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

ftm Radio Page - November 4, 2016

New station, new name and more rock
Lordi, Lordi

Bauer Media introduced a new radio channel to listeners in Finland this week. Obvious from the name, SuomiRock is a Finnish rock music station. It’s on FM in Helsinki and, of course, streamed elsewhere.

“For many Finnish rock is associated with the ’70’s or ’80’s,” explained Bauer Media Finland content director Hermanni Seppälä, quoted by City Lehti (November 1). “Our focus is now to prove how awesome rock music made in Finland from the ’90's to the present is.” In 2006 hard rock band Lordi became the first Finnish act to win the Eurovision Song Contest and remains the only heavy metal rocker to win. Several DJs were poached from sister station Radio City. (See more about media in Finland here)

Mr. Seppälä downplayed any mischief in the name choice. Public broadcaster YLE operates Radio Suomi and commercial competitor Nelonen Media (Sanoma) has Radio Rock and SuomiPop as well as Radio Aalto, Loop, Groove FM and Metro Helsinki. “We wanted to give the channel a name that reflects Finnish culture and explains what the channel is about,” he said. “Rock and pop, they are two quite different things.”

SuomiPop is head-to-head with Bauer Media’s Radio Nova. A year and a half ago Bauer Media acquired the SBS Discovery Scandinavian radio stations including The Voice, Iskelmä, Radio City, Radio Pooki, Radio Jyväskylä, Play Radio and Radio Nova in Finland.

“Free spirit” broadcaster launches new channel
back to the ’70's

Late last week Italian broadcaster and music impressario Lorenzo Suraci, owner of RTL 102.5, launched a new radio station - Radiofreccia. It’s a concept “to give voice to rock music echoing the effervescent spirit and warmth of free radio of the ’70’s and ’80’s, reported oggimedia.it (October 27). In other words, it’s a music station. It’s digital; on the web, DAB and DTV platforms. It will have an FM frequency “soon,” he said.

“I decided to give life to Radiofreccia because I want a radio with a free spirit, like me,” said Sr. Suraci, quoted by engage.it (October 28). The new station’s name is taken from singer/film-maker Luciano Ligabue’s 1998 movie about the early days (read: 1970’s) of Italian radio when DJs picked tunes they liked. The movie featured lots of classic rock hits.

In October Sr. Suraci acquired Milan station Radio Padania, which has a national license, from right-wing political party La Lega Nord (Northern League). That station adopted, briefly, the RTL Rock name and now branded as Radiofreccia. Sr. Suraci acquired legacy national pop music channel RTL 102.5 - named for Radio Trasmissioni Lombarde - in 1987. In national audience estimates - when they occur - it’s has been at or near the top for several years. In recent years several digital brand extensions have popped up - including RTL Rock. (See more about media in Italy here)

This past January Radio Zeta became Radio Zeta I’Italiana became an all-Italian music channel with Sr. Suraci as director. It’s FM distribution was augmented by Sr. Suraci’s acquisition of some frequencies used by Radio LatteMiele.

Radio station loses its voice
no love, either

Most every radio channel in the world employs a voice actor for those little station identification breaks. Program directors universally prefer having one, consistent, characteristic voice to set their stations apart from all others. Occasionally, there’s a change but not often.

Actor Zbigniew Zamachowski has been the voice of Polish channel Radio Troika (Radio Three) for most of the last six years. Last week he withdrew his services after certain changes to the program output, reported wirtualnemedia.pl (October 29). “I identify less with Troika,” he said. “It is not the same radio that it used to be.” Mr. Zamachowski is a co-founder of the Radio Troika Lovers Committee. (See more about media in Poland here)

Since January Polskie Radio has been transformed from public to state broadcaster, all program output under the direction of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. Managers, reporters, producers and show hosts have been either fired or forced out replaced by those of the conservative and right-wing persuation. The new orientation has been at odds with Radio Troika’s long established alternative music brand.

Radio Page week ending October 28, 2016
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, BBC Radio, public broadcasting, commercial radio, Radio 2, Chris Evans, Radio 1, Radio 4, Heart, Radio X, Capital, Magic, LBC, Kisstory, London radio market, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio Trojka, Facebook

Radio Page week ending October 21, 2016
radio in the Netherlands, radio advertising, RAB, radio audience, radio in Finland, Radio Helsinki

Radio Page week ending October 14, 2016
radio in Norway, digital transition, digital radio, WorldDAB, EBU, Bauer Media

Radio Page week ending September 23, 2016
radio in Belgium, music quotas, CSA, Radio Italia

Radio Page week ending September 16, 2016
radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio Czworka, radio in the Czech Republic, CRo Radio Wave, radio in Hungary, radio in Germany, online radio, streaming audio, digital advertising

Radio Page week ending September 9, 2016
radio in France, Mediametrie, RTL Group, Fun Radio, radio in Germany, IFA, VPRT, digital radio, digital transition, DAB+, online radio

Radio Page week ending September 2, 2016
radio in Africa, radio licenses, station closures, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio 4, Radio 24, TOK FM, DAB+

Radio Page week ending August 26, 2016
radio in Switzerland, digital radio, DAB+, radio online, radio audience

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

Also see ftm Knowledge

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. 126 pages PDF (June 2015)

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, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland. 244 pages. Resources. PDF (September 2013)

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. 159 pages PDF (April 2013)

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. 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

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 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 ©2004-2016 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact Us • About Us