• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, April 2, 2002

MeasureCast, Inc. reports that last March only 28% of Web radio listeners were women. That number rose to 31% during the week of March 18. While the majority of people listening to Internet radio stations are men, more women are discovering the joys of streaming. The latest report describes other demographic changes, as well. For example, in March 2001, 85% of all Internet radio listening took place during traditional work hours – 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific. This month, that figure has dropped to 76%, indicating that more people may be tuning in to Web radio broadcasts from home.

The (Measurecast) Internet Radio Listening Index for the week of March 18 - 24 rose 8%, after a 5% rise the week before. The total time spent listening to streaming radio stations has increased 495% since January 2001, and 79% since Jan. 6 of this year. Furthermore, the top 10 Internet radio networks for the week of March 18 streamed a combined total of 4,431,731 programming hours – 396,751 more hours than the top 10 networks delivered the week prior.

Demographic highlights for the week of March 18:
- 11% of the week’s Internet radio listening took place over the weekend.
- The peak listening day was Thursday, March 21, with 19% of all listening occurring this day.
- 28% of Internet radio listeners were between the ages of 25 and 34.
- 57% were younger than 35, 28% were younger than 25, and 7% were older than 55.
- In the U.S., 31% of listeners resided in the South, while 30% were in the West.

A year ago this week, MEDIAmazing.com claimed the top spot in the MeasureCast Top 25 chart. It streamed 97,322 hours to an audience of 29,180. In the most recent ranking, MEDIAmazing came in sixth by streaming 67,452 hours to 45,643 people. The listener-formatted Internet radio station recently switched from a free service to a subscription service.

The MeasureCast Weekly Top 10 Stations
(Monday, March 18, 2002 - Sunday, March 24, 2002)