2-8-2013
Lew Dickey appeared on Bloomberg Thursday where he spoke about a number of topics including the launch of NASH in New York, how he's building the programming side of Cumulus and if there's a financial future in streaming. Dickey said Cumulus, without much effort, has become the third largest streaming platform in the country behind Pandora and Clear Channel. However, he added, that has not translated into revenue. He explains why...
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Dickey said, "Radio is an in car medium and that really has not changed. On the Streaming side, Dickey added, "we don't yet see a business model behind streaming." He says the reason for that is the consumer is shifting to mobile and mobile is good at search and commerce. "It's not conducive for advertising. Mobile is a remote control for commerce. It's not particularly good for displaying ads."
On the programming side, Dickey says Cumulus is organizing around key content verticals. "Country is one, talk is one, sports is another and rock. "Those are the content verticals we're focusing on. We're investing in talk and sports. We're seeing a shift from political based talk over to sports because people are tired of partisan bickering. We see ratings declining in talk and ratings increasing in sports. We're up to about 300 affiliates with CBS Sports Radio."
On launching NASH in New York, Dickey said, "The City has not had a country station in 20 years. The time was right. 85 million passionate loyal fans listen to Country Music. There's a big thirst for Country music in New York."
Watch the interview on Bloomberg TV HERE
(2/8/2013 9:26:17 AM)
I do agree with Mr. Dickey when he says, ""we don't yet see a business model behind streaming."
Am I to conclude that Mr. Dickey has concluded that there is no financial future for streaming radio due to no current model ?
Or am I to understand that Mr. Dickey recognizes this void in streaming and plans to actually do what he is hired there to do and BUILD and implement the model ?
I hope it's the latter.
I am amazed but thankful that the brains behind the corporate machines such as Mr. Dickey haven't figured out how to make money streaming online because I sure have.
And I solved Mr. Dickey's excuse of "the consumer is shifting to mobile and mobile is good at search and commerce."
The consumer has already shifted to moblie and mobile is great for audio listening in addition to "search and commerce."
With all due respect, Mr. Dickey seems out of touch with internet radio and doesn't see seem to see the potential.
(2/8/2013 8:58:44 AM)Waytago, Charlie (and Lew).
What some of the Big Brains have failed to acknowledge is that radio works best and is most enjoyable when accessed as a "passive" medium. That is, turn it on; enjoy it and do something else meanwhile.
To be successful, a station's online presentation requires that a listener get "active" and start participating with more clicks that lead the user to meander off the site and go elsewhere.
Whaddya say, kids. Let's just concentrate on making better Radio. Dunno. Might work!
Lew is absolutely on target - and joins the ranks of those who've seen thru the emperor's clothes on this for several years. And when it's online, it's audio NOT Radio!
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