Speed matters when measuring recall. By fielding immediately after the broadcast, we were able to see what truly stuck with audiences, and just as importantly, what didn’t, while the experience was still fresh. Those surveyed? We found that around 67% of audiences 18+ had tuned into the Super Bowl, highlighting what a unique event it is, in today’s fractured media landscape.

While the Super Bowl remains one of the most valuable advertising stages of the year, our findings highlight a growing challenge for advertisers: earning attention and memory in a fragmented, multitasking environment.

How Viewers Experienced the Super Bowl

Traditional television still led overall, with 53% watching via cable or satellite. However, streaming now represents a substantial share of Super Bowl viewing.

• 20% watched on Peacock
• 24% streamed via the NBC Sports App, YouTube TV, or their cable provider’s streaming app

The generational divide was clear. Among adults 18 to 34, only 42% watched on traditional TV, while 53% streamed the game. Among viewers 55 and older, 67% watched on TV and 31% streamed.

Where viewers watched also varied by age. Overall, 73% watched at home, 15% attended a party, and just 3% watched at a bar or restaurant. But among 18 to 34-year-olds, 26% watched at a party, compared to only 9% of viewers 55 and older.

Despite platform shifts, engagement with the game itself remained strong. Sixty percent watched the entire game from start to finish, and another 29% watched most of it. In total, nearly nine in ten viewers stayed with the broadcast for the majority of the game.

Advertising Recall: What Broke Through and What Didn’t

When viewers were asked, in an open-ended format, to recall Super Bowl ads they remembered seeing, overall brand recall was limited, even among this highly engaged audience surveyed within hours of the game ending.

Nearly a quarter of viewers (24%) were unable to recall a specific brand at all, instead describing a commercial without naming the advertiser. Another 12% explicitly said they did not remember any ads or had forgotten them entirely.

Among named brands, Budweiser led recall at 21% overall. However, recall varied sharply by age. While 34% of viewers 55 and older remembered Budweiser, only 18% of adults 18 to 34 did so, highlighting a strong generational skew.

Dunkin’ followed at 14% overall, performing slightly stronger among middle and older age groups than among younger viewers.

Pepsi Zero Sugar ranked next at 10% recall, standing out as one of the few ads that aligned both with strong creative buzz and measurable audience memory.

Other major advertisers saw much lower recall. Pringles registered at 8%, State Farm at 6%, Bud Light at 4%, and T-Mobile at 4%.

One especially telling result was the role of celebrity-driven advertising. Six percent of viewers could recall a celebrity from a commercial but were unable to name the brand or product associated with them, reinforcing that star power captured attention without consistently anchoring brand memory.

Taken together, the data underscores a core challenge of modern advertising: even on the biggest media stage of the year, many ads struggle to create clear, lasting brand associations.

Celebrity Recognition Without Brand Recall

One of the most consistent patterns in the open-ended responses was celebrity recall without brand recall.

Many viewers could name a celebrity they remembered seeing in a commercial, sometimes multiple celebrities, but could not connect that memory to the sponsoring brand or product. In these cases, responses included only the celebrity’s name, with no associated advertiser.

This suggests that while celebrities may capture attention in the moment, they do not automatically translate into brand memory, particularly in a cluttered advertising environment.

For advertisers, this distinction matters. Attention alone is not enough if the brand itself fails to anchor that attention.

Favorite Ads: Few Clear Winners

When viewers were asked to name their single favorite ad, results reinforced how difficult it is to stand out.

Budweiser ranked first at 18%, but that preference was heavily driven by viewers 55 and older. Only 7% of adults 18 to 34 named Budweiser as their favorite, compared to 32% of the 55+ audience.

Seventeen percent of viewers could not name a favorite ad at all.

Dunkin’ followed at 10%, again reflecting familiarity and celebrity appeal.

Even the most liked ads failed to resonate universally, underscoring the challenge of creating creative that works across generations.

The Role of Attention and Multitasking

A major factor shaping recall is divided attention.

