followthemedia.com
a knowledge base for media professionals 		ftm Radio Page
ftm Home Page

ftm Radio Page - March 1, 2013

DJs in dither about Facebook counting
The things that really matter

“What gets measured gets done,” declared management icon Tom Peters, lo those many years ago, when management by objectives (MBO) was the rage. A generation later managers continue to divine new ways to measure and reward an employee’s performance. It’s easy with bankers; count the money and hand out the bonuses.

With radio performers – the DJs – it’s not so simple. Audience ratings, ups and downs, have long been the first – and often the only – criteria. But listener surveys can be incomplete, particularly when the bosses have more complex objectives. Social media traffic and program downloads are easy to track and very trendy, so why not add them to the list of “measureables.”

That’s exactly what BBC Radio 2 bosses have done, reports the Guardian’s John Plunkett (February 28). There’s a whiteboard for each Radio 2 DJ on which the daily, weekly and unearthly stats are recorded. Radio 2 is the highest rated of the BBC radio channels. (See recent UK national audience chart here)

The Radio 2 DJs were astonished. “The things that really matter aren't measurable,” said one anonymously. “A presenter could hit all their numbers and still have a dull program. Or they could miss all the targets but be making great radio.”

Peters abridged the famous phrase from the quintessential management by objectives guy, Peter Drucker, who said, “What gets measured gets managed.” (JMH)

Radios banned! Yes, it’s election time
Cheap smartphones, too

Police raided offices of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) in Harare looking for suspicious “specially designed radios.” Other NGOs have been raided in recent days including the Zimbabwe Peace Project and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association. Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said the seized “communications devices,” which apparently included smartphones, were used for “hate speech” and “meant to sow seeds of discontent within the country,” quoted by The Zimbabwean (February 20). (See more on media in Africa here)

“We have information that people or political parties are engaging in illegal activities and distributing illegal communicating devices to the public,” said Ms Charamba. Media watchers in Zimbabwe and elsewhere noted that short-wave and medium-wave radio receivers have been targeted because they can pick-up stations like the BBC and VOA rather than State broadcaster ZBC. Wind-up and solar powered radio receivers, also targeted in the ban, are popular in rural areas. A referendum on a new constitution in Zimbabwe will be held in three weeks and one on Robert Mugabe’s presidency in the summer. (See more on elections and media here)

 “It is simply a case of oppression that the police are carrying out on behalf of some political parties,” said human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama, quoted by The Standard (February 24). “No offence was committed by the people who use or distribute the receivers, meaning there is no legal basis for the police's action.” (JMH)

 

Radio Page week ending February 22, 2013
radio in Slovakia, Radio Expres, Bauer Media, music quotas, radio in Ukraine, radio advertising, Hit FM, radio in Ireland, license fee

Radio Page week ending February 15, 2013
radio in Portugal, radio licensing, APR, World Radio Day, UNESCO, AER, EBU, ITU, radio in Czech Republic, Radio Impuls, Radio Projekt, Londa, Eurocast, Frekvence 1, Evropa 2, Lagardère, BBC

Radio Page week ending February 8, 2013
car radios, radio in the UK, Bauer Media, Planet Rock

Radio Page week ending February 1, 2013
radio in the UK, RAJAR, Radio 2, local radio, digital radio, 6Music, Absolute Radio, radio In Ireland

Radio Page week ending January 25, 2013
radio in Switzerland, PublicaData, SSR-SRG, public radio, private local radio, radio in Paris, Médiamétrie, NRJ, Skyrock, Gènèrations, Radio Latina

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe’s Radio – Northern Europe

Northern Europe’s radio has a very digital sound. And change is in the air. Economic challenges abound for both public and commercial broadcasters. The ftm Knowledge file reports on Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the UK. 144 pages PDF includes Resources (November 2012)

Order here

Digital Radio - Possibilities and Probabilities

Digital radio has many platforms. From broadcast platforms to internet radio and rapidly emerging smartphone platforms, listeners and broadcasters have choices galore and decisions to make. Some regulators have made up their minds, others not, some hedging their bets. This ftm Knowledge file details the possibilities for digital broadcasting and the probabilities for success. Includes Resources 149 pages PDF (August 2012)

Order here

Europe's Radio - Southern Europe

Radio broadcasting in southern Europe ranges from highly developed to developing highly. Italian, Spanish and Portuguese radio is unique, creative and very popular. Radio in Croatia, Serbia and Greece has had ups and downs. The ftm Knowledge file includes Resources. 74 pages PDF (May 2012)

Order here

Europe's Radio - Western Europe

Opportunity meets tradition in Western Europe's radio broadcasting. Change has come fast and yet oh, so slowly. This ftm Knowledge file contains material and resources on public and private radio broadcasting in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. 156 pages. Resources. PDF (December 2011)

Order here

Europe’s Radio – Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe’s radio writes new rules. In fact, most everything about radio in this region is new... and changes often. The ftm Knowledge file reports on Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. 102 pages PDF (June 2011)

Order here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member and receive Knowledge files at no charge. JOIN HERE!

ftm Knowledge files are available to non-Members at €49 each. The charge to Individual Site Members is €15 each.

The Six Radio Brands is about the uniquely European development of radio brands. Competition among broadcasters - and certainly between the public and commercial sectors - gives radio in Europe a rich dynamic. As consumers become more media-literate and demand more attachment broadcasters find target markets illusive.
Regulators, advertisers and broadcasters take turns trying to influence radio brands. Culture and technology makes an impact. More and more, the greatest influence comes from consumers.
The Six Radio Brands describes advantages and pit-falls of brand strategies, with illustrations from current radio practice.

100 pages. 2004

Available at no charge to ftm Members, €49 for others. Email for more information

copyright ©2004-2013 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact Us • About Us