ASIA

“Market researchers are continuing to evolve so they can grow and improve their understanding of the market base,” said June Pang, Regional Senior Manager, Media Measurement, GfK. “Our experience in Australia with 360 measurement shows that we can collect data that is more representative of audience habits than the current methods we employ.”“We’re partnering with Astro to adapt the Australian experience with 360 measurement to the local Malaysian market,” said June. Since 2016 GfK have used a hybrid measuring system of paper diary and and online diary, RAM, to capture radio listening habits across different locations and devices.GFK Radio 360 Malaysia, has brought together both the current measurement diary system and streaming data from station server logs to provide information on AM/ FM and streaming audiences. This allows for additional media platforms to be measured more accurately than previously.Radio 360 data for Malaysia allows for deeper insights to be uncovered, including that radio listening home is consistent between AM/ FM and streaming. AM/FM listening is also high in the car, where as listening to radio streams is higher in the workplace.The line graph shows that streaming peak times ( green line) are different from traditional AM/FM peaks (yellow line) and that day time streaming exceeds AM/FM listening during working hours.Radio 360 data for Malaysia can drill down further than previous to give programmers and advertisers the ability to curate lifestyle content to reach audience segments more accurately.For more information about Radio 360 in Australia see previous report […]

GatesAir, a subsidiary of Thomson Broadcast dedicated to wireless content delivery, introduces new high-efficiency, low-power solutions for two award-winning product lines that offer insights into the changing requirements for RF infrastructure. To be introduced at IBC2024, GatesAir will unveil the third entry to its groundbreaking IMTX Intra-Mast series, which consolidates miniature transmission modules inside a common chassis with minimal infrastructure. GatesAir will also showcase the two latest models for its Flexiva GX family of FM transmitters, one that is new to IBC visitors and the other which begins shipping in time for the show.GatesAir has added to both lines in response to global customer demand for high-efficiency, low-power solutions that solve problems, reduce costs and reliably operate over the long term.“Five years ago, GatesAir laid the groundwork for a new era of low-power innovation with three key new product lines: the PMTX-1 outdoor weatherproof series, the MultiD Series of multicarrier DAB systems, and the IMTX Intra-Mast series,” said Ray Miklius, Vice President of Technology, GatesAir. “Through the unique vision of our European engineering team, these TV and DAB systems shed new light on the possibilities of transmitter design while solving existing problems and preparing customers for future opportunities in content delivery. The spirit of these high-efficiency designs are found in our Flexiva GX line in ways that best serve the FM market. All four award-winning lines will be on our IBC stand, and we’re excited to share the benefits of our latest IMTX and GX products.”GatesAir’s Flexiva GX line now includes five low power models from 50 W to 3 kW, with the new GX2K 2kW model receiving its IBC debut. GatesAir will also be shipping the GX3K (3 kW) announced at IBC2023 before the show floor opens on September 13.The compact, high-density architecture of the GX2K accentuates the value proposition of the Flexiva GX line for the FM engineer. Flexiva GX transmitters provide radio customers with a strong power-to-size ratio for all six power levels — including the higher power 5 kW and 10 kW models — by leveraging the latest LDMOS technology. The design packs exceptional power density into a compact chassis, with overall efficiency ratings up to 76 percent.New for IBC, GatesAir has enhanced the GUI for all six GX models, including integrated audio playback and a supporting playlist manager. Options include GPS receivers for SFN support, and GatesAir’s Intraplex IP Link 100e (IPL-100e) module. The IPL-100e integrates within Flexiva GX transmitters, enabling direct IP connectivity of FM audio and data from the studio. The IPL-100e also provides support for optional integrated professional ten-band audio processing software, which can save users thousands of dollars in auxiliary equipment.The Flexiva GX family is available worldwide, and can be configured to serve large national or regional FM single-frequency network (SFN) deployments. Using GatesAir’s MultiSystem Controller (MSC) technology, Flexiva GX transmitters also support N+1 configurations, enabling large national network operators to build very flexible and consolidated transmission sites that meet stringent uptime requirements.IBC2024 takes place September 13-16 at the RAI Amsterdam, where GatesAir exhibits at Stand 8.C74. […]

