A new Web poll survey, conducted by rock radio consultants Jacobs Media, has found that, among rock radio listeners, an FM radio tuner is the most desired new feature for portable media players. The survey also found more people than ever are interested in getting portable media players.

The study asked about the most important new feature that consumers want in their next personal mp3 player. Overwhelmingly, respondents want an FM tuner (33%). That feature outpaces increased capacity, a larger screen, and video playback in importance. According to the survey, more than four in ten iPod owners (43%) want an FM tuner.

“iPods are showing no signs of stopping,” according to Fred Jacobs, President of Jacobs Media. “Last year, our data showed that the growth of personal mp3 players was far from over. This year, our new study confirms that this phenomenon continues to have lots of life, and we expect strong growth throughout ’07.”

The study was conducted in late February through early March, and consisted of more than 25,000 respondents from over 69 Rock-formatted stations from all over the U.S.

Since this poll was started in February ’05, year-to-year personal mp3 player penetration has steadily increased. From the ’06 to ’07 studies, ownership is up to 47% of the Rock sample, an impressive jump of 34%. And among Alternative listeners, two-thirds (67%) now own an iPod-like device.

The study asked those who still don’t own one of these devices if they intend to do so in 2007. Nearly half (45%) of these iPod-less respondents say they are very or somewhat likely to take the plunge. One in ten (12%) has a strong likelihood to buy one sometime during 2007. It should be another great year for Apple and other personal mp3 player manufacturers.

Jacobs Media’s Technology Web Poll III is the largest study of its kind, conducted in late February/early March 2007, among more than 25,000 respondents across 69 different Rock-formatted stations. It is the third annual Technology Poll, conducted among Rock radio listeners who are predominantly members of station email clubs. Participating stations represent Mainstream/Active Rock, Classic Rock, Alternative, and Triple A outlets in markets around the U.S.

Of course, this is a web poll, and cannot replicate all radio listeners or even all Rock radio listeners. As with all Internet-based research projects of this kind, the results reflect only those who chose to participate in the survey, and do not necessarily represent the views of all Rock radio listeners in the country. Still, the 69 radio stations that invited their listeners to take the survey are a broad cross-section of Rock stations, from large and small markets, as well as those that play the newest Rock music and those that play only Classic Rock.

Jacobs Media is the largest Rock radio consulting firm in America, providing research and consulting services to major radio broadcasting companies. The company created the Classic Rock format, and works with Alternative, Active Rock, and Triple A formatted stations.

Source: Jacobs Media