Some friends who work in the advertising business and I have been
brainstorming about the future of radio broadcasting and are
documenting what we think is going to happen. See http://Radio.RebuildingAfterFailure.com/

What do you think? Are we more right than wrong, or are we totally
off base?

I love radio. I’m an avid listener, pundit, critic, historian and
technologist. I believe traditional broadcast radio will morph into
something new and incredible and we're looking for a way to position
for future opportunity.

Most people still working in “corporate” radio today are probably in
their last radio job and may not know it. The future of commercial
radio broadcasting is bleak, at best. The bubble has burst, and we
have an emerging opportunity to rebuild.

Producers of compelling content will ultimately succeed in attracting
audience to sell to advertisers if they relentlessly promote their
product. My theory is that many of the same principles used to attract
radio audience 40 years ago will be reinvigorated in next generation
broadcasting. Personality driven radio is an incomparable way to
build and maintain time spent listening. The business model will
change. The barrier to entry will be lower, and the corresponding
revenue may be so low that corporate conglomerates may not even want
to play. But that’s not to say there won’t be money to be made.

Internet content delivery will reach automobiles in just a few years,
and traditional over-the-air delivery will be changed forever when it
does. This will be the final nail in AM-FM radio’s coffin, at least
in the USA. FCC licensees will be relegated to mere digital transport
providers. Content providers will buy transit from competing ISPs.
The branded product will not have FCC call letters. 4G LTE will become
the next standard broadcast band.

My money is on next-generation broadcasting, and it has very little to
do with radio frequency transmitters and receivers. Thanks for your
interest in my theory. I look forward to your comments.