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ftm Radio Page - June 3, 2016

Speaking to those far away a digital experience
Getting close is analogue

Once upon a time, long before Facebook or even the inter-tubes, the shortwave platform was the mainstay of international broadcasting. Those wishing to reach distant listeners, for whatever reason, have deserted that set of analogue frequencies. The Russian-language service of Radio Liberty, part of US-funded service RFE/RL, will drop off the shortwave bands at the end of June, announced on the Radio Liberty Russian-language website (May 31). (See more about media in Russia here)

The Russian-language service continues on a medium wave frequency, satellite and, of course, online. The Russian-language service of Voice of America (VOA) transitioned from the shortwave platform in 2008. Radio Liberty’s shortwave transmissions in Russian began in 1953. (See more about international broadcasting here)

China Radio International (CRI) continues reaching out to Russian-speaking listeners. A series of programs have launched on Radio Sibir, a regional channel based in Tomsk, reports radioportal.ru (June 1). Radio Sibir has added a “Window on China” page to its website and CRI will reportedly do something similar for folks in China to familiarize themselves with Siberia. Radio Sibir broadcasts on several FM frequencies. Tomsk is 2,886 km east of Moscow and 2,932 km west of Beijing. (See more about media in China here)

Blank stares and educating digital transition
Pimp my ride?

Digital transition is a fate of constant progress. Changing technologies risk leaving behind those on the receiving end. For radio broadcasting a fait accompli – as with mandated digital TV switch-over – is a bit more complicated.

Swiss broadcasting regulator OFCOM/BAKOM wants to inform the public of digital radio transition and encourage more broadcasters to adopt the DAB+ platform. To that end, OFCOM/BAKOM is looking for an agency to implement an educational campaign. It’s a two-year project and pays CHF 4 million.(See OFCOM/BAKOM statement here - in French)

There have been digital radio promotional campaigns in Switzerland, mostly from public broadcaster SSR-SRG, and the platform changed from DAB to DAB+ a couple of years ago. Digital radio receiving equipment sales has hit a few spurts, automobile installations not so much. But as Facebook replaces newspapers and Netflix does-in TV folks have so much else to think about. (See more about digital radio here)

“Despite all the major stations on DAB in Switzerland, there’s still a great deal of ignorance about the system and the fact the plan is to switch off FM,” said Geneva English-language station WRS co-owner Mark Butcher. “Most worryingly at this stage, we find many garage owners have no idea. DAB should be standard in cars and often we’re met with blank stares from car sellers about the system.” WRS left the FM platform in 2013 for DAB, online and mobile.

Radio Page week ending May 27, 2016
radio in Spain, Catalunya Radio, media laws, radio in Africa, business models, radio in Norway, digital radio, DAB+, FM shut-off

Radio Page week ending May 20, 2016
radio in France, digital devices, mobile devices, Mediametrie, radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, BBC Radio, commercial radio, radio brands, Radio 2, Radio 1, Radio 4, Radio 3, Heart, Capital, Magic, digital radio, DAB

Radio Page week ending May 13, 2016
radio in the Czech Republic, radio audience, Radioprojekt, Radio Impuls, Radio Blanik, Radio Beat, news-talk, CRo Plus, radio in Switzerland, consolidation, One FM, Rouge FM, radio advertising

Radio Page week ending May 6, 2016
radio in France, public radio, Radio France, Mouv', BBC Radio 1, digital radio, DAB, online radio, Spotify

Radio Page week ending April 29, 2016
radio in Austria, RadioTest, audience measurement, GfK, Lounge FM, ORF, radio in Germany, RBB, RadioEins, Spotify, radio in France, Paris radio audience, Mediametrie, RMC, Fun Radio, Radio Classique, Radio Latina

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