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ftm Radio Page - January 14, 2011

Radio Hits The BRICs
BRICs Ah, the BRICs: Brazil, Russia, India and China. For several years these countries have come to symbolize rapidly developing economies. Not surprising, radio broadcasting is rapidly developing there, too.

 

 

Broadcaster fined, competitor sneers
“We are not illegal”

Norway’s two big commercial broadcasters traded barbs after the Norwegian Media Authority (Medietilsynet) fined one and sanctioned the other over public service commitments. Radio Norge, owned by SBS/ProSiebenSat), was fined NOK 250,000 (about €32,000) after a 2009 programming audit by the Media Authority, which found the channel failed to broadcast certain youth-oriented programs promised in its license. It’s the first time a monetary sanction has been imposed by the Media Authority.

“Since the channel also has previously violated the program requirements, we believe it is now appropriate to adopt stronger measures, “ said Media Authority director of licensing and supervision Gudbrand Guthus, quoted in Norwegian radio blog RadioAssistant (January 11). “This is to ensure that obligations are fulfilled and it is also important with respect to other actors.” MTG owned P4 received a warning over its public service programming commitments.

P4 managing director Kalle Lisberg took the opportunity to slam a competitor. Asked by Kampanje (January 13) why Radio Norge improved on the market share of Kanal 24, its previous brand name changed in 2008, Lisberg said, “It didn’t take much. What is new is that they blew a long line of promises made to (former Minister of Culture) Valgerd Svarstad Haugland for the concession. Amazingly, the Media Authority let them get away with it.”

“We are not illegal,” said Radio Norge managing director Bente Klemsetsdal, returning fire. “We were somewhat surprised by the sanction and will… appeal the fine (because) it seems unusually high,” she said, also to Kampanje.

“Both P4 and Radio Norge have several times received criticism from the Media Authority,” said Ms Klemsetsdal. “Sometimes we agree, sometimes we disagree with the media audit. There are, in fact, interpretations.”

Both managers agreed their biggest competitor is Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, which stayed out of this fray. (JMH)

Hungarian station off the hook for rap song
“All’s well that ends well”

Complaints about a song by American rapper Ice-T played on tiny community radio station Tilos Radio led to a formal investigation by the Hungarian media regulator ORTT. The regulator’s monitoring division concluded the song was, indeed, “vulgar, obscene content that might have violated the interests of minors.” Tilos Radio played the Ice-T song last September.

In the meantime, the media regulator ORTT changed as it was merged with the telecom regulator, reorganized and renamed the National Communications and Media Authority (NMHH). And shortly thereafter, the Hungarian media law changed, itself evoking considerable international criticism. The Tilos Radio – Ice-T case was conflated with the controversial media law. (See more on media in Hungary here)

“All’s well that ends well,” said a post (January 12) on the NMHH’s blog. The NMHH terminated proceedings against Tilos Radio. And the blog post author, not specifically identified, added an additional comment.

”The NMHH continues to take the view that all musical styles, domestic and foreign, can be broadcast on Hungarian radio. At the same time protecting the interests of minors continues to remain and important element in the authority's work, which is essentially a legislative obligation arising from the European Union, expressing a healthy society and reflecting the legal system.” (JMH)

Raise the rates!
Offer discounts

Nothing warms broadcasters hearts more than raising ad rates. Many have hesitated in recent times for fear of media buyers moving yet more money to online media. There are, of course, many considerations.

The sales-house representing Polish public radio Agencja Reklamy Polskiego Radia is raising ad rates 9.8% effective in February, reported wirtualnemedia.pl (January 5). The reason, said director Kamila Walczyk, is to “achieve not only greater transparency in the industry but also more efficient use market opportunities.” The spot rate for Polskie Radio (PR) radio channels hasn’t increased since 2007 and anyway, she said, audience ratings are up. (See more on media in Poland here)

The rate increase is “purely technical,” putting not just gross spot rates in line with private sector competitors but also discount policies. (JMH)

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