ftm Radio Page - week ending May 13, 2022

Streamer gives up fake radio shows as broadcasters build distribution
"level of specialization"

Streaming music services and radio broadcasters have never been exactly pals. After all, those streaming services seriously cut into listening time. And, most important to radio broadcasters, that cut into advertising rates. Broadcasters made adjustments and the streamers flew higher.

All that is, by design, a great oversimplification. Radio broadcasters took on every digital possibility, particularly online and mobile apps. Streaming platforms - basically tech companies - are built on algorithmic strength. They also started paying rights fees. Yes, the big winner in the first years of all this were music publishers.

About four years ago, renowned streaming platform Spotify introduced a sidebar app called Stations. Meant to mimic some characteristics of radio shows - as understood by Spotify engineers - it was rolled out slowly, first in Australia. Officially, the Stations app shuts down next week (May 16). The announcement, an email to users, noted that Stations had always been a beta-test. The lesson taken by the Spotify marketing teams, perhaps, is that streaming subscribers want to pick the tunes. (See more about streaming media here)

Spanish broadcaster Prisa Radio is using streaming platforms to expand distribution. The subsidiary of Grupo Prisa, through a new subsidiary Prisa Audio, struck a deal with US media company iHeartMedia for expansion into the US market. Prisa Radio channels operate throughout the Spanish-speaking world, arguably the largest Spanish-language radio broadcaster. From the first of June its speech-based radio channels - including Cadena SER - will be available on the iHeartRadio streaming platform in the US. (See more about media in Spain here)

"iHeart is a reference as a platform in terms of usability and customization for the user,” said Prisa Audio general director María Jesús Espinosa de los Monteros in a statement (May 12). “Closing an agreement with a partner with this level of specialization; and this positioning in the US market is a boost to the firm commitment we are making to the development of digital audio.” In the next phase of the collaboration, podcasts from Prisa Audio will be added to the iHeartRadio platform.

Legacy broadcasters fade as private equity consolidates
"simplify the structure"

Consolidation in European media takes further steps every day, it seems. Catalan publisher and broadcaster Grupo Godó has exited its 20% stake in Prisa Radio, reported La Vanguardia (May 3). The deal has been in discussion for more than a year.

Grupo Godó has been a legacy shareholder in Grupo Prisa dating from the 1992 merger of Antena 3 Radio with Cadena SER. The family-owned company operates Catalan radio channels RAC 1 and RAC 105 as well as newspaper La Vanguardia and leading Spanish sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo. (See more about media in Spain here)

Prisa Radio is a subsidiary of Grupo Prisa, which is paying €45 million. In turn Grupo Prisa is principally controlled by private equity firm Amber Capital. In its filing with the Spanish securities regulator Grupo Prisa valued Prisa Radio at €225 million. This is several million more than the estimated €200 million Blas Herrero, owner of the Kiss FM national radio channel, offered in 2020 for the whole of the Prisa media stable, the radio channels Cadena SER, Los 40 Principales, Cadena Dial and others plus newspapers El Pais, Cinco Dias and As. (See more about mergers and acquisitions here)

“This is another step in the consolidation of the radio and press businesses launched last year and reinforces the Group's industrial ambitions,” said the Prisa statement. “In addition, it allows Prisa to simplify the structure, providing it with greater flexibility and lower costs.” Amber Capital founder Joseph Oughourlian is president and chief executive of Grupo Prisa. He recently became a shareholder in football club Real Zaragoza.

Regulator casts wary eye on radio acquisition, seller abruptly shifts
"editorial independence"

Those experienced in mergers and acquisitions know how easily deals change even at the very last moment. Nobody with any sense starts changing locks on the doors until every detail is etched in stone. Even then earthquakes can change things.

