ftm Radio Page - April 2, 2010

Digital radio not a priority
“one day” but not today

Spring-time for digital radio in France may be indefinitely delayed. Culture and Communications Minister Frederic Mitterrand stunned supporters of eventual switch-over from analogue in a meeting this week (March 29) saying “the cost of the project is significant” and some broadcasters are “not at all favorable.” Moving radio to a digital platform, he said, is “not a priority.” Last September Minister Mitterand said the switch to digital radio was “a necessity.”

Has something changed? A decade ago most broadcasters, government leaders and media regulators gleefully announced the “year of digital radio” was upon us. And they’ve repeated it every year since.

While several countries adopted – and promoted – the DAB (digital audio broadcasting) standard for digital radio years ago, others have stalled year after year until, finally, the 2008-2009 economic crisis brought the cost of it all to a head. The French government, more or less, adopted a different standard and mandated new receivers, including those in new automobiles, be available.

What hit the fan, so to speak, is the confluence of new technology, economics and competitive fears. Juke-box style music radio channels, differentiated only by 500 tightly controlled tunes played over and over, are unable to withstand competition from personal music players and listeners, particularly the young, changing music preferences quickly and finding new favorites on the web. Whether real or not, the appearance of the youthful audience – coveted by the advertising people – deserting radio channels chased away the primary revenue stream.

Broadcasters, particularly in the commercial sector, saw most of this coming well before economics and the ad market went sour. In 2005 French legacy commercial broadcasters lobbied for a digital radio standard different from that used in other countries out of fear of losing listeners and ad revenue to those pesky foreigners. As proposed switch-over deadlines, mostly written before 2005, loomed large broadcasters began to panic. (See more on digital radio here)

“Without organizing a funeral with great pomp and ceremony, which would presume a death, I think that everything will inevitably be digital one day,” said Minister Mitterrand. “And then radio will be too. Put simply, in today’s economic conditions, in the general context of radio, and with the lack of consensus around this [digital radio] issue, I do not think its resolution is a priority and the launch of digital radio will not happen this year.” (JMH)

More Energy in Switzerland
And maybe even more

The NRJ radio brand is coming to the Swiss capital, Bern. Ringier owned BE1 disappear after April 5th and Energy Bern will appear April 9th. In the interim, non-stop music will grace 101.7 FM.

Ringier principally owns Radio Energy Zürich, which it nearly lost when the concession was not renewed. Fortunately for Ringier the successful applicant in the license award was willing to sell out. (See more on Energy Zürich here) Sources say the company is in talks with other broadcasters in the Swiss-German speaking part of Switzerland about even more Energy.

The NRJ brand is established in the French-speaking part of Switzerland with stations owned by NRJ Group. (JMH)

Radio station having too much fun
April Fool’s

How much fun can a mostly news radio channel have with April Fool’s Day? Bulgaria’s Darik Radio stirred up a little dust and a fair amount of publicity for itself with jokes on Bulgaria’s economic crisis. Some didn’t play too well.

First, early in the morning there was the interview with a non-existent International Monetary Fund (IMF) “spokesperson” who proposed adopting the Euro in Bulgaria in tandem with the Lev. The Bulgarian National bank, obviously listening, slammed the joke as “dangerous.”

Then, later, there was a news story about selling off the automobiles of Members of Parliament the “fill the hole in the budget.” MPs could, said the story, ride bikes or run to work.

Dairk Radio, having too much fun, is a privately owned national radio channel.(JMH)

Radio owner launches 'optimistic' channel
Different themes

Moscow’s Silver Rain is one of the most interesting, albeit unconventional radio stations, not just for Russia. When owner Natalia Sindeeva says she’ll launch DTT channel Rain, the Optimistic Channel eyes will be on it.  (More on Silver Rain and radio in Moscow here)

The channel “should attract people who do not watch TV,” said Ms Sindeeva, reports Vedomosti (March 30). Test will begin in April with a full launch in September. It will be “a thematic channel with different themes.” Sixty percent of the programming, according to plan, will be live. (JMH)

Public backlash feared in digital radio switchover
Confusion warning

Time is drawing neigh in the UK for a switchover from analogue to digital radio. The long march has, it seems, reached what may be the final bridge. The UK House of Lords Communications Committee, in a statement (March 29), believes what waits on the other side, metaphorically, is a “major public reaction.”

The Lords Communications Committee has been holding hearings for several weeks to discover what might be the magic charm to push digital radio with the least amount of pain. Their conclusion is the risk public backlash against digital radio switchover without a “firm and unambiguous” plan.

“The public are not being told what radio switchover will mean for them,” said committee chair Lord Fowler. (Read House of Lords statement here) “There is a danger of a public backlash if this is not done.”  (JMH)

Radio Page - March 26, 2010

Radio Page - March 19, 2010

Radio Page - March 12, 2010

Radio Page - March 5, 2010

Radio Page - February 26, 2010

Radio Page - February 19, 2010

Recently added radio audience figures

• Germany - Radio Audience (14/03/2010)
  leading stations, 2010 national survey, daily reach
• Czech Republic - Radio Audience (01/03/2010)
  Top stations, national survey, trend
• Netherlands - Radio Audience (20/02/2010)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Romania - National Radio Audience (11/02/2010)
  national survey, market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (04/02/2010)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (04/02/2010)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (04/02/2010)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe’s Radio – Eastern Europe – new

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, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Slovakia. 65 pages PDF (February 2010)

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Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
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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. 72 pages PDF (December 2009)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
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Digital Radio - Forward...slightly

Digital radio is slowly finding its way. Broadcasters are challenged by shifts in business models, audience expectations and regulation limbo. This ftm Knowledge file details the promise of digital broadcasting and the paradigm shifts. 83 pages PDF (June 2009)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order