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The roots of decline
Good ol’ days are gone
When commercial radio was new in Europe – not THAT long ago – many broadcasters fixated on the styles, formats and success of American stations. Those stories are part of the great worldwide radio narrative. To a great extent, the eyes (and ears) of radio people are always on the American market.
Most radio broadcasters are aware that their American counterparts have been stung by rapidly falling ad revenues and competition from new media. The ‘good ol’ days’ of American radio – which ever you choose – are long gone. What’s left ranges from bland to insipid.
What has risen on American airwaves – drawing big audiences, it seems from industry reports – can only be described as a pre-curser to homegrown hate radio. Adhering to the ‘boiled frog’ principle, American broadcasters seem to embrace this form; any audience is better than no audience. Freelance writer Alexander Zaitchik has profiled one of American radio’s new star performers in Salon.com (Read here)
While it’s common for European radio performers to walk right up to THE LINE, some wiggle their toes over it and occasionally one will flail into the abyss (remember the BBC’s Jonathan Ross), American commercial radio seems in a zone of its own. The only line left for it to cross would invite comparisons with the hate radio once heard in Rwanda or Bosnia. Zaitchik’s inviting series details – with one talk-show host as metaphor – the short step it is from “morning zoo” to something quite ugly.
Isn’t citizen journalism a dead concept?
“All you get is uninformed.”
Journalism purists – mostly academics – seized the citizen journalism concept. Practitioners held their collective noses. Some broadcasters and many publishers, after consulting lawyers and accountants, rose to the benefits of free content.
Twitter hadn’t yet been born when citizen journalism was all the rage or there was raging about citizen journalism. Practitioners prejudices aside – not to forget job security fears – citizen journalism was briefly tried and then it died. The concept, however, deserves a recurring imprint on the collective mind.
And so a report by John Kelly, published by Oxford University’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism arrived to remind one and all that ‘citizen journalism’ and ‘user-generated content’ are complicated terms. Much of what Kelly writes is a rehash – without mentioning the source – of disintermediation, the post-modernist term for cutting out the middle-man. (Read the Oxford University release here)
Kelly, correctly, identifies the single reason the concept of citizen journalism remains salient. Practitioners, from time to time, need jolting from their comfort zones. That includes writers, editors and all other who hurl words and pictures through the ether.
Citizen journalism and user-generated content is here to stay, says Kelly. “Journalists must accept that the dynamic has changed. They must see the public as more than an inert, monolithic audience. They must explore new, collaborative ways to tell stories.”
The idea of a collaborative journalism is at the heart of academic interest in citizen journalism. Participation is the key. It is the same with democracy, yes?
Two years ago, in the pre-Twitter days, I had a long conversation with an information scientist who primarily works with the very news needy financial sector. She literally sneered at the idea. “They don’t participate,” she said. “All you get is uninformed.” (JMH)
Is She Real Or Is She Airbrushed?
Now that France has just about given the world its toughest internet anti-piracy law, its lawmakers are now turning their attention to how the media is continually fooling us by digitally enhancing pictures that we think are “as is”, but which in fact might have had the help of the airbrush, digital or otherwise.
They’re serious about this – the law had its first Parliamentary hearing last week – and the idea is that if a picture is changed there should be a statement in the caption saying something like, “This is a retouched photo that has changed the subject’s physical appearance.”
And there is some good reason for this. Valerie Boyrer, a member of President Sarkozy’s party, said, “We want to combat the stereotypical image that all women are young and slim. These photos can lead people to believe in a reality that does not actually exist, and have a detrimental effect on adolescents.”
If this had been law a couple of years ago then a picture Paris Match ran of Sarkozy canoeing would have needed a health warning that might have read, “President Sarkozy is actually fatter than we show him here. We have eliminated his love-handles.”
Carla Bruni As A Second Mother Teresa
We present the cover of the current Elle Magazine which has an interview with Carla Bruni, Mrs. President of France, and the magazine asks her what she will make of her life in the years ahead when President Sarkozy becomes just plain Mr. Sarkozy.
“After having been First Lady, I see much change yet … It could be, and I'm not kidding, to be a new Mother Teresa. There is a spiritual dimension to it.”
Well, that’s good to know.
Finland broadcasters industry award
This award’s for you, Bud!
Broadcaster association RadioMedia Finland awarded US consultant Bud Stiker its industry award (September 16). Stiker has worked with radio broadcasters in Finland for several years during and following his association with the US Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB). He was instrumental in establishing the RAB Finland, which merged with the Association of Finnish Broadcasters to form RadioMedia Finland last February. (JMH)
UEFA, EBU cut rights deal for Euro 2012
one-stop shop... almost
The Euro 2012 football championships will be broadcast by more the two dozen public broadcasters in a deal announced by UEFA and the european Broadcasting Union (EBU). (See EBU release here) The arrangement covers radio, TV, mobile platforms and the internet in 29 countries. The EBU will work to identify media partners in 7 other countries.
