ftm Radio Page - week ending February 17, 2023

Multicultural channel under fire for being too multicultural
bring on the accordions

There are many crises for public broadcasters. The most obvious is money. Always with a competitive instinct, publishers want public broadcasting services adjusted, moved and cut lest audiences make a different choice. Politicians share this desire to satisfy popular budgetary fears. In the crisis mix are culture wars.

Concerned parties in the German state of Brandenburg are targeting public radio channel Cosmo, reported Tagesspiegel (February 14). They want cost savings and, perhaps, a different program. A “position paper” was recently released - from lawyer and potential competitor - describing the “potential savings with a gain of diversity.” They want Cosmo off its Brandenburg FM frequency, replaced by a different program to appeal more to the Brandenburg audience. Cosmo, said the paper, is “for the urban population in numerous foreign languages and also broadcasts world music. There is no evidence of an audience outside of Berlin. A program without a listener does not contribute to diversity, although it occupies a public resource that is important to fundamental rights at the expense of other programs.” (See more about media in Germany here)

Cosmo is a cultural radio channel broadcast by public broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) with the participation of Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) and Radio Bremen (RB). WDR is the principal program producer of the German language program and several foreign language programs plus “global pop” music. The channel was developed from multicultural Funkhaus Europe and then Radio Multikulti. Through recent months everything about RBB has come under intense scrutiny, not only financial.

One of the author’s replacement suggestions is Schlager Radio, a private station owned, coincidentally, by the funders of the paper. Schlager Radio currently broadcasts from a low-power FM transmitter, while Cosmo has high-power FM frequencies in Berlin, Brandenburg and elsewhere in Germany. Schlager Radio targets listeners 35 years and older with local news and traditional German pop. Any disposition of Cosmo in Brandenburg would be made by the board of RBB, whose directors are split between Berlin and Brandenburg representatiers.

Simple pleasures, long lasting too
"Radio informs, transforms and unites us"

The annual homage to radio broadcasting is World Radio Day, February 13th, set by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). As all observers of this day note, radio broadcasting continues to reach vast audiences, roughly half the world tunes in each day. Unfettered by images meant to trick the human brain, radio holds message power. The official theme this year is Radio and Peace.

As it is impossible to be otherwise, radio is increasingly a digital medium. Online services and mobile technologies are just newer means of moving the audio. Podcasts are eclipsing programs. Commercial broadcasters are excited about “premium radio,” meaning paywalls.

Radio supporters have feared for its continued existence for decades. “Radio, we still love you,” sang Freddie Mercury in Radio Gaga as music TV started to explode. Music TV disappeared first.

UNESCO aimed in its supporting statement role of independent radio in conflict prevention and peace building. Examples are numerous of independent radio gathering people to hope and providing essential information. The number - and quality - of public and private radio channels set up in Europe to serve Ukrainian immigrants displaced by the Russian Federation invasion is astounding. A new one on the DAB+ platform has just been established in Spain through public broadcaster RNE.

“Radio informs, transforms and unites us. It serves as a bridge that links all societies together without the limitation of borders or geographical settings,” said Namibia’s deputy Minister of Information Emma Theofelus, noting the occasion, reported by Namibia Economist (February 13). “Using radio as a medium of communication places us at a competitive advantage because of its wide and unlimited reach. Radio in Namibia is accessible in all local languages thus ensuring that all citizens have equal access to information.”

History also shows the other side. Radio Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) used its power to fuel a raging genocide in Rwanda. Hate radio has become institutionalized, in the United States and elsewhere. "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed,” noted Kyrre Dahl in Radionytt NO (February 13), citing the Preamble to UNESCO’s founding Constitution.

Radio Page week ending February 10, 2023
radio in Poland, influencers, RMF FM, Institute for Media Monitoring, radio in Germany, multiculti.fm, cultural radio, media support

Radio Page week ending February 3, 2023
radio in Austria, Radiotest 2022, radio audience, digital radio, ORF, RMS, international broadcasting, BBC Arabic Radio

Radio Page week ending January 27, 2023
radio broadcasting, brand advertising, radio in France, Fun Radio, Mediametrie, measurement, radio audience, ratings distortion

Radio Page week ending January 20, 2023
radio in Hungary, Cool FM, radio in Sweden, P4 Country, music radio, digital radiko, Germany, social media, Vaunet, fake profiles, BLM

Radio Page week ending January 13, 2023
radio in Poland, Radio 357, crowdfunding, media support, Radio Nowy Swiat, radio in France, Virgin Radio, Europe 2, Lagardère, Vivendi

Radio Page week ending December 9, 2022
radio in the US, performance rights, copyright law, radio in France, radio broadcasting, Radio France, Maison de la Radio

Radio Page week ending December 2, 2022
radio in Afghanistan, Radio Azadi, conflict zones, FM radio, radio advertising, radio in Poland, RMF Group, radio in Italy

Radio Page week ending November 25, 2022
radio in the US, podcasts, mobile media, Edison Research, Zoomers, radio in France, Mediametrie, radio audience, France Inter, RTL, NRJ, France Bleu, Europe 1, France Culture

Radio Page week ending November 18, 2022
radio in Ireland, JNLR, radio audience, RTE Radio 1, Red FM, Bauer Media Audio, mergers and acquisitions, radio in the Netherlands, audience measurement, NLO, MediaCell+, Ipsos

Radio Page week ending November 11, 2022
radio in Sweden, Sveriges Radio, Ekot, public radio, climate change, COP27, radio in the Czech Republic, radio audience, Radioprojekt, Radiozurnal, Radio Kiss