The Malaysian government is set to go ahead with a regulatory framework which will make licenses mandatory for all social media and instant messaging platforms.According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the framework was introduced to combat the increasing cases of cybercrime, including online fraud and gambling, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children. It will come into effect on January 1, 2025.“With the enforcement of this framework, all Internet messaging service providers and social media service providers with at least eight million users in Malaysia must apply for an Applications Service Provider Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). Any service provider operating without a licence after this period is committing an offence and appropriate legal action can be taken,” it said in a gazette notice on August 1.If convicted, the service provider can be fined up to RM500,000, or face imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. The platforms can be liable for a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.During the grace period (August 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024), MCMC said it will develop comprehensive guidelines detailing the conduct requirements and responsibilities that must be proactively adhered to by the said service providers in Malaysia.The move has raised concerns from the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), an organisation representing tech giants like Meta, Apple, Amazon, Google, Yahoo, Rakuten, X, and LinkedIn.AIC has issued an open letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to raise concerns about the latest framework and urged the government to pause it and consider how it aligns with its broader economic goals before implementing it.It believes the framework introduced by the MCMC is unworkable for the industry and will adversely impact innovation by placing undue burdens on businesses. It added that the move would hinder investments and deter future ones due to the complexity and cost of compliance.AIC also says the proposed implementation time leaves the industry with insufficient clarity and inadequate time to fully grasp the implications.Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil responded: “AIC does not represent all companies, just a few, and there are also others that are unrepresented. They are big tech, but our laws are bigger, and if they want to operate in Malaysia, they have to respect and comply with the requirements.“The Malaysian government still stands by our position that social media and instant messaging platforms need to have a regulatory framework to ensure a safer internet landscape for Malaysians, especially children and families.”Expressing his willingness to meet with any parties regarding the licensing requirements, he said: “We will continue discussions with companies. We have yet to make a final decision, and Malaysia is very open to discussions.” […]

mowPod is a podcast ad platform from newsletter marketing company MowMedia. It uses programmatic ad tools and data integrations to help podcast owners — including both large media clients and branded podcasts — drive engagement and downloads of their audio content.mowPod promotes podcasts by buying display ads on websites. These ads are then optimized and strategically placed across the web, steering listeners right back to a podcast. Podcasters can also pull comprehensive campaign reports straight from the platform, delivering insights on audience demographics, devices, daily delivery statistics, creative performance, and even granular geographic data.mowPod works with many of the largest media and podcast brands out there. From the Oprah Winfrey Network to Warner Media Group and the Hubspot Podcast Network, the most well-known media brands trust mowPod to run its podcast growth advertising with white-glove treatment.mowPod has also made its podcast ad-serving technology available to smaller, independent podcasts in a self-serve manner. Their system will create and place the ads, let the client set a budget, and allow them to log in to monitor the ad campaign’s progress for as little as $100. It will even allow you to quickly and efficiently promote future episodes in under 1 minute of setup.It will show you how many impressions your ads are getting on the open Web, how many result in a play and an IAB download. It will break down your ad campaign by the day or by the hour along with additional statistics, such as top devices, operating systems, locations of your listeners and more.The company offers both an enterprise-level and a self-serve product. mowPod offerings include:mowPod Boost: Hyper-targeted audience growth for podcasts on a fixed cost per 60 second download.mowpod Boost Self-serve: The first AI driven self-serve marketing platform to drive podcast discovery and listenership on a fixed cost per 60 second download.mowPod Apple Sub: Engaged audience growth in Apple Podcasts on a fixed cost per follower.More info at mowPod.com […]

One of the most popular sessions of every Radiodays conference is the 30 Ideas session.It’s  a quick summary of the top ideas from some key conference sessions.These are the 30 ideas from 2024:Yumie Yoshiba – NHK1. Identity – Radio is identity. 2. Offensive – This is time to be more offensive3. Useful, Interesting and Fun – Work on the fundamentals as the main key points of radio4. Be a good partner with AI5. Cross over – Whatever platform you on we can find a way to collaborate for creating.Chris Marsh from SCA Australia’s Hamish and Andy Show
Preparation is most important: Follow Hamish and Andy’s success formula that 70% of your time is spent on prep. In meetings, talk about content first, save the business for second, then do the fun stuff last.
Team is so important: Half of the work is on the team, the other half is on the content. Spend enough time on building and maintaining your team.
Authenticity – Don’t rehearse too much, allow for spontaneity in your on air content. Hold each other up in the spontaneous moments, don’t kill the content or the momentum of your on air partner, take it forward.
Respect your audience – Make them fell like they’re in your club, build unique experiences for your audience.
Quality over quantity – Know the shelf life of your content. Not everything makes it to air, dump anything that is too old or not up to standard.
Harry Locke, Public Media Alliance
Go local and love the small numbers. If your content is having an impact small numbers might not be the only measure of success.
Obsess over good audio
Collaboration – do cross promos across podcast shows, collaborate with other areas, for example public libraries as they do in Canada.
Accessibility – AI may help radio reach people who might not normally have accessed radio, for example speech to text for sight impaired people.
Put ‘responsible’ before AI.
Emily Kwong NPR Host of Short Wave + InheritingWhat is the oldest technology powering everything you do? Your brain.1. Get enough sleep2. It’s okay to sleep late3. Your only as good as your last byline (Katherine X Lewis4. Show your sources your story5. Plan for nonsenseWade Kingsley, Creative Coash
Bring people together, like Taylor Swift. Don’t think ‘audience’ like one to many, think one to one and create a community of those people.
Make mistakes on purpose like Thomas Edison – try things that may not work but will lead you to learn something. Creativity doesn’t follow a rule book.
Create your own flow like Billy Ilish
Make it funnier – keep trying to make it funnier don’t just stop at the first funny line
Surf any wave you can – try anything.
Mike Russell: Embrace the future of audio creation1. Dream big and embrace AI tools2. Embrace AI for Automate repetitive tasks3.  Personalise listener experience for you in radio and podcasting4. Go and brainstorm with AI, (download pie.ai to organise your thoughts)5. Consider AI ethics […]

