 (bestbuy: $199) head unit and all you need is the $30 iPod cable to get connected. Plus, it is sat-ready for all you Sirius and XM junkies (like me!). I have had it for three months now and I haven't even used the CD slot or the FM.... ROCK ON!
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Thomas said 1:00PM on 4-13-2006
I listen to the radio for 1/2 of my short drive to work. That way I hear any new music that I need to go buy. Other than that, it's iPod all day at work, at home, on most trips and whenever I can.
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Corey Spencer said 1:03PM on 4-13-2006
I haven't listened to the radio in a very long time, and likely never will again since I got an Auxiliary port installed in my MINI Cooper which allow me to connect my iPod for CD quality sound. Bye-bye radio. It sucked anyway.
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Mason Blumkin said 1:27PM on 4-13-2006
I am now totally dependent on my iPod. I can't even bear to think about listening to the canned, planned, and prefabricated radio anymore. If I want to listen to new music I'll find it on my own. Besides, with 4,000 songs I'd be crazy to listen to the radio.
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