Gerd Leonhard's Blog on The Future of Music, Media & Entertainment

The next-gen Radio / Radio2.0 is like Google Reader – waiting for the Universal Music Feed Reader

It just occurred to me that I see the Future of Radio every single day, already, and it’s called Google Reader. I add new feeds to my Reader every day, I share my feeds and opml files with others, I freely export and import, I browse online, I browse offline –I am now in complete control of my news and I pay with my attention; not with Cash (but guess what... I think I would even do that, too!)

Replace text feeds with music and you have a preferred Future for Radio. Imagine being able to add a radio program to your selection of feeds, and it would be available online or offline (and yes - in the car, too!) Imaging every radio station having an output feed, every listener having a music feed reader, 200 clever feedburner-like apps serving a Billion people.

You could bookmark what you like, tag it, star it, as you see fit. Select from any content provider, or have them select for you, or have others share your selections. Select from any grades of narrowcasting to any shade of broadcasting. Aggregate it in a reader that works on any platform: mobile, phone, TV, Digital Radio, the Computer… or your music-wristwatch or your MP3 sunglasses.

I think Google has been sued over their 'use' of news feeds in the Google Reader. Google has been sued over Google Print. Google has been sued over Youtube. Google always gets sued, and whenever they do you can bet that they are on the way to forming the future! Someone out there will launch TheUniversalMusicFeedReader (TUMFR) and free music from the slavery of the COPY PARADIGM. Right?

The content owners?  Just like with Google Reader, a refusal to participate is futile. All content is already being made available by millions networked computers, and any refusal to  ‘not-permit’ just leads to a re-routing-around-the-damage --- the network always heals itself. It's time to realize that the surest way to have your brand diminished is to not participate! You would not only lose your audience (since you are forcing them to come to your sites as well as to The Univeral Reader) you are also forced to police how much of your content ends up on TUMFR anyway – but using AJAX and other web2.0 tools anyone could pull the content directly onto their machines without having to even be touched by TUMFR, therefore leaving you zero recourse. Participate or be left by the side of the road.

The Death of Pandora and the Rebirth of Webcasting | Voices | Michael Robertson | AllThingsD

Good explanation of the webcasting royalty debacle, by Michael Robertson. The Death of Pandora and the Rebirth of Webcasting | Voices | Michael Robertson | AllThingsD.

Bridge Ratings: Terrestrial Radio's Run Through the New Media Gaunlet

Good stats and intel here, as usual
What's New At Bridge Ratings.

Pandora To Shut Out Non-U.S. Users Thursday Evening - another example of ancient music laws killing a good service - or how to encourage startups to care about any rights!

I just commented on this at Techcrunch (see link below). Pandora, my absolute favorite user-generated programs web radio, will cut off ALL of it's non US listeners because of licensing restrictions.  You may guess who is behind this: yes, the music rights licensing organizations - that would be my guess. This really sucks.

Here we have yet another example of how out-moded licensing traditions and related laws kill something that really has value, that has been painstakingly built over the past few years, and that is helping everyone to sell more music online!  I think that if the music industry does not start solving these ancient licensing problems ASAP they shouldn't be surprised why everyone is serving their music needs via totally unlicensed sources that never ever go nearly as far as Pandora has to become legal. I mean, come on, how many years have you guys had to give a license to Pandora??? Maybe the European Commission should start thinking about FINES for PROs (Performing Rights Organizations) for not making reasonable licensing deals available? How about a penalty for 'hampering the growth of new business' or for sitting on your rear doing nothing while everyone else is busting their butts trying to reinvent the music business?

It almost seems like, today, a company that tries to do the right thing from the start gets punished at every turn while those that don't even bother with getting any of the rights, period (no... not listing examples here;) are the ones that a) get funded with 10s of millions of dollars   b) sell their company for hundreds of millions of dollars, and get to do as they please while the music industry is mutely standing by (since they never bother to check out the new stuff until someone alerts them, not asking for a license would be the safe way to start, right...?) With their outdated licensing structures and seriously backwards business processes most of the music industry is, imho, actually encouraging people to completely ignore the rules if they want to get anywhere, anytime soon. Just like DRM is actually promoting piracy (by punishing legally minded users and giving them less value for more money), these webcasting regulations are forcing companies into non-compliance due to the lack of reasonable options. 

If this isn't bizarre, I don't know what is!  Here is my call to action for the music rights organizations around the world, the PPL / GVL, BUMA, GEMA, STIM, SESAC and SOCAN: get moving to license Pandora within 30 days - you've already had 2 years to do it!
Techcrunch: Pandora To Shut Out Non-U.S. Users Thursday Evening.

