ftm Radio Page - week ending December 10, 2021

Politician to Council: Let’s go to the (mobile) phones
"what the future looks like"

Platforms are a major interest of broadcasters, including radio. Once upon a time the vast majority of radio broadcasting was carried on AM/MW. FM became the radio platform of choice in the middle of the last century. It held on for decades. GenZers wouldn’t remember.

Since the great digital transition at the turn of the century the engineers and inventors in the technology realm longed for something new. Bandwidth was always the problem, neither the internet nor mobile technology sufficiently - and cheaply - delivered the product. Interim solutions were developed and marketed. One was Digital Audio Broadcasting, first known as DAB and now DAB+.

Broadcasters, regulators and politicians approached DAB+ in various ways. In Europe the attitude was - mostly - why not? The European Commission was lobbied to mandate DAB+ receivers in automobiles. Some national governments joined in the DAB+ marketing, sometimes succeeding to convince consumers. Yet, skeptics remained. (See more about digital radio here)

For DAB+ promoters the next step would be FM-shutoff. Some broadcasters were OK with this since FM transmitters burn through a lot of electricity compared to DAB+, transmission of which is similar to mobile phones. Finally, Norwegian authorities made the move, albeit in small steps. Some Norwegian listeners started listening to Swedish channels.

About the same time the Swiss government adopted a time-table for FM-shutoff. It was delayed at the last minute. After all this time the aforementioned bandwidth issues were resolved, certainly for mobile telephony. Consumers, broadcasters and automobile manufacturers took note.

This past week (December 7) Swiss politician Ruedi Noser, a Zurich representative at the Council of States, raised a motion to hold off on FM-shutoff altogether. He also raised questions about DAB+ noting that both platforms are losing listener share to mobile and internet technologies. “In this situation, a switch from a technology that is losing market share (FM) to a state-sponsored technology that is also losing market share (DAB) cannot be pushed. You should also use the time until it is switched off to consider what the future of radio looks like.” The Council of States approved the motion.

Unhappy with the numbers, government hacks seek control over audience survey
blame the measurement

When estimated audience grows broadcasters always praise their programming, astute observers have long known, and when audience falls reflexively blame the measurement. This is not a theory. It happens everywhere. Rarely are do these complaints result in action against measurement providers.

This is being tested in Poland where right-wing politicians are flummoxed by the poor performance of state radio channels. “There are grounds to suspect market collusion,” said right-wing xenophobic Law and Justice (PiS) party member of parliament and political appointee to the National Media Council Joanna Likchocka. She intends to ask the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) to “take over” the Radio Track measurement.

Poland’s state radio broadcaster Polskie Radio has been under strict control of PiS party appointees since the party took control of the government in 2015. Audience shares for Polskie Radio channels - measured by Radio Track - have fallen significantly particularly among urban-dwelling, educated high-earners, advertisers preferred target. Media watchers, including Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF), have consistently reported that Polish state radio and television channels are now merely “government propaganda mouthpieces.” (See more about media in Poland here)

In Poland Radio Track is a radio measurement product of respected international market researcher Kantar Poland, formerly Kantar Millward Brown. It has been in consistent service since 1990. Implementation is directed by the Radio Research Committee (Komitet Badań Radiowych - KBR), comprised of the four major private-sector broadcasters. Polskie Radio withdrew from the KBR and suspended financial support for the Radio Track measurement though its channels remain included and Polskie Radio is allowed “observer” status in KBR meetings, which Ms Likchcka described as “irrelevant business talks,” reported media portal Wirtualnemedia (December 6). (See more about media measurement here)

Radio Page week ending December 3, 2021
radio in Germany, online audio, MA Audio, streaming audio, radio in Hungary, radio license, Klubradio, European Commission, Media Council

Radio Page week ending November 26, 2021
radio in Kazakhstan, media in Central Asia, Qazag Radiosy, media in the US, Edison Research, NPR, Spoken Word Audio Report, spoken word, podcasts, mobile media, radio audience

Radio Page week ending November 19, 2021
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, coronavirus, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, France Bleu, RTL, Europe 1, radio in Spain, Cadena SER, investigative reporters, Prisa Group, Vivendi

