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ftm Radio Page - May 28, 2010

Broadcasters required to register
Sign-up or sign-off?

It has come time, says the Greek National Radio and Television Council (ESR), to inventory the country’s radio stations. Only some radio broadcasters are actually licensed. Rules are, well, special.

Within the next 30 days the ESR wants a letter from all radio broadcasters (no faxes, please) indicating their legal representative. The regulator is particularly interested in determining which radio broadcasters that registered in 1999 – during an amnesty for unlicensed broadcasting – remain active. Those determined to be inactive can have their authorization revoked.

Suspicions have been raised that the underlying reason for the “inventory” is notifying tax authorities. (JMH)

Digital radio pirates in France
“no reason to wait”

Digital radio in France has stalled. Being France, the reasons are complex. There’s a spectrum issue, a standards issue, a cooperation issue and - of course - a money issue.

Several broadcasters are taking matters to a new level. There is “no reason to wait,” said community broadcaster association (SNRL) spokesperson Pierre Morel as 13 stations embark on an “experiment” near Nantes.   For the summer months they will be digital broadcasting, symbolically, from the same building in Saint-Herblain where French radio pirates broadcast in 1978.

Attending the opening was regulator CSA’s main digital guy Rashid Arhab. "Some evil tongues say that I am the ayatollah of digital radio,” he offered. “But this is not true." He said he’s “committed” to digital radio. (See more on digital radio in France here)

"The launch of digital radio is vital for small radio stations such as ours," said local Nantes broadcaster association president Pierre Boucard.

Almost all the French national radio networks have steered clear of digital radio. (JMH)

Denmark public radio channel to be privatized
Opposition politicians walk out

The plan to privatize yet publicly fund one of Denmark public broadcaster DR’s radio channels nearly hit a political snag as representatives of three political parties walked out on talks aimed to smooth the way, reports fynes.dk (May 26). Culture Minister Per Stig Møller proposed creating a competitor for DR’s P1 radio channel, enhanced with DKR 100 million.

“The Government was not willing to make a broad settlement,” said Social Democrat spokesperson Mogens Jensen.  “It is very regrettable. The government's response involves an unacceptable weakening of DR that will result in a second round of firings.”  Between 200 and 300 DR jobs could be on the line.

But, in the end, it didn’t matter. The government, the Danish People’s Party and the Liberal Alliance agreed on terms governing DR for the next four years. That means DR loses the P2 channel. What rises in its place, said Liberal Alliance spokesperson Ellen Thrane Nørby, will not be “cheap radio, but quality radio.” (JMH)

Broadcasters and music biz fight over rights fees
Mice and elephants

Italy’s music industry wants more money from radio broadcasters. It’s a cry heard ‘round the world. In recent days both sides claim to be ready to negotiate.

“We are open to discussion,” said SCF Consorzio Fonografici president Saverio Lupica, “but the radio must adjust the fees to market standards.” Under the current – and long expired - rights fee agreement broadcasters pay about 1% of revenue for music rights. Mr. Lupica, quoted by Il Sole 24 Ore (May 25), notes that German broadcasters pay 5.6%.

Broadcasters represented by RNA (Radio Nazionali Associate) object to an increase in music rights fees, particularly an upward adjustment to “align with international market standards.” The RNA blames the music biz. To punctuate major national radio networks refused to play new music from major music companies last May 8th. (See more on media in Italy here)

Hyperbole reigns supreme. Universal Music (Italy) president Alessandro Massara called the boycott “a true blackmail.” FIMI (Italian Music Industry Federation - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana) president Enzo Mazza said the “mouse (is) accused of crushing the elephant.”

“The radio companies…pay more for electricity than for right to record companies,” said Mazza. “The right issue is something which cannot be ignored.”

The RNA seems to have the ear of Arts and Culture Minister Sandro Bondi. Mediaset, controlled by the family of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, is a major radio broadcaster. (JMH)

 

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