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ftm Radio Page - week ending April 2, 2021

Radio receivers are now end-devices, like cars and refrigerators
one to everything

Followers of media tech know full well that 5G rollout will pose challenges one right after another. 5G technology represents the next generation in mobile communications and media. Already allocated within the rather narrow spectrum is 5G Broadcast. Beyond that, everything is complicated, not to forget rather opaque.

Most of the world with peripheral awareness of 5G think first of some sort of super, duper mobile phone thing. It is; now go back to whatever else you were doing. After all, your 3G or 4G phone does amazing things and will continue to do so for several years. Radio broadcasters, in particular, have long argued for “all-platform” spectrum policies. (See more about digital transition here)

Commercial broadcasters in Germany, Switzerland and Austria have made a pitch (March 31) that radio not to be forgotten in the rush to claim the 5G benefits. "The free reception of radio programs on all relevant reception channels must be ensured in the long term,” said the joint statement of Vaunet (Germany), APR (Germany), VSP (Switzerland) and VÖP (Austria). “In addition to broadcasting via analog and digital terrestrial, IP, satellite and cable, distribution via 5G broadcast is decisive for the future for broadcasting.” (See full statement here - in German)

Radio broadcasting’s strength, said VÖP managing director Corinna Drumm, is “an indispensable contribution to the plurality of opinions and media quality,” citing “increasing disinformation” during the coronavirus pandemic. Radio broadcasts have consistently ranked highest in trust and confidence among media users. Social media, conspicuously, has fallen to the bottom.

On that practical level, “broadcasters must be able to reach their target groups on all relevant reception channels,” said APR chairman Olaf Hopp. “In addition to classic radio receivers, mobile devices are becoming more and more important.” These commercial broadcasters are looking for a “must-carry” provision in ITU rules to be decided at the 2023 World Radio Conference as well as limits on “third-party or gatekeeper” (read: telecoms) access controls.

Channel just for grannies scheduled for arrival
"shows from the archives"

Czech public radio broadcaster CRo (Cesky Rozhlas) is planning to cap its channel menu this coming autumn with a dedicated digital channel just for folks over 65 years. “The working title is Radio Senior,” said CRo director general René Zavoral, reported media portal mediar.cz (March 29). “But I’m sure it will be called something else.”

Distribution will be all-digital through DAB+ networks and online. Like many other public broadcasters, CRo executives want to encourage listeners to acquire digital reception devices; older folks being the least interested so far. Czech public TV has offered a dedicated channel for seniors (CT3) since last year, officially still an experiment. Children’s channel Radio Junior launched in 2012. (See more on media in the Czech Republic here)

"It will be for the oldest listeners who like shows from the archives, which they don't hear much anymore," said a CRo statement. “In this way we will close out our portfolio of 25 stations, which is sufficient for the Czech Republic.” All-sports digital channel Radiozournal Sport will debut in May, coinciding with the World Hockey Championships.

CRo is closing-in on a final decision to discontinue AM/MW broadcasting by the end of the year, citing “technical obsolescence and energy performance.”

DJs misbehaving, advertisers exit, broadcasters cancel
"attempt to be funny"

Once upon a time those seeking an on-air radio position would be required to show a certain level of training. There were schools for this. Broadcasters themselves offered instruction. Unions often provided lessons and certification. All of that is so last century. Now - it sometimes seems - DJs are directed only to be outrageous.

Nairobi, Kenya radio station Homeboyz Radio is without services of its three morning show co-hosts. Owner Radio Africa is also out KSH1 million, about €7,700, fined by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), reported Business Daily Africa (March 29), and the DJs banned from the airwaves for six months. The trio made disparaging comments on-air (March 25) about a woman who rebuffed the advances of a man, who then threw her from a 12th floor window. She survived and went to court.

“The station (DJs) had discussed sexual matters in an explicit and offensive manner and glorified sexual violence against women in a blatant breach of legal requirements,” said CA acting director-general Mercy Wanjau at a press conference. East African Breweries, local Guinness
brewer, “paused” advertising on the station, citing "implied to support acts of gender violence on woman.” The three DJs quickly circled around with apologies. Too little. Too late. The station fired them Saturday.

Misogyny, we know, knows no borders. Buffalo, New York commercial station 97 Rock (WGRF) owner Cumulus Media fired morning DJ Rob Lederman last week (March 25) and suspended two co-hosts. The trio made disparaging comments about the skin color of prominent Black women celebrities with comparisons to burnt toast. It was “an attempt to be funny,” said Mr. Lederman to local TV station WGRZ (March 25). “That failed miserably.”

Again, advertisers and sponsors headed for the exits. "The ‘toast’ statements made by Mr. Lederman on his morning show were inappropriate, and insulting,” said advertiser J.C. Seneca in a statement to WGRZ (March 27). “I have to side with all people who have endured this type of systemic racism that has long been accepted throughout America. To do anything less condones it and allows such actions to continue."

