ftm Radio Page - November 15, 2013

Be a radio sports reporter
Opportunity knocks

Everyone who loves radio sports – not to forget radio drama and, well, radio everything – appreciates the talent of the voices who bring life to the airwaves. These remarkable people had to start somewhere and today entry opportunities for young people are few and far between. Broadcasters could do more and some are doing just that.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the European Section of the International Sport Press Association (AIPS-Europe) have initiated a ‘Young Radio Reporters’ program to give young people a bit of a career boost. (See EBU presser here) After a bit of coaching from national public broadcasters, those selected will produce audio features available on the IBU website. (JMH)

Digital grumbling rises as deadlines approach
“exciting times”

As analogue radio switch-off, or decisions thereupon, loom larger grumblings among digital skeptics, critics and absolute enemies are growing. None of the arguments are particularly new; coverage, cars and cost. Deadlines and reality approach in tandem.

A group of UK commercial broadcasters fired off a statement this week (November 11) pleading for more thought and less action on any government rule making. UK Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Ed Vaizey plans a statement on digital transition for radio broadcasting in mid-December. Consumer uptake of receiving devices for the primary digital radio platform, DAB (digital audio broadcasting), has slowed while online and smartphone listening gaits ahead. (See more on digital radio here)

“We think there's no need for the government to be committed to switchover,” said Celador chairman Paul Smith, in the statement. “The two platforms have sat together for many years. We are not saying it's bad technology but what's the point of excluding listeners from the services they are comfortable with?”

The biggest UK commercial radio broadcasters – Global Radio, Bauer Media and the BBC – remain committed, with caveat, to the DAB platform. The government pushed back its original plan for a mandated switch starting in 2015 from FM to DAB for national, regional and “large” local channels and stations. “These are exciting times for radio,” said Digital Radio UK CEO Ford Ennals to Radio Today (UK), commenting on the broadcaster’s statement.

A hard DAB switch-over date of 2017 has been set in Norway for national and regional broadcasters. Grumbling about cars and the cost of conversions is the consumer group Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF). “We don’t like more costs inflicted on motorists,” said NAF spokesperson Jan Ivar Engebretsen, quoted by Aftenposten (November 12), who said 2 million cars in Norway will require new radio receivers. “What is most regrettable is that DAB supporters say you only need a small device costing a few kroner without mentioning that a new radio antenna has to be mounted to get the new signals.” (JMH)

Broadcaster announces advertising awards
“not just commerce, but creativity”

Useful for building a little notice in any industry are awards events. All media sectors organize recognition of best practices nationally and internationally. For radio broadcasters the benefit of touting outstanding ads carries considerable weight.

The radio group of Ukraine’s United Media Holding (UMH) announced a radio creativity award to be given in 2014 and, hopefully, annually thereafter. “Radio advertising is not just commerce, but creativity,” said UMH radio VP Valentin Reznichenko, quoted by Telekritika (November 8). “Creators and producers need recognition.” Advertising awards, think Cannes Lions, excit the advertising people.

UMH is Ukraine’s largest private sector radio broadcaster with four national channels – Avtoradio, Europa Plus, Nashe Radio, Retro FM – plus three local stations – Lounge FM, Jam FM and Golos Stolytsi. “It is hard work to be the industry’s locomotive,” said Mr. Reznichenko. “As a key player in this market we obviously assume this responsibility.” Award recognition for radio stations and programming in Ukraine has been in place for several years. (See more on media in Ukraine here)

Ukrainian energy company VETEK, principally controlled by Sergey Kurchenko, agreed to acquire UMH in June. The transaction details were not disclosed by the principals but former UMH owner Boris Lozhkin indicated to Forbes the deal, which closed November 5th, was worth something short of US$500 million. In addition to radio stations and networks, UMH publishes magazines in Ukraine and Russia, operates news, sports and lifestyle web portals and owns food and cooking TV channel Menu TV. The company also owns over 800 retail kiosks. (JMH)

Radio Page week ending November 8, 2013
radio in Africa, international broadcasting, Radio France International, Citi FM, African Story Challenge

Radio Page week ending November 1, 2013
radio in Africa, Radio Shabelle, radio in Sweden, Radio 1, MTG

Radio Page week ending October 25, 2013
radio in Germany, media policy, VPRT, RadioDNS, radio in Switzerland, DETEC, Radio Argovia, radio in the UK, RAJAR, BBC Radio 1, radio audience, commercial radio, KISS, Absolute Radio, LBC

Radio Page week ending October 18, 2013
radio in Finland, radio advertising, RadioMedia, radio in France, Médiamétrie, digital devices, mobile phones

Radio Page week ending October 11, 2013
radio in Switzerland, music quotas, radio in Sweden, Retro FM, radio news

Radio Page week ending October 4, 2013
radio in Greece, ERT, public radio, First Program, radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, digital radio

