Internet Radio Listening Doubles Since 1999

The results of the 4th Annual Multimedia PC and Internet Audio study, released by eBrain Market Research, confirm the ever-increasing importance of computers in the home entertainment experience. While PCs have always functioned as a work and play tool, the options for PC use in entertainment have ballooned over the past 12 months. Faster processors and Internet connections, coupled with better sound quality and richer content have resulted in a captivating entertainment experience for the home PC user.Among consumers with a multimedia PC, 63 percent listen to an online radio station using their home computer (compared to 33 percent in early 1999), while three in 10 listen to a station using their work computer. Online radio listeners are more likely to be male; however, with 50 percent of females listening as well, they are a segment not to be overlooked. In fact, as a percentage, the number of female multimedia PC owners listening to online radio stations increased faster than the number of males between early 1999 and early 2000.The data also suggests consumers are listening to a variety of online radio stations, topped by rock, talk radio, news, and classical. In today's transient society, being able to tune into a hometown news station or a broadcast of a favorite baseball team provides a means to stay in touch with one's roots. Overall, 66 percent of multimedia PC owners say the main reason they like online radio stations is because they allow for reception of stations in all parts of the country. Only one in 10 say they like online stations because there are fewer commercials.The survey was designed and formulated by eBrain Market Research, a service of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). eBrain is smarter research. The most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research, international research, and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry.The 4th Annual Multimedia PC Internet Audio survey was conducted online with a sample of 1,375 multimedia owners during January 2000. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study for $499 by visiting http://eBrain.org or sending an e-mail to info@ebrain.org.CEA is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). CEA represents more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services, that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, these companies account for more than $60 billion in annual sales. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy. Source: CEA