ASIA

Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting and jingles, has entered into a strategic partnership with Audry, a fast-growing new online community connecting podcasters worldwide to grow their podcasts and audiences through promo and guest swaps, idea exchange, production tips, marketing insights and more.Through the partnership, Benztown will provide Audry’s community of over 15,000 registered podcasters, most U.S.-based, with a specially priced starter audio production kit designed for the Audry community of podcasters. Podcasters can tap into Benztown’s audio production resources for podcasters at a reduced rate by creating a free Audry profile on www.Audry.io and accessing the Benztown audio production kit at benztown.audry.io.The Benztown starter audio production kit for Audry members includes 5 downloads from the Benztown Podcast Library, allowing podcasters to easily create top-shelf audio imaging for their podcasts. In addition, Benztown will share with the Audry podcasting community multiple recipes on how to design effective intros and outros for their podcasts. Benztown will also provide the Audry podcasting community with educational content on the art of sound design, best practices and insights on how to get started in podcasting with a professional sounding podcast. For podcasters looking for a more full-service approach to their podcast production, Benztown will provide premium audio production packages including custom-voiced and produced podcast intros.

The Benztown Podcast Library covers a variety of music genres and formats, with a virtually unlimited range of sounds. Podcasters can now access the same database of professionally produced audio workparts as world-famous radio stations and big-name podcasts.Through AudryMatch, Audry instantly connects podcasters with like-minded podcasters in their specific content areas, empowering them to grow their podcasts through promo and guest swaps, idea exchange, production tips, marketing insights and more. Co-founded in 2020 by Berlin, Germany-based entrepreneurs Eugenio Warglien and Niklas Hildebrand, Audry brings together podcasters to make the connections and collaborations that are the key to podcasting success, outsizing their content and upsizing their audience in the process.Dave “Chachi” Denes, President, Benztown, said: “Audry is a tremendous resource for podcasters. I was impressed from the minute I saw the Audry website. We’re proud to partner with them on this initiative and to offer our podcast library to the Audry Community of podcasters.”Andreas Sannemann, Chief Executive Officer, Benztown, remarked: “We are excited to partner with Berlin-based start-up Audry to introduce the world’s best podcast production library to passionate podcasters everywhere who want to step up their game. In this highly competitive marketplace, podcasters need every advantage they can get. The Benztown Podcast Library will give their podcast the distinctive, high quality sound it needs to stand out.” Niklas Hildebrand, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Audry, commented: “Benztown has been at the forefront of audio imaging for years and helping creators to produce the highest quality audio. This partnership will enable podcasters to receive access to high quality resources on a budget and with no risk.” […]

Lakshmi Narasimha Vijaya Rajagopala Sheshadri Sharma Rajesh Raman aka “BlaaZé” is the new breakfast host of “Good Morning Chennai” at Radio One International in Chennai, India.
The show will air weekday mornings from 7 am to 12 pm.
BlaaZé, the pioneer of Independent Rap music In India was born in Chennai & grew up in Zambia, before moving to the US, UK and finally back to Chennai over 15 years ago .
BlaaZé and Double Oscar and Grammy winner A R Rahman, have collaborated and delivered several blockbuster hits, including two songs as a lyricist/rapper on Slumdog Millionaire, and Vince Vaughn’s Couple’s Retreat, in the international space
At home BlaaZé has worked on over 100 India film songs, including writing of the official UN Anthem For Poverty, ‘Pray For Me, Brother’ with A R Rahman.
In Hollywood, he was a lyricist for Michael Bolton, wrote for Nicole Scherzinger and also collaborated as a Rapper/Lyricist with Coco Lee on the single, ‘No Doubt,’ which went straight to number 1 on the pop charts in 7 countries.
BlaaZé’s love for Radio began at the tender age of 7, by dedicating songs to his friends, and then hosted his show on Zambian Radio, besides a couple of other radio stations in India and abroad.
Ramesh Menon, CEO – Radio and Entertainment, HT Media Ltd and Next Mediaworks Ltd said: ” Blaaze is a brand in itself, with him joining Radio One we further establish ourselves as a brand to reckon with when it comes to international music and a global audience and further amplify our brand presence in Chennai.” […]