More than half of viewers (51%) reported using social media while watching the game. Among adults 18 to 34, that figure rose to 79%. For viewers 35 to 54, it was 52%, and for viewers 55 and older, just 21%.

Instagram and TikTok dominated among younger viewers, with 56% and 46% respectively. Facebook and Instagram led overall usage.

One notable surprise was X. Despite its reputation as a real-time sports conversation platform, only 10% of viewers reported using X while watching the Super Bowl.

For advertisers investing millions in a single airing, this context matters. Ads are competing not just with other commercials, but with entirely separate screens and platforms, particularly among younger audiences.

Halftime: A Different Advertising Story

Bad Bunny’s halftime performance drew strong engagement overall, with 56% watching the entire show and another 23% watching parts of it. But again, age shaped behavior.

Sixty-nine percent of adults 18 to 34 watched the full performance, compared to 39% of viewers 55 and older. Adults 35 to 54 tracked much closer to the younger audience in engagement.

When asked to name the sponsor of the halftime show, 27% correctly recalled Apple Music. Among adults 18 to 34, recall climbed to 34%.

While 27% may appear modest, it was the strongest unaided brand recall measured in the entire study, outperforming all individual Super Bowl advertisers.

In a night marked by limited ad recall, halftime sponsorship emerged as the most effective branding moment, particularly among younger viewers who otherwise showed the weakest ad memory.

What This Means for Media and Advertisers

The Super Bowl remains a powerful cultural event, but the rules of attention have changed.

• Streaming is now central, not secondary
  • Younger viewers are heavily multitasking
  • Celebrity alone does not guarantee brand recall
  • Creative acclaim does not equal audience memory
  • Integrated brand moments may outperform traditional spots

For media companies, agencies, and brands, the takeaway is not that Super Bowl advertising no longer works. It is that success depends on clarity, brand linkage, and understanding how audiences actually experience the event.

Real-time research helps move the conversation from assumptions to evidence, and from creative buzz to measurable impact.

Results are based on a sample of 512 Super Bowl viewers and have a margin of error of approximately ±3.7 percentage points at the 90% confidence level.

The post Super Bowl 2026: What 500+ Viewers Told Us About Ads, Streaming, and Attention in Real Time appeared first on Crowd React Media.

The consumer is now in charge of what they want and how they want their content produced and delivered. Here is where things are as 2026 begins:

• Content Distribution – People have more content platforms available than ever before. The old school platforms of television, radio and newspapers are fighting for their survival. Most of my broadcast career has been spent on the radio. No matter what platform, the choices on how to receive and produce content are in an ongoing state of change.
• Content Saturation – This is real, there are so many sources to find content that matters to an individual person. We live in a world of on-demand programming. If there is something you are looking for it is easily accessible wherever you are and whenever you want to consume it.
• Competition – In the past it was simple to know what you are up against. Today, it is much more complicated. There are so many places consumers can get the content they are looking for.

With all that in mind, it is critical to have a strategy for whatever platform you are working on. How many times have you heard the phrase “we have always done it this way”?

Over the years, I have seen resistance from many people to change. During my journey, I was fortunate to work in positions where change was embraced and even mandated. Every year, there are more options for consumers to find what they are looking for, much of this driven by technology and new platforms. There was once a world with no internet, no cellphones, no Facebook, no YouTube, and no social media.

This is where developing a smart, strategic action plan comes into play. To move forward in an ever-changing environment, it is important to take a step back and ask yourself, “What am I going to stop doing?” If you are going to adjust your content strategy, there are certain aspects from the past you need to consider stopping so you can update your priorities. There is only so much time in a day, and if you are going to add innovative ideas, it is imperative to stop certain practices so you can move things in a new direction.

The beginning of the year is a good time to build a plan for reviewing strategies and evaluating what you should stop doing, so you have time to establish new approaches that support your priorities and improve performance.

