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

ftm Radio Page - September 30, 2011

Uncertainty still plagues radio market
and blame the measurement

When Hungarian authorities denied license renewals to the two foreign owed national radio channels, two years ago few local broadcasters shed a tear. The two broadcasters – Radio Danubius and Slager Radio – were polished market leaders, reportedly taking about 60% of total Hungarian radio ad spending. The radio sector still hasn’t recovered.

Broadcasters were moaning at a Hungarian Advertising Association conference (September 28) that the radio share of ad spending has fallen to 5% in the last two years, reported mediainfo.hu.  Current economics were blamed. “Under-representation in the media market is not a new phenomenon, but the current rate is also due to potential customers…struggling with financial problems,” said Radio1 executive director David Martin. “Of course, radio will feel the crisis.”

Martin and others noted that Radio Danubius and Slager Radio disappeared from the Hungarian media landscape at a particularly bad moment, just as the Hungarian economy was reeling under uncertainty, piling on more uncertainty. (See more on media in Hungary here) Another broadcasters said recovery could be several years away.

“You should stop the wailing,” said Class FM’s recently appointed CEO Turi Arpád. Class FM is one of the broadcasting companies that obtained its license rather controversially. It has never reached the market share of its predecessor, which Mr. Arpad blames on the audience measurement service.

“I say that the research is bad,” he complained. “I do not believe it.”  (JMH)

Slow summer for national radio channels
Local, regional radio shows increases

Summertime radio audience figures are not without interest. Listening choices when routines change can be revealing. Médiamétrie complies with a summer radio audience survey in France. Many other research institutes just don’t bother.

While media buyers rarely sit on the edge of their chairs for summer radio audience figures, French radio took a few interesting turns, even as about a quarter of a million fewer French people were listening during the summer of 2011 compared with the previous year.  Yes, of course, RTL leads with 11.6% market share, down from 12.1% one year on. France Inter was still number 2, unchanged at 8.8% market share. (See France summer radio audience trends here)

The new summertime number 3 is the France Bleu network with 7.9% market share, up from 6.3% year on year. France Bleu is the network of regional public radio channels. It’s audience shares also have been growing recently in the normal survey periods. Add to that listening to local stations was also up to 14.9% market share from 13.2% one year on.

Year on year summertime listening to national channels is down. Europe 1, RMC, Nostalgie, NRJ, RTL2 and Virgin Radio had lower market share. Troubled Europe 1 was down spectacularly; dropping to 6.6% from 7.8% and out of the top 5.  (JMH)

 

Award winning station not for sale
Absolutely not

After a half-year review the Times of India, as TIML Radio, will not be selling off its UK radio station Absolute Radio. While picking up seven awards at the recent Sony Radio Awards contest, speculation has been rife that the loss making station might be jettisoned.

“Absolute Radio has demonstrated great digital innovation, thought leadership and has significantly grown its business in the last 12 months,” said Times of India chief executive Ravi Dhariwal in a statement (September 27). “We have great confidence in the British digital economy, in the One Golden Square team and in Absolute Radio’s senior management as it heads towards breakeven in 2012.”

Talks with potential buyers, including former owner Richard Branson, stalled on price, reported BizAsia.co.uk (September 27). A selling price in the range of GBP 20 million had been suggested. (JMH).

“Good Morning, Baghdad” ends broadcasting
“That’s all, folks”

After nearly eight years broadcasting from Baghdad, American Forces Network (AFN) Iraq signed off this last weekend, reported Stars and Stripes (September 25). American military service personnel in Iraq are in their last 100 days of deployment. “That’s all, folks,” said a recording of cartoon character Porky Pig as the last words broadcast.

AFN is part of the US Department of Defense and, under one name or another, has operated for the support of military personnel since 1942. By contrast, the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) is editorially independent of the UK Ministry of Defense. AFN broadcasting in Iraq will continue through the remaining three months by satellite from the AFN Europe broadcasting center at Colemann Barracks near Mannheim, Germany.