Radio Page week ending November 4, 2022
radio in the UK, BBC Local Radio, local radio, Bectu

Radio Page week ending October 28, 2022
radio in Poland, TOK FM, Agora SE, radio audience, radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, BBC, commercial radio, smart speakers

Radio Page week ending October 21, 2022
radio in France, RTL, long wave, M6, Radio Luxembourg

Radio Page week ending October 14, 2022
radio in Belarus, 107.4 FM, DJs, radio in the Czech Republic, Expres FM, radio promotion

Radio Page week ending October 7, 2022
radio in Austria, ORF, FM4, radio in Italy, digital transitions, Confindustria Radio Televisioni, radio in the Philippines, DWBL 1242, press freedom, media freedom

Radio Page week ending September 30, 2022
radio in the UK, international broadcasting, BBC World Service, radio in Spain, Prisa Group, Cadena Ser

Radio Page week ending September 23, 2022
radio in the UK, Heart, Heart Xmas, Global Radio, podcasts, podcasting, Seriaradio in Switzerland, radio licenses, radio in Germany, MA Audio, Radio Bollerwagen, digital radio, radio in Denmark, Jysk Fynske Medier, advertising, saleshouse

Radio Page week ending September 16, 2022
radio in Switzerland, radio licenses, radio in Germany, MA Audio, Radio Bollerwagen, digital radio, radio in Denmark, Jysk Fynske Medier, advertising, saleshouse

Radio Page week ending September 9, 2022
radio in Paraguay, La Voz de Amambay, investigative reporting

Radio Page week ending September 2, 2022
radio in Poland, digital radio, DAB+, KRRiT, RMF Group, Agora Group, radio in Hungary, radio licenses, Tilos Radio, NMHH, MTVA, Petrof Radio, Bartok Radio

Radio Page week ending August 26, 2022
radio in the UK, radio advertising, digital advertising, digital transitions, smart speakers, radio in Africa, radio in Ghana, radio in Malawi, radio in Nigeria, radio licenses

Radio Page week ending August 19, 2022
radio in Mexico, press freedom, Switch 105.9 FM, Mega Radio Networks

Radio Page week ending August 5, 2022
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, audience measurement, commercial radio, BBC Radio

Radio Page week ending July 29, 2022
radio in France, Greater Paris radio, radio audience, France Inter, RTL, RMC, France Info, Europe 1

Radio Page week ending July 22, 2022
radio in Italy, digital radio, Agcom, FM shutoff, Confindustria Radio TV, radio in the Netherlands, Dutch media, KINK, radio licenses, FM license

Radio Page week ending July 15, 2022
radio in Greece, Real FM, Real Group, press freedom, radio in Germany, radio audience, radio measurement, MA 2022 Audio 2, DAB+, streaming

Radio Page week ending July 8, 2022
radio in Spain, radio audience, EGM, Onda Cero, Los 40 Principales, sports radio, radio in the US, South Texas Radio, local radio

Radio Page week ending July 1, 2022
radio in Portugal, ERC, media regulation, radio in the Philippines, Radyo Natin, talkshows, radio in Canada, music radio, DJs, KiSS FM, Rogers Sport and Media

Radio Page week ending June 24, 2022
radio in Switzerland, GRRIF, BNJ Suisse, OFCOM, radio in the US, Radio Mambi, Latino Media Network, mergers and acquisitions

Radio Page week ending June 17, 2022
radio in Germany, digital radio, DAB, Deutschlandradio, radio in Poland, RMF FM, Bauer Media, Digital News Report, media trust

Radio Page week ending June 10, 2022
radio in Australia, radio broadcasting, Smooth FM, Triple J, mood music, radio in the Russian Federation, Kommsersant FM, hacking, conflict zones

Radio Page week ending June 3, 2022
radio in Portugal, Media Capital Radios, Bauer Media Audio, Radio Comercial, M80, radio in the Netherlands, Qmusic, DPG Media, mergers and acquisitions, RTL Group

Radio Page week ending May 27, 2022
radio in the US, community radio, local radio, radio in Denmark, 24syv, Radio Loud, Radio24syv, Culture Ministry, digital radio, DAB, podcasts

Radio Page week ending May 20, 2022
radio in the UK, RAJAR, radio audience, BBC, Radio 2, 6Radio, Heart, LBC, KISS, digital radio, brand extensions, audio in the Netherlands, streaming media, streaming audio, podcasts, Beat Technologies, Fluister, DPG Media, Veronica, paywalls, e-books

Radio Page week ending May 13, 2022
streaming media, streaming audio, streaming radio, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Prisa Audio, radio in Spain, Grupo Godo, Prisa Radio, mergers and acquisitions, RAC 1, Cadena SER, Amber Capital, radio in France, mergers and acquisitions, Europe 1, Lagardère, Vivendi, radio in Hungary, Tilos Radio, community radio, NMHH, radio license

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 - National Radio Audience (September/October 2022 - released November 2022)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• UK - London Radio Audience (Q3 2022 - released October 2022)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (Q3 2022 - released October 2022)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• France - Greater Paris Radio Audience (July 2022)
  national and local channels, market share, trend
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

More Resources

Also see ftm Knowledge

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. 126 pages PDF (June 2015)

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, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland. 244 pages. Resources. PDF (September 2013)

Order here

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. 159 pages PDF (April 2013)

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. 144 pages PDF includes Resources (November 2012)

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 149 pages PDF (August 2012)

Order here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member and receive Knowledge files at no charge. JOIN HERE!

ftm Knowledge files are available to Members at no additional charge.