Arnaud Lagardère, chairman of the media company baring his name, made something of a surprise announcement this week regarding the three national radio channels to be acquired by French conglomerate Vivendi. A limited partnership company (SCA) would be formed, he said, quoted by Le Point (May 11), to “confirm the autonomy” of the radio division, meaning Europe 1, RFM and Virgin Radio. If this works, M Lagardère would retain control over the radio channels as managing director. (See more about media in France here)

Apparently, media regulator Agcom, formerly CSA, has raised questions about “editorial independence.” Under French audiovisual law (1986), the regulator is empowered to take effective control of licensed broadcast outlets “in the event of a substantial modification of the data at the view of which the authorization had been issued, in particular changes in the composition of the share capital or the management bodies and in the methods of financing.” Further complicating the proposed acquisition Lagardère shareholder Qatar Holding said this week, reported Reuters (May 9), it would not be offloading its 11% stake to Vivendi.

As the acquisition by Vivendi drags out, Europe 1 has become more and more attached to CNews, the right-wing TV channel owned by Canal+, a Vivendi subsidiary. Staff and programs are shared. This became more pronounced with then - CNews television talkshow host Eric Zemmour regularly appearing on Europe 1 before declaring candidacy for the French presidency. He lost in the first round just three weeks ago, giving some hint to the timing of all this. (See more about elections and media here)

M Lagardère has often expressed special affection for Europe 1, which his father Jean-Luc Lagardère founded. That Europe 1 radio channel has suffered greatly during the time of corporate instability, falling to its lowest audience share (Médiamétrie) in years. A different company structure for the radio channels might deflect the regulators’ attention.

Regulator dithers with radio licenses, broadcasters remain philosophical
"You can't make mistakes here"

The Media Council of Hungarian regulator NMHH announced recently that the broadcast license of Budapest non-profit station Tilos Radio would not be renewed. Licenses for Budapest stations Trend FM and Klasszi Rádió were renewed for seven years, reported media news portal Kreativ HU (April 28). The Tilos Radio license expires in September and the NMHH is expected to advertise for the frequency.

Another radio license up for grabs was vacated, under order, by Budapest FM. Spirit FM and Klubradio have applied. Klubradio, a news and talk station, had its Budapest license lifted for specious claims of paperwork not being in order. Spirit FM is a religious broadcaster, which was granted temporary authorization for the FM frequency last used by Klubradio. (See more about media in Hungary here)

The Tilos Radio license was not renewed for “repeated violations of inappropriate language,” said the NMHH to media news portal Media1 HU (April 27). Founded as a pirate in 1991, it is considered one of the most significant community radio stations in Europe. The on-air program is almost completely live, produced by volunteers. With the arrival of the populist, nativist Fidesz political party in 2010 changing media operating rules, operating Tilos Radio became more difficult.

“You can't make mistakes here, you can only break the law,” said managing director Gábor (Papó) Csabai to Radio Free Europe Hungarian service (RFE/RL) (May 4). “We were immediately sanctioned in the first two years for our reporting obligations and age limit. Anyone who listens to Tilos Radio for a long time can see that we are not opposition radio. It is a station that inspires discussion and thinking."

Radio Page week ending May 6, 2022
radio in Ireland, South East Radio, media support, sports radio, Hessischer Rundfunk, Europa League

Radio Page week ending April 29, 2022
radio in Germany, Brillux Radio, digital radio, radio in the UK, Fix Radio, branded radio

Radio Page week ending April 22, 2022
radio in France, Mediametrie, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, RTL, NRJ, Fun Radio, Europe 1, RMC, radio in Spain, radio audience, EGM, Cadena Ser, Cadena Cope, Onda Cero, RNE, morning shows, radio in Poland, digital radio, DAB+, KRRiT, RMG Group, Agora Group

Radio Page week ending April 15, 2022
radio in Hungary, Tilos Radio, media support, community radio, NMHH, radio in France, elections and media, radio pirates, France Inter

Radio Page week ending April 8, 2022
radio in Italy, time spent listening, RTR 99, Radio WoW, Radio Piterpan, radio in Poland, audience measurement, National Media Institute, Polskie Radio, Jedynka, Trojka, Radio Maryjy

