ftm Radio Page - week ending May 20, 2022

Real Broadcasters Prefer YouTube, Digital Flutter Everywhere

Challenged by recent events, audience measurement providers have had to adapt. Some shutdown completely as specialists sorted out new data collection solutions. Measurement users, broadcasters and media buyers, continue adapting under the crush on new digital media. The rise of subscription-funded media has raised more questions about the future of audience measurement.

UK radio measurement provider RAJAR this week (May 17) released first quarter 2022 radio listening estimates for the period ending April 3. It is the third quarterly report following more than a years’ coronavirus hiatus. Total estimated radio reach in the period grew to about 49.7 million persons 15 years and older from 48.9 million in the last reported like period two years on. The estimated aggregate share for public broadcaster BBC channels is 49.2% compared with the commercial radio aggregate share of 48.4%. The oft-reported “gap” is the smallest in forever, 0.8%. (See more about media in the UK here)

In the national rankings of individual channels very little change has taken place. BBC Radio 2, a contemporary music channel, remained at the top of the list with 15.9% share. News and talk BBC Radio 4 held second place with 11.9% share. The commercial radio Heart franchise, owned by Global, remains in third place, on aggregate, with its adult contemporary music format. Several of its brand extensions, including Heart Dance, showed forward movement.

BBC Radio 1, often referred to as a “youth” channel, ranked fourth nationally, 4.7% share. Branding for the channel has been in constant uproar, many changes, including personnel. “In a quarter where lockdown caused serious disruption to people’s lives, it’s good to see the strategy we’ve developed at Radio 1 is working, with a strong connection with young audiences across radio, YouTube, iPlayer and socials,” offered Radio 1 head Aled Haydn Jones in a statement, quoted by UK radio trade portal Radio Today (May 19). Current strategy, generally, favors more brand engagement over chasing audience share. (See more about the BBC here)

Global’s Classic FM was stable at 5th in the ranking, 4.4% share. The channel is famous for playing snippets of classical music favorites. Best not tell the newspaper publishers. The Smooth background music franchise, owned by Global, placed 6th with an aggregate 3.7% share. New brand extension Smooth Country showed a bump. BBC sports talk channel Five Live placed 7th.

Global is “thrilled” with talk channel LBC “as it approaches it's fifteenth year,” said Director of Content James Rea in a statement. LBC placing 8th with noticeable bump to 3.1% share. Brand extension LBC News is further down the list. The BBC is also thrilled with alternative music channel 6Music, ranked 9th with a quite noticeable bump to 2.8% share. “How better to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the much loved BBC Radio 6 Music than with these figures,” exclaimed BBC Chief content Officer Charlotte Moore, in a statement. They really illustrate the unique place that the station has in its listeners’ lives, with its eclectic schedule and specialist, passionate DJs who day in day out champion music.”

Beyond the top ten nationally, with a few exceptions, the rest of the list is mostly made up of digital flutter, niché channels and brand extensions mostly used to entice media buyers. A major exception is the KISS brand, operated by Bauer Media Audio UK which has fallen across its various brand extensions. Bauer Media Audio, subsidiary of German publisher Bauer Media, has been a prolific developer of brand extensions; the Absolute Radio and The Hits brands.

Many UK radio observers felt compelled to note the rise of various commercial news and talk channels. Certainly LBC and LBC News bumped up but so did TalkRadio, TalkSport and Times Radio from News UK, subsidiary of News Corporation, principally owned by the Murdoch family. Also making an appearance in the national radio list is GB News, the radio simulcast of the TV channel with the same name. It received considerable attention when it took to the airwaves, mostly for a series of flubs.

Audio fans with mobile phones targeted by publishers
"many similarities"

Publishers everywhere have grown attached to audio, from e-books to podcasts. It’s part of the next wave of digital shift and has everything to do with ubiquitous mobile phones. The typical target is Zoomers, formerly known as GenZ, with little or no enthusiasm for reading. But, because of Netflix, they understand subscriptions, making them a very attractive target for publishers.

Entering the Dutch streaming audio realm in mid-June is a publishing venture powered by Norwegian platform provider Beat Technologies. The Dutch product as been named Fluister - Dutch for Whisperer. Quite clever name, actually. Local partners include publisher DPG Media, broadcaster Veronica and the Libris NL bookstore chain. (See more about media in the Netherlands here)

“There’s a huge appetite in the Netherlands for consuming books digitally,” said newly named Fluister managing director Josja Zijlstra in a statement. “We wanted a Dutch service founded by the Dutch industry. But until now there hasn’t been a model that was fair to the publishers, nor (able to) receive user-habit data.” Like other streaming platforms Fluister will offer recommendations from authors and booksellers. More information will come in an ad campaign, after which the paywall kicks in. (See more about streaming media here)

“In the world of podcasts, there has been talk for a long time that this was coming,” said noted Dutch podcast producer Elger van der Wel, quoted by Villamedia NL (May 13). “For many people it takes some getting used to that more and more podcasts are becoming part of a subscription, but if we make a comparison with films on streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max, we find that there are many similarities.”

Beat Technologies roster of audio platforms include Chapter in Denmark, Skoobe in Germany, Jukebooks in Greece, Fable in Norway and Audiotribe in Romania.

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 - 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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