New York Festivals® Radio Awards has announced the 2021 Finalists. Four Asian entries have madde it to the list.
104.8 Ishq, India, has two finalists in the Entertainment category for Best Social Justice Special and Best Mini Series. Busan E-fm from South Korea and Radio Taiwan International have a finalist in the Documentary: Culture and Arts category.
Global broadcasters led the way including the 2020 NYF Broadcaster of the Year, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and RTÉ Ireland, 2019 Broadcaster of the Year. Additional prominent broadcasters moving on to the medal round: BBC, CBS Radio, Bloomberg, Radio New Zealand, Westwood One, SiriusXM, ESPN, and National Radio of Argentina.
The 2021 Radio Awards Grand Jury of creative media professionals and content creators from around the globe selected Finalists based on production values, writing, creativity, direction, achievement of purpose, and audience suitability. Entries achieving Finalist status will advance to the next round to determine gold, silver, and bronze trophies.
The Radio Awards receives entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers from over 30 countries around the globe. The mission of the competition is to honor the achievements of the men and women who make up the global audio storytelling community.
“Once again, this year’s Finalists in addition to appealing to their own listeners, also impressed the Grand Jury with their mastery of the audio medium.  Across all genres, they proved that radio – the original social medium – is robust and thriving.  From podcasts and audiobooks to sound art and breaking news, these talented storytellers bring the world together and engage in real time,” said Rose Anderson, VP/Executive Director, New York Festivals Radio Awards.
For 2021 new categories were unveiled across all genres to shine the spotlight on Social Justice. Finalists include: “How fracking could threaten Australia’s Paris target” (Australian Broadcasting Corp.), “Black Lives Matter: From Protests to Police Reform” (Westwood One), “Say Their Name” (DCP Entertainment), “Birds Eye View” (StoryProjects)”, “Racism Within” (SBS Australia), “Substantial Helen” (Bioneers Radio Series), and “Barack Obama, White Supremacy and Grace” (BBC Radio 4).
Audio Book listening saw an uptick in 2020 and a robust number of compelling Audio Book entries featuring celebrity narrators advanced including: HarperCollins Publisher’s “Mary Poppins Comes Back”, read by Academy Award winner, Olivia Colman and “The Hobbit, By J.R.R. Tolkien” read by Andy Serkis.  Penguin Random House titles moving on to the medal round include: “A Life on Our Planet” read by Sir David Attenborough, “To the Lighthouse” read by Rita Wilson, “Imaginary Fred” read by Ciarán Hinds, and “Judge Dredd: America” read by Joseph Fiennes.  Other Finalists Include: “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” Almost Tangible and “Händelser vid vatten / Backwater” Sveriges Radio.  View the complete list of 2021 Finalists.
Podcast Finalists include “Where Is George Gibney?” and “I’m Not A Monster – from BBC Panorama & FRONTLINE PBS” (BBC), “30 for 30” (ESPN), “Unlocking Bryson’s Brain” (CBC), “Nut Jobs: Cracking California’s Strangest $10 Million Dollar Heist” (Audible), “Billie Was a Black Woman“ (ViacomCBS), “The Battersea Poltergeist” (Bafflegab Productions), “Weightless” (DMC Studio Argentina),  My Home Town (Kevin Burke Productions), “The Long Lonely Lake” (Colorado Public Radio), “The Secrets In Us” (Loftus Media), “Driving the Green Book” (Fresh Air Production), ”Foundering” (Bloomberg), “Scales of Change: A Field Guide to the Dragons of Climate Inaction” (Future Ecologies Media), “Alligator Candy” (USG Media), “On a Mission” Season 3: To the Ends of the Earth” (NASA/JPL), “GIANT” (Spotify), and “The Debrief with Major Garrett” (CBS News Radio).
Documentaries give a voice to unique points of view, shine the spotlight on real-life events past and present, inform, educate, and captivate. Finalists include: “Fight of The Century” (TBI Media), “Digging For Fire” (RTÉ Radio 1 Extra),” Black Culture, Civil Rights and Change” (BBC Radio 4), “Stuff The British Stole” (ABC Radio Australia), “Voices from Antarctica” (Radio New Zealand), “The Sounds of America” (BMP Audio), “Love, to find beauty everywhere” (ORF), “My Favourite Things” (Curtains for Radio LTD.), “The Anti-Vax Files – BBC Trending” (BBC World Service London), “Bob Dylan: Verbatim” (Zinc Media), “In The Studio – Patrick Woodroffe: Lighting The Stars” (Magnum Opus Broadcasting), and  “Belarus : Once upon a time in the revolution” (France Inter).
Entertainment entries advanced.  Drama Finalists include: “No One Ever Asked Me That” (RTÉ Radio 1 Extra), “Miss Julie, from the balcony of ICI Première” (Radio-Canada/CBC), “The exorcism in Eksjo” (Sveriges Radio), “The Keith Urban Playlist Series 2” (TBI Media).  Music Specials moved to the medal round: “The Lyric Concert – John Lennon Special” (RTE Lyric FM), “Musicals: The Greatest Show” (TBI Media), “Get Back: The Beatles in Britain” (Somethin Else), “War & Peace and Rock & Roll” (BFBS Radio), Family Rhythms” (We Are Grape Ltd.).  Mini Series entries achieving Finalist status include: “Blockbuster: The Story of James Cameron” (Epicleff Media), “Roll Over Beethoven – A Sitcom from Old Vienna in Nine Acts” (Swiss Radio & Television), “Tous les chats sont gris” (Radio-Canada/CBC), and “Journeys In Sound” (Nemone Metaxas). View the complete list of 2021 Finalists.
Breaking News, features, and investigative reporting captured events as they unfolded, revealed the truth about provocative topics, and unearthed critical facts from around the globe. Entries moving on to the medal round: “Road To November” (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), “The Great Post Office Trial” (Whistledown), “Century of Sound” (CBS News Radio), “Guyon Espiner” (Radio New Zealand), “Snapshots from Black America” (BBC Radio 4), “Maradona. The Last Idol” (National Radio of Argentina), “America in the Morning” (Westwood One), and “Latin American corruption in times of Covid-19” (Voice of America.)
To view the complete list of the New York Festivals Radio Awards Finalist Visit: 2021 Finalists.
The 2021 NYF Radio Award winners will be announced on October 12th at the annual Storytellers gala taking place at NAB in Las Vegas. This year is the eleventh year of NYF’s strategic partnership with NAB Show, the ultimate marketplace for people passionate about media, entertainment, and technology. All winners and attendees will have access to the multi-day NAB event which is the world’s largest media entertainment marketplace taking place this October. […]

