World Radio Day 13 February 2021

The song may have said, “Video Killed the Radio Star”, but radio is still killing it in terms of adaptability, reach and growth.

Welcome to World Radio Day – “New World, New Radio – Evolution, Innovation, Connection.”

Evolution

The evolution of radio was a race between Nikolai Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi. Tesla demonstrated a wireless radio in Missouri in 1893, but Marconi claimed the UK patent in 1896. Telsa the filed his US patent in 1897 which wasn’t awarded until 1900. Unfortunately for Tesla, Marconi sent the first signal across the Atlantic the next year and the rest is Marconi’s history.

Innovation

From its initial use communicating with passenger ships and the military use in World War l to news broadcasts, serial shows and music of the day, radio keeps up with the times.

Connection

Natural disasters, socio-economic, crises, epidemics, etc. No matter the events, radio connects us to forge or maintain links. Public service announcements, alerts, and broadcasts, ensuring the continuity of learning, are examples of services provided and solutions offered by radio to best meet listeners’ needs.

In Australia

• 11.1 million Australians tuned in to metropolitan commercial radio in 2020, a growth of 2%.
• 77% of all Australians listened to commercial radio in the 5 major Australian metropolitan cities
• Commercial radio audiences have had a growth of 9.8%  [1 million listeners] over the past 5 years
• Podcast audiences grew from 27% in 2019 to 32% in 2020

“Radio proved its adaptability in emergencies and continued to deliver for listeners in a year where we contended with floods, bushfires, a global pandemic and digital disruption,” Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner said. “ Radio also showed that while we’re dominant in the car, we’re not reliant on any one platform or place of listening. There has been a strong lift in listeners across digital, mobile and DAB+ platforms and we will continue to evolve and grow those opportunities in 2021.”

ARN’s Commercial Product and Audio Partnerships Director Corey Layton said: “Given the intimate nature of podcast listening, we already knew that people were using it as a medium to escape, entertain and be informed. What this data indicates is that even with heightened competition from screens in the home, people are still actively choosing to listen to on-demand audio, which proves the transporting and engaging effects of the medium.”

So despite the advances in technology people still want the immediacy of radio and the diversity of podcasts. Students are listening to these mediums and even creating their own content.

Here are just some courses we’re sharing for World Radio Day that might inspire a future broadcaster you know of, or maybe even the broadcaster in you.

Australian Radio School Adelaide SA

Australian Radio School has been established in Adelaide for over 20 years. In that time, more than 600 people have graduated to jobs in radio and TV all over Australia. Online Intro to Radio course starts in May.

Australian Film Television and Radio School 

AFTRS’ flagship radio course, the Graduate Diploma in Radio, produces creative radio and podcast professionals who will shape the future of the Australian broadcast and podcast industry.

TafeQLD

Bachelor of Digital Media: Get the advanced digital media skills required to launch your career in film, television and radio, newspapers and magazines, online media, graphic design, marketing, advertising or public relations.

North Metro Tafe, WA

You will develop a wide skill set in all aspects of the radio industry, with commercial and management skills. You will also have a placement in a real radio station our own BOOM Radio, giving you a chance to develop industry networks and practical experience.

Edith Cowen University

Graduate Certificate in Broadcasting Radio: Prepares students for a career in radio and online broadcasting. This practical course is taught by professional journalists and broadcasters and has the backing of the media industry around Australia. Course content includes the journalistic, presentation, technical and people skills required by today’s electronic media professionals.