Radio Page week ending November 12, 2021
radio in Germany, comedy, Radio Badesalz, radio in the UK, BBC Radio 2, holiday charity, Kitchen Disco, podcasts, podcasting, market segments, lifestyle, PWC, Kantar

Radio Page week ending November 5, 2021
Radio in Sweden, Radio Disney, Bauer Media, Walt Disney Company, radio in Germany, radio in Poland, MDR, Radio Wroclaw

Radio Page week ending October 29, 2021
radio audience, RAJAR, measurement, BBC, radio in Norway, radio in the UK, digital radio, FM shut-off, radio in Denmark, Radio Loud, Culture Ministry, Radio24syv

Radio Page week ending October 22, 2021
radio in Palestine, online radio, community radio, Radio Alhara, radio in the US, Chicago Public Media, WBEZ, podcasts, Chicago Sun-Times, mergers and acquisitions, paywalls, radio in France, Radioplayer France

Radio Page week ending October 15, 2021
New York Times Company, podcasts, podcasting, radio in France, DAB+, AirZen, digital radio, European Commission, Digital Markets Act, European Broadcasting Union, EBU, Association of European Radios, AER, Alexa, Siri, smart speakers

Radio Page week ending October 8, 2021
radio in Australia, radio audience, audience measurement, coronavirus, news radio, talk radio, ABC, Sweden, podcasts, podcasting, Bauer Media, PodPlay, Schibsted, NENT

Radio Page week ending October 1, 2021
radio in Zimbabwe, radio in Africa, community radio, UNESCO, radio in Denmark, Radio Loud, DAB+, digital radio, mobile media, radio in Australia, Nova

Radio Page week ending September 24, 2021
radio in the UK, Classic FM, classical music, Nigel Kennedy, radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, France Inter, France Bleu, Nostalgie

Radio Page week ending September 17, 2021
radio in Ireland, Freedom FM, pirate radio, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, radio in Afghanistan, Milma Radio, radio in France, Europe 1, CSA, elections and media

Radio Page week ending September 10, 2021
radio in Germany, German Radio Prize, Radio Wuppertal

Radio Page week ending August 6, 2021
radio the UK, Radio Caroline, Ofcom, radio license, sports radio, baseball, KDKA, MTV

Radio Page week ending July 30, 2021
radio in Austria, RadioTest, ORF, KroneHit, Radio 88.6, audience measurement, radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, greater Paris radio, FIP, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending July 23, 2021
radio in New Zealand, GfK, RNZ National, Newstalk ZB, The Breeze, radio in Germany, Vaunet, FM radio, coronavirus, radio audience

Radio Page week ending July 16, 2021
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, national reach, RTL, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, RMC, Europe 1, NRJ, Nostalgie, RFM, radio in Spain, EGM, AIMC, Cadena SER, Grupo Prisa, Cadena Cope, Onda Cero, RNE, esRadio, Los 40 Principales, Atresmedia, show hosts, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending July 9, 2021
radio in France, Europe 1, CNews, Vivendi, Lagardere Group, radio in Switzerland, mergers and acquisitions, BNJ Suisse, SSR-SRG, Radio Swiss Pop

Radio Page week ending July 2, 2021
radio in Hong Kong, RTHK, censorship, radio in Germany, Antenne Bayern, Antenne NRW, LfM, radio license

Radio Page week ending June 25, 2021
radio in Sweden, Mix Megapol, Bauer Media, Mad Men Media, Relax FM, radio awards, Prix Italia, radio documentary, radio drama, radio music

Radio Page week ending June 18, 2021
radio in France, Europe 1, SNJ, Vivendi, CNews

Radio Page week ending June 11, 2021
radio in Poland, radio jingles, jingle pirates, RMF FM, Bauer Media, radio in Switzerland, radio broadcasting, FM shutoff

Radio Page week ending June 4, 2021
sports radio, radio in the Czech Republic, Radiozurnal Sport, radio in Germany, Sportradio Deutschland, radio in France, Skyrock, Skyrock Klassiks, radio in Romania, ARA, Romania Actualitati, Kiss FM, Europa FN, Radio ZU, Radio Antena Satelor, radio audience, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending May 28, 2021
radio in Denmark, RadioDays, Audiodays, podcasts

Radio Page week ending May 21, 2021
radio in Greece, public trust, news radio, Skai, Real FM, ERT, radio in Hong Kong, RTHK, DJs

