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

ftm Radio Page - April 22, 2011

Reflecting Again On A Calm Winter
Paris winter It’s said that all politics, all advertising and all ratings are local. And winter quarter ratings reflect very little excitement anyway so any changes seem really important. But listeners eventually come out of hibernation.

 

 

Controversial owner takes control of controversial station
Eye-brows raised

Founding shareholder Est Média Group (EMG) sold its 25% interest in Hungarian national radio channel NeoFM operator FM1 Zrt to FM1 Friends. The transaction was valued at HUF 120 million (about €450,000). The company notified the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE) April 17th.

Est Media, formerly known as econet.hu, also withdrew from sales-house FM1 Communications it operated to sell advertising for NeoFM. Both NeoFM and the related sales-house had been operating at a loss. Est Media is involved in event and concert promotion, online and print media as well as Budapest local radio station radiocafé 98.6.

In a statement to the BSE Est Media said it would restructure and warned of continued financial challenges. The media business in Hungary has yet to see recovery and NeoFM’s launch has been costly. FM1 Managing Director Tamás Kádár resigned “by mutual agreement” March 17th , effective end of April.

Est Média Group led the FM1 consortium that was awarded one of two national radio licenses in November 2009, formerly licensed to US-based broadcaster Emmis International as Slàger Radio. Both national radio licenses were awarded to Hungarian companies under eye-brow raising circumstances. The unsuccessful incumbents argued that a fix was in to award the licenses to political parties friendly to the ruling right-wing Fidesz Party and principal opposition MSZP (Socialist) Party. (See more on media in Hungary here)

FM1 Friends, not to be confused with FM1 Zrt, is principally owned by Gábor Székely, former CEO of State-owned gambling service provider Szerencsejáték Zrt. In August 2010 FM1 Friends acquired 75% of FM1 Zrt.

Under concession terms the NeoFM owners are obligated for a HUF 200 million (about €750,000) annual fee to the government due mid-year. In addition, the owners will be paying 50% of the channel’s revenue to the government.

Est Media chairman Csaba Balázs sold shares in the company a week before the announcement, raising more eye-brows. (JMH)

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