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ftm Radio Page - February 19, 2010

No forced digital switch, say commercial broadcasters
“currently impossible”

The drumbeat against imposed digital switchover for radio just got louder. The Association of European Radio, representing a majority of private, commercial radio broadcasters, has added its voice for restraint in forcing digital switchover and analogue switch-off. ”Setting a date for the switch-off of analogue radio service is currently impossible,” said the AER statement. “Transition to any digital broadcasting system should benefit from a long time-frame.” (See full statement here).

This is by far the strongest voice against imposing analogue radio switch-off. Digital radio proponents have argued, largely, that radio listeners wouldn’t run out and buy new digital receivers until forced with the loss of their favorite stations. Realists, often out-numbered by multiplex owners, chip makers and governments (often intertwined), have come to understand the futility of attempting to manage consumer behavior. (JMH)

Radio salaries higher than TV
Was ist das?

Radio is supposed to be television’s starving sister, right? Well, according to a study by Goldmedia commissioned by the Bavarian media authority BLM salaried employees at radio stations make about 6% more than TV station employees. And salaries for radio people rose slightly more than salaries for TV people since 2002.

The average salary for permanent radio station employees in Bavaria is €2855 monthly, compared to €2693 for the TV people. (More on media in Germany here)

When compared with national channels (read: public broadcasting) salaries at Bavarian stations seem paltry. The average monthly salary at national radio channels is €3782, €3615 in TV land. (JMH)

All-sports radio for sale
multi-platform merger

One of the newly approved digital radio channels in France is apparently about to fade. Europe 1 Sport, owned by Europe 1 (RTL), could soon have a new owner, according to Les Echos and SatMag (February 15).

Both sources suggest 10 Sport publisher Michel Moulin might be interested in the possibility of merging his recently launched 10 Sport Radio, available on the internet and smartphones, with Europe 1 Sport. 

Under French regulator CSA rules, cross promotion between Europe 1 and Europe 1 Sport isn’t allowed. That makes for expensive marketing, particularly with sagging radio advertising in France.

Europe 1 Sport has a Paris FM frequency in addition to the national digital license. According to the sources, Europe 1 president Alexandre Bompard doesn’t believe digital radio will take off quickly in France and doesn’t believe a Paris-only niche station can return on the investment. (JMH)

RadioDaysEurope program announced
Seize the opportunity

When the NAB Radio Europe conference was cancelled last October for lack of interest there was no doubt something to replace it would arrive. RadioDaysEurope will be in Copenhagen March 18th and 19th. Organizers – Danish, Norwegian and Swedish public broadcasters – say this event will be “affordable.” (See details here and see release details here)

Program details announced this week show a neat package of presentations on issues (copyright, digital), audience behavior and programming (morning shows, being number 1). Save one token American, all speakers (so far) are European, about evenly divided between the public and private sector.

Compared with the NAB Radio Europe conferences, which ran for 16 years, RadioDaysEurope is heavier on programming and lighter on sales and management. And, the entry fee is about half (€600), a major complaint. There are other differences: all day Thursday and half day Friday rather than taking the weekend, Northern Europe rather than Southern Europe, no ‘get out and sell something’ speeches.

Years ago, in the 1990’s, an annual European radio conference was held in Montreux, Switzerland. It folded for a variety of reasons but it was popular among public broadcasters and generally ignored by the private, commercial set. Things change. The new RadioDaysEurope has interesting promise. (JMH)

 

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