The National Association of Broadcasters this week presented a national poll it commissioned that found listeners were largely pleased with the current state of radio.
According to the poll of 1,000 consumers, local station programming satisfied about 65 percent. About 29 percent of respondents said stations are offering more variety than they were five years ago, 21 percent said the level of variety has remained constant, while 17 percent say it has declined, the NAB said.
The study comes as broadcasters compete with satellite and online radio and music downloads, and as lawmakers are poised to address such issues as consolidation and allegations that consolidation has limited playlists and caused listener dissatisfaction.
“I think they [broadcasters] want to make sure they get some ammunition out there,” said Tom Taylor, editor of Inside Radio, a trade magazine. “I think they want to have some information out there as this public policy debate moves forward.”