TAKEAWAYS FROM TEN RANDOM CHARTS, GRAPHS & IMAGES

One of my most popular recent posts was TOP 10 MEDIA USAGE CHARTS & GRAPHS, published on August 9, 2016 [link]. Sometimes a good graphic illustration is the best way to convey complex information in a digestible package.  As part of my obsessive nature, I save charts and graphs that seem interesting at the time I saw them. Today we’ve got ten more for your education and perhaps a laugh or two.

#10 NEW PODCAST RANKINGS FROM PODTRAC

Podtrac [link] continues to get traction with its podcast analytics. 

In July they first published podcast rankings by publisher. 

Last week Podtrac debuted a new chart  that ranks podcasts by name.

One question I have about the new chart is: Where are the analytics?

As we pointed out earlier in August [link] Podtrac’s publisher rankings are particularly useful because they include UNIQUE MONTHLY AUDIENCE metrics, a cumulative audience statistic that is similar to a Nielsen Weekly Cume. This provides a way to compare the reach of podcasts with other media platforms.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: Public radio listeners love podcasts. Fourteen of the 19 entries on the new Podtrac chart originate from noncommercial public media organizations. Smart people like smart entertainment.

#9 MUSIC INDUSTRY REVENUE IS FLAT EXCEPT FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES

The Los Angeles Times included data (originally published by the Wall Street Journal) from Nielsen 360 music research that shows estimated revenue from various sources [link]. Overall music industry revenue is way down from 10 years ago but revenue from live performances continues to rise.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: There is nothing that replaces a live performance. As folks look for authentic experiences, don’t ever underestimate the power of the human heart, mind and muse.

#8 THE COST OF TICKETS FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES CONTINUES TO RISE

According to the same source as #9, the average cost per ticket for a live concert has increased over 16% over the last decade. The average cost of a ticket in 2016 is $74.24.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: Concert ticket prices are now beyond the budget of many people. If the trends from the past ten years continue they will reach the point where fewer and fewer people will be able to attend concerts despite the love from live performances.  The cost of tickets will likely boost live concert streaming.

#7 NIELSEN’S "COMPARIBLE METRICS" & THE MEDIA UNIVERSE

Nielsen measures usage of various platforms and correlates the data to show the relative size of each service. Rather than provide the information in an ordinal listing, Nielsen came up with this space age chart that is guaranteed to confuse almost any viewer. Smartphone Audio? Find it somewhere south of Neptune on the chart.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: Despite the proliferation of new digital media sources, old-media TV and radio continue to have the largest reach.

#6 PUBLIC MEDIA NEWS SALARIES

This chart comes from the Public Radio News Directors (PRNDI).  Is shows annual compensation averages for various newsroom jobs at public radio stations in 2015. From what I can see, the bigger the title, the bigger the salary. I am surprised to see how little reporters and correspondents are paid because their work is so valuable.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: Be glad you work in public media because most commercial media has given up on traditional news reporting. Support your local station!

#5 MANY PEOPLE THINK RADIO CONTESTS ARE RIGGED

NuVooDoo Research [link] often identifies factoids that seem obvious but are still surprising. We all know that “trust in media” has fallen in general but who knew almost half of the listeners to stations in PPM markets feel radio contests are rigged. Distrust by people between the ages of 18 and 34 is even higher.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: The days of big radio contests are gone because ownership consolidation means less direct competition.  I worked almost twenty years in commercial radio and from what I observed rigged contests happened daily.

#4 MANY PEOPLE THINK CONTESTS ARE RIGGED BECAUSE STATIONS DON’T ANSWER PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS

From the same study as #7.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: Poor customer service leads to distrust and skepticism, zapping the “good will” of the brand.

 #3 PANDORA & YOUTUBE LEAD STREAMING TIME-SPENT LISTENING

#2 WHO LIKES VINYL? YOUNGER PEOPLE

This chart comes from MusicWatch [link], a company that tracks recorded music consumption trends.  According to their research, about 5% of the 12+ general population is interested on vinyl records.

Younger folks (ages 18 to 34) have greater interest in acquiring new and used vinyl discs than boomers who grew up with vinyl.

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: Many people say that music on a vinyl disc sounds better than digital. Vinyl records seem more authentic because you can hold them in your hands. Vinyl is an old technology that is becoming “new” again.

#1 AUDIO DEVICES HAVE BECOME MORE CONVENIENT

Advertising image from the early 1970s

KEN’s TAKEAWAY: “New” is a relative term.  Things that are “new” are only “new” for a while. In some ways 40 years isn’t that long ago.  But life depicted in this ad looks and feels ancient, like a vestige from the stone age. Today’s hot new thing will be old someday, probably sooner than later.  Keep your focus on what lasts, what is eternal.