Action Steps

• Put together a group of folks that represent the core values of your organization. Outline the goal of reviewing what works and what does not work.
• Identify all the competitors that you need to have a strategy for.
• Discuss practices/strategies that are no longer effective in driving success.
• Set a deadline for determining whether the items everyone agrees upon are no longer relevant.
• Once the group agrees, the next step is to determine several new priorities that everyone feels they can have an influence over.
• Set up planning sessions to explore the best strategies in moving forward.
• Determine new priorities for the year ahead.

The media world is evolving at an accelerated pace. With more platforms for content, understanding what is expected, and how content is delivered, is increasingly important. This is why a complete review of the process makes sense. It allows us to better understand what consumers want in terms of the programming they seek and which platforms they prefer for receiving content. Setting a timeline is also an important part of the process to ensure time is not wasted.

Taking time early in the year to step back and review processes is a smart use of time.

The post 2026 – What will you STOP doing? appeared first on Crowd React Media.

“Each year, our State of Media report reveals how audiences engage with content across platforms. In 2025, one story stands out above all others: sports audiences continue to defy the broader trends shaping the media landscape,” said Sean Bos, Co-Founder of Crowd React Media and VP of Research at Harker Bos Group. “Nearly six in ten sports fans now consume sports-related content every single day, a sharp and statistically significant lift over recent years. This unwavering commitment makes sports one of the most reliable forces driving audience loyalty, advertiser investment, and even the survival of entire platforms.”

Key Takeaways from the Report

Radio

• AM/FM Radio Remains the King of Sports Audio
  • 59% of sports audio listeners tune via AM/FM compared to just 36% for podcasts.
  • Advertisers continue to undervalue radio’s reach, even as it delivers larger audiences at lower costs.
  • Local sports talk remains the money-maker with loyal, engaged listeners.

Television

• Sports Content Is Propping Up Cable
  • Cable use among sports fans grew to 51% in 2025, reversing years of decline.
  • Cable retains older audiences, while streaming frustrates with higher costs and fragmented rights.
  • ESPN cable viewership dropped 15 points year-over-year, though ESPN.com remains the top sports site (70%).
• The Streaming Ecosystem Is in Flux — and ESPN’s Transition Is Risky
  • ESPN’s plan to launch Select and Unlimited streaming tiers risks alienating older viewers.
  • ESPN+ (52%) trails ESPN cable (61%), and confusion over subscriptions may slow adoption.
  • Skyrocketing rights costs and profitability pressures remain unresolved.
• Live Games Still Rule — But TV Is the Bedrock
  • 53% of fans prefer watching live games above all else; another 35% split between live and analysis.
  • 55% attended a live event in the past 6 months — but television remains the foundation of fandom.
  • The living room couch continues to be the “best seat in the house.”

Digital & Social

• Sports Fans Are a High-Usage, High-Conversion Audience
  • 28% consume 4+ hours of sports content daily; 68% at least 2 hours.
  • 68% actively post or comment, and 94% regularly read sports news.
  • Engagement has not faded post-pandemic, unlike general media consumption.
• Social Is a Core Arena for Fandom
  • YouTube dominates highlights (87%), followed by Facebook (69%) and Instagram (62%).
  • Twitter/X declined from 55% in 2022 to 41% in 2025, while TikTok surged to 51%.
  • Sports fans rival political and pop culture fandoms in content creation and commentary.
• Digital Aggregators Outpace Legacy Brands
  • Bleacher Report (29%) outdraws Sports Illustrated (23%), Yahoo Sports (23%), and The Athletic (9%).
  • Legacy brands no longer guarantee digital dominance.
  • Aggregators and newer platforms are now central to sports news consumption.

Sports & Fan Behavior

• Football Is the Center of Gravity in U.S. Sports
  • 81% of fans follow football, compared to 63% for basketball and 54% for baseball.
  • Football dominates cultural identity, attention, and advertiser spend.
  • Even non-fans typically watch the Super Bowl, underscoring its universal reach.
• No Offseason: Fans Stay Engaged Year-Round
  • 87% follow their sport through season and playoffs (up from 77% in 2022).
  • 72% track trades, deals, and speculation in the offseason.
  • 71% say following their sport or team is part of daily life.

