ftm Radio Page - October 30, 2009

Political Parties Divvy Up National Broadcast Licenses
The ugly side of politics and broadcasting has reared its head once again. Politicians see broadcasting licenses as fair game for political pay-offs. That everybody else loses is not their concern.

As Big Broadcasters Fight For The Head, The Real Action is on the Web
Maybe the ‘long tail’ theory isn’t completely dead. Big broadcasters are adding as many brand extensions as they can to bulk up sagging audiences. New channels - offered by others – are attracting a lot of attention.

Lost: Athens Edition
Explains everything

This is side splitting. US radio newsletter RadioInk reports (October 26) “more than one” American broadcaster went to Athens last weekend expecting to see the NAB Europe radio conference. It was cancelled – very publicly – more than a month before the show. Unfortunate, but dismal economics got the best of it this year.

Imagine: all the talk about “pee-pee-em” and “dialing for dollars” left in Athens taxi cabs.

American commercial radio is in free-fall after the consolidation love-in and accounting high-jinks. Now we understand. (JMH)

Digital Radio Dims
Same debate, same outcome

Broadcasting luminaries gathered in Paris hoping to light the digital future. Another delay was announced. Big broadcasters are looking for a low cost alternative. 

Speaking at the Siel-Satis-La Radio expo (October 21) broadcasters, largely, expressed support for radio – at least in concept – as if the medium might soon pass into the darkness of buggy whips and printing presses. CBC / Radio Canada vice-president of French services Sylvain Lafrance spoke of convergence, strong brands – radio, TV and internet – each being unique and the difficulty for those in one medium to make the switch to converged media.

Without question, the main discussion point – again – was digital radio. Digital radio was set to ‘launch’ before the end of the year, dozens of channels being authorized last May for major French cities. Regulator CSA has pushed back the big day until mid-2010. (More on digital radio here)

Two arguments prevailed; analogue shut-off and standards. Under rules adopted earlier this year, radio receivers in new automobiles must have digital capability by 2013 and all receivers sold must include that digital radio chip by 2015. Citing differences between digital TV and digital radio, most broadcasters hesitated calling for hard dates for analogue shut-off.

The French adopted the T-DMB standard for digital radio but kept open the possibility of competing standards like DRM, the digital standard for medium wave transmission. Other European countries have a different set of standards – DAB and DAB+. Still in the grand debate is whether or not France can support a digital radio standard different from the rest of Europe.

Digital radio proponents, frustrated, talked of simply getting on with it out of fear of being left behind.  “Habits are changing,” plead digital radio developer Joêl Pons. “It is a necessity. It will serve the public. Radio must remain a major media, closer to people (and) must be consistent with modern technology.”

Major commercial broadcasters have become even more hesitant. Representing the major commercial network operators, Bureau de la Radio president Michel Cacouault talked about the bottom line. Broadcasters revenue is down 18%, he said, and the cost of broadcasting in both T-DMB and FM for an extended period would cost each broadcaster between €2 and €4 million a year. Quieting the crowd, he said a less expensive digital alternative must be found. (JMH)

Radio Page - October 24, 2009

Radio Page - October 16, 2009

Radio Page - October 9, 2009

Radio Page - October 2, 2009

Radio Page - September 25, 2009

Radio Page - September 18, 2009

Radio Page - September 11, 2009

Recently added radio audience figures

• UK - National Radio Audience (29/10/2009)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (29/10/2009)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (29/108/2009)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• Poland - National Radio Audience (24/10/2009)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Poland - Warsaw Radio Audience (24/10/2009)
  Warsaw survey, market share, trend

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe's Radio – new update

Europe’s media landscape is dotted by 15,000 radio stations and channels. Public, private, digital and even a few MW stations reach upwards of 90% of Europe’s listeners each day. This updated ftm Knowledge file adds new material on digital broadcasting, measurement, regulation, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, France, Germany, Russia and the UK. 195 pages PDF (August 2009)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order

Digital Radio - Forward...slightly

Digital radio is slowly finding its way. Broadcasters are challenged by shifts in business models, audience expectations and regulation limbo. This ftm Knowledge file details the promise of digital broadcasting and the paradigm shifts. 83 pages PDF (June 2009)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order