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

ftm Radio Page - week ending November 13, 2020

Between digital transition and the coronavirus, government mulls cuts to media support
"seriously endangered"

Supporters of digital radio of the DAB variety simply crowed this past week at confirmation, announced at the virtual WorldDAB conference, that Switzerland will, indeed, follow through on plans to end FM radio distribution. Channels of public broadcaster SSR-SRG will end FM distribution in the summer of 2022, privately-owned stations following six months later. Switzerland, then, will become the second country after Norway to complete digital radio migration.

Oh, but a dark cloud arrived; “Hardly anyone noticed,” said Swiss media news portal Klein Report (November 12). The Telecommunications Commission of the Swiss National Council, sorting through due bills for coronavirus support, reported its intention to cut said support for radio broadcasters next year. Currently, the Swiss government subsidizes 50% of DAB distribution costs. That could fall to to 30% next year. When FM switch-off became a legal reality earlier this year, the government began reducing significantly financial support to promote DAB, mostly receiver sales. (See more about digital radio here)

The Telecommunication Commission noted that these reductions come at “an inconvenient time” because of the coronavirus pandemic. The advertising market in Switzerland has been severely impacted, which trickles down to radio broadcasting. Cuts in the subsidies will also trickle down to the DAB+ multiplex operators.

Particularly disadvantaged at the DAB-only radio broadcasters. There are about 130 in Switzerland and they did not benefit from earlier media support programs that fed FM broadcasters. Most all FM broadcasters in Switzerland are also distributed through the DAB+ multiplexes.

"Within a very short time, 130 DAB-only radio stations could disappear,” said the report. “Equally seriously endangered is the digital migration of (privately-owned) commercial and community radio (stations) radios and SSR-SRG radio channels. DAB (receivers) could be left without DAB programs."

Years of chaos leads to informal licensing
white noise

For decades successive Greek regulators have either moved to rid the radio spectrum of illegal stations - also known as pirates - or simply ignore them. Once a tough set of rules is adopted, the government changes and interest wanes. The current government seems intent on a kinder, gentler path to order.

A new set of rules - imbedded in a media bill - has been winding its way through various committees for several weeks. It seeks to give broadcasters a break during the coronavirus pandemic, noted Typologies (November 3). At the top would be an “informal” legalizing of all radio stations on the regulator National Council for Radio and Television (ESR) list of those “legally operating” until new licenses are assigned. A firm date for those assignments is something of a mystery. (See more about media in Greece here)

The proposed new rules would allow music stations, a legal designation, to become information stations. This appears to open competition to public broadcaster ERT, which has a loose monopoly on speech-based content, with the exception of sports broadcasting, which includes several sports radio stations.

One of those sports radio stations is Sport24 103.3. Its owners want to “hand over” FM frequencies, maybe. The ESR is set to make a decision this week and offer the frequencies to bidding. Being wary of pirate operators appropriating unoccupied frequencies, telecom regulator and supplier EETT - in charge of such matters - is prepared to broadcast white noise on those frequencies until a new operator can be found.

Another sports station - Over 104.9 - is fighting back from an EETT decision that it is operating “without permission.” It has support from the Editors Association and Radio Technicians Association who argue for a breather, which the EETT granted “for a few days,” until ESR certifies the station as legal, noted media portal e-tetradio.gr (November 6).

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

Radio Page week ending September 25, 2020
radio in Ukraine, Crimea, jamming, radio in Hungary, Civil Radio, Inforadio, NMHH, radio licenses

Radio Page week ending September 18, 2020
radio in Switzerland, Swiss Music Day, SSR-SRG, coronavirus, radio in Germany, cultural media, public broadcasting, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenberg, rbbKulturradio

Radio Page week ending September 11, 2020
radio in Italy, sports and media, Radio Kiss Kiss Italia, radio in Hungary, digital radio, NMHH

Radio Page week ending September 4, 2020
automobiles and radio, digital radio, automobile dashboard, radio in Germany, online radio, digital radio, podcasts, podcasting, coronavirus, radio in Hungary, radio in Budapest, radio frequency, Music FM, NMHH

Radio Page week ending August 28, 2020
radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Trojka, radio in France, radio audience, radio advertising, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending August 7, 2020
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending July 31, 2020
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, radio in France, digital radio

Radio Page week ending July 24, 2020
radio in Hungary, Best Radio, Radio 1, KESMA

Radio Page week ending July 17, 2020
radio in Switzerland, Mediapulse, public broadcasting, SSR-SRG, LFM, Radio Ticino, radio in Poland, radio audience, Radio Track, RMF FM, Radio Zet, Polskie Radio, TOK FM

Radio Page week ending July 10, 2020
radio in the UK, Ofcom, licensing extensions, DAB multiplex, analogue radio, radio in Germany, radio in Bavaria, BLM, local radio, radio audience

Radio Page week ending July 3, 2020
radio in Sweden, public broadcasting, Sveriges Radio, P1, radio audience, radio in Norway, Bauer Media, media support, radio in the UK, Times Radio, News UK, brand extensions

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 Members at no additional charge.

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 ©2004-2020 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact Us • About Us