Betting & Fantasy

• Sports Betting and Fantasy Plateau at High Levels
  • 58% of sports fans have bet on sports; 70% of past bettors remain active.
  • Growth has plateaued, with legalization — not demand — as the main limiter.
  • FanDuel (56%) and DraftKings (51%) dominate, while ESPN BET is rising at 25%.

Access the Full Report

• Access Link: https://crowdreactmedia.com/state-of-sports-media-2025/

About Crowd React Media

Crowd React Media, a division of Harker Bos Group, is a leading provider of audience and advertising research across radio, TV, podcasts, and digital platforms. Founded as Harker Bos Group in 1989, Crowd React Media continues its legacy of helping media companies and brands grow through actionable, strategic insights.

For media inquiries, advance access to upcoming content, or interview requests:

Katie Miller
Co-Founder, Crowd React Media & VP, Client Relations, Harker Bos Group
Crowd React Media & Harker Bos Group
Email: katie@crowdreactmedia.com

The post [PRESS RELEASE] Crowd React Media Releases Fourth Annual State of Sports Media 2025 Report appeared first on Crowd React Media.

…And If you haven’t already downloaded our State of Spanish Language Media 2025 Report we would advise you to do so now!

Click on the links below to watch each video.

How Important Is Soccer to Spanish-Language Audiences?
Katie and Scott discuss soccer being second-fiddle to American Football among Spanish-Language audiences in the US.

How Sports Keep Spanish-Language Audiences Plugged In
Scott talks about how the best personalities and stars of sports media have sort of a grounding effect on audiences in a way they feel like they are part of a larger community.

Building the Female Spanish-Language Sports Audience
Scott and Katie discuss the challenges facing Spanish-Language sports media in developing a female audience. Scott goes on to highlight some potential avenues for growth.

Serving Gen Z Streamers and OTA Loyalists — Is It Possible?
Scott and Katie discuss catering to both your digital and OTA audiences while keeping an eye towards innovation.  You basically need entirely different models that account for the divergent attributes of the demographics that seek either sort of media content.

The Toughest Challenges in Building for Both Streaming & OTA
Scott and Katie explore how to build both a streaming and OTA business model while adapting to evolving market pressures.  Hint: Throw the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mentality out the window.

How Advertisers Can Tap Into Spanish-Language Sports Passion —The Smart Way

Katie and Scott talk about how to harness the passion of Spanish-Language sports audiences.  It’s all about one-on-one relationship.  You’re not making a pitch at an audience.  You’re having a conversation with individual members of the audience.

Where Spanish-Language Sports Coverage Is Headed by 2030
Scott and Katie discuss the future of Spanish-Language sports coverage. It’s down to broadcasters to tell the stories that people want to hear.  The upcoming World Cup might drive viewership towards soccer more generally.

We hope you enjoyed this quick series as this entire project has been a delight in putting together.

Whether you’re creating content, managing talent, or just trying to keep up with a rapidly changing landscape, these short interviews are a great starting point.

If you’d like to learn more about the State of Spanish Language Media 2025 or how we’re helping media brands navigate what’s next, get in touch or check out the full report.

– Sean Bos
Cofounder, Crowd React Media

The post A 7-Part Interview Series with Scott Masteller on our Findings from the State of Spanish Language Media 2025 Report appeared first on Crowd React Media.

In this 4-part YouTube Shorts series, we talk about what’s changing in the media world, what still works, and what today’s content creators—whether they’re on radio, podcasts, or YouTube—need to keep in mind. Scott brings a rare mix of honesty, strategy, and deep care for the future of the industry. If you work in audio or work with talent, I think you’ll find something here worth sharing.

Each video is under three minutes, but they’re packed with practical insights and smart perspective.

