ftm Radio Page - October 15, 2016

Stop the change, says politician
“creates uncertainty”

On January 11th next year Norwegian national radio broadcasters will migrate en masse from the analogue FM distribution platform to digital radio DAB+. Norwegian authorities announced this five years ago, public and private broadcasters on board. From time to time different constituencies raised objections; automobile dealers, long-haul truck drivers, rural residents. The Culture Ministry, in charge of the decision, has listened to all and, largely, stuck with its decision: the future is digital. Period.

As that deadline approaches, unsurprisingly, more voices are being raised. From Darwin and Freud to McLuhan theorists have attempted to explain this fear of the approach of technological change. “We have a serious problem,” said Center Party Nordland representative Janne Sjelmo Nordas, quoted by NRK (October 13). “I hear from many who say they do not get the DAB signal or the signal is very poor.” She cited concerns about information in emergencies. Nordland county, near the Arctic Circle, is scheduled to shut off FM transmissions first in the country. (See more about media in Norway here)

Ms Nordas is asking the Norwegian parliament to delay everything. “We think it's reprehensible,” said public broadcaster NRK deputy director Oyvind Vasaasen, “and creates uncertainty about a technology shift that is challenging for all who work in it and also to the public.” He blamed receiver antennas for causing complaints about poor DAB reception. (See more about digital radio here)

A report issued by the Norwegian telecom regulator NKOM last month for the Culture Ministry indicated 99.7% of the country’s population can receive DAB transmissions.

Digital transition still waiting at the gate
“laws are needed”

European public broadcasters are the biggest supporters of digital radio platforms known as DAB and DAB+. There is, yet, some strain. Private commercial rivals have, largely, hesitated, limiting universal up-take. And, rising to prominence, smartphones have become the preferred personal media access point.

A conference on digital radio strategies organized by State broadcaster Polskie Radio with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and WorldDAB participating in Krakow, Poland last week (October 6) headlined the oft repeated challenges to replacing analogue platforms, largely FM transmission, with the DAB family of platforms. Representatives of the automobile industry also attended. Public broadcaster representatives in attendance extolled the virtues of digital platforms; more channels, less cost.

Holding back digital radio’s triumph in Poland, said conference host and Polskie Radio president Barbara Stanislawczyk is “the lack of a national strategy, the lack of a European strategy, reluctance of commercial broadcasters to broadcast the digital signal and high costs of simultaneous digital and analogue broadcasts,” reported wirtualnemedia.pl (October 10). “Why do manufacturers of cars sold in Poland not want to install DAB+ receivers in them?” Polskie Radio has been using the DAB+ platform for three years. (See more about digital radio here)

WorldDAB president Patrick Hannon was even more blunt on solutions, saying “laws are needed at European level, which encourage commercial broadcasters to move to DAB +, and audio equipment manufacturers to produce receivers capable of receiving both FM and DAB +.” The European Commission considers radio broadcasting in the European Union (EU) a matter for national authorities. But, the Digital Single Market being a top priority, that may change.

The most “advanced in the implementation of DAB+ technology,” said Deutschlandradio chief executive Willi Steul, are Norway, shutting off national FM channels in January, Switzerland, no longer accepting FM license renewals, and the UK, where digital radio is confined to the older DAB platform. Norway and Switzerland are not EU Member States and the UK government is trying to get out in the least painful way.

"We know from the UK that DAB+ is an incredible driver of innovation, reach and new audiences,” said Bauer Media Group chief executive Andreas Schoo separately to radiozene.de (October 10). But Germany is lagging the rest of Europe. “German radio investors do not want to do this.” Bauer Media has been far more successful with digital radio in the UK, operating several digital channels and multiplexes, and Finland.

Radio Page week ending September 23, 2016
radio in Belgium, music quotas, CSA, Radio Italia

Radio Page week ending September 16, 2016
radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio Czworka, radio in the Czech Republic, CRo Radio Wave, radio in Hungary, radio in Germany, online radio, streaming audio, digital advertising

Radio Page week ending September 9, 2016
radio in France, Mediametrie, RTL Group, Fun Radio, radio in Germany, IFA, VPRT, digital radio, digital transition, DAB+, online radio

Radio Page week ending September 2, 2016
radio in Africa, radio licenses, station closures, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Radio 4, Radio 24, TOK FM, DAB+

Radio Page week ending August 26, 2016
radio in Switzerland, digital radio, DAB+, radio online, radio audience

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• France - National Radio Summer Audience (September 2016)
  national channels, summer period 2011-2016 trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (August 2016)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (August 2016)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (August 2016)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• Germany - Radio Audience (July 2016)
  leading stations, audience trend, daily reach
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (July 2016)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Switzerland - Radio listening by region (July 2016)
  public and private sectors, penetration, time spent listening
• Switzerland - French region Radio Audience (July 2016)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Swiss-German region Radio Audience (July 2016)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Italian region Radio Audience (July 2016)
  share, trend
• France - National Radio Audience (July 2016)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• Italy - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (July 2016)
  public and private broadcasting companies, channels, audience reach/share, management
• Czech Republic - Radio Audience (May 2016)
  Top stations, national survey, reach trend
• 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

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