While the agreement doesn't include big countries - the UK, France, Germany - nor host countries Ukraine and Poland it reinforces EBU as a one-stop shop for European sports rights. (JMH)
European radio conference cancelled
“turbulent economic times” cited
The NAB Europe Radio conference scheduled for next month in Athens has been cancelled, announced Margaret Cassilly, NAB VP International Operations (September 22). Ms Cassilly cited “current economic conditions” and “turbulent times.” The NAB – US broadcasting trade association National Association of Broadcasters – has produced a conference for radio broadcasters in Europe since 1993.
The cancellation of NAB Europe is disappointing. The conference grew into an important annual event for broadcasters as it evolved from a largely ‘American’ event into a truly European gathering. Certainly the NAB, which produces two important broadcasting shows in the US annually, is watching their cash.
Feeling the financial pinch the US Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) recently scaled back its international out-reach. Both organizations – NAB and RAB – have been instrumental in bringing best practice to broadcasters world-wide. (JMH)
French regulator planning successful digital radio launch
Whistling down the path
In a revealing interview with Les Echos (September 22), an official with French media regulator Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) said a successful launch of digital radio in France needs a plan. Rachid Arhab said, essentially, the plan must include analogue shut off. And he seemed a bit grumpy with broadcasters.
“With the crisis, some players are actually a little less eager to launch digital terrestrial radio,” he said. “All stations have nevertheless returned their agreements. Do not forget that the radio broadcasters themselves, in 2006, were united in calling for quick (change); they have not yet made the leap. Today, the economic situation does not help things.” (See more on digital radio in France here) (See more on digital radio everywhere here)
M. Arhab wouldn’t be pinned down on a specific date (“But be careful”) nor specific conditions for analogue radio shut-off in France. He suggested big channels might be cordially required to migrate to digital. “This could be started off by the big broadcasters, such as RTL, Europe 1, but also France Inter.”
Regarding complaints by broadcasters about CSA decisions on digital radio, M. Arhab offered: “In a contest, when the referee whistles, the meeting is over.” (JMH)
Guess They Didn’t Know More Than We Did After All
A frequent question ftm has asked about private equity firms that have invested big time in newspaper companies in the past couple of years is what is it they knew to convince them this was a winning proposition that we couldn’t see. And now with Harbinger Capital selling five million shares in the New York Times Company at a big loss the answer once again is the same – they didn’t know more than the rest of us!
Harbinger announced the sale this week of five million NYT A Shares at $8.25 each but when it bought into the NYT two years ago it is thought to have paid around $15 - $20 a share. If so, then it seems Harbinger may have lost close to $40 million on that particular sale, maybe more. Getting rid of so many shares in one go is usually done at a slight discount to market price, in this case 1.3%.
But even with the sale Harbinger still holds 16.38% of the NYT A Shares, down from the previous 19.94%, and it still has two board seats. Maybe Harbinger feels good at getting out some of its investment at $8.25, after all six months ago NYT shares hit a low of $3.51.
Drudge Boosts US Accesses to UK Newspaper Sites
When the Drudge Report headlines a UK newspaper story the traffic across the Atlantic goes crazy and a report says that in August some 10.6% of UK newspaper online accesses were brought on by Drudge hyperlinks.
And Hitwise says that in August American access to UK newspaper sites increased 54% over August the year before and that compares with just an 8% increase in UK domestic access to those sites.
Online journalism researcher Neil Thurman of City University in London reported in a research paper a couple of months back that some 36%of traffic to U.K. news sites comes from the U.S and that The Drudge Report is the biggest single referrer, at 25%.
Will You Pay For General News Online?
American newspaper publishers are divided on whether the public will pay for their news online according to the American Press Institute (API), but according to a British survey only 5% of readers said they would pay to continue reading their preferred news sites. You think the publishers or the readers have it right?
While the American publishers were divided on whether they could get away with a pay model, 68% said they thought even if the readers objected to the pay model those readers would have a tough time finding that information elsewhere whereas 52% said they thought it could be pretty easy to find alternative news sources for free.
The UK study by Harris Interactive for PaidcontentUK said the subscription income publishers could expect in most cases would not cover the loss of advertising revenue.
Translating all of this, the likelihood is that those who have exclusive copy – whether it be local, local, local or saturated business or sports coverage that is better than can be found elsewhere – can probably do well with a pay model, but if your news is pretty much the same as anyone else’s then pay won’t work.
