• by Masha Geller , May 15, 2001

The number of hours streamed by Internet radio broadcasters dropped nearly six percent last week, bringing the MeasureCast Internet Radio Index to 130 from 138 the previous week. Nevertheless, several online stations saw stream requests jump as much as 23%, according to the most recent MeasureCast Internet Radio Report.

Since January, the total number of hours streamed by online broadcasters measured by MeasureCast has increased 30%. The index tracks the total number of hours streamed by on-line broadcasters, and is a representation of the trend in Total Time Spent Listening (TTSL) across a spectrum of stations measured by MeasureCast.

The MeasureCast Weekly Top 25 ranking shows that 14 of last week's top 25 stations showed an increase in TTSL over the previous week, while eight broadcasters enjoyed an increase in their estimated audience size, or CUME.

MeasureCast also reports that 81% of all listening occurred between 5 a.m. PDT and 5 p.m. PDT, with the peak listening hour being 9 a.m. Pacific. The peak listening day was on Wednesday, with 20% of all TTSL occurring on this day. Listening on Saturday and Sunday accounted for 11% of all TTSL.

Demographically, the largest single age group listening to Internet radio is comprised of people in the 25-34 years old (27%). MeasureCast says 54% of listeners are under 35 years of age; 27% are younger than 25, and 7% are over the age of 55.

Additionally, more men (73%) listen to Internet radio than do women (27%) and the South claims the largest number of Internet radio listeners (35%); followed by the West (29%), the Northeast (19%), and the Midwest (18%).