Like a Freight Train, it's Coming

The future, that is.

Wow! Take a quick look at this:

www.goautonet.com

Yes, that's right. Nationwide in-car Internet using a combination of high speed cell phone Internet connectivity and wi-fi is on the way, at least here in the United States.

And Avis is already planning to roll it out for their rental car fleet.

Frankly, I'm looking forward to being able to listen to Highveld, Johannesburg in my car. I can hear a great morning show (Jeremy Mansfield) at 10PM my time. The local stations, at that time of night, aren't exactly going out of their way to provide compelling programming. Okay, I probably will still spend some time with John Tesh. But the choices I'll have! The choices you'll have!

The world is gonna change. And if this particular company doesn't lead the way, you just know there are hundreds, maybe thousands more entrepeneurs with similar plans to completely change how people listen to radio.

A few commercial radio stations are all about great programming, and they will grow. But if we are honest with ourselves we'll admit that most stations are being run into the ground. At those stations, no effort is being made to get feedback from listeners. No investment is being made to develop talent and compelling programming. When even cars don't give those stations a monopoly, how do you think station owners will respond? If what's going on today is any indication, it won't be anything we can be proud of.

What do you think?