Radio Page week ending May 14, 2021
radio in the Czech Republic, Radioprojekt, Radiozurnal, Radio Impuls, radio in Norway, digital radiko, DAB, local radio, Hallo Ski

Radio Page week ending May 7, 2021
radio in Germany, MABB, disinformation, radio in Denmark, radio licenses, Radio Loud, digital radio

Radio Page week ending April 30, 2021
radio in Poland, Eurozet, Agora, competition law, European Commission, podcasts, podcasting, Spotify, Apple, paywalls, radio in Belgium, radio audience, CIM, measurement, VRT, Radio 2, QMusic, Studio Brussel, RTBF, Vivacite, Bel RTL, Radio Contact, Classic 21

Radio Page week ending April 23, 2021
radio in France, radio audience, Mediametrie, Greater Paris, IDF, France Inter, RTL, France Info, RMC, Europe 1, FIP, Chante France

Radio Page week ending April 16, 2021
radio in France, radio audience, Mediametrie, France Inter, RTL, France Info, NRJ, Lagardere Group, Europe 1

Radio Page week ending April 9, 2021
radio in France, Radioplayer France, radio in Sweden, podcasts, NRG Sweden, Bauer Media

Radio Page week ending April 2, 2021
5G Broadcast, radio broadcasting, digital radio, radio in the Czech Republic, public radio, Radio Senior, dikgital radio, radio in Kenya, radio in the US, racism, misogyny

Radio Page week ending March 26, 2021
radio in Sweden, Sveriges Radio, Trust Barometer, Kantar Sifo, radio in Slovenia, Radio Ognjisce, FM frequencies, ITU

Radio Page week ending March 19, 2021
radio in the US, radio in the UK, mergers and acquisitions, Global Media, iHeartMedia, radio brands, rock radio, radio rock, radio in the Czech Republic, KMET

Radio Page week ending March 12, 2021
radio in Finland, Mediatakojat, Bauer Media Audio, radio in France, RMC, Altice, show hosts, DJs

Radio Page week ending March 5, 2021
radio in Germany, MABB, radio license, KCRW, radio in Ireland, digital radio, DAB, RTE, radio in Poland, Halo Radio, internet radio

Radio Page week ending February 26, 2021
radio in Ireland, mergers and acquisitions, Communicorp, Bauer Media, radio in Italy, Radio Radicale, media support

Radio Page week ending February 19, 2021
radio in the Russian Federation, Russian Media Group, radio in Germany, Radio Berlin Brandenburg, RadioEins, Fritz, mobile apps

Radio Page week ending February 12, 2021
World Radio Day 2021, UNESCO, podcaasts, DAB, radio in Poland, Agora SA, Eurozet, RMF FM, radio in Austria, Radiotest, ORF, Kronehit, Radio Arabella, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending February 5, 2021
radio in Canada, The Raven, indigenous media, radio in Germany, rs2, coronavirus, MABB

Radio Page week ending January 29, 2021
radio in Hungary, Klubradio, Media Council, elections and media

Radio Page week ending January 22, 2021
radio in France, radio in Paris, France Inter, RTL, Radio Classique, Evasion, Chant France, international broadcasting, Voice of America, RFE/RL

Radio Page week ending January 15, 2021
radio in the US, talk radio, hate speech, radio in France, Radio France, public broadcasting, Round House, radio in Poland, mergers and acquisitions, Agora SA, Eurozet, TOK FM, Radio Zet, UOKiK

Radio Page week ending January 8, 2021
Media And The Virus, coronavirus, radio broadcasting, radio audience, local radio, digital radio, FM

Radio Page week ending December 11, 2020
radio in Hungary, radio license, Spirit FM, Klubradio, NMHH, radio in Afghanistan, Merman Radio, Reporters sans Frontieres, 2020 Press Freedom Awards, audio news, mobile media, advertising

Radio Page week ending December 4, 2020
radio in the Czech Republic, Radio Hana, fairytales, radio in Belgium, radio audience, coronavirus, digital radio, FM radio

Radio Page week ending November 27, 2020
radio in France, radio audience, radio in Paris, France Inter, RTL, France Info, Skyrock, France Culture, radio in Germany, media support, Neustart Kultur, radio in Hamburg, coronavirus, radio technology, radio and automobiles, Radioplayer

