ftm Radio Page - June 6, 2014

Brilliant advertising remains effective
Emotional rescue

Radio programmers and sellers of radio advertising speak in different languages. Brilliant programs and, even, ratings don’t always translate into cash and ads are always interrupting brilliant programs. Putting both groups in the same room can be less than harmonious.

German sellers of radio advertising gathered this week in Düsseldorf for the first Radio Advertising Summit, a one-day conference created by ad sales support group Radiozentrale, public broadcasting saleshouse AS&S and private radio saleshouse RMS. About 500 interested spectators gathered to hear speakers and panelists talk about radio advertising. Sales tools, arguments favoring radio advertising, were the day’s main themes rather than get-out-there-and sell-something fire-up speeches.

As such, the organizers presented new research conducted over the last 18 months showing the relationship between radio ad content and return on investment (ROI). The results revealed once again that the most effective radio ads connect with German listeners/consumers with clarity on price and directly addressing the listener – the ‘you’ word. A clever and identifiable music track also helps.

When costs fall new voices appear
amazing how that happens

The arrival of the DAB – now DAB+ - platform for digital radio promised many benefits, not the least of which was new voices on the radio spectrum. Alas, the prime beneficiaries have been telecoms operating multiplexes and chip makers, noted by a comprehensive analysis prepared earlier this year for Poland’s media regulator KRRiT. Legacy broadcasters, clinging to their analogue, have been less than excited about expanded shelf-space. (See more about digital radio here)

With that in mind, more than a dozen new radio channels are now broadcasting in and around Geneva, Switzerland on the Layer 4 multiplex from new operator Digris. Several are web radio channels – including kid’s channel Radio Ouistiti, all-sports channel Global FM and student station Fréquence Banane. All are taking advantage of considerable cost savings for digital distribution facilitated by mobile technology from OpenDigitalRadio.org and foresight from regulator OFCOM, which made a few rule adjustments to make it all happen. (See earlier story about trials here)

Digris focuses on local radio channels and plans to roll out the Layer 4 “islands” in 20 Swiss cities by the end of 2016.

Broadcasters fold digital tent
“objections and doubts”

Major private radio broadcasters in Poland have formally withdrawn from the working group on digital broadcasting set-up by regulator KRRiT. Digital radio of the DAB variety has never caught the imagination of private sector broadcasters though Polish public radio has added its channels to national and regional multiplexes. The decision of private broadcasters to back away from the KRRiT working group was expected.

“Our voice has not been taken into consideration,” said the letter sent to KRRiT president Jan Dworak, quoted by Gazeta Wyborcza (May 28). “The process of implementing digital broadcasting has taken place without regard to our objections and doubts.” Executives from Agora Group, Eurozet, RMF Group and Time Group undersigned the letter. (See more abut media in Poland here)

An independent report on digital radio transition commissioned by the KRRiT and released earlier this year called DAB introduction “indeterminate… of little social benefit.” The only beneficiaries, said the report, are digital multiplex operators and hardware manufacturers. (See more about digital radio here)

“The digitization of radio is a major challenge but it is inevitable,” said Mr. Dworak in an earlier interview. “Imposing a deadline for the transition to digital (radio) broadcasting, as in the case of television, is unlikely to occur.”

Radio Page week ending May 30, 2014
radio in Austria, digital radio, ORF, Radiothek, radio in Africa, conflict zones, Radio Ndeke Luka

Radio Page week ending May 23, 2014
radio in the UK, Rajar, BBC, commercial radio, Radio Academy, Global Radio, Bauer Media, Radio 2, Heart, radio in Portugal, radio audience, Bareme Radio Marktest, Radio Comercial, RFM, radio promotion, radio in the Netherlands, 3FM, DJs, radio in Ukraine, Hit FM, Russian Radio, GfK

Radio Page week ending May 16, 2014
radio in Norway, digital radio, local radio, SBS Discovery

Radio Page week ending May 9, 2014
radio in Norway, digital radio, NRK, cars and radio, radio in Germany, digital transition, VPRT, radio in France, web radio, Radio France, RF8

Radio Page week ending May 2, 2014
radio in Germany, Antenne Bayern, WDR, Radio/Tele FFH, planet radio, LfM, Radio NRW, BFBS

Radio Page week ending April 25, 2014
radio in Spain, EGM, AIMC, Cadena SER, Grupo Prisa, Los 40 Principales, Onda Cero, M80, Cadena COPE, RNE, Kiss FM, radio in France, Mediametrie, IDF audience, RTL, Europe 1, NRJ, Skyrock, Radio Latina, radio in South Africa, AM/MW, ICASA

Radio Page week ending April 18, 2014
radio in Norway, digital radio, digital migration, NRK, radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, Europe 1, RTL, France Inter, NRJ, Radio France

Radio Page week ending April 11, 2014
radio in Germany, Bayerischer Rundfunk, BR Klassik, digital radio, radio in Russia, international broadcasting, Voice of America, Voice of Russia

Radio Page week ending April 4, 2014
radio in France, radio promotion, Virgin Radio, Fun Radio, radio in Greece, licensing, EETT

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• Portugal - Major Media - Radio (May 2014)
  public and private broadcasting companies, channels, management, platforms, audience estimates
• UK - National Radio Audience (May 2014)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (May 2014)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (May 2014)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• Spain - National Radio Audience (April 2014)
  national channels, reach share, trend
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (April 2014)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• France - National Radio Audience (April 2014)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• Germany - Radio Audience (March 2014)
  leading stations, audience trend, daily reach
• Italy - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (March 2014)
  public and private broadcasting companies, channels, audience reach/share, management
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (January 2014)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Switzerland - Radio listening by region (January 2014)
  public and private sectors, penetration, time spent listening
• Switzerland - French region Radio Audience (January 2014)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Swiss-German region Radio Audience (January 2014)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Italian region Radio Audience (January 2014)
  share, trend
• Bulgaria - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (12/12/2013)
  public and private radio channels, management, platforms, market share
• France - National Radio Summer Audience (03/10/2013)
  national channels, summer period 2008-2013 trend
• Austria - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (09/09/2013)
  public and private broadcasters, owners, management, audience trend
• Belgium - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (French region) (28/08/2013)
  Wallonia region, radio broadcasters, public, private, owners, platforms, audience trend
• Belgium - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (Flemish region) (28/08/2013)
  Flemish region, radio broadcasters, public, private, owners, platforms, audience trend
• Turkey - Major Media - Radio broadcasting (15/08/2013)
  ownership, management, program formats, platforms

More Resources

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