The #1 Piece of Advice for On-Air Talent in 2025

In this clip, Scott shares the advice he gives to every host—whether they’re just getting started or decades in. It’s simple, but it’s something many overlook.

Want to Book More Ads? Here’s What Hosts Need to Know

This one’s for anyone who wants to understand the connection between great content and great sales. Scott talks about how talent can better support the business side—without compromising authenticity.

How Radio Can STILL Stand Out in a Digital World

I asked Scott what makes a station or show stand out in today’s crowded content world. His answer is a powerful reminder of radio’s potential—and how to tap into it.

What’s Still Great About Radio? A Veteran’s Take

After decades in the business, Scott shares what he still loves about radio and why those core strengths still matter in 2025.

I hope you enjoy this quick series—it was a privilege to put together. Whether you’re creating content, managing talent, or just trying to keep up with a rapidly changing landscape, these short interviews are a great starting point.

If you’d like to learn more about the State of Media 2025 or how we’re helping media brands navigate what’s next, get in touch or check out the full report.

– Katie Miller
Cofounder, Crowd React Media

The post A 4-Part Interview Series with Scott Masteller on Talent, Media, and What Still Makes Radio Great appeared first on Crowd React Media.

Live Monday, May 5th

What happens when you stop looking at just who uses each media platform—and start looking at who’s actually converting?

The State of Media 2025 goes live Monday, May 5, and this year’s report digs deeper than ever before.

Now in its second year, this annual snapshot offers a comprehensive look at American media habits—from traditional to digital, audio to video, daily habits to deeper engagement. And in 2025, we’re taking it one step further by introducing conversion as a key lens. It’s a powerful, often-overlooked metric that reveals not just reach—but resonance.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside:

• One traditional media platform quietly keeps up with it’s digital counterpart in conversion—yes, really.

• Several audio formats that appear stable on the surface are showing subtle signs of decline when compared to 2024.

• We’re seeing a reset of media habits post-pandemic, with some surprising demographic shifts… and some areas showing remarkable stability.

• Plus: data across all major platforms—radio, TV (cable and streaming), podcasts, YouTube, video games, and more.

Want to get a sense of what to expect? Take a look at last year’s report, then mark your calendar.

The State of Media 2025 goes live Monday, May 5. You won’t want to miss what’s changed—and what hasn’t.

The post The State of Media 2025 appeared first on Crowd React Media.

Recent Publications:

Ordered by most recently published.

• • State of TV News 2025
    The inaugural report on the state of TV News. Designed specifically for news stations, this report provides actionable insights and strategies to help broadcasters adapt and succeed in this new landscape.
    Read More
  • State of Sports Media 2024
    The third annual report on the state of sports media across all channels, including radio, tv, digital, social and more.
    Read More

• • State of Media 2024: Video Sales Deck
    A downloadable PowerPoint deck with video findings from our State of Media 2024 report, showcasing broadcast television’s resilience and continued success, and ready to be used in your Sales team’s next sales deck!
    Read More
  • State of Media 2024: Radio Sales Deck
    A downloadable PowerPoint deck with radio data from our State of Media 2024 report, showing the strength of radio, and ready to be used in your Sales team’s next sales deck!
    Read More
  • State of Spanish-language Media 2024: Video Edition
    This whitepaper focuses on Spanish-language video media, including local and national news.
    Read More
  • State of Spanish-language Media 2024: Audio Edition
    This whitepaper focuses on the unique aspects and developments within Spanish-language audio media.
    Read More
  • State of Media 2024
    Our flagship report offers a broad overview of the media industry, highlighting key shifts and emerging trends across various platforms.
    Read More

Coming Soon:

More to be announced shortly!

—

We strive to keep you informed and ahead of the curve with our ongoing research and insights. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest updates.

The post Latest Research appeared first on Crowd React Media.

Given the saturation of content options, understanding your audience is essential for making smart decisions. If you’re in a management position at a content provider, you’re likely juggling many responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. So how do you sort everything out?

