on 17/5/2024, 18:18:44, in reply to "Re: Rajar figures internet listening more than AM/FM"
Recent research found that 2 million households struggle to afford internet access with one in 14 households have no home internet access. 10.2 million lack basic digital skills, whilst many of them might have the money to own devices and broadband they are unsure how to use them.
For example I know someone who is on benefits and in social housing who is a long time supporter of Caroline, He listens to the main service on 648 most days. He would also listen to Flashback if it was available on AM, FM or DAB where he lives. He has no internet and does not wish to install it.
You're quoting two share figures from the last RAJAR survey and making a conclusion about the future from those.
The full data is here
https://www.rajar.co.uk/docs/2024_03/Q1%202024%20Chart%202%20Digital%20Listening.pdf
It shows that 51% of radio listeners do not use websites/apps or smart speakers to listen to live radio.
What's also interesting is the difference in AM/FM listening between BBC Radio and Commercial Radio.
AM/FM listening to BBC Radio 36.1%, Commercial Radio 19.3%.
https://www.rajar.co.uk/docs/2024_03/Q1%202024%20Chart%204%20BBC%20Comm%20Platform%20Share.pdf 
Previous Message
I understand your concern Another Anorak, however the world moves on and the components and working equipment also moves on.
I always keep things simple and with new infrastructure comes new solutions and new drawbacks. But if we don't move forward we get left behind. For instance if we didn't move forward to motorised vehicles we would be still using the horse. But it is not practical to have stables and waterholes just in case the cars fail.
Innovation and ingenuity will solve things in troubled times and people will communicate with what they have.
I'm afraid AM has to learn, like people and us offshore radio anoraks. We are now in the managing decline period of our existence. The challenge is to stay relevant and offer the world what we can. And reminisce every so often, but always be open to change and challenge. Previous Message
If I want to listen to Radio Caroline in my car I use the popular Radioplayer app which pairs to my car via Android Auto. My car does not have Medium wave and neither did my previous one.
The sound quality is excellent and it's very rare that I lose signal. All the so called 'big boys' are also on that app like those from Bauer and Global. If I want to hear smaller stations I tend to use the Radio Box app which also includes what you might call Unofficial stations as well as offshoots from bigger stations like Caroline Flashback and Coastal and stations from the Netherlands and the USA.
It's not surprising that online listening has now just passed traditional listening numbers as it's just more convenient for many people with everything available from a screen or just talking to a smart speaker. No confusion from technical terms like frequency or signal coverage.
The only concern I have is that if everything is distributed by the internet , there is no alternative if there is a major outage due to a fault or even hostilities. Over the air radio will always still just work in such cases although by the time it becomes an issue, few people would know how to use and tune one in even if they had one.
