Radio - the gecko's cheating on you

US: Radio: the gecko’s cheating on you - I discover that one of radio’s biggest advertisers is now also interested in buying podcast ads. Is this a change to be concerned about?

How much is mobile data worldwide? Kind of important for streaming radio and podcasting. I looked at the numbers. Some really surprising differences between (for example) the relatively similar countries of Canada and Australia.

Australia: Big audience boost for commercial digital radio - some good news for Aussie radio listeners within the transmission area.

UK: Any Lessons for Radio from the High Street? David Lloyd writes about consistency and specialism.

UK: Job: Controller, BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra

UK: What’s Happening to BBC News & Current Affairs? - Iain Dale has views. (It’s interesting, too, watching domestic BBC News on occasion from Australia and thinking how slow it all is.)

UK: Swindon couple go behind-the-scenes live on Radio 2 Breakfast Show - the Swindon Advertiser, no less; a little local newspaper reminds us that people are really excited to go and see radio being made.

India: There’s too much regulation for commercial radio companies, says the boss of Red FM

US: Denver Radio: Alice Cares for Kids Radiothon Raises $1.3M+ - it’s a cheap shot, but I don’t remember the last time Spotify or Pandora raised that kind of money for disadvantaged kids in any community.

UK: Interesting to read about Metro, the free daily newspaper in the UK. Some interesting ideas.

Amazon Fire TV Adds iHeartRadio Family, a special app for kids. iHeartMedia are doing a good job of ensuring their software is on as many different devices as they can possibly get it. Makes perfect sense.

Poland: Media consolidation: Agora (who owns stations there) have just bought another radio operator, called Eurozet. They are now capable of significant competition against… Bauer.

Here’s why we’re entering the Golden Age of Podcasts - great piece, well worth a read. Lots of stats too.

Does Shortwave Have a Future? - to give DRM their credit, they’re really very good at spruiking their technology. But no, I’m afraid I don’t see it.

Canada: Radio guy misses the industry’s good ol’ days - this isn’t a headline from The Onion, but could easily be. Yes, the industry’s changed. We spend far too much time looking back, and not enough time looking forward.

UK: Astonishing. Ofcom is now desperately scrabbling around to issue brand new TV licences after a no-deal Brexit. What a mess.

Germany: What’s hybrid radio? Let this VW ad (in German, but obvious enough) help you. It’s a very good demonstration of the benefits of the technology.

US: Ad Age Ad Lib - the latest episode is with a listen with iHeartMedia’s Bob Pittman. (What a radio voice the guy has!)