Xperi used the CES 2025 stage to announce that its DTS AutoStage hybrid radio platform is now integrated into 10 million vehicles worldwide, including six million in North America. At the West Hall, Senior VP of Global Radio & Digital Audio Joe D’Angelo and Senior Director of Broadcast Strategy Juan Galdamez demonstrated what the future of radio looks like in the dashboard and talked up the treasure trove of audience insights participating stations can access through Xperi’s connected car data platform.
A BMW X3 and a Harley Davidson motorcycle allowed attendees to touch, see and hear an immersive unified media experience, which brings together radio, audio, video, and gaming content.
D’Angelo met with a group of broadcasters who visited the booth as part of the Jacobs Media tour. Representing small and medium markets, they had varying levels of AutoStage awareness and D’Angelo offered a primer on the tech, focusing on the listening data it generates for broadcasters at no charge.
Hailing from diary and unrated markets, these broadcasters are clamoring for data, said Jacobs Media VP/General Manager Paul Jacobs on location for Inside Radio. “They have nothing and so there was a good amount of excitement in the group. There was a real connection made.”
“There's something very visceral about going to the booth and seeing the cars and seeing the radio dial in a way you've never seen it before,” added President Fred Jacobs. “Every time I see a broadcaster check out those heat maps for the first time, showing real cars driving around tuned to their radio station, there's something really powerful about that presentation.”
Also, eliciting a thumbs-up from rural broadcasters in the group was how AutoStage enables a seamless transition for the listener from broadcast to internet stream when the vehicle drives out of a station’s signal range.
‘Where AI Meets HI’
AI is everywhere at the big tech expo, which wraps up today in Las Vegas. The push and pull between artificial intelligence and human creativity was an overriding theme. During a C Space Studio Q&A, Katz Digital President Scott Porretti talked about how it is used in digital audio advertising. “We have a saying at Katz – ‘Where AI meets HI,” Porretti explained. While the digital arm of the rep firm relies on artificial intelligence and data to help advertisers target specific audiences with greater accuracy, based on rich user information that is balanced with creativity and human intelligence. “The people on board [at Katz] have dozens of years of expertise and really know the products that we have and the customers we have, to find those audiences and deliver that in a human way while we're taking advantage of all the data and capabilities that exist,” Porretti said.
Audio remains in growth mode, thanks in large part to podcasting. There were 598,081 active podcasts last year, up 128% from 2023 for a three-year high, according to Listen Notes. Navigating the deep and wide podcast ocean “is overwhelming for a lot of advertisers,” Porretti told podcast host James Kotecki in the C Space sit-down. “Being able to transact and deliver ads in that message, you need technology to do that, and that ability to find those audiences is really valuable.” While its expertise has historically been in audio, Katz Digital sees a growing number of advertisers wanting to retarget audio audiences in the red-hot CTV space. “We're expecting to see advertisers coming to us to look at advertising in both of those platforms and moving campaign impressions seamlessly around to ensure performance,” he said. View portions of the Q&A HERE.
Other CES 2025 Highlights:
Smart glasses that don’t look like smart glasses (and don’t break the bank) created a buzz at Eureka Park, especially Halliday's so-called "proactive AI eyewear". The specs include a 3.5-inch monochrome display that “means the glasses can act like an all-knowing AI sidekick,” TechRadar reports. Ideal for cheating in meetings or ditching the teleprompter during presentations, the AI agent can listen to conversations and answer questions.
Songwriter, producer, and Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am joined LG’s press conference to pull the shrink wrap off a line of audio products branded as “xboom by will.i.am.” The Bluetooth speakers and wireless earbuds will be integrated with his AI-powered RAiDiO.FYI for an interactive audio experience that includes AI-generated characters the entrepreneur created. “He talked a lot about using AI to empower creators, to redefine how media is consumed, and to give everybody an opportunity to use and communicate via media,” Fred Jacobs said. “He is a radio fan, and he talked about how it was an important part of his life and music development growing up and that radio continues to be an important medium.”
Rocker Lenny Kravitz performed at Delta Air Lines’ keynote at the Sphere, where the airline unveiled a raft of innovations for air travelers. Delta CEO Ed Bastian’s keynote highlighted the Delta Concierge AI-powered personal assistant program, which bows this year and will anticipate travelers’ needs to help simplify the logistics of travel. The airline also announced partnerships with Uber, YouTube and DraftKings. Getting the most attention is a plan to add 4K screens to all cabins in its airplanes in 2026. Delta will also offer Bluetooth connectivity for its in-flight entertainment in all cabins, so travelers can pair their personal wireless devices starting next year. Seven-time Super Bowl champion QB-turned-Fox Sports host Tom Brady made an appearance, too, promoting “Well Traveled,” an in-flight series he will host for Delta focusing on wellness tips while traveling.
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