New Bridge Ratings data:The Impact of Wireless Internet (on Music)

Good stuff as usual What's New At Bridge Ratings.

"30 million Americans using wireless Internet access will grow to nearly 45 million by the end of 2007. What affect, if any, will the increased use of this technology have on consumers of traditional AM and FM radio.

Bridge Ratings recently concluded an extensive research project on the behavior and use of current Wi-Fi and WiMax wireless Internet users and intent of use by those not currently accessing the Internet with this technology. The national sample of 2200 persons 15+ includes listeners to AM/FM radio, satellite radio, Internet radio and MP3 players.

Of the estimated 30 million users of wireless access technology in the U.S., 75% or 23 million have wireless accessed Internet radio. In fact, 48% of those accessing the Internet via wireless technology seek out Internet radio. The number of Internet radio listeners accessing wirelessly will grow to 77 million by 2010 as wireless technology penetrates the average U.S. lifestyle...."

What's New At Bridge Ratings

Always some good stats from bridgeratings
What's New At Bridge Ratings.

The new semi-annual study from Bridge Ratings & Research indicates the number of monthly Internet radio* listeners nationwide has jumped 26% over last year and has increased to 72 million monthly listeners from 45 million at the end of 2005..

In 2005, weekly Internet radio listening was at 15% of the U.S. population 12 and over. This new study shows that as of January 2007 that figure increased 26% to 19% of all persons 12 and older. This translates to 57 million listening to Internet Radio on a weekly basis. See latest digital projections.

New pdf on "The Future of Radio is now available on my presentation site

click here to go GerdPresents.com
Latest presentation was at BBC Radio1 (London)

Nokia Visual Radio Makes Indian Debut (GigaOm)

GigaOM :  Mobile Visual Radio Makes Indian Debut.  My favorite quote:

“This is a classic case of convergence of telecom, radio and music. The key here would be to provide our listeners with quality content,” said Pankaj Mathur, country manager, HP India Sales.

My comment: Nokia has now been pushing Visual Radio for 2+ years or so, and as far as I know there are trials in Finland, London, the U.S., and Singapore (I think ;) - I have seen it and I think it has real potential to usher radio into radio2.0 -- which is the TWO-WAY, digtal radio service. Digital Radio must be 2-way, must encourage conversation, engage the user.

Of course, with any change there is upheaval - I can imagine that Nokia Visual Radio will indeed create a lot of turmoil in the footchain, such as: who will run which ads? Who will charge what for which part of the service?  Can ads run 'with' the music, on the handset, or will that be deemed synchronization by the music publishers? and many more.  Let's see how they will tackle this - but the idea rocks, imho.

[print version] Google rides the radio waves | CNET News.com

[print version] Google rides the radio waves | CNET News.com.

Google rides the radio waves

By Elinor Mills
http://news.com.com/Google rides the radio waves/2100-1024_3-6099025.html

Google enters the radio business - told you this was coming. Big change for Radio! Advertisers will command new metrics soon.

Current.org | NPR Blueprint for Growth, July 2006

Current.org | NPR Blueprint for Growth, July 2006.

"NPR launched the next phase of public radio’s New Realities process last week, releasing an ambitious plan to strengthen ties with listeners and foster better collaboration within the system.

In its 12-page Blueprint for Growth, released to general managers July 12, NPR said it will work with stations and other system partners to develop a “News Network of the Future,” a web-based music service and an infrastructure to support distribution of digital content. The network will also lead efforts to raise major gifts to support these ventures.

But the blueprint goes further by asking stakeholders in public radio to reconsider their relationships with their audiences and each other. Members of the public radio community must shift their focus from competing with each other to uniting against competition from other media, the blueprint says...."

Great stuff - finally, some real momentum at NPR. Watch my video on the "Future of Radio" here

Download their 'Blueprint for Growth' here

eMarketer.com - What Do Listeners Listen To When They Listen To Radio Online?

Link: eMarketer.com - What Do Listeners Listen To When They Listen To Radio Online?.

In another worrisome finding for local radio stations, the use of specialized Internet radio sites versus local stations was even more pronounced among listeners 12 to 24, and marginally higher for listeners 25 to 34.

"Broadcasters should be alarmed at the strong usage of non-terrestrial radio online options among persons under 35," said Harve Alan, hear 2.0 EVP. "This is both a threat and an opportunity for local radio, and now is the time to act.

indeed ;)

Music Download Service Unveiled for Digital Radio - New York Times

Link: Music Download Service Unveiled for Digital Radio - New York Times.

British consumers are set to be the first in the world able to buy songs instantly as they listen to them on digital radio, using a download service announced on Monday by UBC Media.