I have always believed that everything we do in content production should be based on ROI—Return on Investment. For instance, if you invest heavily in a host, you expect that talent to generate ratings and revenue for your organization. Similarly, if you recruit a high-profile salesperson, you expect them to bring in significant income for your brand.

In today’s environment, the key to success in content development is total collaboration between programming and sales. One cannot succeed without the other. In my role as Program Director for 97.5 The Fanatic, I am in constant communication with both the talent and production team, as well as the sales group.

We recently received valuable research data from a study conducted by Crowd React Media, a division of Harker Bos Group, on The Fanatic. The team at Crowd React collaborated with us to identify our strengths and opportunities for driving audience engagement. Our study involved conversations with over three hundred sports radio consumers in the Philadelphia market. Following an initial presentation to senior leadership, we embarked on what I call a “road show.” The first stop was a major presentation to the sales staff at Beasley Philadelphia. The engagement of the group, their attentiveness, and their thoughtful questions made it clear that we were on the right track. They are now equipped to use this data to enhance their sales presentations.

The next step was to present this information to our on-air and production teams. I held two sessions to ensure everyone could participate in the discussion. The hour-long meeting included open conversations, which are vital for fostering ownership of the process as we develop an action plan to implement before the fall rating period.

This study is invaluable in many ways. Beyond providing insights to our sales and programming teams, it also offers an opportunity to engage with our various partnerships that are crucial to our overall content presentation. I took it upon myself to prepare a condensed version of the study to present to our play-by-play partners and content distributors.

Ultimately, success is ALWAYS about having a PLAN. Whether it’s reviewing ratings data, conducting a research study, or continuously evaluating your content and the competition, understanding your audience is key to maximizing revenue and quarter-hours.

To Summarize:

• To succeed in a spoken word format, knowing your audience is critical.
• Smart decisions are essential—collaboration between sales and programming is vital.
• The Program Director must be fully immersed in all aspects of the content brand and presentation.
• Research can be a powerful tool for developing a winning strategy.
• Whether it’s a monthly ratings report or a detailed study, it’s important to review, analyze, and strategize regularly to stay ahead.

The post Do You Know Your Audience? – How to Use Research appeared first on Crowd React Media.

Much has changed over the years. With advancements in technology, consumers have more control over accessing content whenever and wherever they want. Gone are the days when the only competition in a market was another spoken-word radio station. Take Philadelphia, for instance, one of the most passionate sports markets in the country. Besides two prominent sports radio stations, there are numerous local online content destinations. Additionally, national broadcasters cover major professional teams, broadening the competitive landscape.

Let’s return to those 5 minutes—that remains the benchmark I believe in, regardless of platform. To me, this is the goal we strive to achieve with every piece of content we produce. The challenge, however, has become more daunting.
Consider the following statistics:

• On average, people check their smartphones 150 times per day (HBR).
• One-third of people check their smartphones within 5 minutes of waking up (Time).

The bottom line is that distractions are everywhere, and there are more avenues than ever to access content. This underscores the importance of maintaining content discipline in presentation, regardless of the format.

Most of my career has been spent in spoken word, and here’s what I’ve found works best over the years:

1. Do not waste time: In my early days as a host, this was a personal flaw. I’ve learned that diving right into the day’s biggest story pays off. Whether it’s news or sports, it’s about urgency and anticipation! Data often supports this with increased consumption following major breaking news or sports stories. There’s an audience waiting for insight and perspective on the stories that matter to them.

2. Understand the audience is always changing: Many hosts miss opportunities by over-preparing. Narrow your topic selection and recognize that the audience in the second or third hour of a show likely expects a consistent content approach unless there’s a major development or breaking news.

3. Focus on pacing: Given the need to keep the audience engaged throughout your presentation, find ways to maintain a lively pace. Incorporate impactful sound bites, concise interviews, and brief phone calls—all aimed at keeping the audience engaged. It’s essential to make a concentrated effort to tighten all aspects of content delivery.

