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

ftm Radio Page - May 20, 2011

Just read the weather forecast, ok?
“far-fetched”

It would be lovely spring weather, said meteorologist Lyudmyla Savchenko on Ukrainian state radio (May 12). ”You can not remain indifferent to this beauty, which is complemented by delicate scents of lilacs and lilies of the valley, melodic trills of birds,” she began poetically. Ah, all weather reports should be this lyrical.

And then the weather forecast turned.“ Sometimes it seems that these days give us wonderful nature to compensate for the disorder, lawlessness and injustice occurring in our country,” continued Ms Savchenko, a 30 year veteran of Ukraine’s weather service and head of the radio section.

“I was in a mood and said what I think,” said Ms Savchenko to the news website Ukrainska Pravda (May 17). She was suspended from the weather service for two weeks and Ukraine National Radio decided that all further weather reports would be pre-recorded.

“If a person is to talk about the weather she is to talk about the weather, prompt, competent, high quality, witty, but the weather. That's all.” said Ukrainian National Radio deputy director Roman Tchaikovsky.

Of course, being Ukraine suspected political overtones were widely reported. All noted that Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych recently appointed his press secretary Taras Avrakhov general director of national radio. And two weeks ago President Yanukovych, on World Press Freedom Day, challenged the media to bring him an example of the stifling of free speech. (See more on media in Ukraine here)

And the Twitter barrage began. “We notice once again the heroism of telling the truth,” tweeted political rival Yulia Tymoshenko, who is often compared to the US politician Sarah Palin.

Reports of Ms Savchenko being fired were “far-fetched,” said national weather service director Nicholas Kulbida. One can imagine a record audience for that weather report when Ms Savchenko returns to the radio May 23rd. (JMH)

Broadcasters adapt to economic times
“Expected immediately”

The Greek economy in recent years has been nothing short of a disaster. That certainly filtered down to the media sector. Greek broadcasters, reports Naftemporiki.gr (May 18), are now considering restructuring business operations.

Mergers and other consolidation moves have already taken place among Attica region broadcasters, where there are 42 radio stations. Radio broadcasters are consolidating operations with employees working for different channels. Under licensing rules Greek radio stations music employ at least 20 people. The changes are “not only necessary but expected immediately,” said one broadcasting executive. The Attica Periphery (administrative region) includes the Greek capital Athens.

Radio advertising revenue in the first four months of this year declined 33%, according to the article. Discounting ad rates has “reached its upper limit.” (JMH)

Radiodays Europe tips new chairperson
Moving along

The board of Radiodays Europe has selected Svenska YLE director Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser as chairperson (May 20), the leadership of the radio broadcaster conference remaining in Scandinavian hands. Ms Nyberg Frankenhaeuser, a well-known and well respected figure in public broadcasting, replaces Ole Mølgaard who was dismissed from Denmark’s public broadcaster DR in a management shake-up earlier this month.

Radiodays Europe operations office remains in Copenhagen, led by Christian Kjeldsen (DR), Rolf Brandrud (NRK) and Anders Held (SR).

The radio conference premiered in Copenhagen in 2010 after US-based National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) failed to find a following for its radio expo, particularly among public broadcasters. The 2012 Radiodays Europe show will move from Copenhagen to Barcelona March 22nd and 23rd. (JMH)

Spotify stalls?
Only, only, only

Listening growth for web radio portal Spotify in Sweden “is not as strong as before, maybe even in a slight decline,” observed TNS Sifo research director Anders Lithner at the Teracoms Radiopuls conference, quoted by radionytt.se (May 13). Only – only? – 22% of Swedes listen via the Spotify portal compared with 72% listening to broadcast radio. Time spent listening to broadcast radio is about five times that for Spotify, 75 minutes against 16 minutes. (See more on internet radio here)

According to TNS Sifo details, among people under 30 Spotify leads commercial broadcast radio listening. “Spotify has grown large, especially in Sweden,” said Lithner who also noted the total of Spotify and broadcast radio listening is now reaches more people than TV and print media. Only 18% of Spotify users are opting for the for-fee ad-free service. (JMH)

Radio Page week ending May 13, 2011
radio in the UK, RAJAR, audience survey, BBC, Capital FM, Radio 4, mobile radio, radio in Germany, internet radio, Pandora, radio in France, digital radio, CSA

Radio Page week ending May 6, 2011
radio in Portugal, international broadcasting, RDP, ANACOM, radio in Poland, radio advertising, RMF FM, Radio Zet

Radio Page week ending April 29, 2011
radio in France, Skyrock, Axa Private Equity, Skyblog, Pierre Bellanger, radio in Africa, Africa No.1, Eutelsat

Radio Page week ending April 22, 2011
radio in Hungary, NeoFM, Est Media Group, radio in France, radio audience, Médiamétrie, RMC, Europe 1, France Inter

Radio Page week ending April 15, 2011
radio in Germany, morning radio, BLM, Antenne Bayern, radio in France, Skyrock, private equity

Radio Page week ending April 8, 2011
radio in Finland, SBS Radio, The Voice, Iskelmä, new media applications, digital radio, radio in the UK, FM shut-off

Radio Page week ending March 25, 2011
digital radio, DAB, Enspert, radio in Hong Kong, radio in the UK, Jazz FM, BBC Asia, music quotas, radio in Poland, ChiliZet

Radio Page week ending March 18, 2011
radio in France, CSA, music quotas, radio in Sweden, MTG, Star FM, radio in the US, public radio, National Public Radio

Radio Page week ending March 11, 2011
radio in Italy, podcasts, RAI, Radio Due, radio in Germany, VPRT, FM shut-off, ag.ma, Radio NRW, Antenne Bayern, Radio Bob

Radio Page week ending March 4, 2011
digital radio, Association of European Radio, Neelie Kroes, EBU, Rouge FM, radio in Germany, ag.ma

Radio Page week ending February 25, 2011
radio in Denmark, web radio, DAB, digital radio, radio in Germany, Londa, Lagardere, radio in Czech Republic, music quota, radio in Ukraine, radio news, Hungarian public radio, Danubius Radio, Slager Radio, radio in Hungary

Radio Page week ending February 11, 2011
radio in Denmark, DR, P4, Voice of Russia, medium wave, radio promotion, Rock FM

Radio Page week ending February 4, 2011
radio in the UK, RAJAR, BBC Radio, Five Live, digital radio, radio in Norway, NRK, FM shutoff, radio in Belarus, Radio Svaboda, Avtoradio

Radio Page week ending January 28, 2011
radio advertising, radio in the Netherlands, Communicorp, radio in Ukraine, Nashe Radio, Mediametrie, radio in Paris, Oui FM, FIP

Radio Page week ending January 21, 2011
radio in France, Mediametrie, RTL, NRJ, Virgin Radio, Lagardere, radio in Switzerland, digital radio, SSR-SRG

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe’s Radio – Northern Europe – new

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. 101 pages PDF includes Resources (February 2011)

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. 48 pages PDF (November 2010)

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 110 pages PDF (August 2010)

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, Netherlands and Switzerland. 107 pages. PDF (June 2010)

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, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Slovakia. 65 pages PDF (February 2010)

Order here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member and receive Knowledge files at no charge. JOIN HERE!

ftm Knowledge files are available to non-Members at €49 each. The charge to Individual Site Members is €15 each.

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 ©2004-2011 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact Us • About Us