June 12, 2025
Time Waits For No One
Your time is valuable—and it’s finite. Today’s radio programmers are juggling more responsibilities than ever. While we often joke about our ability to multi-task, the reality is that no one can truly master multiple tasks at once. There’s always something else pulling at our attention.
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June 5, 2025
That seems to be the “phrase that pays” so far in 2025. On that topic, did you see the article in Inside Radio last week about programmatic advertising? As is often the case, it highlighted the power and pitfalls of digital advertising.
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May 29, 2025
We’re now four surveys into the new reality of the three-minute qualifier in PPM markets, and one thing is clear: radio has benefited from this new reporting procedure. If you’re a faithful follower of this missive, you know we compared Q1 2024 with Q1 2025 and found that, across several demos, all the major dayparts, and the most common formats, AQH is up in double digits. (If you haven’t seen those comparisons, the links are below.)
So, what’s next? What can Nielsen do to provide an even more accurate account of radio listening? Read More…
May 22, 2025
Why is it that in some markets we see status quo in survey after survey, while in others we witness wild swings almost every month? Is it market conditions? Are some stations actually marketing? Or is it just the mood swings of the panel? These are some of the great mysteries of radio life.
Alas, while The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – along with the number’s gurus from XTRENDS – may have some insight into this after years of observations, the sad truth is that every market has its own idiosyncrasies.
As we wrap up the fourth month under the new three-minute reality, we find the one consistent theme has been a lack of consistent themes. The APRIL survey began on APRIL 3RD and ground to a halt on APRIL 30TH. Here’s our final look at this survey:
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May 21, 2025
It’s that time again – time to marvel at the magical numbers that tell us just how much people love their radios. Or, if we’re honest, at least how much they tolerate them between Spotify sessions. Wait, did I say the last part out loud?
The Ratings Experts from RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. – in quiet collaboration with the math mages from XTRENDS – are back to demonstrate the power of radio. Yes, we believe – and if you’re reading this here missive, you do, too.
We are now four months into the three-minute reality, and we have seen PUMMS on the rise. Every market is different and these next five are a perfect example. The APRIL survey ran from APRIL 3RD through APRIL 30TH and unfolded thusly:
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