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

ftm Radio Page - August 26, 2016

Digital uncertainty increases, money more than audience
global trends speeding on

Digital doubt clouds the media sphere where that digital dividend once shown bright. Radio broadcasters, in particular, have peered down that tunnel hoping to see a light that isn’t Spotify careening past them. Digital platforms aren’t what they were a decade ago.

“Radio has always been dynamic,” said Swiss media regulator OFCOM deputy director Roberta Cattaneo to the annual Swiss Radio Day in Zürich this past week, quoted by werbewoche.ch (August 25). Her caveat was clear: “But uncertainty will increase in the coming years.” Digital transition is coming, but slowly.

Radio, more loosely defined than ever, is more digital than analogue in Switzerland. Out of every 100 daily minutes of listening, 53 are now digital, either DAB+ or online, reported market researcher GfK Switzerland, an 8% increase year on year. Alas it’s older listeners making the switch from FM to DAB+. Those darned young people are, everybody knows, online. And, too, 70% of radio listening in automobiles is from the FM platform. (See more about digital radio here)

“OFCOM cannot affect global trends,” said Ms Cattaneo. Next year the media regulator will assess the looming possibility of transitioning away from the FM platform between 2020 and 2025. With that in mind, private-sector broadcasters are expanding their digital portfolios. Digital multiplex costs have dropped considerably.

Switzerland’s media market is relatively small and a certain set of radio broadcasters rely on the public service license fee; public broadcaster SSR-SRG, obviously, but also about half of the country’s privately owned radio stations. Therein lies another uncertainty, noted Ms Cattaneo, as popular initiatives to curtail or even abolish the license fee remain in the legislative pipeline.

Radio Page week ending August 5, 2016
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, BBC Radio, commercial radio, radio brands, Radio 2, Radio 1, Radio 4, Heart, Radio X, Capital, Magic, Wireless Group, TalkSport, digital radio

Radio Page week ending July 29, 2016
EBU, gTLD, domain names, (dot) radio, radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, IDF, RTL, France Inter, RMC, Fun Radio, Radio Classique

Radio Page week ending July 22, 2016
radio in Switzerland, radio audience, Mediapulse, SSR-SRG, SFR, RTS, RSI, Energy Zurich, Radio 24, BNJ FM, 3i, radio in Monaco, Radio Baikal, MC 2

Radio Page week ending July 15, 2016
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, Fun Radio, Fun-Gate, RTL, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, Europe 1, RMC, NRJ, Nostalgie, Virgin Radio, Skyrock, radio in Italy, GfK RadioMonitor, RTL 102, Radio DeeJay, Radio Sportiva, Radio Zeta L'Italiana, RAI RadioTre

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

Also see ftm Knowledge

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. 126 pages PDF (June 2015)

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, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland. 244 pages. Resources. PDF (September 2013)

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, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. 159 pages PDF (April 2013)

Order here

Europe’s Radio – Northern Europe

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. 144 pages PDF includes Resources (November 2012)

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 149 pages PDF (August 2012)

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 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 ©2004-2016 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact Us • About Us