CBS Local Digital Media: Continuing the evolution

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ezra kucharzFour years ago, we launched our new digital media business, rethinking the way CBS’s radio and television stations operate online and in the mobile space.  Since then, we have evolved into the largest digital business in local broadcast media.  There are few companies that have the radio, television, digital, out-of-home, and events platforms we do, and as a result we’re able to better leverage our local market properties with national scale.


As leaders in integrating digital and traditional media into experiences that resonate with consumers, we take our next step forward in that regard with the debut of the new Radio.com website and streaming player.  More than just live audio and video simulcasts of our stations, Radio.com presents original programming, live webcasts, exclusive editorial features and storytelling, and interviews with some of the biggest artists and personalities in the world.  Indeed, we have taken a different strategy than others in the industry by recognizing that this “other” content has tremendous value to our audiences.  The popularity of our programs has demonstrated our thinking is correct.

With this latest upgrade we’ve made Radio.com even better and transformed the platform into an unparalleled destination — an interactive music network.

Highlights of the new Radio.com player include:

Fresh look and feel, with improved interactivity

Ability to be embedded on other sites

Improved ad insertion capabilities

Better-quality playback and streaming

Program schedules available in real-time

Expanded social media opportunities

Play history

Artist and track information integration

Simple song purchase

Enhanced station guide and navigation experience

Along with a design refresh, Radio.com the website also has improved discovery across audio, live and on-demand video and editorial content; the ability to see what’s trending and popular with listeners via access to real-time charts; and an enhanced directory making it easier than ever before to interact with your favorite station.  We’ve also created an embeddable player so publishers can choose to integrate any of our stations into their website.  We look at this as an evolution, not a revolution, because we are constantly enhancing the product, and will have new features added on a frequent basis.  Updated mobile apps will be available in the coming months.

Our company sets itself apart because we embrace digital.  With U.S. consumers now owning an average of four digital devices and spending 60 hours per week consuming content across these various platforms, according to Nielsen, we are at an advantage to reach the consumer whenever and however they access content.  Having forged decades-long relationships with such consumers, our long-term business has been and continues to be built on credibility, trust, innovation, and providing superior content.

Additionally, while marketers continue to support and spend on broadcast media, given its unmatched ability to reach a mass audience in a rapid manner, they are adding or leading with digital to take advantage of targeting capabilities and interactivity.  Our competitors are no longer simply other broadcast media organizations; they now include every business trying to obtain and hold onto a consumer’s attention.

Our ability to deliver messaging via broadcast’s one-to-many platform, with the one-to-one messaging that digital can bring, creates a unique experience only a handful of companies can deliver.  Our leadership’s support and guidance from Leslie, Joe, Peter, Dan, and Anton have enabled us to implement this differentiated strategy, which has grown our revenue and profits.

The team and I want to thank you all for your continued support.  Our business will only grow and scale with your active participation.  Over the next few weeks you will see the new player continue to be optimized and tuned.  Please take a listen and enjoy.