4. Topics do matter: I’ve always admired music programmers for their knack in selecting songs that can define a radio station’s success. Similarly, in spoken word, choosing the right topics can make or break your show. A hot topic can remain relevant for an extended period, just like a hit song.

Regardless of the platform, these strategies are crucial to share with your on-air hosts. Even as things evolve, I still find it valuable to review key metrics in the Nielsen Report, particularly Time Spent Listening. TSL serves as a reliable gauge of your brand’s performance. There’s nothing more rewarding than sitting down with an on-air talent and showing them examples of how they’ve improved their presentation by capturing those critical 5 minutes!

The post It’s Still About The 5 Minutes appeared first on Crowd React Media.

Ask yourself this question when listening to or watching spoken word programming: How much of the presentation is truly compelling, and how long do you have to wait for the impactful content that will generate a reaction and keep the audience engaged? The numbers do not lie; attention spans are at an all-time low. When someone starts listening or watching, you have only 6 to 8 seconds to connect with the audience. After that, they will decide to stay or go elsewhere.

What does this mean for 2024? Here are some goals that give content creators the best possible opportunity to drive interest. This approach works for all forms of content, regardless of the platform. Consumers have all the leverage, as they will not tolerate mediocre programming, whether it’s a podcast, a radio show, or a television program. There needs to be a commitment to immediacy.
• As soon as the presentation starts, get right into the main topic of conversation. We live in an on-demand world, and every day the audience wants to experience a presentation focused on their interests. They do not want the talent to waste time talking about nothing.
• “Play the Hits” — What does this mean in today’s world? No matter the platform, consumers are waiting for the content they want. If you are listening to a podcast about medical treatment, you do not want to hear unrelated discussions. If you are listening to a sports show on a local radio station, the goal should be to deliver as soon as the segment starts. With breaking news on television, the consumer wants the information as soon as they decide to watch. The consumer will not wait for what they are looking for.

The challenge lies in balancing all of this to present truly compelling and informative content that will resonate with the audience. Content Discipline can be a real challenge. In broadcast radio, we have spent a significant amount of time focused on the “5 minutes” needed for quarter-hour credit. Getting anyone to listen or watch something for 5 minutes inside a quarter-hour is more demanding than you may realize. People get distracted easily, which is part of the challenge in connecting with consumers. It is crucial that talent and production staff understand this as part of the overall process of delivering compelling programming. The metric of 5 minutes to get credit is applicable for all platforms and is a good way to keep everyone focused.

One remarkable observation is that many talents do not listen to or watch their presentations. I have been conducting talent feedback sessions for years, and it is sometimes remarkable to see the look on their faces when they hear or see themselves for the first time. Athletes consistently review videos of their performances, even during actual sporting events. If a talent is truly committed to delivering great content, they will be their own best evaluator. I have often heard talents say that the content was not as relevant as it needs to be, or it was boring, or it did not deliver a payoff. It is all about who truly cares about what is being presented. The more we can take the time to review our work, the more there is an opportunity to improve the presentation and connect with the audience.

We live in a world of urgency. With attention spans so short, we cannot do things the way we used to. There are just too many places to get the programming that consumers are looking for. It is all about packaging and giving the impression that if you stop watching or listening, you are going to miss something truly interesting. The words urgency and anticipation have never been more critical for content creators.

Key Takeaways:

• Consumers have more choices than ever! Focus and discipline are core strategies in producing content.

• Attention spans are at an all-time low.

• As soon as the presentation starts, get right to the good stuff and “Play the Hits.” Do not waste time getting to the hot story/topic of the day.

• Avoid detours and distractions, as that is where you lose audience.

• Talent needs to listen or watch their presentation on a regular basis to fine-tune the presentation.

• Urgency and Anticipation are critical factors in developing audience attention.

This article includes a downloadable infographic.

Download the Mastering Content Creation: A Guide to Captivating Audiences infographic today!

The post Who Cares? – Mastering Content Creation in 2024: A Guide to Captivating Audiences appeared first on Crowd React Media.