Why radio is thriving in lockdown plus, podcasting’s winners and losers during coronavirus
Jun 2020 Radio News
It’s what people turn to’: Lauren Laverne, Iain Dale and others on why radio is thriving in lockdown
There was a moment, in early lockdown, when everything “live” seemed to stop. No gigs, no plays, no clubs, no classes, no festivals. Nothing happening right now, no moments that brought you closer to strangers, nothing spontaneous and fun and immediate.
Nothing, except radio. Radio gives us, as it always has, a constantly live event, familiar but ever changing. Whether you’re a news junkie, a music fiend, or you just like silly chat, there are stations for you. There are phone-ins if you want to vent, pop quizzes for distraction, sing-alongs, help with schoolwork. Plus, if you find a show you like, a DJ can become a replacement friend – a warm presence chuntering in the kitchen corner, cracking quips over your headphones, blasting tunes out of speakers you’ve put on the window ledge.
Podcasting’s winners and losers during coronavirus
Podcast listening has shifted as people no longer commute to get their audio fix.
Podcast listening has grown by 14% on mobile and 5% on smart speakers during April compared with February, according to media company Global’s audio platform Dax. Listens are up 5% over the last four weeks on podcast platform Acast compared with the four weeks beginning March 23. Podcast networks like Entercom and Vox Media have also showed increased listening in April.
Under the hood the picture is more varied as the pandemic bifurcates the podcast market. Here are some of the winners and losers.
Alexander Armstrong to host Classic FM mornings
After almost 10 years hosting Classic FM’s morning show, John Suchet is moving to present a new weekday evening concert programme.
Alexander Armstrong will replace John on the weekday morning programme and becomes the fourth presenter of the show in the station’s 28-year history.
The highlights from Tuning In 2020
Tuning In 2020, which was set to be held at Leicester Square’s IMAX theatre, took a slightly unfamiliar turn this year. Yet, we were delighted to hear that Radiocentre had decided to hold its annual conference, this time in a virtual setting.
Despite the change in venue, the live stream most certainly lived up to expectations. This time last week, over 1,000 people tuned in from the comfort of their own homes. And like many others, we’d hoped for clarity on the commercial radio industry’s trajectory, and advertising in a more general sense – which is precisely what we got. Here are the highlights:
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