ABSTRACT
The role of music radio formats is being redefined in a scenario where streaming audio platforms have transformed the consumption of music and sound content by questioning the traditional complementarity between the music industry and radio.
Music radio is facing enormous challenges. The main one lies in connecting with youth audiences that seem to be escaping to different digital platforms. The reality is that for decades, radio was the first point of encounter with musical subcultures and therefore became a crucial space for independent community creation. Today, the reality is that public and commercial radio stations are trying to consolidate mature audiences (which are also beginning to migrate to the platforms) and are giving up on younger listeners.
In this chapter I will explore how this transformation poses challenges to music stations as business models adapt to changing listener behaviours. To do this, I approach them according to ownership, since challenges, response, and innovation vary for private commercial radio, public radio, community projects, or more underground operations.
