To this end, Audible.com has been around for some time. It boasts 34,000 hours of audio programs and 135 content partners.
In addition, there is a trend for individual, traditional radio shows to offer mp3 downloads of for a nominal fee to listeners who would rather listen at their own convenience.
We need to start thinking out-of-the-box about “radio” and what it has become and what it will evolve into. The old definition of “wireless transmission” in the form of “electromagnetic radiation” is no longer sufficient for the globally connected and satellite-empowered listener.
This is no doubt one of the reasons Clear Channel Communications, the United States’ largest radio owner with about 1200 stations, has committed to making their stations more listenable. The company recently unveiled the “Less is More” initiative and according to the company:
"Clear Channel Radio is placing a new and significantly lower ceiling on the amount of commercial minutes that are played per hour across its radio group, as well as limits on the length of commercials in a spot break. In addition to reducing commercial capacity, Clear Channel Radio will also reduce and limit the amount of promotional interruption on all of its radio stations."
The new policy takes effect January 1, 2005.