India’s Big FM network has roped in multi-talented Moubani Sorcar as their newest RJ for its Kolkata station.
She will host a new show called ‘Kolkata Mohito with Magic Moubani’, weekdays 5 pm to 9 pm.
Also known as ‘Magic Barir Meye‘ (Magic House Girl), Moubani Sorcar, whose real name is Purbita Sorcar, is the daughter of renowned magician P.C. Sorcar Jr.
Through her show, the celebrated actor will make people see the positivity and beauty in everyday moments and help them create their own magic from the mundane.
Sunil Kumaran, Product, Marketing and THWINK BIG, BIG FM said: “Moubani is a hugely celebrated artist in Kolkata with a keen talent to unearth stories and help people lighten up. She will surely lend a purpose to the overall content of the new show ‘Kolkata Mohito’ and bring some fun, excitement, and laughter in these times.”
RJ Moubani said, “This is my first stint as a Radio Jockey and through this show, I want to help people find magic in everyday moments and add that little spark of joy to make the evenings magical for my listeners. The current times are challenging, but if we can bring about any change in the mindset and help people divert their minds towards positive information and spread some good cheer, I will consider my mission accomplished. I am looking forward to interacting with my listeners and delivering a power-packed show that will inspire, entertain and bring people together. BIG FM is a great platform to reach out to millions of people, and I could not have asked for a better opportunity.” […]