The London-based radio programming producer said it would begin testing the technology on Chrysalis Group's Heart station, with plans for a full roll-out by December.

Finally!

Hear 2.0: Radio's biggest challenge: The Internet

Link: Hear 2.0: Radio's biggest challenge: The Internet.

Good feature!

Radio 2.0 creates social network / MERCORA www.itnews.com.au

Link: Radio 2.0 creates social network - Internet - www.itnews.com.au.

I don't know about this being "The Future of Radio" but I do like Mercora very much.  Hopefully they will have an Apple  version soon.

Public Broadcasting 2.0: Through the looking glass to Public Broadcasting 2.0

Link: Current.org | Public Broadcasting 2.0.

Published in Current, Feb. 21, 2006
Commentary by Dennis L. Haarsager

"Some of us have been on a strange journey of late, not unlike Alice’s trip through the looking glass. We’ve reached a place where almost everything I’ve learned in 36 years as a broadcaster is a reliable guide — if we then do the opposite. Curiously, once we made our way to the unfamiliar side of the mirror, we discovered many others had stepped through before us... They were people we once took for granted — listeners and viewers who increasingly found programming elsewhere, which they could use whenever they wanted. They and others were leaving Public Broadcasting 1.0 for this new realm, taking control of their media usage and sometimes media creation as well....."

A VC: Pandora vs. Last.fm

Link: A VC: Pandora vs. Last.fm.

Interesting debate. I must admit that I listen to Pandora a LOT because its so easy.

Great piece on Podcasting And The Future Of Traditional Radio (Robin Good)

Robin Good has some very good points here. These 2 points appear crucial to me (quote:)

Radio key traditional strength when compared to new media alternatives available today is its ability to be truly "live". No recording, no streaming, no delay. Instant real-time broadcasting that can take place from nearly any place or location to report, chronicle or create "live" news and events. Here is the still much untapped potential of radio. Street reporting. Reality radio.

The media of the future is all about the user participating into the show and becoming the producer, host and DJ herself. Providing tools and programming space for users to create, edit and compile their own audio-based programming is a vital new strategy that reflects the revolution taking place in other media.

Keep it coming Robin!

More ammo for the 'Music Like Water' plot, here, too.

RoundUp: The Future of Radio

good reading here

Nokia Visual Radio

good definition at Wikipedia.  Imho, this is a huge step for radio, but it will take time... a lot of time, and who will do what - will Nokia be managing content, and will the radio guys do the marketing...?  More info at   

Nokia Visual Radio

good post by Rags Gupta
refering to a news.com feature. Key quote: "Here's an industry that's really old and becoming threatened by new technologies," said Vikki Pachera, vice president of strategic alliances and business development for HP. "We're able to help them create a relationship with customers they've never had before, and a revenue stream they've never had before."

Good feature on Online Radio

here. "Internet broadcasting has grown in popularity to the point where it's become a significant alternative to traditional radio, and an appealing venue for major advertisers. Thousands of people share the affliction, thanks to Internet technology that lets anybody with a little money set up an online "radio station." Now tell me --- where's the money??? I have some answers on that... stay tuned

The new "Hearts of Space" Radio

is here. The music programming is superb, and so is the sound quality. "Slow music for fast times"
  "FOR OVER 20 YEARS  we've collected quiet, space-creating ambient sounds from around the world for our nationally syndicated Hearts of Space radio show. Like the famous "slow food" movement, we celebrate the values of calm, concentration and quality.  we bring the timeless world of contemplative and ambient music direct to you..."    Check it out. More details on HOS is here

MotorFM - Radio CAN be different

Tim Renner serves up a new kind of radio at MotorFM in Berlin. The CONCEPT is very promising imho. Check out this story in NewsweeK: Radio's Rebels. Fav Quote:  "Radio only has a chance when it can still surprise people and when it can find a way to finance itself by being a retailer," says co-founder Tim Renner, former president of Universal Music."   Helloooooo ClearChannel... whatcha got?

Bluebeat

Comment in Stereophile:  Music Notes  By Barry Willis.  Hi-fi online? Santa Cruz, CA-based BlueBeat.com has announced what it believes is the antidote for music lovers fed up with the low quality of most online audio streams. BlueBeat claims to deliver its selections at 320kps (kilobits per second), a vast improvement over the average streaming rate of 64-96kbps. With DSL or broadband cable connections, music lovers can log onto BlueBeat and enjoy "spectacular, crystal-clear sound" via the company's secure online broadcasts. BlueBeat requires downloading dedicated software to stream its content, and expects as many as one million users by spring 2005, according to a December 1 press release. It's a "high fidelity haven, and all free of charge to the user," BlueBeat claims. Note: Bluebeat is one of my clients