followthemedia.com
a knowledge base for media professionals
ftm Radio Page
ftm Home Page

ftm Radio Page - May 8, 2015

Culture Minister puts hold on FM shut-down
“we need listeners”

The Danish government has taken a second look at shuttering the FM radio platform. Rather than imposing a switch-over by the end of 2019 a decision will only be taken once digital listening - DAB and online - reaches 50% of all radio listening. The decision will likely not be trumpeted by DAB supporters like the partial FM switch-off in Norway announced two weeks ago.

“The FM band, which has been used for radio in Denmark since 1950, has unfortunately only room for a limited number of channels,” said Culture Minister Marianne Jelved in a statement, reported by Danish technology business portal avm.dk (May 2). “DAB and Internet radio offers far more options. A switch-off of FM is inevitable, but we need listeners. The question is when this will happen.” (See more on digital radio here)

Denmark was a very early adopter of the DAB digital radio platform, largely through public broadcaster DR. Several digital-only radio channels appeared, some disappearing due to budgetary constraints. The Culture Ministry noted that current digital radio listening is 26% of total listening. (See more on media in Denmark here)

Within the decision, broadcasters already using the DAB platform - most all in Denmark - will be required to upgrade to the DAB+ platform by the end of 2016. Minister Jelved’s office will continue to monitor progress but the question of FM switch-off will not return until after 2018, when the current media agreement expires.

TV broadcaster sheds radio assets
there’s something about publishers and radio

It is the season for media transactions. Discovery Communications has offloaded, as expected, the Scandinavian radio assets operating as SBS Discovery Media to Hamburg, Germany based Bauer Media Group. Financial details were not disclosed and a closing was not set as competition authorities will need to pass judgement.

The transaction involves 19 stations, some national and some local, including Radio Norge, Radio 1 and Radio Rock in Norway, Mix Megapol, the NRJ franchise and Rock Klassiker in Sweden, Pop FM, Radio 100 and Radio Nova in Denmark as well as The Voice and Iskelma in Finland. It is the biggest European radio deal in several years and puts Bauer Media at the top of pan-European radio broadcasters.

Discovery Communications acquired the Scandinavian broadcast assets of ProSiebenSat1.Media two years ago for €1.3 billion, the biggest European media deal in many years, and formed SBS Discovery Media. Discovery Communications is a television company through and through. Bauer Media is a leading radio broadcaster in the UK and Poland, also owning Radio Expres in Slovakia and a 25% stake in German station Radio Hamburg, a joint venture with RTL Group.


Radio Page week ending May 1, 2015
radio in Spain, audience measurement, EGM, RNE

Radio Page week ending April 24, 2015
radio in Slovakia, Europa 2, music quota, radio in Denmark, digital radio, DAB, DR, P4, radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, Radio Latina, FIP, France Info, RTL, Radio France, France Inter, NRJ, Skyrock, RMC, radio in Norway, FM

Radio Page week ending April 17, 2015
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, Europe 1, RTL, Radio France, France Inter, NRJ, Nostalgie, Skyrock, RFM, radio in Norway, FM switch-off, radio in Sweden, digital radio

Radio Page week ending April 10, 2015
radio in France, public broadcasting, Radio France, radio in Sweden, Sveriges Radio, Metropol, social media, P5 STHLM

Radio Page week ending April 3, 2015
digital radio, DAB, DAB+, radio in the UK, radio in the Netherlands, radio in Austria

Radio Page week ending March 27, 2015
radio in the Netherlands, BNR Nieuwsradio, STER, sales-houses, radio in France, Radio France, public broadcasting

Radio Page week ending March 20, 2015
radio in Russia, Like FM, social media, Gazprom Media, radio in Poland, Eurozet, Radio Zet, RadioDays Europe

Radio Page week ending March 13, 2015
radio in Germany, MA Radio 2015/I, Antenne Bayern, Radio NRW, WDR, BR, Energy Munich, SWR, Radio Regenbogen, EinsLive, Radio PSR, radio in Bulgaria, audience measurement, Nielsen Admosphere

Radio Page week ending March 6, 2015
radio in Sweden, public radio, SR, radio in Italy, RCS Media Group, Radio 105, Radio Monte Carlo, Virgin Radio

Radio Page week ending February 27, 2015
radio in Italy, Eurisko GfK Radiomonitor, radio audience, radio advertising, RTL 102.5, RDS, Radio 105, Radio 24, RAI, radio in Germany, AG.MA, radio in Switzerland, digital radio, radio reception, radio in Norway, digital transition, NKOM

Radio Page week ending February 20, 2015
radio in the Czech Republic, public radio, CRo Plus, FM distribution, radio in Crimea, radio in Russia, radio in Ukraine, Gazprom Media

Recently added radio audience figures and resources


Also see ftm Knowledge

Europe's Radio - Western Europe

Opportunity meets tradition in Western Europe's radio broadcasting. Change has come fast and yet oh, so slowly. This ftm Knowledge file contains material and resources on public and private radio broadcasting in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland. 244 pages. Resources. PDF (September 2013)

Order here

Europe’s Radio – Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe’s radio writes new rules. In fact, most everything about radio in this region is new... and changes often. The ftm Knowledge file reports on Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. 159 pages PDF (April 2013)

Order here

Europe’s Radio – Northern Europe

Northern Europe’s radio has a very digital sound. And change is in the air. Economic challenges abound for both public and commercial broadcasters. The ftm Knowledge file reports on Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the UK. 144 pages PDF includes Resources (November 2012)

Order here

Digital Radio - Possibilities and Probabilities

Digital radio has many platforms. From broadcast platforms to internet radio and rapidly emerging smartphone platforms, listeners and broadcasters have choices galore and decisions to make. Some regulators have made up their minds, others not, some hedging their bets. This ftm Knowledge file details the possibilities for digital broadcasting and the probabilities for success. Includes Resources 149 pages PDF (August 2012)

Order here

Europe's Radio - Southern Europe

Radio broadcasting in southern Europe ranges from highly developed to developing highly. Italian, Spanish and Portuguese radio is unique, creative and very popular. Radio in Croatia, Serbia and Greece has had ups and downs. The ftm Knowledge file includes Resources. 74 pages PDF (May 2012)

Order here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member and receive Knowledge files at no charge. JOIN HERE!

ftm Knowledge files are available to non-Members at €19 each.

The Six Radio Brands is about the uniquely European development of radio brands. Competition among broadcasters - and certainly between the public and commercial sectors - gives radio in Europe a rich dynamic. As consumers become more media-literate and demand more attachment broadcasters find target markets illusive.
Regulators, advertisers and broadcasters take turns trying to influence radio brands. Culture and technology makes an impact. More and more, the greatest influence comes from consumers.
The Six Radio Brands describes advantages and pit-falls of brand strategies, with illustrations from current radio practice.

100 pages. 2004

Available at no charge to ftm Members, €49 for others. Email for more information

copyright ©2004-2015 ftm partners, unless otherwise noted Contact UsAbout Us