Radio Page week ending November 20, 2020
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, France Inter, RTL, NRJ, France Info, RMC, Radio France, radio advertising, environment

Radio Page week ending November 13, 2020
radio in Switzerland, DAB, digital radio, media support, digital transition, coronavirus, radio in Greece, radio license, pirate radio, sports radio, ESR

Radio Page week ending November 6, 2020
radio in Portugal, radio audience, Bareme Radio Marktest, coronavirus, RTP, Radio Comercial, RFM, radio in Hungary, Klubradio, radio license, online radio, NMHH

Radio Page week ending October 30, 2020
radio audience, streaming audio, Spotify, radio in Bulgaria, Bulgarian National Radio, Council of Electronic Media, public radio

Radio Page week ending October 23, 2020
radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio Trojka

Radio Page week ending October 16, 2020
radio in France, Radio France, podcasts, Deezer, radio in Brazil, online radio, social media, Kantar

Radio Page week ending October 9, 2020
radio in Poland, online radio, start-up, business model, crowdfunding, Radio Nowy Swait, Radio 357, radio in Denmark, Radio Loud, Berlingske Media

Radio Page week ending October 2, 2020
radio in Denmark, DR, P6 Beat, P8 Jazz, Ministry of Culture, radio in Norway, Christmas Radio, Juleradioen

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• France - National Radio Audience (November 2021)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• France - National Radio Summer Audience (September 2021)
  national channels, summer period 2016-2021 trend
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (July 2021)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Spain - National Radio Audience (July 2021)
  national and regional channels, reach share, trend
• Romania - Radio Audience (May 2021)
  national and Bucharest surveys, market share, trend
• Belgium - Flemish region, Radio Audience (April 2021)
  market share, Jan-Apr 2019 to Sep 2020-Feb 2021 trend
• Belgium - French region, Radio Audience (April 2021)
  market share, Jan-Apr 2019 to Sep 2020-Feb 2021 trend
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (April 2021)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Austria - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (February 2021)
  public and private broadcasters, owners, management, audience trend
• Portugal - National Radio Audience (November 2020)
  leading stations, audience share, trend
• Switzerland - Radio listening by region (July 2020)
  public and private sectors, penetration, time spent listening
• Switzerland - French region Radio Audience (July 2020)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Swiss-German region Radio Audience (July 2020)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Italian region Radio Audience (July 2020)
  share, trend
• Poland - National Radio Audience (July 2020)
  national survey, market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (May 2020)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (May 2020)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (May 2020)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• Italy - National/Regional Radio Audience (January 2020)
  weekly reach, AQH trends 2017-2019
• Poland - National Radio Audience (January 2020)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Ireland - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (May 2019)
  national public and commercial radio channels, major local/regional stations, management, listening share
• Netherlands - Radio Audience (May 2018)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Czech Republic - Radio Audience (November 2017)
  Top stations, national survey, reach trend
• Turkey - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (October 2017)
  ownership, management, program formats, platforms, audience estimates
• Portugal - National Radio Audience (May 2017)
  leading stations, audience share, trend
• Germany - Radio Audience (March 2017)
  leading stations, audience trend, daily reach
• Italy - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (July 2016)
  public and private broadcasting companies, channels, audience reach/share, management
• Spain - National Radio Audience (April 2016)
  national channels, reach share, trend
• Sweden - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (February 2016)
  public and private radio channels, owners, management, national market share trend
• Poland - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (January 2016)
  public and private radio channels, owners, management, platforms, market share
• Estonia - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (December 2015)
  public and private broadcasting companies, channels, management, platforms, audience estimates
• Spain - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (December 2015)
  public and private broadcasting companies, channels, management, platforms, audience estimates
• Ireland - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (November 2015)
  national public and commercial radio channels, major local/regional stations, management, listening share
• Finland - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (September 2015)
  public and private radio channels, management, market share, platforms
• Ireland - National Radio Audience (August 2015)
  market share, 07h00-19h00, trend
• Ireland - Dublin Radio Audience (August 2015)
  market share, 07h00-19h00, trend
• Greece - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (June 2015))
  public and private broadcasting, owners, executives, market share

More 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)

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 Members at no additional charge.