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ftm Radio Page - week ending May 26, 2017

Government fears foreign influence with digital transition
We're surrounded

With great deliberation, Swiss authorities have been clearing a path to a transition from analogue FM radio to digital DAB+ platforms. A loose 2024 target date has been set for ending FM broadcasting. Nearly all radio broadcasters currently use both platforms, with several new digital-only channels appearing.

Geneva state executive, Conseil d’État, with “serious reservations,” has asked the federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC) to consider a waiver. The Canton of Geneva, in which the city of Geneva sits, is almost completely surrounded by France. The Geneva Conseil d’État would like separate treatment from federal rules on ending FM radio transmission until the French government requires digital radio transition, said a Conseil d’État statement, quoted by Tribune de Geneve (May 25). The likelihood of FM radio shut-off in France is seen as remote. (See more about digital radio here)

“Geneva listeners operate on both sides of the border,” said the statement. “Dismantling the FM networks could cause a loss of local coverage, a lack of interest from advertisers and risk economic difficulties for private stations in Geneva.”

The Geneva state executive also opposes federal legislation that would eliminate requirements for news on private local stations from 2019 when standard radio concessions are renewed. "The quality and the diversity of local information and employment in a sector already hit hard remain major concerns in a Canton strongly subject to influence and to the interests of foreign media,” the statement added.

In tough market radio group sale price reduced
"accounting inaccuracies"

The respective boards of French broadcasters RTL Radio and Groupe M6 agreed to reduce the sale price of the radio business. RTL Radio is a subsidiary of RTL Group and operates national radio channels RTL, RTL2 and Fun Radio as well as sales house IP France. Groupe M6 is a publicly traded television broadcaster principally owned (48.26%) by RTL Group and operates M6, W9, 6ter, Paris Premiere and others plus various production and advertising businesses.

The acquisition RTL Radio by Groupe M6 was announced last December. On recommendation of banker JP Morgan the sale price has been reduced to €199.8 million from €216 million, about 7.5%. (See RTL Group statement here) The reduction is due to “accounting inaccuracies” found in the 2016 RTL Radio end-year financial report. RTL Group has granted Groupe M6 rights to use RTL trademarks. (See more about media in France here)

Radio in France is going through an interesting period, RTL Group consolidating radio and TV operations as well as ad sales and digital components significantly. After a ratings drubbing for flagship Europe 1 Lagardère Active Radio made several personnel changes this spring, largely raiding public broadcaster Radio France. NRJ Group has seen weak revenue growth on worries about legacy national pop music channel NRJ withstanding audience competition from streaming platforms.

 

Radio Page week ending May 19, 2017
radio in Portugal, Radio Comercial, RFM, M80, Radio Renascenca, RTL, Antena 1, radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, BBC Radio, public broadcasting, commercial radio, Radio 2, Radio 1, Radio 4, Heart, 6Music, LBC, Global Radio, radio advertising

Radio Page week ending May 12, 2017
radio in Norway, NRK, outside broadcasts

Radio Page week ending May 5, 2017
radio in the UK, Fix Radio, digital radio, DAB

Radio Page week ending April 28, 2017
radio in France, Paris radio audience, Mediametrie, RTL, Radio France, France Inter, Europe 1, Lagardere Active, NRJ, Skyrock, Radio Classique, Mouv', Radio Latina, Radio Nova, TSF Jazz

Radio Page week ending April 21, 2017
radio in France, radio audience, Mediametrie, RTL, Radio France, news radio, France Inter, Europe 1, Lagardere Active, NRJ, RFM, RTL2, Skyrock

Radio Page week ending April 14, 2017
radio in the Czech Republic, Radia Dalnice, RRTV, FM licenses, highway radio, Isoradio, Avtoradio

Radio Page week ending April 7, 2017
radio in the Czech Republic, Kiss, RRTV, Radio United Broadcasting, radio licenses, millennials

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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.
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