Computer Listening Rising, Radio Listening Dropping

A recent study by the NPD Group asserts that while radio is still the most popular means for delivering audio to consumers, its use in The United States dropped 4% in 2004, while listening to music on computers rose 22% in the same year. For what it's worth, I've noticed similar trends right here at WFMU - based on our fundraising marathon, the number of FM listeners has been declining steadily and the number of online listeners has been increasing. Fortunately for us, the number of new online listeners is more than compensating for the loss in FM listeners. Article from Billboard.

Comments

[kg]

I'm beginning to feel like a bit of a dinosaur for preferring radio to the Internet. Granted, when I lived in Florida I was thrilled to be able to hear WFMU online, and I'm grateful for all the archives and the random playlist generator and all the other stuff that Internet broadcasting has made possible. Maybe it's a nostalgic predisposition, or maybe I'm just imagining I sense something more warm and intimate over the air. Maybe it's something a little bit like the warm vinyl vs. cold CD argument. But when it's available, I prefer radio.

[JerryBaloney]

I find myself listening almost exclusively to online broadcasts these days, except for when I am in the car. I figure it's only a few more years before even my car stereo will be wired to the web, and I'll be able to stream or time shift everything I love to listen to.

[Bas van Dam]

I think it is just one has to unlink 'radio' and 'radio broadcast'. No longer the need to pick your peg from the square you're in, but beeing able to pick any peg you like is a liberty that needs some adjustment.
I got fed up totally by national radio in my square of the world (Netherlands). Signed up with Live365 and ended up picking my peg across the ocean! (Mixed feelings here on getting WFMU off Live365...)