Czech Public Youth Radio Waves Hello

Michael Hedges - January 18, 2006

Public broadcaster Cesky Rozhlas (Czech Radio - CRo) launched Radio Wave (CRo4) January 13th (yes, Friday the 13th) at 13:13 aimed at 15 to 25 year old listeners.

The newest addition to Czech Radio’s offering is on the air on FM in Prague and available on the internet. In early February the program will be available on the DVB-T multiplex.

Through the day, between 0600 and 1700, the program is consistent format with music, DJs and features. Magazine programs are offered in the late afternoons; film, sport, music charts, tips for the weekends. In the evenings the station offers a variety of specialty music programs. Music dominates the program; 80% music and 20% speech.

“I am rather strongly affected by the German scene: WDR’s Eins Live, ORF’s FM4, whose program strongly inspires us. And naturally BBC Radio 1, the principle icon of the scene,” said Radio Wave’s new chief editor Ludislav Kylar to Radio Prague. Kylar explained that a pent up demand exists for black music and Czech music, not served by private radio. “We want to address the underground scene,” he added.

A youth channel for Czech public radio has been debated for more than a decade. One problem has been a lack of available frequencies. Private broadcasters, many of which offer music formats to the same target, are not thrilled.

Editors note: Michael Hedges traveled through the new EU Member States, September 2005 through February 2006, surveying the audiovisual sector for European Commission Social Dialogue committee. The reports for ftm are his own observations and do not reflect the positions of the European Commission or any of the members of the Social Dialogue committee.

ftm Follow Up & Comments