Intelligence Briefs

Even as social media companies struggle to combat misleading information on their platforms, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that 53% of adult American respondents receive their news on social media sites “often,” or “sometimes.” And, of the 11 social media sites asked about as regular sources of news in the study, Facebook sits on top.

New research from groupM finds that more than half of its respondents believe it is important to be equipped with the latest technology. An even greater percentage of respondents think that either they or a family member should be the only ones with access to health and fitness tracker data -- an interesting privacy concern that media companies may wish to take note of, for slightly different reasons.

There will be nearly 2 billion active subscriptions to on-demand video services in 2025. That's the key finding of a new report by U.K.-based research and analytical services firm Juniper Research -- and good news for broadcast TV station owners.

Bell Media has adopted its third national radio brand, ditching local branding known for years in such markets as Vancouver for a name that's clearly designed to attract advertisers across the nation of Canada. It's something seen in Australia and Great Britain, to some extent, too. Our editor wonders when U.S. radio groups will follow suit in this commentary.

There may be more timeless music than ever, and not playing it could be costing your radio stations revenue, Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson notes in this Classic Media Information Bureau column worth a fresh read.

Subscription video on demand (SVOD) consumers between the ages 13 and 49 have become more culturally literate, primarily due to Netflix, YouTube creators and social media featuring increasingly diverse and global content. In fact, more than half of Gen Zers and parents have watched a show in a language they do not speak, with Hispanics over indexing on this trend.

The global TV market is on track to achieve 1.2% growth in 2020 and is set to end the year on more than 233 million shipments. The COVID-19 pandemic is to "thank," if you will, for the forward momentum, a new market report from Futuresource Consulting finds. Trade value has also fared relatively well.

Our editor-in-chief's wife over the last several months has made product purchases and tried out paid services simply for learning about them from celebrities and "influencers" she follows on her Instagram feed. "Welcome to the new paradigm of advertising for the 2020s," Adam R Jacobson writes in this column. Is this bad news for radio? Not at all, and here's why.

In the Hollywood trade publications, it's taking its lumps, as Disney engages in a reduction in force that includes not only television production but also the closure in early 2021 of its Radio Disney operation. On Wall Street, it's a bit of a different story, and none other than noted analyst Michael Nathanson is gushing over the Mouse House.

In this exclusive column, LeadsRx CEO and Co-Founder AJ Brown says the radio industry "was on the bleeding edge" and broadcasters were the first pervasive users of marketing attribution to measure campaign effectiveness. Thus, they have led in the creation of an industry around ad measurement and tracking customer journeys valued by marketers.

GroupM Global President of Business Intelligence Brian Wieser is one of a host of top-flight media and advertising industry experts and thought leaders on the agenda for Radio's Financial Summit, the virtual Forecast 2021 LIVE, scheduled for December 8-9. In a taste of what attendees will hear, Wieser has offered his U.S. end-of-year forecast for 2020. He's optimistic.

With the newly established routines of consumers, the colder winter months and increased movement restrictions will further solidify daytime TV as a true work companion, Nielsen believes. In its words, "Understanding these behaviors now is vital, as they can leave a lasting impact on a post lockdown world."

In this exclusive commentary, programmer/consultant-turned-licensee Clark Smidt notes that, as Radio celebrates its centennial, it came of age in a similarly problematic pandemic. While much has changed, there's one commonality that very much matters more than a century later.

America is undergoing a process of social transformation. As a nation, this is impacting corporate America, the advertising and marketing industry and is encouraging dialogue of equity and inclusion regarding ethnic sectors. A recent initiative launched last week has prompted the Culture Marketing Council (CMC), the voice of Hispanic marketing, to comment.

Why is TV advertising trending this much better and is it sustainable? That’s a question that noted Wall Street observer Michael Nathanson, Senior Analyst at MoffettNathanson, asks in a new investor note.