ASIA

Bloomberg has announced the launch of Big Take Asia, an expansion of Bloomberg’s flagship daily podcast that takes a deep dive into the biggest stories across business, finance, and economics.The Big Take Asia podcast, hosted by Bloomberg reporter K. Oanh Ha in Hong Kong, is the latest installment in ongoing efforts to expand Bloomberg’s Big Take franchise.The first episode of Big Take Asia premiered on May 15 at 5am in Hong Kong / May 14 at 5pm ET.

In January, the Big Take expanded to Washington with Big Take DC, hosted by Saleha Moshin. In March of 2024, David Gura joined Bloomberg as a host of the Big Take Podcast along with Sarah Holder.

These changes, and the overall expansion have helped drive double-digit growth in Big Take’s audience. Subscribers to the Big Take podcast have increased nearly 20 percent since January. […]

The DRM General Assembly 2024 will start in less than a week in Dubai, UAE on May 19-20.It will be prefaced by a DRM Masterclass, “DRM – the What, Why and How”, a simple and attractive 90-minute introduction to the DRM technology.It is open to all registered guests. One single personalised zoom link/pass will unlock the door to the Masterclass and the General Assembly on May 19-20 at: https://s.drm.org/register-zoom-drm-ga-dubai-2024.Several VIPs (including specialists from Indonesia, China, Europe and North America) have confirmed their participation bringing with them news and perspectives on digital radio. One of the speakers is Stefano Fallaha, the CEO & Founder of Podeo, the largest and fastest growing audio-tech company in the Middle East & North Africa.The DRM General Assembly includes latest updates on key markets like India, Indonesia, China, South Africa, other countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. One of the most anticipated sessions is that on receivers, which is bigger, more comprehensive and innovative than before. Many multi-standard receiver solutions will also feature in the updates and demonstrations prepared by companies across the world.During the interactive sessions and break times of the Assembly, guests will also have a chance to network and meet delegates from key regions for DRM.For information and registration, please contact: [email protected] […]

ENCO and PHF COM have joined forces to harmonize the newsroom workflow for Morocco’s Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP), ensuring that the state-owned news agency’s radio operations can share the same Ross Inception newsroom computer system. PHF COM, ENCO’s channel partner in Morocco, managed the Media Object Server (MOS) protocol integration work that now allows radio journalists to use the same system to produce new stories, and share news content with others as needed.Founded in 1959, MAP offers complete, diversified and objective national and global news coverage over its 24-hour news channel M24 and on RIM Radio, which provides live broadcasts and podcasts online and through free iOS and Android apps. RIM Radio, which launched in 2019, uses DAD radio automation to support its live broadcast streams.Younes Yamouni, CEO of PHF COM, says that DAD offered the ideal gateway to bring the two operations together. “One of DAD’s benefits is that ENCO designed it to be an open system that can speak to third-party systems,” said Younes. “This was important for several reasons, one being that MAP operates an all-IP workflow. Both ST 2110 and AES67 benefit from seamless interoperability across all systems.”ENCO’s Ross Inception MOS Interface enables Media Object Server (MOS) protocol integration between Inception and the DAD automation system, allowing journalists and news producers to access DAD audio asset libraries directly within Inception’s client interface. Users can search the ENCO library, preview clips, trim media as needed, and bring the desired elements into their stories through drag-and-drop functionality.Importantly, Inception rundowns are automatically synchronized as playlists on the DAD automation system to keep everything effortlessly updated for subsequent playout. “That is especially useful when journalists have a last-minute change,” said Younes. “They simply go into the interface to make changes to the story and modify the rundown. The change in running order is immediately reflected in the playlist, even if that playlist is already on the air.”Younes notes that three separate studios can access the shared systems today, and all three can be used to support TV and radio operations. Journalists from both stations interact with the DAD system primarily through the Inception plug-in. Audio clips can be recorded into the DAD system, or imported as files either manually or through watch folders using the DAD Dropbox utility.“It’s a very flexible system,” said Younes. “News stories can be provided for live feeds, or they can be pre-produced for podcasts or for live playout at a later time.” RIM Radio operators also utilize DAD’s intuitive Presenter on-air interface for managing live playout, and Younes adds that DAD offers a platform that MAP can grow with as new streams and services are added. […]

You probably already know this but new songs are getting shorter. 20% of the nominated songs in this year’s Grammy Awards came in at under three minutes.Since 1990, the average length of a song on the Billboard 100 has decreased from over four minutes to around three…. and this is regardless of genre.Chart courtesy of the Washington PostAccording to Joe Bennett, Professor of Musicology at Berklee College of Music in the US “Song lengths have always fluctuated with technological and cultural changes. You’ve got artists and technologies working in tandem and then artists responding to other artists. … That’s how the culture and the songwriting craft evolves.”For example, the amount of music that would fit on one side of a vinyl 45 rpm single, combined with the format of traditional radio programming, established the now-familiar three-to-five-minute length. A 45-rpm single could hold only about five minutes of music. Exceeding this often meant lower sound quality.In the 80s, tapes and CDs didn’t have the time limitations of vinyl and allowed artists more flexibility in songwriting. The average song length peaked at 4 minutes 21 seconds in 1992.In 2024, streaming platforms are setting the standard. On platforms such as Spotify, artists earn royalties only if a listener stays engaged for at least 30 seconds, making songs with instantly engaging hooks dominant as it ensures that the listener doesn’t just skip on to the next song. Shorter songs encourage more replays and …you guessed it…. more replays mean more revenue.Taylor Swift has followed the trend. The average song length on her 2010 album “Speak Now” was just under 5 minutes; on her 2022 album “Midnights’ it was just over 3 minutes.This has broader implications for radio than just being able to play more songs per hour. It means that your station’s content must be COMPELLING at all times. But what does compelling actually mean? Let’s start with the dictionary definition. Something is “compelling” when it “makes you pay attention because it is so interesting and exciting.”Compelling content is not just entertaining…. compelling content makes you think…it makes you feel…. it makes you tell your friends…it makes you keep listening in case you miss any more compelling content. Compelling content captures and maintains the attention of the audience.Each song should have a great research score to make it on air, every piece of talk content should be engaging, every contest should have an entertainment value attached to it, negatives/turn offs must be minimised or eliminated…and if you don’t know what those negatives are in 2024, do some research.By David Kidd, BPR […]

