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The German roadmap for public broadcasting --- Michael Hedges October 28, 2008
There’s no superhighway getting from old media land to new media land. Public and commercial broadcasters bump into each other. Publishers accelerate only to find competitors enjoying tea at the rest-stops. Along the way, regulators set up toll-booths and politicians set up detours. Meanwhile, the public – chased by a swarm of buzzing advertising people – flies on to new media land.

Leading German broadcaster creates links --- Michael Hedges May 1, 2008
The rise of the internet and new media has sent broadcasters on a search for taking these new tools and creating new listener interest. Leading German broadcaster Radio Hamburg has developed Web programming for specialized music.

Digital discontent : hit the re-start button --- Michael Hedges October 22, 2007
It seems like a different century. Digital broadcasting could offer everything to everybody…and more. There was enthusiasm. There was hope. It was a different century.

The License Fee Lives. Long Live the License Fee --- Michael Hedges - April 27, 2007
Europe’s public broadcasters breathed a sigh of relief this week as the final challenge to the radio and TV license fee has, possibly, been closed. European Commission competition commissioner Neeley Kroes ended an investigation into German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF and the use of public money. Commissioner Kroes accepted the German governments plan to revise PBS finance rules.

Polish President Puts New Spin on Polish Plumber Jokes --- Michael Hedges April 10, 2007
Firing yet another public television president sets no precedent in either Poland or the new Member States. Polish President Lech Kaczynski ordered TVP President Bronislaw Wildstein out at the end of February moving ever more quickly to bring the broadcaster under State control. Wildstein’s successor, former Kaczynski aide Andrzej Urbanski, was nominated and appointed within a week.

Critics Split Over “American” TV Rules --- Michael Hedges - December 18, 2006
American television – its style and language – strikes Europe’s culture protectors with horror. Ads, ads more often, ads for fast food, ads for SUVs – the narrative bleeds together. Ads on television are in and of themselves corrupting in countries where ad spending is still highest in dead-wood media.

EuroParl TV Rules Vote Changes Direction --- Michael Hedges - December 14, 2006
Europe-wide television and advertising rules will take a decidedly liberal turn as members of the European Parliament voted (Wednesday December 13) to overhaul of the Television Without Frontiers Directive.

Germany’s Digital Free-For-All – Nothing Will Be Free --- Michael Hedges October 23, 2006
Mobile media is all the rage. Telecoms and hand-set makers say it’s the future, a pay-to-play future. Even Germany’s conservative publishers are throwing their weight around. It could be another one-way trip, say German broadcasters, with a wink and a nod: remember the 300 million receivers already in households.

“Third Way” is New Direction for PSB Youth Channels --- Michael Hedges - August 1, 2006
PSB youth channels typically follow one of two formats — the more program-driven “educational/alternative” option and the standard-fare contemporary hit radio (CHR), which competes more openly with commercial stations. A “third way” is developing; pleasing to pleasing to public broadcasters, upsetting their private competitors.

PSB Youth Channel Plans in Bavaria Stir Private Broadcasters --- Michael Hedges February 9, 2006
Europe’s public radio broadcasters have discovered a new and unexpected audience: young people. When Bavaria’s public broadcaster announced plans to launch its version of youth radio, private broadcasters cried foul.

Mrs Reding’s Holiday Gifts For All --- Michael Hedges - December 15, 2005
EU Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding revealed to the Commission and the world the long awaited and debated proposal for Audiovisual Media Without Frontiers, the Directive set to replace the technologically worn and torn TV Without Frontiers.

Radio Teddy: Another Stumble for German PSBs --- Michael Hedges August 29, 2005
A radio channel for children seems such a brilliant undertaking. It can be educational, entertaining. Just think of the possibilities!

Stealth Ads Cause “Scandal” at German TV --- Michael Hedges August 1, 2005

Digital Radio War (of words) --- Michael Hedges June 17, 2009 (Follow on Twitter)
A flurry of press statements shows the mounting tension between German public and private broadcasters. ARD, the network of public broadcasters, struck first, saying private sector broadcasters want “to gamble with radios’ future.”

Online, Asleep Or Dead --- Michael Hedges October 21, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Now with economic crisis mostly averted, media people are returning to themes of old. Change has been so fatiguing. Media consumers just don’t understand. The internet remains a curse. And young people are as perplexing as ever.

