French radio audience – surprise!

Michael Hedges November 20, 2008

True to form French radio listeners offered up a few surprises. They come at a good moment, and better for some than others. This audience is never, completely, predictable. And broadcasters are facing the music.

But first place among the national radio channels for the September-October Médiamétrie survey period stays with RTL. Its’ 12.3% market share is lower than the 12.6% a year ago and markedly lower than the 13.3% for April-June. Indeed, RTL’s market share is its’ lowest since April-June 2007. Do not shed tears. RTL has been the top rated national channel forever…almost. Losing a few tenths of a share won’t impact the bottom line.

The first real surprise for some is the mighty jump for public radio main channel France Inter. OK, the channel is still number two but the 9.4% market share increases from 8.5% one year on and is the biggest increase of any channel year to year. France Inter last reached above 9% in 2004 (9.6% April-June).

This is not the only good news for Radio France. Public regional network France Bleu regained its usual sixth place, increasing to 5.3% market share from 4.3% and seventh place year on year. Aggregate market share for French public absolutely soared to 21.8% from 19.6% one year on. 

The next surprise came to Europe 1 (Lagardère)…and they have reason to crow. The channel reversed what appeared to be a trend of doom by jumping to 8.1% market share from 7.9% one year on. Much, but not all, of the growth came from strong increases in daytime and afternoon listening. Early evening host Laurent Requier gained almost 25% more listeners over the April-June survey.

RTL, France Inter and Europe 1 have comprised the top three French national radio channels since, it seems, Marconi. The aggregate market share of these channels is now 29.8%, up from 29% one year on.

Alas, NRJ once broke into the top three, interestingly during the September-October surveys. But that last happened in 2005. Back to school (rentreé in French) just doesn’t have the pull it once had for the aging pop channel. It’s solidly number four but has slipped to 5.8% market share, it’s lowest in five years.

Nostalgie, also owned by NRJ Group), held fifth place, slipping to 5.5% market share from 5.9% year on year. Cherie FM dropped to 2.7% market share from 3.0%.

Seventh place goes to RMC, 4.9% market share increasing from 4.6% one year on. Compared with the April-July survey the channel lost 0.5% market share. RMC can expect a further boost, coverage being a significant factor. The channel will have new transmitters in the north (Dunkirk), center (Chartres) and Normandie.

Skyrock held eighth place with 4.4% market share, up from 4.0% year on year. Fun Radio (RTL) and France Info (Radio France) tied for 9th place; Fun Radio down from 4.0% one year on and France Info, er, flat.

RFM (Lagardère Active) continues to struggle for eleventh place, dropping to 3.2% market share from 3.8% year on year. “The RFM team is mobilized to conquer a new audience,” said Program Director Sam Zniber in a post survey statement. Lagardère Active Radio General Director Jean-Christophe Lestra added that the channel has “positive momentum.”

Music channels continue to suffer in the national radio survey. Eight of the eleven officially designated ‘programmes musicaux’ lost market share year on year. Average time spent listening among these channels dropped to 120 minutes from 123 minutes one year on. By contrast, time spent listening climbed for the general interest channels (généralists) to 157 minutes from 151 minutes year on year.

Media in Spain - Diverse and Challenged – new

Media in Spain is steeped in tradition. yet challenged by diversity. Publishers hold great influence, broadcasters competing. New media has been slow to rise and business models for all are under stress. Rich in language and culture, Spain's media is reaching into the future and finding more than expected. 123 pages, PDF. January 2018

Order here

The Campaign Is On - Elections and Media

Elections campaigns are big media events. Candidates and issues are presented, analyzed and criticized in broadcast and print. Media is now more of a participant in elections than ever. This ftm Knowledge file reports on news coverage, advertising, endorsements and their effect on democracy at work. 84 pages. PDF (September 2017)

Order here

Fake News, Hate Speech and Propaganda

The institutional threat of fake news, hate speech and propaganda is testing the mettle of those who toil in news media. Those three related evils are not new, by any means, but taken together have put the truth and those reporting it on the back foot. Words matter. This ftm Knowledge file explores that light. 48 pages, PDF (March 2017)

Order here

More ftm Knowledge files here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member to order Knowledge Files at no charge. JOIN HERE!