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here.The winners of the 2024 Asia Podcast Awards are…

Category
Entry

Best Children’s Entertainment Podcast: Major
Chinese Folk Tales

Best Education Podcast: Major
Takeaway Chinese

Best Education Podcast: Indie
The GlobalEd Podcast

Best Factual Podcast: Major
Climate Connections

Best Fictional Podcast: Major
Pontianak

Best Fictional Podcast: Indie
Ghost Maps

Best Health and Wellness Podcast: Major
Thank Fitness it’s Friday

Best Interview Podcast: Indie
A Vietnam Podcast

Best Interview Podcast: Major
Muzik Roundtable

Best Money and Business Podcast: Major
Money Talks

Best Money and Business Podcast: Indie
The Financial Coconut

Best New Podcast: Major
Gen Bridge

Best News Podcast: Major
Big Take Asia

Best Radio Show Podcast: Major
Liang Wenfu Music Journey

Best Society and Culture Podcast: Major
Love Buzz

Best Society and Culture Podcast: Indie
The Daily Ketchup

Best Sport Podcast: Major
Suited & Booted

Podcast Audio Producer of the Year: Major
Huang Rui: Biodiversity Day Special

Podcast Audio Producer of the Year
Niall Mackay

Podcast Executive Producer of the Year: Major
Hou Limei: Growing up at the Yellow River Headwater

Podcast Host or Presenter/s of the Year: Major
Michelle Martin – for Presenter of the Year

Podcast Host or Presenter/s of the Year: Indie
Filming in Thailand – Stephene Lambert

Podcast Publisher of the Year: Major
CGTN Radio (Tie)

Podcast Publisher of the Year: Major
SYOK (Tie)

PEOPLES CHOICE

Best Money and Business Podcast: Major
Unibizity

Best Education Podcast: Indie
The Guiding Voice

You can click through from the winner’s tile to listen to each podcast.Winners are awarded in Major and Indie categories.Back to Top.Judging NotesThis year the judging panel had to make some difficult decisions. Not all categories were awarded both a Major and an Indie winner and one categoriy there was a tie.Majors are large podcast publishing companies that publish more than 5 podcast series per year. Indies are small podcast companies, sole traders, individuals, students and not-for-profits that publish less than 5 podcast series per year.Judges did not mark any entries associated with their own companies and did not see any of the marks given by other judges. Each category was judged by at least three judges. Judges did not know who else was judging their assigned entries.The People’s Choice Award, won by Unibizity and The Guiding Voice, was a popularly voted award open to podcast listeners and fans. People could only vote for one finalist and could only vote once. Over 5000 votes were recorded this year.The winners were announced on Tuesday 3 September at RadioDays Asia 2024. RadioDays was not involved in any stage of the judging process.Over the next few weeks we will feature some of the winners in separate stories here on Radioinfo Asia, based on information from their entry submissions. If you think you have a good story to tell about your podcast, please don’t wait for us to contact you, just email us more details to [email protected].The judges were:

Adam Sulaiman Bin Abdul Rahman

Blythe Moore

Cheong Yuen Wai

Darcy Milne

Flavia Voinea

Jake Adelstein

Matthew Durai

Rui Huang

Sharaad Kuttan

Shoko Plambeck

Sian Gard

Stanley Lim Chiang Hong

Steve Ahern

We thank all our judges for their diligent hard work to bring you the best of Asian podcasts for 2024.Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. You have made your contribution to podcasting in Asia this year! […]