HARKER BOS GROUP
Friday Harker Roundup
Friday, October 13, 2017
Alexa Is Listening—So Should Radio, With Many Opportunities
October 9, 2017
Smart speakers—from Alexa, to Google Home, to a slew of models coming on the market—are giving AM/FM another chance to return and rule in-home listening. Signs for success and growth are everywhere; the industry need only take the bait to be reenergized. The numbers indicating the popularity of the devices speak for themselves and keep climbing. Edison Research reported early this year that after less than two years, the speakers are now in 7% of American homes. Penetration is expected to hit a staggering 75% within the next three years, according to tech research company Gartner, representing a faster growth curve than smartphones. It’s no surprise that the devices were among the highest profile items talked about last month at Austin’s Radio Show.
Analyst Sees Problems With Discovery-Scripps Combination
October 9, 2017
Analyst Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson Research says that even though Discovery Communications stock has fallen since July when it announced it was acquiring Scripps Networks Interactive, he still recommends selling Discovery stock. Back when the deal was announced, Nathanson noted that combining two cable network companies doesn’t address the issues facing the industry. Now, in a research note Monday, he said: “While the combination will no doubt generate massive cost savings, we are not sure that getting bigger is actually better.”
Nielsen: Radio Must Follow Shifts In Buying Behavior
October 10, 2017
As shifting consumer behavior reshapes the retail industry, e-commerce is flourishing and brick and mortar sellers are launching new services and promotions for on-demand shoppers. Radio broadcasters are keeping a close eye on these shifts, as consumer packaged goods are moved through retailers who are big spenders on radio advertising. According to a new report from Nielsen, retailer revenue was down nearly $3 billion in Q1 2017, compared to the same period a year before. The research firm asserts that changes in buying habits are “ultimately to blame for much of what we’re seeing across the retail space.”
Influencers A Rising Trend
October 11, 2017
Influencers A Rising Trend by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, October 11, 2017
According to research firm L2, presented by Cara Salpini, influencers are widespread throughout many retail sectors, and 70% of brands across industries are working with influencers through Instagram partnerships. Within the retail industry, the popularity of influencers varies by sector.
News/Talk Audience Share Spikes With Hurricane Coverage
October 12, 2017
With the devastating impact of back-to-back hurricanes, it should come as no surprise that news/talk radio stations registered dramatic listening spikes in late August and early September. According to Nielsen, the share of audience for both commercial and non-commercial news/talk stations during the September PPM survey was the format’s highest since 2012. “As weather dominated the busy news cycle, the impact of these events from a radio perspective is quite evident,” Nielsen says in a new analysis of September survey data.
Consumers Showing Affinity For Smart Home Products
October 13, 2017
Though still relatively minor in terms of overall penetration, home automation is catching on with consumers. According to research from The NPD Group, 15% of American households with internet own a home automation device, up from 10% in April 2016. Dollar sales meanwhile, are up 43%, led by growth in security and monitoring devices, and strong gains in video doorbells (up 123%) and smart lighting (up 83%).
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