Registration is now open for BroadcastAsia 2024, a part of Asia Tech x Singapore – the region’s flagship tech festival.The event, to be held from May 29 to 31, is the meeting place for Asia’s broadcasters, media and entertainment professionals. It features the latest next-gen broadcast technology in the field, including CableSat, Professional Audio Technology, Com Graphics & Animation, insights on industry and technology trends, and networking opportunities with key decision-makers.It is a great opportunity broadcasters to get insights on industry and technology trends impacting Asia’s broadcast and media landscape, network and reconnect with industry peers, discuss the future of broadcast and the strategies to move forward and source for the latest next-gen broadcast technology from a marketplace of global vendors.Broadcast Solution Providers can understand the impact of the evolving media ecosystem and consolidation on their business, meet and network with key decision-makers within the industry and understand investment trends for broadcast and media in APAC.Content Creators will get insights on how VR, AR and new technology are creating new content experiences, find out the latest creative production technologies that are set to transform the broadcast industry and discuss content monetisation models that work in Asia.With 8 stages, 16 tracks, and over 400 speakers, the event will deliver cutting-edge knowledge and insights in a rapidly evolving industry.2024 Main Themes include:
Artificial Intelligence @ BroadcastAsia
Techxlr8 @ BroadcastAsia (Cybersecurity, Cloud, Data, Immersive Tech, Gaming)
Content Creation, Delivery and Engagement
Monetising Content
Startups @ BroadcastAsia
This year, will also see some exciting new events. Dive deep into artificial intelligence at The AI Summit Singapore and explore the latest in software development at the DeveloperXperience Summit.There are a variety of free as well as paid pass options designed to suit your specific interests and requirements. With options ranging from virtual sessions to all-access onsite experiences, find the pass that aligns perfectly with your aspirations.Register here. […]

A recent study conducted by ABC International Development (ABCID), in collaboration with The Asia Foundation titled State of the Media: Timor-Leste found that radio remains dominant in rural communities where TV access is limited.The provides comprehensive new insights into Timor-Leste’s media sector, outlining achievements and challenges facing the industry in Asia’s youngest democracy, 22 years after independence.ABCID is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s media development unit. It supports partner organisations in the Indo-Pacific region to pursue quality journalism, tell engaging stories and build strong connections with their communities.The study provides valuable evidence for Timor-Leste’s media sector as it navigates a digital future and champions media freedom. State of the Media: Timor-Leste explores the landscape that resulted in the young nation being ranked 10th out of 180 countries in last year’s World Press Freedom Index.There are some 26 radio stations across the country. Two consistently broadcast nationally – RTTL and GMN’s Nacional FM – while a third, Radio Maubere, run by political party Fretilin, also broadcasts across the country but only during election campaigns. The remaining six non-community radio stations are all based in and broadcast to the capital: Radio Liberdade, Radio Metro, Radio M3, Radio STL, Radio Timor Kmanek (of the Catholic Church), and Radio Vox. All but two of the seventeen community radio stations are based outside Dili, where they remain the near-exclusive form of media specifically targeting the needs of those local audiences. Fifteen are members of theTimor-Leste Community Radio Association (ARKTL)4, 5, 6 The two non-ARKTL community stations were established with government support in early 2023, in Atauro7 and Turiscai.Economic sustainability was raised by respondents as the biggest challenge for media, with many smaller operations dependent on volunteer labour. Most broadcasters – including community radio – depend to some degree on government funding and subsidies.While the data show that TV is more frequently accessed than radio, interviews with radio broadcasters revealed that radio remains the platform of choice for audiences without TV access in rural areas.Reflections on potential benefits and/or pitfalls varied from all three community radio stations interviewed. There was a general concern about the local administration potentially appropriating the station as their official communication channel. Further to this, respondents believe that the role of community radio is still not well understood by either national or local administrators. These positions reflect different perceptions of current circumstances, with all three stations stating that their current relationships with local administrations are positive and productive.Key research findings are:
Timor-Leste’s media sector is committed to capturing ‘the voices of the people’ to inform government about community perspectives and experiences.
Television is more frequently accessed than radio across urban and rural locations. However, radio remains dominant in rural communities where TV access is limited. 21% of all respondents reported they listen to radio a few times a week.
TV is the most trusted media source among citizens.
Mis/Disinformation, or ‘hoaxes’, is seen as a significant problem.
Economic sustainability was raised by respondents as the biggest media issue.
Balanced coverage is an industry-wide challenge.
Digital literacy and cyber security will need future attention.
ABC International Development Lead Jo Elsom said: “We’re excited to work with our Timorese partners to fill this knowledge gap and contribute to a better understanding of the media sector in Timor-Leste. Media can use this new information to help shape and strengthen their futures, to address business viability and meet audience needs.”​The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Timor-Leste, Héctor Salazar Salame, said: “The Asia Foundation has been a long-time supporter of a free and independent media in Timor-Leste. We believe that an independent media is a critical part of Timor-Leste’s vibrant democracy, and we commend Timor-Leste for maintaining one of the ‘most free’ media environments in Southeast Asia.”​ […]