Why Smaller Market Radio Websites Can-and Should-Outshine the Big Guys

It’s natural to glance at major market radio station websites and think, “We could never compete with that.”  But here’s the reality: you absolutely can—and probably already do.  Because when you look past the glossy banners and national promotions, what you’ll find under the hood is often shockingly underwhelming.

Radio Job Openings April 23, 2025

Click the Jobs tab to browse openings or submit a job for free! You can also email your job listing to jobs@radioupdate.com.

Catch the Wave and Win an Inflatable Water Slide

The promotion could be called “Catch the Wave with (insert station).”  When you hear the sound of waves hitting the beach, call in and qualify! Take as many qualifiers as you’d like each day and on Friday randomly pick one of those qualifiers to be the final qualifier.

Programming the 3M’s

The basic success of FM music radio today is as simple as the 3 M’s – Music, Mornings, and Marketing. The Lund Media Group created the concept of the 3 M’s, believing that virtually all top-rated FM music stations have these three things in common. When the 3 M’s are in harmony, the radio station garners a huge audience with long Time Spent Listening. Check out how the 3 M’s can impact your station. 

New Music Mondays April 21, 2025

Here are fourteen of the songs we’re watching this week. For more insight on how we choose these songs or to get a sneak peek at some of the data we track on 500+ new songs across radio formats, email me at Andy@RadioStationConsultant.com.

Local Is More Important Than Ever… But It Isn’t Easy

Now, being “local” means more. It means relevance, not geography. It’s about being in tune with what your audience is going through — today, right now, in their town. That requires awareness, sensitivity, context, and immediacy.

#1 Songs This Week

Out of this week’s data here are a few of the songs that topped those lists nationally in the US and Canada along with a few random specific markets. The United States Urban/R&B: Kendrick Lamar & SZA “Luther”.

Planning a Great Promotion

We’re radio junkies, and we hear many contests.  A few are ingenious, many are effective, and some boggle our minds!   The Lund Media Group has written a list of five things you should always do as you design and execute your contests.

Radio Update Top 10 Content

According to our internal data, these are the top ten things you all clicked on this week. As always, big thanks to all of our content contributors for all the clickable, shareable content they created!

Music Scenes Constantly Evolve & So Should Programmers

Every music scene that stands the test of time is alive and dynamic. They are living, breathing things that are made of a long series of slow incremental daily changes, followed by fast and deep fundamental changes every decade or so.

Radio Job Openings April 16, 2025

Click the Jobs tab to browse openings or submit a job for free! You can also email your job listing to jobs@radioupdate.com.

Spring Into Action

Plan a successful spring strategy for your station. Personality is paramount. Recruit and groom creative, passionate talents who sound interesting and relish sounding great. Review performances often and provide help. Establish a climate of improvement; provide the necessary tools to complete the job. 

New Music Mondays April 14, 2025

Here are fourteen of the songs we’re watching this week. For more insight on how we choose these songs or to get a sneak peek at some of the data we track on 500+ new songs across radio formats, email me at Andy@RadioStationConsultant.com.

Content Curation: The Triple Threat Filter

You can indeed make any topic or content entertaining, but if you start with relevant and familiar content, you’re ahead of the game. Here’s a simple and effective way to judge all content, including interview guests, news stories, and segments on your show: The Triple Threat Filter.

Radio Update Top 10 Content

According to our internal data, these are the top ten things you all clicked on this week and here are the results for the Weekly Wire poll question “What impact will this week’s market volatility have on radio?”

#1 Songs This Week

Out of this week’s data here are a few of the songs that topped those lists nationally in the US and Canada along with a few random specific markets.

NAB Vegas 2025 Highlights

The less radio people that show up each year, the less sessions they’re going to program for us and the less exhibitors whose products we can afford will purchase booth space. Plus, I will always argue that beyond the radio specific stuff, it’s still good for all of us to see and hear the creator economy sessions and see the video equipment since those are two things all of radio needs to improve on.

Scary AI Quotes

Here are a few quotes from people on the inside of the race to build AI, and famous futurists, that could give us some insight into where AI is headed. Billionaire and Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, recently said this ominous statement about AI, “In 10 years AI will do what doctors and teachers do, humans won’t be needed for most things.”

Digital Is Taking Over Ad Budgets—Is Your Radio Station’s Website Ready?

Digital dollars are growing fast and more advertisers are looking for multi-platform solutions. You have a chance to lead. But solid leadership starts with getting your own strategy right. Make your website your most persuasive sales tool, your most active brand channel, and your most effective teaching example.  Then, go help your clients do the same.

Radio Job Openings April 8, 2025

Click the Jobs tab to browse openings or submit a job for free! You can also email your job listing to jobs@radioupdate.com.