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Maybe I'm missing something here but if 4KQ is so successful on different platforms, how do the ratings show it #2 station when the survey is for AM listenership? Or does it add results of AM and DAB?
As a younger person interested in media, I don't listen to AM stations or use a radio the way I used to. My other devices connect to everything I want from anywhere I choose.
I think AM could have had a few more years left, but the transmission power in Australian cities like Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne is far less than in the US, for example. Signals that once got through the less cluttered airspace, don't penetrate like they did.
Radio generally would have had a better future here with more stations on FM, but industry is too protected and the choice isn't there as in other countries.
DAB may help replace AM with better sound but signals are often patchy and newer technology has overtaken the old.
EDITOR: Good points, thanks for your comment.
On your question about the AM/FM charts including DAB listenership - the answer is, yes they do.
The orange charts in our ratings reports list stations that are on either on the AM or FM bands - the figures quoted incorporate their digital listening (DAB and online). The purple charts in our reports list additional stations that are only on DAB+, but not heard on the AM or FM band.
as someone not in the industry (but with an interest) the first rule should be availability. I have a house full of smart speakers i use to listen to radio (I don't even know if i own an am radio any more)
If i ask my alexa to play a station and it can't - i don't keep trying. I'll find another station or play spotify.
it's also smart to be on these devices for an older skewing station because a lot of older people are now getting these smart speakers (generally as a gift) as a health and safety measure. we recently got one for my 98 year old grand father in case he has a fall he can contact me through my speaker, or the one my mother owns.