“They're going to get good radio, but it's not going to be us, and we're right here in the country with them,” said morning show co-host Staff Sgt. Jay Townsend, quoted by AFP (September 24). ”We get mortars, and we get rockets, and we go out on missions and patrols as well, so at least we have something in common.”

The radio programming has been typical of AFN broadcasts; lots of music, news from back home, sports and, of course, American-style DJs. During AFN Iraq’s final hours listeners, which included, said Sgt. Townsend, many University of Baghdad students, were treated to an interview with Adrian Cronauer, arguably the most famous AFN DJ, who inspired the 1987 Barry Levinson motion picture “Good Morning, Vietnam.”

In keeping with the times AFN Iraq held a competition on its Facebook page to choose the station’s final song. (JMH)

Radio Page week ending September 23, 2011
internet radio, radio in Germany, radio in Russia, digital radio, ProfMedia, local radio, radio in the UK, consumer electronics

Radio Page week ending September 16, 2011
audience measurement, Ipsos MediaCT, smartphones, Civil Radio, radio in Hungary, community radio

Radio Page week ending September 9, 2011
community radio, Angel Radio, Keith Richards

Radio Page week ending September 2, 2011
radio in Poland, Polksie Radio, radio in France, talk radio, CSA, Sud Radio, radio in Ireland, ownership rules, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Radio Page week ending August 5, 2011
radio in the UK, RAJAR, BBC, commercial radio, Radio 4, Radio 1, Capital London, 6Music, 4 Extra, digital radio, Czech public radio, Peter Duhan, Radiozurnal

Radio Page week ending July 29, 2011
radio advertising, RTL Group, radio in the Netherlands, Radio 538, John de Mol, digital radio, radio in Germany, VPRT, radio in Poland, Radio Track, RMF FM, Radio Zet, TOK FM, internet radio

Radio Page week ending July 22, 2011
radio in France, Médiamétrie, RTL, RMC, NRJ, Skyrock, radio in Czech Republic, Radio Hey, international broadcasting, BBC World Service

Radio Page week ending July 15, 2011
radio in Germany, AG.MA, Antenne Bayern, Star FM, Radio Hamberg, NRW, audience measurement, Ipsos, MediaCell

Radio Page week ending July 8, 2011
radio in Germany, AG.MA, radio in France, music quotas, CSA

Radio Page week ending July 1, 2011
radio consumption, EBU, new media, radio in Hungary, Klubradio, radio in Russia, Silveer Rain, international broadcasting, Radio Netherlands worldwide, radio in Lithuania, Zip FM, radio promotion, radio in Bulgaria, Radio Antenna, RadioDays Europe

Radio Page week ending June 24, 2011
radio advertising, Cannes Lions, radio in Poland, Radio ZET, Lagardère

Radio Page week ending June 17, 2011
radio in Switzerland, OFCOM, SSR-SRG, classic rock, radio in Ireland, audience measurement, JNLR

Radio Page week ending June 10, 2011
radio in the Czech Republic, digital radio, DAB, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, international broadcasting, audience measurement, radio in the UK, RAJAR

Radio Page week ending June 3, 2011
radio in the Czech Republic, audience research, music testing, Ceske Rozhlas, radio in Romania, audience measurement, Societatea Romana de Radiodifuziune, Kiss FM, Radio Zu, Pro FM, online radio, UK Radioplayer, Pandora, Spotify

Radio Page week ending May 27, 2011
radio in the UAE, radio advertising, Pan Arab Research Centre, Global Radio, Digital Radio UK, radio in Switzerland, Radio 24

Radio Page week ending May 20, 2011
internet radio, web radio, Spotify, Radiodays Europe, radio in Greece, radio advertising, radio in Ukraine, National Radio Company

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 – 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. 102 pages PDF (June 2011)

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. 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

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