followthemedia.com - a knowledge base for media professionals
ftm News From You

News From You

We receive dozens of news tips and press releases each week from ftm contributors. We want MORE. And we want to share the raw information as quickly as possible. NEWS FROM YOU is the forum for adding what you know to what we know. Share what you know...or what your hear. We will apply the light-touch of the editors axe for clarity. We will also accept NEWS FROM YOU in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese...without translation. (We do insist on being able to understand what you contribute.) You also must clearly indicate that your contribution is for publication in NEWS FROM YOU.

Please note: we cannot use PDF files, only text and .doc files.

Send us NEWS FROM YOU



Week ending April 7, 2012

WRS ‘THREATENED WITH CLOSURE…’ - RADIO FRONTIER STANDS BY - April 4, 2012
from Mark Butcher/Radio Frontier

Today the board and shareholders of Anglo Media SA, owners of the on-line and cable English language radio station RADIO FRONTIER note the news that the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SSR) is assessing the future of the publicly funded national radio station World Radio Switzerland (WRS).

The SSR, in its statement, says a sale or closure of WRS is being considered. Anglo Media SA is engaging with all relevant authorities – including the SSR, the Federal Office of Communications (Ofcom) and supportive politicians to ensure that a strong English language radio station continues in the region.

It’s public knowledge that WRS has suffered audience loss over the last period of years as it’s been forced to change its editorial focus from a local station designed specifically for the international community in the Lake Geneva region, to a national station.

Anglo Media SA remains committed to the provision of daily English language news and information tailored for the international community in the Geneva region and believes the closure of an English language FM station is potentially a backward step.

However, Anglo Media SA sympathises with the financial pressure the SSR has to face up to – many public broadcasters across Europe have made similar tough decisions – and for that reason believes the private sector has to be given the opportunity to provide these essential information services. Anglo Media SA has made its intentions known that it is prepared to offer English language news and information to the important international community on a privately funded basis.

Anglo Media SA note that many Swiss politicians publicly support ‘international Geneva’ and consider that international organisations (governmental organisations, NGOS, and multinational companies) are a strong component of the global identity of the region, and we believe that English language media is an essential ingredient in supporting the region’s economic prosperity.

ACT - COMMERCIAL TV REPORTS ON PROGRAMMES FOR HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES ACROSS EUROPE - April 3, 2012
from Marta Sokol/ACT

Commercial broadcasters recognise the importance of television as the main medium to mobilise a mass audience and to reach all parts of society. In the context of the European Commission’s Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, the Association of Commercial Television reports today on programmes related to health across Europe.

Ross Biggam, ACT Director General, said: “Our contribution to the EU action against obesity and unhealthy lifestyles is about what we do best: delivering high-quality audiovisual content which engages with our viewers to improve their lifestyles, encourage them to take up sport and cook healthily.”

The report delivers results of monitoring programmes in 2011 and it contains comprehensive data about the audience share, target group, transmission time, length and number of episodes. Answering to the demand from the Commission about programming in smaller countries, the report focuses on markets which were not represented in the previous editions: Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovakia.

The figures confirm a continuous interest of European audience in various formats related to health: morning talk-shows, documentaries, cooking competitions, programmes with medical advices or contest shows. ACT members reported about successful formats in their countries. For instance, M6 told us about the success of cooking shows in France and TVI reported about the importance of health topics in daily talk shows, documentaries or in TVI’s 24-hour news channel in Portugal.

The demand for programmes on healthy lifestyle is tangible also in Lithuania. MTG described a range of their healthy format and confirmed that local programming about lifestyle and health choices was a key element in marketing strategy for launch of TV8, a new MTG’s channel in Lithuania.

ACT members also engage in various campaigns within their Corporate Social Responsibility activities. In our report, Antena 3 Group fights against obesity in Spain, ITV cooperates with governmental organisations to promote sports in the UK and Eurosport campaign in collaboration with the European Commission helped distribution of healthy messages European-wide.

Additionally, as explained by an independent producer, Kevin Mundye from Shine Network, the phenomenon of the successful format of “The Biggest Loser” seen now in over 90 countries, confirms that the international trade in television formats is flourishing nowadays and notably, it helps to reach the healthy eating messages to all European citizens in all TV markets.

To read the report, go to the ACT website www.acte.be and click on “A Healthy Audience”.

Previous News From You

News From You: Week ending March 31, 2012

News From You: Week ending March 17, 2012

News From You: Week ending March 10, 2012

News From You: Week ending February 25, 2012

News From You: Week ending February 18, 2012

News From You: Week ending February 11, 2012

News From You: Week ending January 21, 2012

News From You: Week ending January 14, 2012

News From You: Week ending January 7, 2012

News From You: Week ending December 24, 2011

News From You: Week ending December 10, 2011

News From You: Week ending December 3, 2011

News From You: Week ending November 26, 2011

copyright ©2004-2012 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact UsSponsor ftm