The first session at NAB was a panel discussion on the Next Generation of Radio, moderated by Michael Beach, VP Distribution for NPR and Lead, North American Broadcaster Assoc-RC Next-gen Radio Working Group.

The panel consisted of Steve Newberry, EVP Industry Affairs and Special Projects NAB, Lawrence Galkoff GM at Radioplayer Worldwide, Dave Casper SVP Digital Services RAB, Samuel Sousa Senior Advisor Streaming R&D Triton Digital and Natale Polito, Senior Manager of Radio Engineering at Bell Media.
 
The NABA has produced a 40 page document on the Value Proposition of Radio in a Connected World that looks at how radio has redefined itself by embracing new forms of distribution and media technology such as online streaming, mobile phone apps, and podcasting.

Their research is showing that there is a steady growth in online streaming of radio with the percentage of people who listen online getting close to 75% with smart speakers now beginning to have an impact.

              
Their research also shows that online listenership in cars via the smartphone is also growing and approaching 50%.
    
 
The challenge for US radio is how to take advantage of these new figures and listening habits, while at the same time continuing to develop HD (the US version of DAB) radio while maintaining their current free to air transmissions on AM and FM.
One thing they did find was that the TSL of stations with dynamic metadata is significantly higher than those with static metadata.

 
The panel of all agreed was that metadata creates a more engaged audience, and the more dynamic, the more engaged they become.

radioinfo spoke to Steve Newberry about metadata and digital opportunities.

”Music is just one ingredient in great radio, it’s like baking a cake, flour is important but there are more ingredients, for us it’s personalities and other elements…”

On using new technology he said: ”We want ro make radio look as good as it sounds.”