Toward Market-Driven Digital --- Michael Hedges June 29, 2009 Follow on Twitter
Digital media’s odyssey, beginning in the last century, has hit a few bumps, potholes and crossroads. Allegiance has been sworn, full stop, to the digital dividend, however it’s perceived. Dismal economics is more than just a bump in the road.

Pay TV Falters, Draws Complaints As Linear TV Holds Its Own --- Michael Hedges July 27, 2017 Follow on Twitter
TV land has never been so complicated. Viewers can find everything and anything, everyday and any time, on wall-sized screens or wallet-sized. Take your pick, the TV folks have it all.

Shifting The Culture Of Free --- Michael Hedges July 20, 2015 Follow on Twitter
Media luminaries through most of this century have taken every opportunity to belittle the online 'culture of free,' customers disregarding traditional pathways of commerce for the cornucopia that is the internet. A legal bit torrent was unleashed against those defying the will of content masters. The result has been much as expected; threats bore no fruit, the internet adapted. Consumers aplenty have decided which items on the media menu they will and will not pay for.

Tribute Paid To Voices --- Michael Hedges February 13, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Evolution strengthens the being, say the scientists. As science and technology brought about rapid shift from analogue to digital media, the human voice carries information beyond words. It's really quite natural.

Real People, When It's Warm Or Cold, Share With Their Voices --- Michael Hedges February 13, 2017 Follow on Twitter
With every word and thought in every language now streamlined - and streamed - for specific audience targets it is good to appreciate the resilience of electronic media. Broad reach may not satisfy media buyers but there's a feel to it. Digital media may well be effective and efficient but it's undeniably cold. Sands are shifting; they always do.

Voices And Languages Connect People And Values --- Michael Hedges February 16, 2018 Follow on Twitter
The UNESCO World Radio Day was marked almost everywhere this past week. By celebratory coincidence it arrived on Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, in English, after which the observant commence Lenten fasting. The special theme for World Radio Day 2018 activities was radio and sport, coinciding with the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

For PSBs, give up advertising or give up the internet --- Michael Hedges June 18, 2008 Follow on Twitter
Public broadcasters in Germany may be forced into a choice; either give up ad revenue or scale back Web services. Powerful publishers have joined the chorus of private sector broadcasters and the European Commission offering PSBs a classic Morton’s Fork…or Catch-22.

Digital Funds Called To Halt --- Michael Hedges July 19, 2009 Follow on Twitter
Asking for money these days is a challenge. Particularly difficult is asking for tax money. Some projects once deemed necessary face abandonment. “Success has a thousand fathers, failure is an orphan.”

Parliament Commission Proposes Internet Czar --- Michael Hedges April 22, 2013 - Follow on Twitter
There is a visceral if not quite universal understanding that the internet touches nearly everything. Without digital networks phones stop ringing, nothing moves, little work gets done and bankers can’t check their Facebook pages. Some in the media world feel more squeeze than touch. Government internet policies, though, are still works in progress.

Leading By Cooperation --- Michael Hedges January 11, 2011 Follow on Twitter
One lesson from new media is the benefit of cooperation. Technologies being what they are, competing for devices never works. Audiences move quickly through each new phase. Broadcasters and publishers are learning about the power of cooperation and the costs.

Is This The End Of The Radio-TV Sheriff? --- Michael Hedges June 11, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Oh, the radio and television license fee has suffered. Unless you live where it’s collected by stealth or not collected at all, the fee supporting your public broadcaster is compulsory. The radio and TV sheriff comes knocking at your door.

Public and Private Media Fight Over iPhone Apps --- Michael Hedges January 4, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Nothing says you’re connected like having an iPhone app. Without one you are consigned to the media backwater, ignored if not forgotten and certainly uncool. Whether or not public broadcasters offer iPhone apps is now controversial.

License Fee: Love You, Love You Not --- Michael Hedges January 23, 2012 Follow on Twitter
Public broadcast financing remains contentious as services change with the digital universe and budgets under pressure. A license fee based on receiving equipment seems outmoded as listeners and viewers opt for internet and mobile applications. All financing options and combinations thereof are under the microscope. Just don’t call it a tax.

Creating A Path For Some By Spinning The Wind --- Michael Hedges February 8, 2016 Follow on Twitter
Media regulation changes most when money is the object. Politicians are predisposed to crunch numbers in favor of short-term gain, elections being the most obvious. Broadcasters must consider transmitters, salaries as well as paper clips, air conditioning and pensions. Pulling a string makes the top spin fast enough to overcome inertia. Direction is something else.The advertising people know this.