ftm Radio Page - June 21, 2013

Employees question proposed new owner
“gloomy climate”

When seeking regulator approval for things needing regulator approval it’s customary, usually, to enter that process with a certain level of decorum. It’s not wise to insult the regulator. Usually.

French media regulator CSA is holding the file on Sud Radio’s ownership transfer, which Les Echos media reporter Gregoire Poussielgue calls “hot” (June 20). Sud Radio Groupe, owner of several local Paris stations, thought it had a buyer last year but that fell through rather quickly. A new prospective buyer, Fiducial, emerged.

Fiducial is a rather large French services company offering everything from lawyers and accountants to office furniture and private security. Fiducial is principally owned by Christian Latouche, also owner of the monthly business magazine Lyon Capitale and TV channel Lyon Capitale. (See more on media in France here)

Last year Fiducial and M Latouche applied for one of the new national digital TV licenses, called D-Facto, intended to be, largely, documentaries followed by discussion. It was rejected by the CSA. Thereinafter, Lyon Capitale published pieces ripping the CSA as “corrupt” and personal attacks on CSA president Olivier Schrameck, his predecessor at CSA Michel Boyon and those who were awarded digital TV franchises.

This week the Sud Radio works council – essentially the employees – registered their opinion of the takeover, reported Les Echos. It was not positive. The works council cited “a lack of commitment and detailed written plan for the radio. “ They also didn’t like the “editorial line, program schedule” and the absence of “immediate financial boost to ensure the success.” And they didn’t like the emphasis on rugby coverage.

The CEO of seller Sud Radio Groupe Jean-Eric Valli said the Fiducial proposal is the best chance for Sud Radio “in a gloomy climate for the media.”

The CSA has yet to move the “hot” file forward. (JMH)

Digital radio is radio being radio
Just takes money

The digital dividend for most radio broadcasters has been slow in coming. In the most mature digital markets broadcasters are seeing a positive effect, however slight. Others are waiting and rather impatiently.

Poland’s public broadcaster Polskie Radio (PR) does have ambitious plans. “Everything has been long and very carefully planned and we are ready to implement it.” said PR digital director Krzysztof Luszczewski in an interview with wirtualnemedia.pl (June 18). “We are well prepared in terms of internal infrastructure. This work has been in progress for a long time, as early as last year we were planning for this test run at the Euro 2012 (football championships). The problem is, however, funding for the project.”

Polskie Radio was ready to go with digital radio last year, he said. The board, however, put that on hold until financing sources were clarified and regulator KRRiT took the same position. The Polish government is hesitant to invest in infrastructure when private sector broadcasters are resisting. (See more on digital radio here)

“We have certain responsibilities under the law including, among others, innovation,” he explained. “The whole is now digital, so we cannot say what we have now will last forever. There is no exemption. Unfortunately, however, this project is quite complicated and expensive. We are willing, of course, to take on the role of the leader.”

Mr. Luszczewski is mindful that private sector broadcasters prefer web distribution “completely different medium “ over DAB broadcasting. “Digital radio allows radio to remain radio, a medium for everyone. Radio is probably the most democratic medium. You can turn it on and listen regardless of financial status, place of residence and access to the internet.” (JMH)

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Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• Latvia - National Radio Audience (12/06/2013)
  national channels, audience share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (16/05/2013)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (16/05/2013)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (16/05/2013)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (25/04/2013)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Spain - National Radio Audience (24/04/2013)
  national channels, reach share, trend
• France - National Radio Audience (16/04/2013)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• Poland Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (28/03/2013)
  public and private radio channels, management, platforms, market share
• Germany - Radio Audience (06/03/2013)
  leading stations, audience trend, daily reach
• 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
• Switzerland - Radio listening by region (20/01/2013)
  public and private sectors, penetration, time spent listening
• Switzerland - French region Radio Audience (20/01/2013)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Swiss-German region Radio Audience (20/01/2013)
  share, trend
• Switzerland - Italian region Radio Audience (20/01/2013)
  share, trend

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