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ftm Radio Page - February 10, 2012

Legendary news radio founder “retired” from board
Not related to politics?

Legendary Russian news-talk radio channel Ekho Moscvy is going through some changes, reports Lenta.ru (February 14). Majority owner Gazprom Media “dissolved” then reformed the Ekho Moscvy board, adding a business manager to pursue “strategic business objectives.” Almost immediately offers to buy the channel swirled.

Among the board changes, noted by Russian media watchers, is the retirement of founder and editor-in-chief Alexei Venediktov and departure of deputy editor Vladimir Varfolomeev. Collectively, Mr. Venediktov and the professional staff are minority owners (34%).

It was just a month ago that Mr. Venediktov got into a bit of a tête-à-tête with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on live television. (See that story here) He will remain editor-in-chief until the new board meets to elect a replacement. Ekho Moscvy is considered a bit on an anomaly one the Russian broadcasting scene, offering reporting and commentary critical of, well, everything. The channel has soared in the Moscow radio ratings in recent years. (See more on Russia’s broadcasters here)

Russian media entrepreneur Natalia Sindeeva, owner of radio station Silver Rain, was first offering to buy Ekho Moscvy. Mikhail Prokhorov, who seems to be running in the Russian presidential election, offered to refinance the channel’s debt to Gazprom Media “on favorable terms”.

A spokesperson for Gazprom Media said the board changes have nothing to do with politics. (JMH)

Celebrate “all things radio” today
Around the world and into your ears

Some well-deserved attention shines on radio broadcasting with the first internationally recognized World Radio Day – February 13. From international organizations to individual broadcasters, the day is to “raise awareness about the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through radio and enhance networking among broadcasters,” said the dedicated website (www.worldradioday.org).

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) made the proclamation last November to “celebrate radio broadcast, improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio, including community radios,” said a message from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). (See ITU statement here)

Coincident with World Radio Day, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is holding its Radio Week for public broadcaster members in Geneva. (See EBU statement here)

The Association of European Radio (AER) noted the occasion by reminding regulators not to mess with success. AER, among others, noted the distaste for news/talk radio by Hungarian regulator NMHH. To French regulator CSA's take on digital radio, the group "worried" that "France is taking in this field (digital radio) a onetrack road, which might end up being a dead end”. (See AER full statement here)

Australian public broadcaster ABC is noting the day by showing off the 3WV broadcast installation built in 1936. ABC’s 720 Perth met up with US station 720 WGN (Chicago) to “talk all things radio.”(JMH)

Radio Page week ending February 10, 2012
radio in France, RTL Group, Christopher Baldelli, digital radio, radio in Hungary, Klubradio, Neelie Kroes, Slager Radio, Danubius Radio

Radio Page week ending February 3, 2012
radio in the UK, RAJAR, Capital Radio, BBC 6Music, Absolute Radio, digital radio, local radio, radio in Portugal, RDP Antena 1

Radio Page week ending January 27, 2012
radio in Africa, radio in South Sudan, Radio Miraya, radio in Switzerland, MediaPulse, Radio Fiume Ticino, DRS, Radio 24, digital radio, radio in Paris, RMC, Skyrock, Radio Latina

Radio Page week ending January 20, 2012
radio in Italy, audience measurement, Ipsos MediaCell, Gfk Eurisko, AudiRadio, radio in russia, Ehko Moscvy, Gasprom Media, radio in France, Médiamétrie, RMC, NRJ

Radio Page week ending January 13, 2012
radio in Switzerland, Energy Basel, radio in Greece, Flash 96

Radio Page week ending December 23, 2011
radio in Sweden, SBS Radio, NRJ Group, Mix Megapol, Association of European Radio, radio in Hungary, Klubradio, NMHH

Radio Page week ending December 16, 2011
radio conferences, Selon Le Radio, RadioDays Europe, Brave New Radio, TEDx

Radio Page week ending December 9, 2011
radio in France, digital radio, DAB, CSA

Radio Page week ending December 2, 2011
world records, BFBS, Kiss FM, RTE Radio 1, Romanian National Radio

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