Moneyball: The Case for Cheaper Contest Prizes

Hundred dollar bills, lot of money

Years of NuVoodoo Ratings Prospects Studies have shown the tremendous pull of $1000 and even $500 contest prizes. Well-orchestrated group contests give the appearance of constant $1000 giveaways across a swath of stations for a relatively modest expenditure. If your crosstown rival seems to be giving away $1000 an hour all week long, it may…

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Moneyball: All You Need is Three (Minutes)

Three cute dogs laying down outdoors

With apologies to Paul McCartney and the late John Lennon, in case you now have one of their songs now running through your head, all the listening you need for credit in a PPM quarter hour is now three minutes, instead of five. As we noted last week, the first month’s PPM data with the…

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Podcasts by Name, Video by Nature: Podcasts Aren’t Audio-First Anymore

For years, the word “podcast” has been synonymous with audio-first content—a passive listening experience consumed during commutes, workouts, and downtime. But that perception is no longer accurate. Podcasts have quietly become a video-first medium, and the numbers tell a striking story: YouTube is dominating podcast consumption, often outpacing traditional audio platforms. This shift is so…

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Moneyball: Month One of PPM 3-Minute Ratings

Clock

With the new three-minute listening thresholds in place, January 2025 PPM ratings were up 14% (against an expected 20% increase) compared to the January 2024 numbers according to Jon Miller, Nielsen VP Audience Insights. Miller explains the shortfall, citing there’s ongoing annual erosion to all linear media, radio included, of around 8%-9%. The Jon Miller…

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Moneyball: Opportunities in Ratings Methodology Changes

Woman looking at smartphone screen with interest

We’re getting out first glimpses of the impact of Nielsen’s three-minute qualifier in PPM markets. Remembering that the real purpose of the ratings is to sell advertising, we can hope that the larger AQH numbers, the lift in adults 25-54, and the growth in afternoons and weekends will bring good news for sellers. There will…

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Moneyball: Six Key Ideas for On-Air Talent

Radio host speaking with guest

Last week we wrote about presenting a research study at Country Radio Seminar 2025. We highlighted on-going listener interest in remote broadcasts and showed the large numbers who say they never see any local Country stations broadcasting live around their towns. Those data are based on a 1,500-person study of Country music fans ages 18-54…

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New Data: Excessive Screen Time Sparks a Digital Detox Movement. How Brands and Advertisers Can Seize the Moment

With screen time dominating daily life across all generations, a new behavioral shift is emerging—the digital detox movement. As consumers become more aware of screen fatigue, social disconnection, and mental health impacts, many are actively taking steps to reduce their screen exposure. But does it actually improve their well-being? NuVoodoo’s Consumer Digital Media Study (January…

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Moneyball: News from CRS 2025 – GET OUT!

Event venue. Woman taking a picture of an event venue with her mobile phone.

We were in Nashville last week for Country Radio Seminar 2025 – and what a great event it is every year. RJ Curtis and his team put on a wonderful conference. Carolyn Gilbert and I were there to present a massive 1,500-person study of Country music fans that included nearly 1,200 Country radio listeners and…

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