Mar 14 • 08:30 UTC 🇪🇪 Estonia Postimees

The future of radio: Spotify bites, but it won't kill radio anytime soon

The article discusses the ongoing relevance of radio in the age of digital streaming platforms like Spotify, exploring concerns over piracy and music playtime.

The article focuses on the dynamic between traditional radio and digital streaming services, specifically addressing the challenges faced by radio broadcasts in fully playing songs. Many listeners have experienced instances where their favorite music is interrupted or not played in full on radio stations, unlike on streaming platforms. This raises questions about the state of radio in a digital age dominated by services such as Spotify, where users have more control over what they listen to and when.

To delve deeper into this issue, the publication interviewed Ahto Kruusmann, the music director of MyHits, a radio station in Estonia. He explained that the limitations on full song playtime are not merely due to broadcaster preference, but rather a multifaceted problem involving copyright concerns and the risks of music piracy. Although radio stations face scrutiny over the songs they play and their duration, this traditional medium still holds significant value for audiences seeking curated playlists and live programming.

Kruusmann also emphasized that despite the competitive pressure from platforms like Spotify, radio will not die out soon. The human touch and the unique community connection that radio offers continue to resonate with listeners, making it a complementary form of media rather than a competing one. While streaming services remain popular, radio's ability to adapt and provide dynamic content means it will persist alongside these new technologies.

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