Radio Page week ending March 26, 2021
radio in Sweden, Sveriges Radio, Trust Barometer, Kantar Sifo, radio in Slovenia, Radio Ognjisce, FM frequencies, ITU

Radio Page week ending March 19, 2021
radio in the US, radio in the UK, mergers and acquisitions, Global Media, iHeartMedia, radio brands, rock radio, radio rock, radio in the Czech Republic, KMET

Radio Page week ending March 12, 2021
radio in Finland, Mediatakojat, Bauer Media Audio, radio in France, RMC, Altice, show hosts, DJs

Radio Page week ending March 5, 2021
radio in Germany, MABB, radio license, KCRW, radio in Ireland, digital radio, DAB, RTE, radio in Poland, Halo Radio, internet radio

Radio Page week ending February 26, 2021
radio in Ireland, mergers and acquisitions, Communicorp, Bauer Media, radio in Italy, Radio Radicale, media support

Radio Page week ending February 19, 2021
radio in the Russian Federation, Russian Media Group, radio in Germany, Radio Berlin Brandenburg, RadioEins, Fritz, mobile apps

Radio Page week ending February 12, 2021
World Radio Day 2021, UNESCO, podcaasts, DAB, radio in Poland, Agora SA, Eurozet, RMF FM, radio in Austria, Radiotest, ORF, Kronehit, Radio Arabella, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending February 5, 2021
radio in Canada, The Raven, indigenous media, radio in Germany, rs2, coronavirus, MABB

Radio Page week ending January 29, 2021
radio in Hungary, Klubradio, Media Council, elections and media

Radio Page week ending January 22, 2021
radio in France, radio in Paris, France Inter, RTL, Radio Classique, Evasion, Chant France, international broadcasting, Voice of America, RFE/RL

Radio Page week ending January 15, 2021
radio in the US, talk radio, hate speech, radio in France, Radio France, public broadcasting, Round House, radio in Poland, mergers and acquisitions, Agora SA, Eurozet, TOK FM, Radio Zet, UOKiK

Radio Page week ending January 8, 2021
Media And The Virus, coronavirus, radio broadcasting, radio audience, local radio, digital radio, FM

Radio Page week ending December 11, 2020
radio in Hungary, radio license, Spirit FM, Klubradio, NMHH, radio in Afghanistan, Merman Radio, Reporters sans Frontieres, 2020 Press Freedom Awards, audio news, mobile media, advertising

Radio Page week ending December 4, 2020
radio in the Czech Republic, Radio Hana, fairytales, radio in Belgium, radio audience, coronavirus, digital radio, FM radio

Radio Page week ending November 27, 2020
radio in France, radio audience, radio in Paris, France Inter, RTL, France Info, Skyrock, France Culture, radio in Germany, media support, Neustart Kultur, radio in Hamburg, coronavirus, radio technology, radio and automobiles, Radioplayer

Radio Page week ending November 20, 2020
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, France Inter, RTL, NRJ, France Info, RMC, Radio France, radio advertising, environment

Radio Page week ending November 13, 2020
radio in Switzerland, DAB, digital radio, media support, digital transition, coronavirus, radio in Greece, radio license, pirate radio, sports radio, ESR

Radio Page week ending November 6, 2020
radio in Portugal, radio audience, Bareme Radio Marktest, coronavirus, RTP, Radio Comercial, RFM, radio in Hungary, Klubradio, radio license, online radio, NMHH

Radio Page week ending October 30, 2020
radio audience, streaming audio, Spotify, radio in Bulgaria, Bulgarian National Radio, Council of Electronic Media, public radio

Radio Page week ending October 23, 2020
radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio Trojka

Radio Page week ending October 16, 2020
radio in France, Radio France, podcasts, Deezer, radio in Brazil, online radio, social media, Kantar

Radio Page week ending October 9, 2020
radio in Poland, online radio, start-up, business model, crowdfunding, Radio Nowy Swait, Radio 357, radio in Denmark, Radio Loud, Berlingske Media

Radio Page week ending October 2, 2020
radio in Denmark, DR, P6 Beat, P8 Jazz, Ministry of Culture, radio in Norway, Christmas Radio, Juleradioen

Radio Page week ending September 25, 2020
radio in Ukraine, Crimea, jamming, radio in Hungary, Civil Radio, Inforadio, NMHH, radio licenses

Radio Page week ending September 18, 2020
radio in Switzerland, Swiss Music Day, SSR-SRG, coronavirus, radio in Germany, cultural media, public broadcasting, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenberg, rbbKulturradio

Radio Page week ending September 11, 2020
radio in Italy, sports and media, Radio Kiss Kiss Italia, radio in Hungary, digital radio, NMHH

Radio Page week ending September 4, 2020
automobiles and radio, digital radio, automobile dashboard, radio in Germany, online radio, digital radio, podcasts, podcasting, coronavirus, radio in Hungary, radio in Budapest, radio frequency, Music FM, NMHH

Radio Page week ending August 28, 2020
radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Trojka, radio in France, radio audience, radio advertising, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending August 7, 2020
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending July 31, 2020
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, radio in France, digital radio

Radio Page week ending July 24, 2020
radio in Hungary, Best Radio, Radio 1, KESMA

Radio Page week ending July 17, 2020
radio in Switzerland, Mediapulse, public broadcasting, SSR-SRG, LFM, Radio Ticino, radio in Poland, radio audience, Radio Track, RMF FM, Radio Zet, Polskie Radio, TOK FM

Radio Page week ending July 10, 2020
radio in the UK, Ofcom, licensing extensions, DAB multiplex, analogue radio, radio in Germany, radio in Bavaria, BLM, local radio, radio audience

Radio Page week ending July 3, 2020
radio in Sweden, public broadcasting, Sveriges Radio, P1, radio audience, radio in Norway, Bauer Media, media support, radio in the UK, Times Radio, News UK, brand extensions

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

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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.
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