50% of listeners buy because of radio!

A recent study of out the University of Southern California shows that half of listeners would purchase a product recommended by their favorite radio personality. Additionally, 70% visit personality sites and discuss the radio show with friends. Study co-author, Lauren Movius PhD, said, "...it is clear that parasocial interaction, or listeners' feelings that they have real relationships with radio on-air personalities, definitely exists."
Read more here.

The official digital radio platform for Yahoo Music!

iHeartRadio is now the official digital radio platform for Yahoo Music! The deal will give Yahoo consumers access to iHeartRadio's more than 1,000 streaming stations, as well as the 14 million songs that comprise its custom radio feature. Additionally, Yahoo will be the go-to web and mobile destination for the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival this September. Read more on the partnership below:

• Radio Ink
• Yahoo!

iHeartRadio was named the official winner of the About.com Readers' Choice Award for Best Radio App! Over the course of two months, thousands of votes were cast for the best iPhone and iPod apps in more than 15 categories. The voting is over, and the readers have spoken! The results are what we've known all along: iHeartRadio is consumers' choice for the Best Radio App.

Final Vote Tally:

• iHeartRadio - 72%
• Slacker Radio - 21%
• Pandora - 4%
• Digitally Imported - 0%
• StreamS HiFi Radio - 0%

To find out more about advertising opportunities on iHeartRadio, click here.

Radio Keeps Consumers Listening

Radio retains an average of 93% of its audience going into the commercial break according to a recent study reported by MediaPost. In an age of DVRs and distractions, radio's audience retention has surpassed the expectations of even its own employees, who estimated the medium would only hold onto roughly 80%. This number is even higher during News/Talk formatted shows at 99% and just as strong during morning drive at 97%. And if you think teens aren't staying tuned in, you might be surprised to learn the younger demo sticks around nearly 90% of the time.

Chicago Welcomes Steve Harvey's New Daytime TV Talk Show

The city of Chicago is ready to welcome Steve Harvey into their illustrious daytime TV talk show ranks according to the local Sun Times. Steve will begin work on his show this fall while continuing his stint as a morning show icon and host of the Family Feud. According to NBC, who will syndicate the TV talker, Steve's show will deal with, "a vast range of relatable topics, such as marriage, dating, parenting, workplace, friendship, and the daily dramas we face throughout our lives, all with his unique comedic spin."

Read more of the article here.

Millions Of Night Owls Are Tuning In

Radio is always a bargain, but as it turns out there's a sizeable audience you could be reaching for an even better bargain - the overnight listener. According to a Media Audit release, overnight listenership is up 10% reaching an impressive 8.2 million. The report highlights Talk and CHR as the top formats in that daypart. It's also a younger audience - nearly a third are 18-34. Over a third are single giving them a higher amount of leisure time and more disposable income. Sounding good? Here are some ideas on how to reach them:

• Coast to Coast AM
• After Midnite
• JT "The Brick"