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ftm Radio Page - week ending January 11, 2019

Radio broadcasters in Africa targeted
internet stilled

Radio stations in Africa have been targeted in recent days. This is not particularly unusual as radio is the most powerful medium of communication throughout the continent.

Contentious vote counting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), possibly upsetting the status quo, prompted authorities to vacate press credentials last week for Radio France International reporter Florence Morice, citing “violating electoral law and the code of good conduct for foreign journalists covering the elections,” reported RFI (January 2). RFI broadcast outlets across DRC were also disrupted. Not to forget anything, DRC authorities blocked internet and mobile phone access.

RFI is the French public international broadcaster. DRC has a large French-speaking population. Government spokesperson Lambert Mende, quoted by VOA (January 2), accused RFI of “declaring results (and) trends.” RFI local transmission in DRC remains unavailable. (See more about media in Africa here)

Several military officers briefly announced their coup d’etat intentions on the Gabon national radio channel Radio Gabon in the capital Libreville, reported Al Jazeera (January 7). Coup plotters said president Ali Bongo is too ill to lead the country. They were shortly arrested. By evening regular broadcasting had resumes, reported France24 (January 7), but internet service remained blocked.

Expensive talent requires big strategies
"branded content"

UK media watchers’ eyebrows raised a bit last year when Virgin Radio acquired the services of ubiquitous radio and TV personality Chris Evans. He hosted a BBC Radio shows off and on for 13 years and fronted the BBC TV Top Gear motor-head show for one year until the rest of the cast threatened revolt. The BBC Radio 2 show ended Christmas Eve 2018. His new morning (breakfast) show will debut January 21st.

He was - in 2017 - the BBC’s highest paid show host though his compensation had been reduced significantly on exit from Top Gear. After the change in venue was announced, BBC Director General Tony Hall indicated that mandatory disclosures of performers compensation precipitated Mr. Evans’ exit. “I don’t think there is any doubt, disclosure has made it harder for us to retain people like that,” he said, quoted by the Independent (September 12). Virgin Radio, reportedly, has more than replaced the loss of the Top Gear fee and is picking up salaries and such for the former BBC Radio 2 show staff. (See more about UK media here)

Bringing on high-priced talent, even with huge name recognition, comes with certain risk. Virgin Radio is a digital-only channel - DAB, online and mobile. It is owned by the Wireless Group, which was acquired by News UK, the Murdoch family publishing company. The show will be “ad free,” announced the company in mid December. Pay TV operator Sky will be the sole sponsor, at least for a year, to provide “branded content” plus fun and games, noted Campaign Live (December 20). Some UK media watchers suggested former listeners to the BBC Radio 2 show might be put-off by 8 or 10 or 12 minutes of ads per hour. (See more about digital radio here)

Virgin Radio is also to launch two brand extension channels - Virgin Radio Anthems and Virgin Radio Chilled - which will carry the Chris Evans morning show. The Freesat satellite service is adding Virgin Radio to its catalogue of radio channels. That should cover distribution.

In October the long bidding for Sky plc, 39% owned by 21st Century Fox, ended with the share acquisition by US-based telecom Comcast, owner of NBCUniversal. 21st Century Fox entertainment assets were acquired by the Walt Disney Company.

Radio Page week ending December 7, 2018
radio in Poland, Eurozet, Radio Zet, Chillizet, Czech Media Invest, mergers and acquisitions, Agora Group

Radio Page week ending November 30, 2018
radio in Spain, EGM, AIMC, Cadena SER, Grupo Prisa, Los 40 Principales, Onda Cero, M80, Cadena COPE, RNE, Atresmedia

Radio Page week ending November 23, 2018
radio in France, Paris radio, radio audience, Mediametrie, RTL, Europe 1, France Culture, Radio Latina, radio in Austria, music rights, digital radio, DAB+

Radio Page week ending November 16, 2018
radio in France, Médiamétrie, radio audience, DJs, Show hosts, RTL, RMC, Radio France, France Inter, France Info, Lagardere Active, Europe 1, NRJ Nostalgie, Skyrock, Radio Classique, radio in the Netherlands, KINK FM, Veronica, digital radio, DAB+

Radio Page week ending November 9, 2018
radio in Denmark, NRJ, NRJ Groupe

Radio Page week ending November 2, 2018
radio in Denmark, public broadcasting, DR, radio drama, radio in Poland, Polskie Radio, radio audience, radio management, Jedynka Radio, Trojka Radio, RMF FM

Radio Page week ending October 26, 2018
radio in the UK, radio audience, RAJAR, BBC Radio, public broadcasting, commercial radio, Radio 2, Radio 4, Magic, LBC, Heart, Classic FM, digital radio, digital transition

Radio Page week ending October 19, 2018
radio in Norway, digital transition, digital radio, Norwegian Media Authority, Metro Radio, radio in Belgium, CIM, radio audience, summer listening, Nostalgie, Bel RTL, Vivecité, RTBF, Radio 2, MNM, VRT, QMusic, Joe FM

Radio Page week ending October 12, 2018
radio in Greece, audience measurement, AEMAP, Focus Bari

Radio Page week ending October 5, 2018
radio in France, Radio France, public broadcasting, advertising

Radio Page week ending September 28, 2018
radio in Poland, radio license, KRRiT, Radio WNET, Eurozet Group

Radio Page week ending September 21, 2018
radio in Denmark, Danmarks Radio, DR, digital radio, P6 Beat, P7 Mix, P8 Jazz, podcasts, radio in Germany, digital radio, Vaunet, DAB, online audio, radio in Norway, FM

Radio Page week ending September 14, 2018
radio in Lithuania, music quotas, M-1

Recently added radio audience figures and resources

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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.
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