ftm Radio Page - October 2, 2009

It’s All Happening at the ZU
One trend emerging across Europe over the last year has been rising audience shares for legacy channels. Start-ups have a very tough time. It’s not always the case.

The Winds of Summer
On holiday in France

Ah, but those long, hot days of summer are now but a distant memory. The chill of autumn is descending bringing, for some, vigor, vitality or, mostly, a return to work. French media measurement institute Médiamétrie offered one last look back at summer radio listening and it’s clear France was on holiday.

The Médiamétrie survey covered July and August with a lighter sample frame and more attention to non-residents enjoying holidays in France. As such, channels with better coverage in the south of France and those tuned in to tourists enjoyed a slight advantage. Médiamétrie warned against comparing this July-August survey with anything other that last years summer report. Slightly fewer listened to radio during the period, just 75%, compared with 75.9% year on year.

RTL was the overall market leader with 12.4% market share, up from 12%. All of the information-heavy channels, save RMC, gained share. Regional public network France Bleu was the most significant gainer, posting 6.7% from 5.8% year on year. RMC was flat at 5.3% market share. France Info also rose; posting 4.0% from 3.6%.

Local stations fared particularly well, in aggregate, with 14.7% share up from 14%.

And, too, summer listeners seemed to tune in to old favorites. Nostalgie was the highest rated music channel with 5.8% market share, up from 5.1%. NRJ was the second place music channel with 5.5% share but significantly lower that last summer’s 6.7%. Even French DJs take holidays. (JMH)

Not happy in Denmark
“so many uncertainties”

Danish broadcasters gathered for the annual Radiodays this past weekend in Copenhagen and grumbled about almost everything. Commercial broadcasters were particularly riled about their deteriorating market.

One meeting, reported by radionyt.de (September 28), had major station heads sniping at each other over license fees and digital radio. SBS Radio director Frederik Meyer complained about Radio 100FM trying to negotiate a lower license fee with the government. “When you purchase an item, then you have to pay for it,” he said. Meyer mentioned his own cost savings program, cutting 50% of staff.

“The whole industry is waiting for answers to so many uncertainties," said Radio 100FM’s Jim Receveur. (More on Denmark's commercial radio here)  

Looming larger than ever – for commercial broadcasters, at least – is digital radio. Danish public radio DR’s Media Manager Lars Grarup spoke right up and suggested closing the FM band in January 2015. DAB, Denmark’s choice for digital radio, will be able to offer 110 to 120 channels on the three multiplexes, he said.

SBS Radio’s Meyer disagreed, strongly, saying DAB is only a “temporary solution” and that internet radio is the future. “Unlike digital television, there are no benefits to digital radio,” he said.

DR’s Grarup countered that internet radio is “too vulnerable” technically and, anyway, less than 2% of Danes listen on the Web today. Other commercial radio managers pointed out the high cost of DAB transmission.  (More on digital radio and DAB here)

Denmark’s Culture Ministry, charged with keeping radio organized, shelved plans to reallocate FM frequencies in favor of an all-out push for DAB. (JMH)

Czechs trust their media
...and radio most of all

Trust in major social institutions can waver, particularly in stressful times. And every society reflects on their institutions differently. In the Czech Republic, media – radio, TV and the printed media – are more trusted than, well, banks, according to a survey by the Czech Public Opinion Research Centre (Centrum pro vyzkum verejného mínení - CVVM). (September 22).

Radio is the most trusted social institution in the Czech Republic, according to the September survey, 67% trusting vs. 27% not. Television and the army tied at 62% trusting. Public trust in the printed media is 49%, falling steadily from 62% in 2005.

Banks, trade unions and the Church are the least trusted Czech institutions. (JMH)

Radio Page - September 25, 2009

Radio Page - September 18, 2009

Radio Page - September 11, 2009

Recently added radio audience figures

• Romania - National Radio Audience (29/09/2009)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Netherlands Radio Audience (20/09/2009)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Spain - National Radio Audience (11/09/2009)
  national channels, share, trend
• Sweden - National Radio Audience (22/08/2009)
  national channels, reach, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (06/08/2009)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (06/08/2009)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (06/08/2009)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe's Radio – new update

Europe’s media landscape is dotted by 15,000 radio stations and channels. Public, private, digital and even a few MW stations reach upwards of 90% of Europe’s listeners each day. This updated ftm Knowledge file adds new material on digital broadcasting, measurement, regulation, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, France, Germany, Russia and the UK. 195 pages PDF (August 2009)

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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