ftm Radio Page - January 10, 2014

Public station not political, says director
Variety of voices

Public broadcasters typically follow a formula for national radio offerings. A general interest channel with emphasis on news and public affairs is a must. Culture and arts almost always have their own channel. More often than not there’s a channel targeting young people. Those broadcasters able to provide additional channels occasionally turn experimental.

Radio Trojka, the third channel of Polish public radio, is popular and wholly indescribably in common broadcasting parlance. Held together with a thin thread of rock and alternative music hosted by sometimes ageless characters the channel truly does offer a little bit of this and a little bit of that. All of it together has come with a degree of notoriety as well as controversy.

In national radio ratings Radio Trojka has placed in the top five for several years, leading to calls from commercial competitors and sympathetic politicians for its privatization. Last year Radio Trojka produced and promoted a series of events around Polish National Day that received criticism as too patriotic. “You have to have a lot of bad will to say that was political,” said director Magda Jethon in a far-ranging interview with Wirtualnemedia.pl (January 7). “A special attack on Troika came from conservatives, who believe they have a monopoly on patriotism.” (See more on media in Poland here)

“Radio Trojka cannot afford to stand on one particular political side, the government side,” said Ms Jethon. “I hear a variety of voices on our station, often extreme. Sometimes the right attacks us, sometimes the left. I think it allows people to believe that we are objective.” (JMH)

Public youth channel adds music, video and podcasts
The future is already here

There’s a new schedule, format and direction at French public radio youth channel Le Mouv’. All this was unveiled this week, complete with press kit quoting American science fiction writer Williom Gibson: “'The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed.” Le Mouv’ has a new director, Joël Ronez, who wants to succeed with a young, urban audience where others have struggled.

Nearly all European public broadcasters offer radio channels for young people; sometimes teens, sometimes a bit older listeners. And nearly all strive for position among private/commercial radio channels with youthful show hosts amidst hit music, intention being to introduce the public radio style to a new audience. Of course, that new audience might find their favorite tunes on Spotify and such. (See more of media in France here)

There’s more music on Le Mouv’, 70% in total, up from 50%. Morning hours will continue to offer more news but other speech-based productions from short-form drama and documentaries to “sound creations” will appear as website podcasts in advance of broadcast. A live video supplement arrives in September, “inspired” by Belgian public broadcaster RTBF Pure Vision.

Listeners in France can find Le Mouv’ on 32 FM frequencies, the least of Radio France channels. Last September owners of Oui FM, with FM frequencies in northern France, floated the possibility of merging some program offerings with Le Mouv’ on its channels and Radio France officials seemed interested. Regulator CSA hasn’t decided.(JMH)

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Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• France - National Radio Audience (14/01/2014)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• Bulgaria - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (12/12/2013)
  public and private radio channels, management, platforms, market share
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (26/11/2013)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (24/10/2013)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (24/10/2013)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (24/10/2013)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• 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

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