In the 80’s there was this popular belief that music videos would eventually result in the demise of radio.
Experts had believed that the popularity of music television would cause radio to fade away. And this prediction was so popular that it resulted in two incredibly successful singles based on radio nostalgia ; One from Queen (“Radio Ga Ga“) and one from The Buggles (“Video Killed the Radio Star“).
But it appears that this prediction was premature.
According to Nielson’s “Music 360” study, 48% of the individuals they polled claimed they “discover music most often through the radio”.
Youtube has become a major source for music in teens, 64% of the respondents having stated they listen to music on the service. But 56% of the teens polled also listen to radio.
It appears that radio is adapting and remains one of the main sources for music in teens, over two decades after the predictions were made.
Also noteworthy are the findings that compact discs still remain popular in some circles, 55% of the music fans polled having “identified physical CDs as a very or fairly good value”.
Half of the teens polled also claim to listen to compact discs. And 36% have purchased at least one compact disc within the year.
Three thousand Americans responded this online survey.