Cable replaced Television. Video killed the radio star. DVD replaced VHS. Satellite radio is battling with conventional radio. Now podcasts and internet radio transmissions are contending with satellite radio. What is next in this ever changing world of technological advancements? Well, for one, the adage remains true that change is constant. Therefore it is inevitable that the technology we grew up with, that we see today will one day be rendered obsolete (maybe very soon) by some new form of technology. What we do with this change and what companies do will define us through the changing times.
First of all I would like to discuss the impact that social media has had on satellite radio. Satellite radio is a pay-for-service establishment which was established to give consumers a way of listening to music commercial-free. The music is either available through the automobile or from a device that could be moved around.
There is a constant tug-of-war going on between social media and traditional media with the fan base. Podcasts and internet radio are making it harder for satellite radio to keep afloat because more listeners are moving toward free services. But on the other hand there are still some social media that are being adopted by satellite radio to try to help with their losses due to the fall of the economy. Sirus XM is using applications such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube to try to attract subscribers.
Podcasts and internet radio
With regards to satellite radio, fans are turning to social media to get their fix of music which leaves satellite radio in the shadows as with the case of podcasts and internet radio. People are tending to shift their interests from satellite companies like, Sirius XM, because the cost of satellite radio is too expensive versus the free podcasts or internet radio, such as Pandora (internet radio), whose slogan is "We created Pandora to put the Music Genome Project directly in your hands." In other words not only is it free, but it gives listeners a chance to create their own listening style as well. Listeners also have been shifting to the internet because they are given more freedom to create a selection of music that suits them using the applications online.
The article A Radio Station Just For You published in the New York Times promotes the idea of the Web being "the most vibrant frontier in radio".
iPhone/ iPod Touch, CBC Radio 3 and satellite radio
With the decline in auto sales due to the economy Sirius XM has lost potential subscribers. One of the ways the company has responded is by introducing iPhone/ iPod Touch applications which allows users to be able to access the satellite radio from wherever they are. This feature enables users to interact more while listening to their favorite programs from the satellite radio.
The news article published on Reuters website Sirius hooks up iPhone to premium satellite radio explains clearly how Sirius XM is trying to boost its subscriber base.
Other features included which allow subscribers a greater capacity for interaction are the abilities to
- Purchase a song heard on SIRIUS while it is being played or "Tag" favorite songs for later purchase from the iTunes Store.
-See the current channel plus what is playing on all other available channels via the "Lookaround" function.
- Quickly surf through SIRIUS programming on the fly with the flick of a finger using the innovative Multi-Touch user interface of iPhone and iPod touch.
The new application also allows users to get music from CBC Radio 3, a radio station available on Sirius XM Satellite and streaming audio and also on the CBC Radio 3 website through podcasts. The station is also known for allowing band members and their audience to interact with each other using social media.
Here is an example of the implementation of social media apps to satellite radio, which aims at attracting potential subscribers.
Twitter/ Facebook/ MySpace/ YouTube
Sirius XM aims at boosting listener subscription through the use of social applications such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.
Personalities featured on Sirius XM, like Martha Stewart for instance can now use this medium to reach out to the audience and keep them attracted and tuned into the programs available on the radio, give them updates.
Sirius XM uses Facebook to reach out to their audience to give updates and allow interaction between subscribers and Sirius XM staff.
What the future holds
As noted earlier, it is inevitable that there will be change. With this companies are forced to adapt or consider calling it quits. One company Pure Digital clearly shows how adapting to change can help keep traditional radio alive. Maybe someday it could be true too of satellite radio.
Pure Digital created the Sensia radio which is "a world-first digital radio that lets users access social networking sites Facebook and Twitter."
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