RTNDA Survey: Radio/TV Web Sites Continue to Grow

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

The latest RTNDA/Hofstra University web survey shows both radio and TV web sites are growing in complexity, with stations producing content on more platforms than ever before. However, only 38% of news directors participating in the survey said they're comfortable that their stations are on top of new technology.

The most recent numbers show substantial increases in live newscasts and audio streaming from TV web sites. Recorded newscasts dropped from a year ago. On the radio side, many sites increased the usage of pictures, basic audio, streaming audio, video clips and podcasts.

Both TV and radio respondents indicated that their web site audiences are most interested in local news and weather. TV respondents reported full time staffing on the web increased by about half a person and part time rose by more than one person. All market sizes reported an increase in web staffing from last year.

Year after year, the percentage of news staffers who help on the web continues to grow and differences based on market size have continued to flatten out, both in radio and television. With the exception of small market radio and TV newsrooms, most staff, at all staffing levels and all network affiliates, help with the web.

"The latest RTNDA/Hofstra University study holds a mirror up for us to see the immediate need for more editorial supervision and management vision when it comes to our news web sites," said RTNDA Chairman Stacey Woelfel. "These sites have never been as important as they are now and are, of course, a primary path for us to deliver news to our audiences -- now and even more so in the future. This research gives every news director in America something to examine in his or her own newsroom."