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

ftm Radio Page - February 4, 2011

Radio Survey Brings Hope For A Better Year
autumn trees When the numbers come out it’s natural to reach for the most obvious, big winners and losers. More often ratings reflect subtle changes, the ebb and flow of consumer behavior, marketing and the brilliant programming. Then, too, there are the seasons.

 

 

Radio support and turmoil in Belarus
Friends and neighbors rally

As authorities in Belarus continue harassing the few remaining independent media outlets, the new head of the US agency overseeing international broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) drew parallels with events against media in Egypt.

“What we're seeing in Egypt, Tunisia, and elsewhere is that people are seeking what those of us in free societies take for granted -- the truth,” said Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Chairman Walter Isaacson during a mission to Lithuania. “In Belarus, the U.S. is committed to providing people with accurate and reliable information in order for them to make up their own minds when it comes to determining their future.” Isaacson, former CNN president, and RFE/RL president Jeff Gedman visited with Belarusian students and opposition leaders. (See RFE/RL statement here)

RFE/RL operates Radio Svaboda on platforms available in Belarus, which borders Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine and Russia. Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has had contentious relationships with all his neighbors and, in particular, their media.

In January the Belarusian Radio and Television Commission closed popular radio station Avtoradio, unrelated to the Russian network of the same name, for “appeals to extremism.” What really happened, according to station director Jury Bazan, was a December news interview that featured two opposition politicians.

“I live and work in order to get Autoradio back on air,” said Bazan to European Radio for Belarus (ERB) (February 1). Lithuania and Poland provide FM channels for ERB broadcasts. (JMH)

First country to shutdown FM radio announced
“only way out”

Norway will shutdown FM radio broadcasting in 2017, said the Culture Minister. Norway would become the first country to shutdown FM radio broadcasting. Some call the deadline, well, crazy and other like it.

Culture Minister Anniken Huitfeldt presented a white paper (February 4) setting a mandatory date for conversion to the DAB digital radio platform. The caveat being that half of radio listening has moved to the digital platform by 2015. Small local stations could continue on FM after 2017. (See more on digital radio here)

“The most important aspect of this decision is that there will be more channels and therefore, (public broadcaster) NRK notwithstanding, greater competition,” Minister Huitfeldt said to Dagbladet (February 4).

“NRK has spent several hundred million to build a DAB network,” said IKT-Norge general secretary and DAB critic Per Morten Hoff to Kampanje (February 4). “So far, the market has not adopted DAB so forcing it is the only way out.”

A survey by the Norwegian consumer electronics association (Stiftelsen Elektronikkbransjen) released in January estimated 7.5 million radio receivers in use in Norway. The groups also reported more than 800,000 radio receivers sold in Norway in 2010, less than 10% being DAB receivers. Estimates of DAB receivers sold in Norway since 2004 are 330,000.   

“This means that (we) can launch more new radio channels in the years ahead,” said commercial network P4 (Modern Times Group) CEO Kalle Lisberg. “There are many exciting opportunities for listeners. We have much more to show from our talented people.”(JMH)

Radio Page - January 28, 2011

Radio Page - January 21, 2011

Radio Page - January 14, 2011

Radio Page - January 7, 2011

Radio Page - December 17, 2010

Radio Page - December 10, 2010

Radio Page - December 3, 2010

Recently added radio audience figures and references

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe's Radio - Southern Europe – new

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. 48 pages PDF (November 2010)

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 110 pages PDF (August 2010)

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. 107 pages. PDF (June 2010)

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, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Slovakia. 65 pages PDF (February 2010)

Order here

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. 72 pages PDF (December 2009)

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 ©2004-2011 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact Us • About Us