Internet Radio and the Price Increase Required for Advertising

The current Pandora station streaming music to my ears encompasses a total of 9 different artists influencing the songs that I hear. The current FM radio station set in my car encompasses a total of 9 different songs that I hear, over and over and over. Rain News estimates an increase of 42.7% of internet radio listeners over a three year period from 30 billion in 2014 to 43 billion in 2017. It is no surprise that listeners are shifting towards a more personalized experience on internet radio as opposed to the traditional radio alternative.

With this shift from traditional to internet, advertisers must shift their advertising platforms as well. It’s no surprise that research (by Rain News and XAPPmedia) has shown that spending on internet radio advertisements is expected to increase. According to the research, 77% of US music industry professionals expect ad-loads on internet radio to increase over the next two years.

The increase of ad-time is expected to rise nearly 15% over the next two years from an average of 2 minutes 41 seconds to 3 minutes per hour. However, with 3 minutes standing at the maximum amount of time for advertisements for the best user experience, the amount of advertisements cannot grow exponentially. Because of this, the cost will rise.

This is your standard supply and demand situation. With the demand (amount of ad minutes) from internet radio providers being limited to 3 minutes of advertisements, all the pressure is on the supply (advertisers wanting to advertise) side. This gives all the power to the internet radio providers allowing them to adjust the price of spots more freely.

According to the Rain News and XAPPmedia research, eight out of ten (79%) music industry professionals believe that internet radio ad rates will increase over the next three years.

Internet radio does have its perks that might make the price jump worth it. Internet radio can target a more specific audience that you’re trying to reach, as well as give more specific details of ad performance.

Advertisers can expect and prepare for this shift from traditional radio to internet radio as well as the pretty penny that it will cost.