Radio political ad revenue is expected to reach approximately $560 million: SNL Kagan Analysis

According to a new study from SNL Kagen, the hot midterm race could spell big advertising gains for broadcasters.

Although TV stations will receive the lion’s share of ad dollars, SNL Kagan indicates that radio will also benefit as political campaigns tighten TV inventory in the fourth quarter. Radio political ad revenue is expected to reach approximately $560 million.

SNL Kagan Analyst Tony Lenoir notes: “In 2010, we expect that the combination of political unrest, high-profile congressional and gubernatorial races, and the Jan. 21 Supreme Court ruling that struck down certain laws restricting corporate and labor contributions to campaigns will lead to a political ad revenue treasure trove for broadcasters.”

Read the release here:

Crystal Media Networks Chooses Abacast for Online Radio Streaming and Ad Insertion

Crystal Media Networks reaches definitive agreement with Abacast to utilize Abacast’s streaming and ad insertion services.

Camas, WA and Bethesda, MD – Abacast, a mission critical online radio solutions provider and Crystal Media Networks, a leading provider of technology, media, and social networking products to Fortune 500 companies and radio and television broadcast groups, have partnered to provide a comprehensive, fixed-cost software, streaming, social, and analytics solution for Crystal Media Networks’ customers.

“CMN has an excellent Social Suite that integrates a radio station’s stream, website, social strategies, mobile, texting, affinity programs, geo-targeting, contesting, and more,” said Nick Krawczyk, CEO of Crystal Media Networks. “We needed a company that could provide consistently high bit-rate bandwidth and technical streaming services plus an intuitive, easy to use, ad insertion software program. Abacast fit the bill, has delivered excellent service, and represents a company with strong senior leadership.”

“Crystal Media Networks is one of the most successful companies in radio today, and we are thrilled to be providing software and services for them”, said Rob Green, Interim CEO, Abacast “Abacast’s world class ad insertion and streaming solutions will provide Crystal Media Networks’ Social Suite with the resources, service, and support it needs to continue its impressive growth.”

About Crystal Media Networks:
Crystal Media Networks is a progressive, leading network radio and social technology company. CMN develops software and applications that help drive usage to and integration between its clients’ web and social initiatives. For CMN’s media clients, this results in more listeners and viewers and unique revenue generating opportunities across its Social Suite of products.

Abacast Fixed-Price Streaming Enables Radio Broadcasters to Focus on Profitability

The new pricing model removes day to day streaming cost concerns; streaming costs no longer scale unpredictably with audience growth.

Abacast, Inc., announced today the launch of fixed-price streaming for both terrestrial and Internet-only radio stations. 

Generally, industry pricing plans allow streaming costs to grow unpredictably with audience growth, inhibiting profitability.  Abacast Fixed-Price Streaming is a tiered fixed pricing model that allows broadcasters to grow their audience without the risk of overage charges. Fixed Price Streaming provides stable and predictable streaming costs, even while the broadcaster’s audience is growing.
“With Abacast Fixed Price Streaming, we have built-in headroom for audience growth,” said Rick Peters, COO of Bluewater Broadcasting. ”We can continue to grow our traffic, now knowing that it will lead to higher profitability for Bluewater Broadcasting.”
“With the launch of our Radio Streaming Platform, we’re introducing a fixed pricing model with built-in audience growth, enabling broadcasters to focus on what they do best–producing great content and serving their advertiser clients–without having to worry day-to-day about audience growth costs,” says Jim Kott, Co-President of Abacast.

Abacast Hosting Webinar: Profitable Radio Streaming-Debunking the Myths

On September 22nd, 2010 Dave Van Dyke, President of Bridge Ratings; Julie Reyburn, Digital Sales Manager at Entercom; and host Michael Dalfonzo of Abacast, will discuss how to make online radio streaming profitable.

The webinar will address common misconceptions in the online radio market regarding how much revenue is actually available. Dave Van Dyke will give insight into Bridge Ratings’s recent research that reveals what digital offerings radio listeners want. How to give it to them, aggregate them, and sell to them.

Examples will also be given of  the exact techniques employed by successful station groups that have turned online streaming into a profitable internet business model.

The webinar will be held 1pm Eastern and 10am Pacific. To sign up for the webinar please click here.

The event will also be archived and offered at a later date to those who are unable to attend it live.