Among the many articles that pass through the Radio + Television Business Report e-mail accounts, and don’t get deleted in 20 seconds or less, is one from digital media news organization eMarketer that instantly struck a chord with the editor-in-chief, yours truly.
In February, Payless ShoeSource announced that it was closing some 2,500 stores across the U.S. and Canada as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan. This marked the latest ubiquitous-mall retailer to bite the dust, following a host of other retail brands that could fill the Ghostly Galleria.
It’s sad. But, it is also a cautionary tale for broadcast radio and TV companies. How so? Digital delivery made brick-and-mortar stores mortally wounded. Could digital media eventually do the same for unprepared AM, FM, UHF and VHF players?
