I’ve written a small piece here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dzsfsr8_16dcs2znds

As I type I notice that it’s just like radio, in that it’s one way traffic – no space for comment! so if anyone’s got anything to add you can get me at twitter.com/liamjnugent until I take the leap of faith and go blogular.

How I listen to radio has changed significantly over the past few years. Whereas, once I would listen to the radio on a Walkman, since I got an iPod I now only listen to podcasts. The medium through which I consume radio content has changed. It’s now primarily online through the iPlayer, radio websites and through podcasts. We’re living in an age that requires content be made available asynchronously. Consequently, radio stations should utilize the web to make their content available to wider audiences at a time of their choosing. Monetizing this will be difficult though, especially for local radio. At the moment, my local radio station at home has part of a show online (http://www.tippfm.com/site/entertainment/) and that’s all. It’s just not good enough.

From my perspective, the searchability of radio content is also an issue – especially for talk radio. When I search in Google for information on a particular topic it does not respond with radio/audio content. Also, while the BBC news pages link to external content, depending on the topic of the page, it does not link to radio content in the same way e.g. the corresponding discussion on that mornings Today programme. It would be useful if radio content – assuming it was available online – was contextualized more into the fabric of the web. For example, if I’m reading an article on the latest budget discussions in Ireland I’d like a radio piece to be linked to from the article e.g. the latest discussion on that day’s Morning Ireland (a popular radio show on Irish radio).

We need to get to a situation where radio content is immersed in the web, and used to add value to static content.

The big advantage of radio is how cheap and easy it is to recieve. The technology to pick up a radio broadcast has been around for a long time and it is very easy to incorporate into numerous devices. There is no contract needed, no expensive technology and no convoluted set-up or install process. I see it as one of radios main advantages.
Its biggest problem is that it is mainly a one way street (as highlighted in the post). Good idea in using Twitter et.al to create a more reciprocal relationship with the audience.

I too love radio. While the fact that the producers/creators control the content (and you trust them to provide good content) may seem like a weakness in the new mediascape, it actually a strength. As pointed out, expert content is still highly valued as, at the moment, there is too much rubbish, hyperbole and propaganda polluting user generated content. What interactive and user orientated elements can do is broaden the scope of radio. Stories can be followed up on: the station can provide articles, feeds and tweets on the issues highlighted, which are limited by time when on air. The radio can set it up and the web can continue it. User content and followups then has a firm(er?) base to build upon. While TV is hindered by a constant drive towards crass visual exploitation, radio still has an air of authority (in may respects) and retains the trust of its listeners. Radio is far from dead, in fact it goes hand in hand with the new and emerging technologies and methodologies.

Main point: Let the Radio set a topic/issue up, provide a firm base, and let the web continue it and grow it.