NextRadio Data Shows Increased Use Of App During Emergencies

Info During Emergencies

SEPTEMBER is "National Preparedness Month," and NEXTRADIO is partnering with FEMA to support the READY.GOV initiative to help draw attention to the need for families to discuss and create a plan in case of an emergency.

New data from the NEXTRADIO app indicates that during an emergency weather situation the number of NEXTRADIO listeners increases an average of more than 2.5 times and the number of listening sessions increase by 4 times.  These dramatic increases validate NextRadio as a valuable resource that consumers tune to in a time of need.

“An active FM chip in smartphones allows the public much needed information in the event of an emergency. When a catastrophe occurs, electrical power grids can go down disrupting cellular and Wi-Fi networks. An FM receiver in a smartphone receives broadcast radio despite a cell network being unavailable. The ability to broadcast life-saving, mass-market information to the devices people use most is imperative and one we need to continue championing until all FM Chips are activated,” said EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CEO JEFF SMULYAN.

Data from prior weather emergencies in the Midwest during 2015 highlight the fact that consumers are using NextRadio for information:

Event: Straight Line Weather Disaster

• Location: BRAINERD, MN
• Event Listening Date:  SUNDAY, JULY 12th
• Stations: 12 radio stations in a 30 mile radius of location
• Comparison Date: JULY 5 (same day prior week)
• Results: 260% increase in Listeners vs. comparison day (Listeners increased by 3.6x) 615% increase in Listening Sessions vs. comparison day (Sessions increased by 7.2x)

Event: Tornadoes

• Location: ROCHELLE, IL (NORTHERN ILLINOIS)
• Event Listening Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8th
• Stations: 67 radio stations in a 30 mile radius of location
• Comparison Date: APRIL 1 (same day prior week)
• Results: 54% increase in Listeners vs. comparison day (Listeners increased by 1.5x) 151% increase in Listening Sessions vs. comparison day (Sessions increased by 2.5x)

Event: Tornadoes & Flash Floods

• Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
• Event Listening Date: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6th
• Stations: 46 radio stations in a 30 mile radius of location
• Comparison Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (same day prior week)
• Results: 146% increase in Listeners vs. comparison day (Listeners increased by 2.5x) 254% increase in Listening Sessions vs. comparison day (Sessions increased by 3.5x)

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