iPod ownership exploding; podcasting becoming viable medium
The results of a new web poll survey, conducted by Rock radio consultants Jacobs Media, consisting of over 25,000 respondents from over 75 Rock-formatted stations from all over the U.S., show that of all the new media tested - satellite radio, Internet streaming, text messaging, video games - the sharpest growth belongs to iPods and similar MP3 players.
"There's been a lot written and said about how new technology impacts 'old media,'" Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs comments. "Our findings indicate that the iPod (and similar portable devices) has become a pop culture phenomenon, rapidly becoming a dynamic force in the way that music (and other content) is being purchased and consumed."
From the 2005 to 2006 studies, iPod/MP3 ownership has risen sharply, from 21%-35% - which translates to 67% growth year-to-year. No other media activity has shown anywhere near that type of dramatic increase in our study.
Portable MP3 players are impacting Rockers of all types, but now more than half of Alternative fans are carrying these devices around. And nearly half (44%) of 18-34 year-olds in our study fall into this camp.
This phenomenon is not over by a long shot, as all signs point to continued growth, as we predicted in last year's inaugural Tech Poll. Jacobs asked those who haven't made the purchase yet if they intend to do so in 2006. Nearly half (48%) of those who haven't bought an iPod/MP3 player say they are very or somewhat likely to take the plunge. Overall, one in ten (12%) indicates strong likelihood to make this purchase.
There's been considerable debate about how iPod/MP3 ownership impacts radio listening. While their research does not take into account the potential of fatigue over time, there are strong indicators that at least initially, iPods sharply cut into time spent listening to radio. About one-fifth of iPod/MP3 player owners say they listen mostly or exclusively to these devices. Four in ten now split their listening between iPods and radio, while over one-third primarily listen to the radio.
Finally, podcasting is having an impact. One-fifth (22%) of those who own an iPod or portable MP3 player say they've downloaded/listened to a podcast. Of this group, nearly two-thirds (64%) subscribe to at least one podcast, and a majority listens to most or all podcasts that come their way.
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