Radio activity
Posted April 2nd, 2009 by debritz
Has Triple J lost the plot? According to this report, disenchanted listeners have formed a Facebook page to complain that JJJ has strayed from its remit to "provide a platform for music and artists ignored by its commercial rivals". Others are claiming anomalies in the latest radio survey - and even AC Nielsen, which compiles the figures, has warned against comparing this year's figures with last year's, due to a change in methodology. There are also reports of a smaller=than-usual sample group this time throwing up some odd results. I've been a long-time critic of the survey, and all I can say is I'm not surprised that they still haven't got it right. Time for a method that records what people are actually listening to - such as TV's Peoplemeters - rather than a diary system where they are relied upon to recall what they were listening to. Sadly, many people in the radio industry have a vested interest in not knowing the truth.
Brett, it sounds like a good idea. But it wouldn't be compatible with analogue radios, but would be a great option, to start digital radio, where say, Nielson would give you a free digital radio, on the condition you use a USB stick (which doubles as a advanced peoplemeter, which is programmed at Nielson) plugged in to the DAB reciever whenever it is turned on.
The "stick" has the ability to connect via the 3G phone network, to dial ratings results into Nielson in the same manner as TV peoplemeters dial into OzTam, and you could get weekly radio ratings, even daily based on DLF's
(digital listening figures). Say Hamish and Andy did some stunt on a Monday which sends listeners in, or Camilla said something to Stav which drops their audience on a Friday, A instantanious ratings system could solve the problems of the diary system, by increasing surveys from 7 survey periods a year to 40 survey weeks a year.
Television in the capitals has never looked back after the diary system was replaced around twenty years ago.
Radio stations would no longer wait till the end of the year to make decisions on talent, with talent being grilled every week. Had this been in place, Jamie Dunn would not have lasted this long at 4BC.
These units would also be designed for a future return to metro TV ratings for Nielson, with the mini-meters, being plugged in as a add-on for most TV's and STB's.
Analogue would keep using the diary system, of 7 surveys a year until sufficient takeup of DAB occurs in Australia (I am talking about when 2/3rds of all radio listeners use DAB) where analogue can be safely switched off, area by area.
People listening to 96.5? Brett, I didn't know you were doing comedy these days!