I recently found myself down a rabbit hole exploring the latest in augmented reality glasses. I’m not talking about the ones that only take photos and play music. I mean the ones that look like regular sunglasses but let you interact with AI, display your computer screens floating in front of you, watch movies on a plane, and—eventually—maybe even replace your smartphone entirely.
That got me thinking: What happens to radio when media consumption shifts again?
We’ve seen it already. Our industry adjusted from AM to FM, then to streaming. Now, smart speakers, mobile apps, and in-car platforms like CarPlay and Android Auto have become the new battlegrounds for attention. But what comes next?
AR/VR glasses and other wearable devices, immersive in-car infotainment systems, even AI-generated personal radio stations—these are no longer science fiction. They’re slowly becoming part of our audience’s daily life. And that raises a big question:
Is your station ready to meet audiences in these future spaces?
Have you sat down with your team and asked, “How will our content be consumed 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now?” Or “What does radio look like when people no longer use traditional devices?” These aren’t just tech questions—they’re strategic survival questions that can future-proof your station.
Because here’s the hard truth: with every new media experience that enters the mainstream—whether it’s augmented reality, in-car streaming dashboards, or AI-curated stations—the audience for traditional radio will continue to shrink. That doesn’t mean radio is going away, but it does mean our presence must adjust and expand. We need to start planting flags in these emerging spaces now, so we’re not scrambling to catch up later. The more platforms we show up on, the more chances we have to retain listeners—and earn new ones.
If your station isn’t thinking about where your audience is going—not just where they are—you risk being left behind. The history of media is full of businesses that waited too long to adapt. By the time they realized the shift had happened, the audience had already moved on… and with it the advertisers.
The pace of change isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating. New devices and platforms are entering the mainstream faster than ever. If your station isn’t looking ahead, technology could pass you by before you even see it coming.
Just like we once pivoted from tapes to CDs, and later to MP3s and streaming, we now have to be thinking about what’s next. Will your brand show up in AR glasses? In personalized in-car dashboards? Inside immersive VR platforms?
Those aren’t far-off dreams. They’re right over the horizon.
Radio’s superpower: Adaptability
Radio has always been resilient. We’ve survived and thrived through countless technological changes. But the pace is picking up. Just as our mobile apps today allow listeners to hear us on the go, get local alerts, and connect with advertisers in new ways, the next generation of platforms will demand even more creativity and innovation. Pause for a moment and ponder what that will look like.
The future won’t wait for us. So let’s ask the big questions now:
- How will listeners find and engage with audio content in the future?
- What new experiences can we offer that no one else can?
- How can we keep our local roots while branching into new digital worlds?
Because radio isn’t dying—it’s evolving. The only question is: how will you evolve with it?
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