Clear Channel recently started streaming the 24/7 comedy service, continuing to expand iHeartRadio channels.
It just may be coincidental, but Pandora rolled out it’s comedy channel last Spring, hoping to expand its personalized service beyond music.
Two years ago in a post titled Thanks Pandora, We’ll Take it From Here we pointed out that the barriers to entry onto Pandora’s turf were small:
Pandora may have a tremendous lead over its competition, but it remains to be seen whether the service can sustain its lead. As countless Internet companies have discovered, there is no "first-mover" advantage when it comes to new-media.
Nothing that Pandora does is proprietary. Every aspect of Pandora can be replicated, and ultimately improved upon.
Pandora’s lead may seem unassailable, but think about Netscape, MySpace, or AOL. Weren’t they just as dominant?
On the Internet, being first doesn’t prevent someone else from ultimately eating your lunch.
After Pandora’s lovely honeymoon with Wall Street, the investment community is beginning to recognize Pandora’s vulnerability. As we noted recently, Pandora’s stock price is well off its highs.
Writing of iHeartRadio’s growing popularity, Motley Fool recently declared: This is Pandora’s Biggest Nightmare.
Sometimes even fools get it right.
Richard Harker is far from an objective analyst. His career depends on business from terrestrial radio. I am no advocate for Pandora, frankly I find it a little lacking in entertainment value. But Harker is a stooge for the radio industry.
Posted by: Wade Collins | March 31, 2012 at 02:36 PM