Is iHeart Radio Falling Off The Map?
UPDATE: The simple answer to this question is NO. I am glad to report that not only is iHeartRadio holding its own, but it appears to be in third place among the big 5 IP delivered audio entertainment players. The initial post below did seem to indicate that iHeart was falling off of the map. A simple error caused the confusion, and for that I apologize. iHeartRadio switched from “iHeartRadio.com” to simply “iHeart.com”. The older address simply forwards to the newer one. I will leave the initial article in tact in standard text and all corrections in italicized text. As a result of the initial error I was pointed in the right direction from Clear Channel.
iHeartRadio made a bold entry onto the scene back in 2011 with a pretty good concept. It is a collection of hundreds of terrestrial radio station broadcasts all available in one place that allows listeners to receive virtually any type of content they want any time via a smartphone or streamed through a dashboard app in newer cars. The Clear Channel run concept even signed on competing terrestrial stations and the company sponsored huge concerts to launch the service. (chart below reflects the old url, iHeartRadio now uses the web address iheart.com instead of iheartradio.com)
Over the past several months it seems that the buzz surrounding iHeart Radio has faded away. There is indeed less buzz, but the company is progressing well as indicated by its web traffic. The company is no longer doing a marketing blitz, advertisements for the service do not seem to be happening as much, and simply stated, the service seems to be set adrift these days. In looking at popular website traffic counter Alexa, it would seem that while competitors like SiriusXM, Pandora, Slacker and Spotify have traction, iHeart is falling off of the map. iHearts updated and accurate stats in the chart below.
The peak for iHeartRadio seems to have been the big Las Vegas concert event held in the Fall of 2011. Since that day iHeart has barely made a blip on the proverbial radar of the audio entertainment landscape. What seems clear is that in order to remain relevant in this sector a company needs to keep the PR machine and exposure rate very high. Some companies like SiriusXM do this through being in cars. Others, like Slacker, Pandora, and Spotify are heavily promoted on smartphone platforms.
It could be said that consumers simply have no desire to listen to regular radio with advertisements and all over a smartphone. While that may have some truth, iHeart is more than simply your local stations. You can actually gain exposure to tons of stations with the service. Perhaps the advent of the customization features offered by other services is a bigger and better draw. One thing is certain. If iHeart wants to remain viable it will need to make itself relevant again and keep the PR machine in top gear.
My apologies to readers for any confusion and to iHeart and Clear Channel as well.
ihateradio is pre-package version of am-fm.you can put lipstick on a pig………
Spencer…
I see in one of your recent articles, on SA, that you’ve resorted back to your old ways, By that I mean calling people juvenile names, when they simply have a differing point of view.
Question… When are you going to grow up and start acting like an adult?
Lorna…..
The issue is deeper than that. I carry on adult-like detailed conversation with many that disagree with me. It happens quite frequently.
Solar is acting like a sophomoric child. I started with a direct yet respectful response. Solar then went on putting words in my mouth and acting out. After a bit of back and forth I called him out in a manner and intellectual level that perhaps he understands better. I doubt he will understand, but such is life.
You ALWAYS have an excuse for your childish name calling. This time it just happens to be “Solar”.
Maybe, you should look in the mirror and come to the realization it is YOUR lack of ability to control your emotions and remain professional. It’s in your best interest, whether you know it or not.
Lorna….
Your comment would have been approved earlier, but for some reason you did this response with a different email address and IP address.
You asked me a question and I provided you with an answer….not an “excuse”. You made very general statements which I responded to. I guess that you did not like the answer.
Ironically you came here to make your comment and your comment had nothing at all to do with the article. I still publish your comment even though it is critical of me. Clearly we will need to agree to disagree.
For the record, I would prefer off topic questions and opinions be taken up in the forum or via private means. I ask very little of posters on this website but, would appreciate if people could follow the guidelines in the comment section.
Charles ….
With all due respect to you and your website, I do defer. I respect what YOU’VE accomplished very much and value the effort put forth. However…..
In my opinion, Spencer Osborne is a good work dog with statistics, yet lacks basic social skills. It’s difficult for an investor (or should be) to value the opinion of anyone who lacks basic emotional control.
Lorna…..
You have expressed your opinion here a couple of times now. You asked a question of me and I provided you an answer. It appears that you do not agree with that answer and that is fine.
I had pointed out that it was ironic that your comment was made here in light of the fact that your complaint is about something at another website. Charles requested that you keep article comments here related to the article.
Clearly you do not like me in one way or another. That is quite fine. Your opinion has been noted. I hope you enjoy the rest of the day. Cheers
Isn’t SiriusXM Internet radio supposed to have More bandwidth than Satellite side? When I listen to SiriusXM Internet Radio & then listen to iHeartradio I find SiriusXM Internet feed lacking in crispness & clarity that IHeartRadio provides just like comparing SiriusXM Satellite to FM?
Last Question, do you Know if ClearChannel is gonna combine iHeartradio & HDRadio together to make iHeartradio available terrestrially using HDRADIO devices including using HD2 &HD3 channels?