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Tale of Three Berlin FM FrequenciesBerlin radio listeners will soon hear a very different “American” channel as the MABB again rocks the boat.
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US Broadcasting Agencies Under Investigation Radio Teddy: Another Stumble for German PSBs Do As I Say, Not As I Do Berlin’s First Private Commercial Radio Station Goes Bankrupt German Radio Audience: Berlin-Brandenberg |
National Public Radio (NPR) – the domestic American public radio network – was granted an FM license (104.1) to broadcast in English, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is the first radio license granted to NPR in Europe. Indeed, it’s the first radio license held by NPR, a network provider, not station owner, in the US.
Dornier Media was granted the 87.9 frequency for Star FM (Maximum Rock), essentially renewing the concession in place. Star FM has carried newscasts from Voice of America (VOA) for several years, leading some to assume that this was still the “American frequency.” The frequency has been an outlet for Voice of America programs since the end of the Second World War. NPR applied for the 87.9 frequency to bring an “American cultural voice” to Berlin. Under the new concession Star FM is under no obligation to continue carrying VOA newscasts.
VOA also applied for the 87.9 frequency but, due to its mandate, cannot hold the license, requiring a local surrogate. VOA claimed its right as the official US government international broadcaster. That argument did not sway the MABB, nor did informal “requests” by the US State Department to the German government. Britain and France continue to operate “official” stations on FM in Berlin.
Assigning the 100,6 frequency – vacated by the bankrupt Hundert,6 – may succeed in combining the programs of two applicants, Motor FM and Web FM. The MABB gave them until January 10th to strike a deal. Motor FM has been located on 104.1 FM and sharing a frequency with Radio Teddy on 106.8 FM but, before Radio Teddy – a commercial channel for children – found its program, Motor FM – a channel advancing new German music – took more of the broadcasting day. Once Radio Teddy actually went on the air, itself controversial because it’s a joint venture including public broadcasters, Motor FM was relegated to broadcasting deep at night, 11:00 pm until 6:00 am. Web FM, in its application, promised an "innovative" news program and to offer employment to former Hundert,6 staff left on the street after the company closed.
Complicated media ownership structures are common in Europe. There’s usually no problem with regulators or operators until one of the partners decides to sell....MORE
The Berlin-Brandenberg Media Authority (MABB) announced approval of a joint venture between Motor FM, principally owned by former Universal Music president Tim Renner, and webcaster Netzeitung to operate a new radio channel....MORE
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Nobody can accuse Berlin media regulator Medienanstalt Berlin Brandenburg (MABB) of dutifully following conventional wisdom. Dumping the DAB platform a few months ago as “old technology” surprised some, angered a few and, now generally accepted, moved digital radio broadcasting in Germany’s capital a decade closer to reality. After last minute presentations by perspective license holders, the MABB assigned the three available frequencies within hours and announced the winners Saturday (December 3).