Radio Page week ending April 1, 2022
radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, Jedynka, Trojka, radio in Romania, public radio, Radio Targu Mures, elections and media, radio in Kazakhstan, media in Central Asia, Europa Plus Kazakhstan, social media

Radio Page week ending March 25, 2022
radio in Sweden, radio licenses, radio advertising, digital radio, Bauer Media, NENT Group, radio in Belgium, RTBF, radio in the Czech Republic, Media Bohemia, radio in Germany, WDR, children's radio, Ukrainian language, radio in Tunisia, Mosaique FM, investigative reporting, press freedom

Radio Page week ending March 18, 2022
international broadcasting, BBC, radio in Norway, NRK Nyheter, news radio, Nielsen PPM

Radio Page week ending March 11, 2022
radio in Austria, news talk radio, KommAustria, Radio Standard, LoungeFM, radio in the Netherlands, Radio 555, NOS

Radio Page week ending March 4, 2022
radio in the Russian Federation, Ekho Moskvy, Gazprom Media, radio in Ukraine, Russian Radio Ukraine, Kiss FM Ukraine, Kiss FM Berlin

Radio Page week ending February 25, 2022
podcasts and podcasting, MA Podcast, media in Germany

Radio Page week ending February 18, 2022
radio in Ireland, audience measurement, JNLR, RTE, FM104, Today FM, radio in the US, sports radio, Super Bowl, radio audience, WEBN, KSPN, World Radio Day 2022, UNESCO, World Radio Alliance, radio advertising

Radio Page week ending February 11, 2022
media in Brazil, podcasts, podcasting, Flow Studios, Spotify, radio in Africa, radio in Guinea-Bissau, Radio Capital FM, radio in Portugal, Media Capital Radios, Radio Comercial, Radio Cidade, Radio M80, Bauer Media Audio, mergars and acquisitions

Radio Page week ending February 4, 2022
radio in the UK, RAJAR, radio audience, BBC, radio in the Russian Federation, Ekho Moskvy, radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, Greater Paris, local radio, Oui FM, Voltage

Radio Page week ending January 28, 2022
radio in Italy, social media, Social Radio Lab, Radio Deejay, radio in Poland, audience measurement, Kantar Radio Track, Polskie Radio, music quotas

Radio Page week ending January 21, 2022
radio in Germany, Vaunet, ARD, streaming media, podcasts, Deezer, radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, national reach, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, France Bleu, RMC, Europe 1, NRJ, Nostalgie, FIP, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending January 14, 2022
radio in Hungary, Sportradio, A Rock, consolidation, radio in France, elections and media, FranceInfo, news radio, journalism, radio in Sweden, NENT Group, Lugan Favoriter, Bauer Media, podcasts

Radio Page week ending January 7, 2022
radio in the UK, radio advertising, ad spending, radio in Africa, radio in Democratic Republic of Congo, Radio de la femme, Women's Radio

Radio Page week ending December 17, 2021
radio in Germany, shortwave radio, NDR, Gruss an Bord

Radio Page week ending December 10, 2021
radio in Switzerland, digital radio, FM shutoff, mobile media, radio in Poland, audience measurement, Radio Track, Polskie Radio

Radio Page week ending December 3, 2021
radio in Germany, online audio, MA Audio, streaming audio, radio in Hungary, radio license, Klubradio, European Commission, Media Council

Radio Page week ending November 26, 2021
radio in Kazakhstan, media in Central Asia, Qazag Radiosy, media in the US, Edison Research, NPR, Spoken Word Audio Report, spoken word, podcasts, mobile media, radio audience

Radio Page week ending November 19, 2021
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, coronavirus, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, France Bleu, RTL, Europe 1, radio in Spain, Cadena SER, investigative reporters, Prisa Group, Vivendi

Radio Page week ending November 12, 2021
radio in Germany, comedy, Radio Badesalz, radio in the UK, BBC Radio 2, holiday charity, Kitchen Disco, podcasts, podcasting, market segments, lifestyle, PWC, Kantar