Radio Page week ending September 27, 2013
radio in Hungary, music quotas, radio in the UK, digital radio, OFCOM

Radio Page week ending September 20, 2013
radio in Germany, measurement, RMS, AudiMark, online radio, radio in Norway, P4, MTG, Viamo

Radio Page week ending September 13, 2013
radio in Austria, Antenne Wien, oe24, ORF, radio in France, Radio France, Le Mouv', Oui FM, radio in Africa, radio in Mali, Studio Tamani, Fondation Hirondelle

Radio Page week ending September 6, 2013
radio in Liechtenstein, Radio L, radio in the Czech Republic, Londa, medium wave, Radio Impuls

Radio Page week ending August 30, 2013
radio in Belgium, radio audience, CIM, RTBF, VRT, Bel RTL, Nostalgie, NRJ, Studio Brussel, La Première, radio in France, Radio France, France Info

Radio Page week ending August 23, 2013
radio in Switzerland, private local radio, OFCOM, program content, RadioDay, WRS, Radio 105

Radio Page week ending August 9, 2013
radio in the Netherlands, NLO, Radio 538, Sky Radio, 3FM, Q-music

Radio Page week ending August 2, 2013
radio in the UK, RAJAR, BBC Radio 2, Absolute Radio, Bauer Media, digital radio, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, DAB+, radio in Ireland, JNLR, RTE, Today FM, 98FM

Radio Page week ending July 26, 2013
radio in France, Mediametrie, Europe 1, NRJ, Nostalgie, radio in Switzerland, MediaPulse, SSR-SRG, SRF1, Musikwelle, Radio Swiss Pop, digital radio

Radio Page week ending July 19, 2013
radio in Germany, ag.ma, radio audience, Radio Energy, Antenne Bayern, radio in the UK, digital radio, analogue radio

Radio Page week ending July 12, 2013
radio in Germany, ag.ma, radio audience, digital radio

Radio Page week ending July 5, 2013
radio in Denmark, digital radio, FM switch-off, radio in France, broadcast IP, Band III

Radio Page week ending June 28, 2013
Cannes radio Lions, radio advertising, radio in Switzerland, digital radio, Ofcom, radio in Africa, international broadcasting, Deutsche Welle, BBC Afrique

Radio Page week ending June 21, 2013
radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, digital radio, radio in France, Sud Radio, CSA

Radio Page week ending June 14, 2013
radio in Latvia, radio audience, TNS, Latvijas Radio, Radio Skonto, Radio SWH, music streaming, Ampya, iTunes Radio, radio in the Czech Republic, CRo, Radio Wave, image campaign

Radio Page week ending June 7, 2013
radio in Spain, XFin, Grupo S4 Media

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• UK - National Radio Audience (24/10/2013)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (24/10/2013)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (24/10/2013)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• France - National Radio Summer Audience (03/10/2013)
  national channels, summer period 2008-2013 trend
• Austria - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (09/09/2013)
  public and private broadcasters, owners, management, audience trend
• Belgium - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (French region) (28/08/2013)
  Wallonia region, radio broadcasters, public, private, owners, platforms, audience trend
• Belgium - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (Flemish region) (28/08/2013)
  Flemish region, radio broadcasters, public, private, owners, platforms, audience trend
• Turkey - Major Media - Radio broadcasting (15/08/2013)
  ownership, management, program formats, platforms
• Netherlands - Radio Audience (08/08/2013)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Ireland - National Radio Audience (30/07/2013)
  market share, 07h00-19h00, trend
• Ireland - Dublin Radio Audience (30/07/2013)
  market share, 07h00-19h00, trend
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (23/07/2013)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Switzerland - Radio listening by region (19/07/2013)
  public and private sectors, penetration, time spent listening
• Switzerland - French region Radio Audience (19/07/2013)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Swiss-German region Radio Audience (19/07/2013)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Italian region Radio Audience (19/07/2013)
  share, trend
• Germany - Radio Audience (16/07/2013)
  leading stations, audience trend, daily reach
• France - National Radio Audience (16/07/2013)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• Germany - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (16/07/2013)
  public and private broadcasters, ownership, management, platforms, audience trend
• Latvia - National Radio Audience (12/06/2013)
  national channels, audience share, trend
• Spain - National Radio Audience (24/04/2013)
  national channels, reach share, trend
• Poland Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (28/03/2013)
  public and private radio channels, management, platforms, market share
• Lithuania Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (25/02/2013)
  public and private radio channels, management, platforms, audience reach
• Czech Republic Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (18/02/2013)
  public and private radio channels, management, audience reach

More Resources

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe's Radio - Western Europe

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Europe’s Radio – Eastern Europe

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Order here

Europe’s Radio – Northern Europe

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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

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. 74 pages PDF (May 2012)

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