Net Broadcasters Reach Highest Ever In July According To Arbitron

According to Arbitron figures released just released more than 6.75 million people daily listen to internet radio making it a key if fragmented source for new music exposure.

Measured online networks jumped to their highest level ever with 6,756,100 average listeners in July. The RLR ad sales network which includes Yahoo Music, The AOL Radio Network, MSN Radio, and Live365 had an estimated 6,012,700 million listeners age 12 and older, Clear Channel Online had 848,600 listeners in the same age group.  72% of these six million listeners were in the 25-54 age group skewing even a bit younger to 85% in the 18-48 age demo during mid-day listening hours

While persons 25-54 represent 51% of the total US population, in online radio this demo represents 72% of all listeners to these networks. Skewing younger midday, while persons 18-49 represent 55% of the U.S. population, this demo represents 86% of all midday online listeners. In fact the RLR Network showed a 1.06 rating point in Women 25-34, the first time an Arbitron rated online network has achieved a full rating point for a key demographic.  Crossing this 1% milestone is often seen as key in attracting large national advertisers and is indicative of the growing power of internet broadcasting. 

This upward trend seems likely to continue as more terrestrial stations jump online and new delivery methods including wi-fi, wireless broadband and cell phones all increase net broadcasting’s reach.