Radio Page week ending November 5, 2021
Radio in Sweden, Radio Disney, Bauer Media, Walt Disney Company, radio in Germany, radio in Poland, MDR, Radio Wroclaw

Radio Page week ending October 29, 2021
radio audience, RAJAR, measurement, BBC, radio in Norway, radio in the UK, digital radio, FM shut-off, radio in Denmark, Radio Loud, Culture Ministry, Radio24syv

Radio Page week ending October 22, 2021
radio in Palestine, online radio, community radio, Radio Alhara, radio in the US, Chicago Public Media, WBEZ, podcasts, Chicago Sun-Times, mergers and acquisitions, paywalls, radio in France, Radioplayer France

Radio Page week ending October 15, 2021
New York Times Company, podcasts, podcasting, radio in France, DAB+, AirZen, digital radio, European Commission, Digital Markets Act, European Broadcasting Union, EBU, Association of European Radios, AER, Alexa, Siri, smart speakers

Radio Page week ending October 8, 2021
radio in Australia, radio audience, audience measurement, coronavirus, news radio, talk radio, ABC, Sweden, podcasts, podcasting, Bauer Media, PodPlay, Schibsted, NENT

Radio Page week ending October 1, 2021
radio in Zimbabwe, radio in Africa, community radio, UNESCO, radio in Denmark, Radio Loud, DAB+, digital radio, mobile media, radio in Australia, Nova

Radio Page week ending September 24, 2021
radio in the UK, Classic FM, classical music, Nigel Kennedy, radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, France Inter, France Bleu, Nostalgie

Radio Page week ending September 17, 2021
radio in Ireland, Freedom FM, pirate radio, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, radio in Afghanistan, Milma Radio, radio in France, Europe 1, CSA, elections and media

Radio Page week ending September 10, 2021
radio in Germany, German Radio Prize, Radio Wuppertal

Radio Page week ending August 6, 2021
radio the UK, Radio Caroline, Ofcom, radio license, sports radio, baseball, KDKA, MTV

Radio Page week ending July 30, 2021
radio in Austria, RadioTest, ORF, KroneHit, Radio 88.6, audience measurement, radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, greater Paris radio, FIP, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending July 23, 2021
radio in New Zealand, GfK, RNZ National, Newstalk ZB, The Breeze, radio in Germany, Vaunet, FM radio, coronavirus, radio audience

Radio Page week ending July 16, 2021
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, national reach, RTL, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, RMC, Europe 1, NRJ, Nostalgie, RFM, radio in Spain, EGM, AIMC, Cadena SER, Grupo Prisa, Cadena Cope, Onda Cero, RNE, esRadio, Los 40 Principales, Atresmedia, show hosts, coronavirus

Radio Page week ending July 9, 2021
radio in France, Europe 1, CNews, Vivendi, Lagardere Group, radio in Switzerland, mergers and acquisitions, BNJ Suisse, SSR-SRG, Radio Swiss Pop

Radio Page week ending July 2, 2021
radio in Hong Kong, RTHK, censorship, radio in Germany, Antenne Bayern, Antenne NRW, LfM, radio license

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (April 2022)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• France - National Radio Audience (January-March 2022, published April 2022)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• France - National Radio Audience (November-December 2021, published January 2022)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• France - National Radio Summer Audience (September 2021)
  national channels, summer period 2016-2021 trend
• Spain - National Radio Audience (July 2021)
  national and regional channels, reach share, trend
• Romania - Radio Audience (May 2021)
  national and Bucharest surveys, market share, trend
• Belgium - Flemish region, Radio Audience (April 2021)
  market share, Jan-Apr 2019 to Sep 2020-Feb 2021 trend
• Belgium - French region, Radio Audience (April 2021)
  market share, Jan-Apr 2019 to Sep 2020-Feb 2021 trend
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (April 2021)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
• Austria - Major Media - Radio Broadcasting (February 2021)
  public and private broadcasters, owners, management, audience trend

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