ftm Radio Page - December 4, 2009

Doors spinning at French networks
Or musical chairs?

As recent French national and Il-de-France (greater Paris) radio surveys show, there are big audience changes taking place. So it’s little surprise when big network broadcasters start spinning the doors. (See the recent national survey results here and Il-de-France survey results here) 

Weeks ago NRJ Group separated itself from legacy programmer Christophe Sabot, who had only returned to the home of NRJ, Nostalgie, Cherie FM and Rire & Chansons about a year earlier. He’d spent a few years with Lagardère Active. Before that he was the program director of NRJ.

Once the non-compete agreement expired, M. Sabot appeared as a consultant for – VOILA! – Lagardère Active.

Out the door went Lagardère Active head of programming Sam Zniber. He’d been working with the Virgin Radio and RFM projects for just short of a year and a half. He’d also been the roving programming person for the Lagardère Active international stations. Prior to that, he’d been run RTL’s Fun Radio and RTL2 for about two years. Earlier in his career – looks longer than it is – he was a DJ at NRJ.

After Christophe Sabot was shown the door at NRJ Group, NRJ manager Sandrine Tuil departed after a very brief six month tenure. She’s been replaced by Cherie FM program director Didier Bouchend'homme.

For career planning, the last five years or so haven’t been much fun for French radio people. But, apparently, the few who get the top programming jobs just trade them around. (JMH)

Internet radio appeals to advertisers
affordable fun for any budget

Poland’s Open.fm internet radio portal is branching out to Ukraine, reports Mediabusiness.com.ua (December 2). There will be 15 channels of Ukrainian and foreign music for listeners 15 to 30 years of age.

The program director for the Ukrainian service, Svetlana Germanova, is also targeting advertisers. “We focus on advertisers who are interested in conquering the Internet audience. Advertising on the network is affordable fun for organizations of any budget.”

Open-fm is attracting about a half million visitors a day in Poland. “What Ukrainian media can boast of such an audience? Advertising (there) is more expensive than in prime time on the very top-end TV channel in Ukraine,” said Ms Germanova. “That's what we want.”

You go, girl. (JMH)

ProfMedia Broadcasting President Alexander Varin dies
Suddenly… a loss

Alexander Varin, considered a pioneer in Russian commercial broadcasting, died, age 44, Tuesday  (December 1), reported RIA Novosti. The cause of death was a heart attack.

“It all happened suddenly, very suddenly,” said a ProfMedia spokesperson.

“Sasha was a very talented man,” said ProfMedia General Director Rafael Akopov.  “His talent lay in the fact that he combined being a major creative leader and a very serious administrator. All the media of Russia will feel the loss.”

Varin managed the ProfMedia radio and television stations. He was perhaps best known for directing the popular radio channel Avtoradio. He was also president of the Russian Radio Academy.(See more on Avtoradio here)

A memorial will be held Friday December 4 at the Moscow Aviation Institute where Varin graduated with a degree in mathematics. (JMH)

Radio Page - November 27, 2009

Radio Page - November 20, 2009

Radio Page - November 13, 2009

Radio Page - November 6, 2009

Radio Page - October 30, 2009

Radio Page - October 24, 2009

Radio Page - October 16, 2009

Radio Page - October 9, 2009

Radio Page - October 2, 2009

Radio Page - September 25, 2009

Radio Page - September 18, 2009

Radio Page - September 11, 2009

Recently added radio audience figures

• France - Paris Radio Audience (30/11/2009)
  national and local channels, market share
• France - National Radio Audience (18/11/2009)
  national channels, sectors, market share, reach/TSL
• Czech Republic - Radio Audience (11/11/2009)
  Top 12 stations, national survey, trend
• Slovakia - National Radio Audience (09/11/2009)
  leading stations, market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (29/10/2009)
  market share, trend, sectors
• UK - London Radio Audience (29/10/2009)
  market share, trend
• UK - National Radio Audience (29/108/2009)
  BBC/commercial 'gap'
• Poland - National Radio Audience (24/10/2009)
  national survey, market share, trend
• Poland - Warsaw Radio Audience (24/10/2009)
  Warsaw survey, market share, trend

Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe’s Radio – Northern Europe – new

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
Order

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