Topic of CRS 2018 Edison Research Study Revealed - Country Radio Is At Home With Smart Speakers

(Nashville, Tenn. – Dec. 11, 2017)  What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Country? Edison Research has been asking this question for over 20 years and the answer is usually the same: “home.” Country Radio has the power to bring people home to the place where they feel most comfortable, yet, research has shown that fewer and fewer people have FM radios in their homes every year. But the 2018 Country Radio Seminar research presentation from Edison Research will highlight the devices that may just bring Country Radio and the home together again: Smart Speakers. 

According to new research, 71% of Smart Speaker owners who listen to Country radio said listening to their favorite AM/FM radio station is a reason they wanted the device. 

The full research study will be presented on Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. 

The presentation will look at the new devices from the perspective of the Country listener in order to understand how they are already using Smart Speakers and how they use the technology to connect with their favorite radio stations. Edison Research will present ideas on how to use Smart Speakers to strengthen the already strong relationship between the listener and Country Radio. 

“This is technology that is not just being used by young people. We’re seeing so many different kinds of owners who enjoy interacting with these devices. Smart Speakers present a tremendous opportunity for radio,” said Megan Lazovick, Director of Research at Edison Research. 

Drawing from new behavioral data and opinions from in-person interviews with Country fans, the research will pinpoint how radio can use this technology to their advantage. Edison, known for putting on an entertaining and informative show, will bring videos that walk through the process of creating and using a skill on a Smart Speaker –with interviews with developers, Country Radio programmers, and Smart Speaker users. 

To review more of this year’s agenda, please visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or download the CRS mobile app.  As in previous years, the CRS app provides attendees with an expanded CRS agenda, panel descriptions, speaker bios, live performances, CRS after-hour activities and more.

Country Radio Seminar will be held Monday, February 5 through Wednesday, February 7 at the luxurious Omni Nashville, in the heart of downtown Nashville.  Register to attend CRS 2018 today by visiting www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or by calling the CRS offices at 615-327-4487.  Registration is now available at the “Final Rate” of $699.  

About Country Radio Seminar:  Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. CRS 2018 will be held Feb. 5-7, 2018. Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information. Like CRS on Facebook and follow CRS on Twitter. (Hashtag #CRS2018).

About Edison Research: Edison Research conducts survey research and provides strategic information to a broad array of clients, including Activision, AMC Theatres, Disney, Dolby Laboratories, Google, NPR, Oracle, the U.S. International Broadcasting Bureau, Pandora, Samsung, Siemens, Sony, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Gates Foundation, and Univision. Edison is the leading podcast research company in the world and has conducted research on the medium for NPR, CBS, PodcastOne, WNYC, and many more leading companies in the space.  Another specialty for Edison is its work for media companies throughout the world, conducting research in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Edison Research is the provider of election exit poll data for the National Election Pool comprised of ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC. Edison is also the leading provider of consumer exit polling and has conducted face-to-face research in almost every imaginable venue.