Free Radio Studies

Coleman Insights became the first company to publish ground-breaking studies for the radio industry on the internet when it released its "Alternative Music Clusters: Defining the Boundaries of the Format" study in September of 1997. Since then, thousands of professionals in the broadcasting, music and technology industries have downloaded free, insightful reports from Coleman Insights.

In addition to the studies listed below, Coleman Insights has published landmark studies on Arbitron's new PPM measurement system for radio as part of our "Mapping the DNA of PPM" series. Click here to access those studies.

To access the reports from our Free Radio Studies, click on the names that accompany the study descriptions below.

An Early Peek at Rhythmic AC (October 2006)
Since Sandusky Radio launched the first "MOViN"-branded format on KQMV/Seattle on May 1st, 2006, the industry has been abuzz over the introduction of many other Rhythmic AC stations around the US. This report provides the first look at the music approaches these stations are taking, including a detailed comparison of stations utilizing the MOViN brand from Alan Burns & Associates and a number of Rhythmic ACs programmed by Clear Channel Communications.

An Early Peek at Classic Alternative (January 2004)
What is Classic Alternative? Coleman insights takes a quick look at the music mixes employed by five large market stations that have adopted the format.

Oldies Insights – Winter 2003 (August 2003)
Coleman Insights' second look at the relationship between Oldies stations’ music mixes and their Arbitron performances suggests that some may have “gone too far.”

Oldies Insights – Winter 2002 (July 2002)
Coleman Insights examines the impact moves to a more contemporary sound is having on the Arbitron performances of Oldies stations.

'80s Insights – Summer 2001 (December 2001)
The second installment of Coleman Insights' '80s Insights series provides a complete look at the performance of the '80s format one year after many stations adopted it.

Broadband Revolution 2: The Media World of Speedies (June 2001)
Learn more about the online and offline media habits of "speedies," those with broadband Internet access at home, work or school. A landmark study presented by Coleman Insights and Arbitron at the Streaming Media West convention.

'80s Insights – Fall 2000 (February 2001)
Read Coleman Insights' early performance analysis of the '80s format adopted by dozens of stations in the U.S. Is this a "real" format or a short-term solution for many broadcasters?

Rhythmic Oldies Insights (December 2000)
In the Spring of 2000, 30 of America's 50 largest radio markets had a Rhythmic Oldies outlet. Today, only a handful survive. Take a look back of what Coleman Insights discovered about the format's performance during the height of the format's rise.

Broadband Revolution 1 (September 2000)
Coleman Insights and Arbitron answered the question "Can Radio Survive The Broadband Revolution?" when this ground breaking study was presented at the NAB Radio Show 2000.

CHR Segmentation (June 1998)
While this look at the state of Top 40 music is a bit dated, it provides a great example of the challenges of catering to different music appetites on one station. This study debuted at the Radio & Records Convention '98.

Alternative Music Clusters: Defining the Boundries of the Format (September 1997)
Another study that--while dating back to the early stages of "The Alternative Revolution"--reveals how sophisticated tools like music cluster analysis can shed light on emerging music tastes.