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ftm Radio Page - June 10, 2011

The Fate Of Digital Radio Remains Unclear
the agony of defeat Digital radio was quick out of the starting blocks a decade ago, which seems like a century. Regional arguments aside, standards and platforms issues were easily solved. As the race was run, the course changed. Now nobody can find the finish line.

 

International broadcaster battered by cuts rumors
Can’t imagine? Think again

Another Western international broadcaster could face massive funding cuts. It isn’t just the winds of change, more like a tsunami as governments jettison foreign broadcasting services.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW), one of the most respected international broadcasters, announced (June 7) proposed cuts, mostly to its Dutch-language services, about 20% of its overall budget. The government has suggested cutting the total budget of Dutch public broadcasting to €700 million from €900 million. RNW is funded by about 5% of the total public broadcasting package.

The RNW proposal, then, was met with a report broadcast on Dutch RTL News later that evening citing unnamed sources within the government that the international broadcaster would lose 75% of its funding, to about €10 million annually from €45 million. “If this is so, it appears decisions are being taken without due care,” said RNW Director General Jan Hoek. “I can't imagine this happening.”

“Many people in the newsroom say the broadcaster is better off shut down,” reported NOS Radio 1 (June 8).

None of this has been confirmed, though right-wing Dutch politicians have called for cuts to foreign language services. (JMH)

Measurement takes digital leap
Please step away from that ledge

Oh, but hasn’t the digital age brought on changes? The whole of the media sector has moved with it, standing still at their peril. Measurement, too, is taking note.

The UK radio measurement service RAJAR (Radio Audience Joint Measurement) will be adapting its data collection methods to better reflect multi-platform radio usage as well as the digital tools available to survey participants from the Q3 survey period. (See RAJAR announcement here) It’s a two-part plan using online data collection and real-time computer assisted recruiting. Eventually, the system will move to smartphones.

More than a decade ago there was a spirited debate among broadcasters and media buyers about different forms of electronic measurement. Technology – we can do anything – was one driver. Other interests were equally boisterous; broadcasters on the short side of survey results wanted an alternative that might push up their rankings and media buyers wanted to “flatten” audience results, thus flattening ad rates. (See more on audience measurement here)

Measuring radio audience passively has long had theoretical appeal. RAJAR – and others – tested these new methods several years ago and found them, to choose a word judiciously, wanting. Certainly, electronic measurement has been adopted in a few countries, notably small ones like Denmark, Norway and Switzerland with few available radio channels. Elsewhere – the US excepted, but that’s a whole separate story – researchers, broadcasters and media buyers looked but did not leap.

The step taken by RAJAR to use available and proven technology shows that adults are still in charge. (JMH)

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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. 48 pages PDF (November 2010)

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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)

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Europe’s Radio – Eastern Europe

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