• by March 7, 2001

MeasureCast today released its February Internet radio report, which shows that the total time spent listening (TTSL) to on-line broadcasters tracked by MeasureCast increased 12% over January (numbers adjusted to account for fewer days in February).

Of the top comparable stations -- meaning stations that were measured in both January and February - 72% experienced higher TTSL, and 56% enjoyed larger audiences.

Among the Internet radio broadcasters with the most significant increases in TTSL were several stations from OnePlace.com, a leading provider of Christian audio content on the Internet. Its Solid Gospel station saw a 617% increase in TTSL, while its Black Gospel Network enjoyed a 109% jump in TTSL. Other stations experiencing increases in hours of streamed audio included Morfeo's Onda Cero (TTSL up 56 %); ABC Radio's KSCS-FM (TTSL up 49%); and Christian Pirate Radio (TTSL up 40%).

"More people are tuning in to the benefits of Internet radio and streaming media," said MeasureCast CEO Ed Hardy. "It is important for those of us in the streaming media industry to educate consumers and companies about the variety of Internet radio programming, the rapid growth of on-line listenership, and the benefits of streaming media advertising."

Internet radio stations tracked by MeasureCast continue to attract more men (72%) than women (28%). The number of listeners in the 13-24 year old age group increased from 23% to 25%. 25-34 year olds comprise 28% of the on-line listeners; 35-44 year olds 25%; 45-54 year-olds 16%; 55-64 year-olds 5%; and people 65 and above 2%. Regional listening numbers incurred no significant changes from January: Midwest (18%), Northeast (19%), South (32%), West (31%).

California continues to have the most Internet radio listeners with 16% of the on-line population tuning in; followed by Texas (8%), Florida (6%), New York (6%). The most popular formats ranked by Cume (Last month's ranking in parenthesis) were:

1. Talk Radio (1);

2. Spanish (6);

3. News/Talk (2);

4. Classic Rock (3);

5. Listener Formatted (4);

6. Contemporary Hit Radio / Top 40 (5);

7. Contemporary Christian Music (7);

8. Salsa / Latin (20);

9. Blues (8);

10. Alternative Rock (11)