Radio journalist Renante “Rey” Cortes, who worked for DyRB radio station located in Mambaling, Cebu City, Philippines was shot dead last Thursday, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) reported.
Cortes used to host a regular political news program in which he often criticised the local elite, often resulting in conflict with political personalities.
According to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), he had been the target of a murder attempt in the past.
He was leaving the station around 9 am, just after finishing his show when an unidentified gunman on a bike shot him.  He was pronounced dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital.
Rappler reported that DyRB administrative associate Nova Banawan said two unidentified people had visited the station’s office a day before the attack to inquire about his schedule.
(RSF) called on the Philippine government to order an independent investigation.
“We urge the Philippine authorities to order an independent investigation that sheds all possible light on the killing of Renante Cortes,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Asia-Pacific desk. “The context of this journalist’s murder (as he left the radio station), the method used by his killers and the previous attempt on his life – this very disturbing combination clearly indicates that he was targeted in a reprisal for his work. In these circumstances, any negligence in the police investigation would be seen as a denial of justice for all journalists.”
The Philippines is ranked 138th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2021 World Press Freedom Index.
“Authorities must fully and independently investigate the killing of journalist Renante ‘Rey’ Cortes, determine if it was related to his reporting, and bring all those involved swiftly to justice,” said Shawn Crispin, Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) senior Southeast Asia representative. “Until authorities show they are serious about bringing violent attacks on journalists to justice, these wanton killings will continue.”
The Philippines ranked seventh on CPJ’s most recent Impunity Index, a ranking of countries worldwide where journalists are slain and their killers go free. […]

PwC has released their special report on the annual Global Entertainment & Media Outlook. Now in its 22nd year, the Outlook is the premier source of information and insight into the evolution of this dynamic, diverse and fast-changing sector.
In 2020, the pandemic triggered the sharpest contraction in overall E&M revenues in the history of this research. And it accelerated changes in consumer behaviour to pull forward digital disruption and industry tipping points by several years. In 2021, those tipping points morphed and coalesced into power shifts that are rapidly reshaping the industry.
One of the clearest trends is that players are realising they may be better served by figuring out how to meet consumers at their convenience. People prefer the ease and convenience of self-directed podcast listening to adhering to radio stations’ schedules. As a result, audio content providers are diversifying their offerings to become more of a destination where consumers will linger and browse. For example, although podcast platforms in many territories tend to specialise in particular topics—comedy, politics and so on—the leading providers in the mature Chinese market, such as Ximalaya and Nasdaq-listed Lizhi, aggregate many different subjects and types of podcasts into a single offering. Clubhouse and Spotify use live and recorded podcasts to re-create a personalised radio type experience.
Total global entertainment and media (E&M) revenue fell -3.8% year on year in 2020, by far the most significant drop in revenue — US$81.0bn, or more than the value of 2020’s entire music, radio and podcasts segment — in the history of the Global Entertainment and Media Outlook.
As more global regions emerge from lockdown and see increasing rates of vaccination, a forecast year-on-year rise of 6.5% in 2021 and a further 6.7% rise in 2022 will help drive total global E&M revenue to increase at a 5.0% five-year CAGR. However, this seemingly healthy growth comes from a greatly depressed base year — extending the CAGR period to six years provides a less optimistic picture with a rate of just 3.5%.
Sectors that meet digital and mobile consumers where they are find rapid growth. The projected CAGR for Virtual Reality from 2020-25 is the highest among all segments at 30 percent, while Music, Radio and Podcasts are projected to grow at 9 percent. […]