Fred Jacobs' CES Observations: Will Automakers Nickel And Dime Radio To Death?

New Blog

In the latest JACOBS MEDIA blog post, one of FRED JACOBS' takeaways from this year's CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (CES) in LAS VEGAS is how automakers continue to move to increase revenue after the sale or leasing of their vehicles and what that may mean for radio.

The blog post digs into automotive microtransactions, in-vehicle payments and features as a service (FaaS). In 2021, BMW unveiled monthly subscription fees for features including heated seats and steering wheels: Features that had been included with the purchase or lease of a vehicle now cost $18 monthly.

The blog post also shares a screenshot of KIA's microtransactions for its CONNECT program of services.

(Photo: Shop Press) JACOBS suggests we consider the possibility of automakers making AM/FM radio an FaaS and asks "Will car buyers check off that box to pay $X/month to listen to your radio stations and the others in town?"

See the latest JACOBS MEDIA STRATEGY blog here.

« see more Net News