Harker Bos Group Blog

HBG Media Minute: Do Radio Listeners Watch the News? (And how?)

In a recent nationwide study, we at Harker Bos Group asked over 900 radio listeners whether they watch the news and how they watch the news. The results demonstrate that a diverse array of news delivery technologies are used to consume video news, as well as emergent trends such as the increasing primacy of streaming […]

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Maximizing Your Radio Station’s Reach: A Guide to Alexa Integration

Are you a radio station owner or manager looking to expand your reach and connect with a broader audience through smart speakers like Alexa? Look no further! In our radio research studies, we find that typically over half of smart speaker owners are actively listening to local radio via their devices. To tap into this […]

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HBG Media Minute: Fear Not (Yet), The Encroachment Of AI On The Radio Space

Look at any recent article or feature on the trajectory of AI and you will likely encounter a dire prediction for not only media, but for mankind. This wanton hyperbole capitalizes on our deepest insecurities and concerns over a technology that appears hellbent on taking over the entire radio industry. Be that through AI curated […]

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The Drip Drip Drip of Audience Churn

You may think that steady Nielsen numbers are a sign that the same listeners are tuning to you month after month, but that may not be true. We find that a radio station continually churns listeners, gaining new listeners at the same time it loses other listeners who have stopped listening. Even if your cume […]

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Two-Prong Radio Research: Strategic Studies and Music Tests

In the ever-changing world of radio, staying ahead of the game requires stations to understand their audience and market dynamics. That’s where strategic studies and music tests come into play, working together to help stations optimize their programming and make informed decisions.   Strategic Studies Strategic studies are like a roadmap for radio stations. They […]

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HBG Media Minute: Shifting Trends in Car Radio Usage

Prefer to watch this article instead of reading? Watch on YouTube.  In March 2023, Harker Bos Group conducted a comprehensive survey of over 800 radio listeners as part of our Media Minute series. We spoke with radio listeners to better understand their preferences when it comes to listening to the radio in their cars. The […]

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When did “radio” become a dirty word?

Audacy recently released a great study on the personal connection listeners have between their lives and radio. We felt the report was well written, insightful, and a significant contribution to the industry. We encourage everyone in the industry to read and share it. One aspect of the study, however, made us uneasy. The word “radio” […]

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HBG Media Minute: Video Podcasts? Audiences Are Turning To Video To Consume Podcast Content

We at Harker Bos Group recently conducted a nationwide study to determine how radio listeners are consuming podcast content. More specifically, we wanted to know if the recent hubbub about video podcasts being ‘the new thing’ actually played out in our data. In a survey of 700+ radio listeners we found that a good chunk […]

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Time to Make Local Radio Local Again

Radio group consolidation into the mega-groups we have now might be good for radio in some respects but it has done immense harm to local radio’s greatest strength. Good radio is local. It reflects the town it serves in both style and content. Local radio is an active integral part of the community woven into […]

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HBG Media Minute: Digital Streaming of Terrestrial Radio – Enhance Your Market Share

When it comes to the digital streaming of radio stations, accurate measurement can prove to be difficult.  Radio stations are largely left in the dark when it comes to true digital streaming listenership. This is why we at Harker Bos Group launched a nationwide study asking dedicated radio listeners about their radio streaming habits.  More […]

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