Lasers To Stop The Paparazzi
It sounds like it comes from a James Bond novel, but Wired tells us that the world’s most expensive yacht comes equipped with an anti-paparazzi laser shield. Apparently the lasers sweep the surrounding areas and if they detect a charge-coupled device (ccd) -- an electronic light sensor used in digital cameras -- then zap goes the laser and bong goes the picture.
According to Wired the UK photo magazine Amateur Photographer asked a British lawyer if this was legal, and he responded, “Intermeddling with goods belonging to someone else, or altering their condition, is a trespass to goods and will entitle the photographer to claim compensation without having to prove loss.”
We look forward to the first court case on this – paparazzo A vs. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich whose 557-foot (170 meters) yacht Eclipse, costing some $1.2 billion, has just been launched. If the yacht wins then one wonders whether personalities will soon be walking about with portable lasers?
CME deal with News Corp for Bulgarian TV?
Tantalizing rumor
Perhaps News Corp has found a buyer for its Bulgarian television company bTV, said Novinite (September 19), tipped to us by ftm Media Sleuth Dan Tudoroiu in Romania. The news agency reported from “unofficial information” that Central European Media Enterprises (CME) just might take 55% for about €500 million. Obviously, being through the weekend, there have been no official confirmations.
News Corp made clear its intention to sell television stations in Bulgaria, Latvia and Serbia more than a year ago. The financial malaise of last September brought that to an end and News Corp, for the record, withdrew the stations from the auction block. At one point the asking price for bTV was over €1 billion. (More on News Corp here)
The logic for CME is compelling, which adds credibility to this rumor. It’s better to fortify a regional position now than later. The price might not go lower, which would bring more bidders. (More on CME here) RTL’s interest has been suggested. And, too, CME’s board has always been willing to take on structured deals that might not appeal to other investors.
Watch this space. (JMH)
NAB names former US Senator President, CEO
It helps to know Washington, yes?
The American National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has named former US Senator Gordon Smith as President and CEO. He will take up the post November 1st. Smith succeeds David Rehr who resigned in May after serving 4 years. (See NAB presser here)
Smith served two terms as the US Senator from the State of Oregon. He also ran the family business, Smith Frozen Foods. He's a lawyer and considered a 'moderate' conservative.
American broadcasters face a variety of challenges. Digital TV take-up is moving slowly. Ad revenues are in the pits. The music industry wants performance rights fees. Smith's predecessor was hired for his lobbying skills. It didn't quite work out.
American broadcasters are unrepentent free-marketers who clamored for consolidation and got it. And then they paid the price. Smith's job is a tall order. (JMH)
EBU concludes Azerbaijan investigation
New rule, no sanctions…
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) closely guards its prized brands, none more than the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). When allegations were raised of Azeri broadcaster Ictimaiturning over names and details of people who may have voted for the Armenian entry during the 2009 Moscow ESC to Azeri security authorities EBU officials were concerned. And they investigated charges that Azeris who voted for the Armenia entry were called to the Azeri National Security Ministry for interviews. Azeri authorities and the public broadcaster denied these allegations.
But the ESC Reference Group – the committee that sets and enforces rules – met in Oslo last week (September 11) to discuss it all. The result is a rule change: no broadcaster can reveal names and details of voters. Doing so can result in a fine or suspension. The Azeri broadcaster was not sanctioned. (JMH)
Radio Energy loses appeal
Off to DAB?
Zürich radio station Radio Energy has three months to cease broadcasting on FM frequencies. A Federal Administrative Court in Switzerland upheld a decision from October 2008 by the Federal Office of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) denying a renewal of its concession. “The Court’s decision is final,” said the DETEC statement (September 18). (Read the DETEC statement here – in French) The Court allowed that Radio Energy could continue broadcasting on the digital radio (DAB+) multiplex, cable, and the internet.
DETEC approved three FM concessions for private local radio serving Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city. Radio Energy, majority owned by major Swiss publisher Ringier, was not among them. The decision brought a storm of protests among faithful listeners and concerned broadcasters. Radiio Energy has been broadcasting in Zürich for more than 25 years. (Read background here)
Radio Energy General Manager Dani Buchi, reported in Kleinreport.ch (September 18), “now fights in the political way.” For the time being, he said, he’d would follow the rules and migrate to DAB and cable “ensuring the survival of the channel.”
Radio 1 owner Roger Schawinski, who was awarded a Zürich concession last October, blasted the entire procedure. Interviewed on Radio 1 (September 18), Schawinski said: “ The Zurich region will, in the future, offer six private radio, programs for all generations… far better than any other region in Switzerland. But it is (expletive deleted) that the (public broadcaster) SRG can continue to use not only the majority of all frequencies, but with a total of five networks continuing an FM monopoly on language level. This should be changed as soon as possible. Then there would be room for additional private stations like Radio Energy.” (JMH)
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