ASIA

The French audio specialist and equipment manufacturer Digigram has announced the release of a new Dante sound card as part of its ALP-X range. Available from Digigram’s network of distributors, ALP-DANTE is the sixth addition to the fast growing range of ALP-X sound cards launched in 2022.

ALP-DANTE was developed using Digigram’s sturdy platform, which proven design powers all cards within the ALP-X range with legendary reliability. PCIe ALP-DANTE puts forward many unique features that have been designed to empower professional audio users who operate Dante networks, paving the way to a large panel of critical audio applications.

Unique on the market is the card’s low-profile form factor, coupled to a fanless design that provides compelling assets to address audio applications where space and reliability are at stake. In addition to the two Ethernet ports which secure a seamless Dante network redundancy for use cases where reliability is paramount, ALP-DANTE has 2 Ethernet switch ports for easier connectivity to other Dante/AES67 devices.

Several cards can be installed in the same workstation to increase the channel count and deploy large structures. Also, ALP-DANTE operates under Windows and Linux environments to address multiple applications regardless of the operating systems. Lastly, the card seamlessly integrates Dante networks thanks to the usual Dante Controller interface.

ALP-DANTE capitalizes on Digigram’s decades of expertise and naturally comes as the new powerful addition to the ALP-X range, with added benefits.

A slim and efficient design that pushes reliability and sustainability one step further, or expanded capacities to address critical audio applications are among the game-changer features of the ALP-DANTE. “The card is the right fit for a large array of applications, whether it is broadcast, high channel count recording, playout, real-time processing, or any 365/24/7 run application” states Stéphane Bert, Digigram’s Presales Manager. […]

It was certainly very sad news the world received recently that media legend Sir Michael Parkinson had passed away.Parkinson’s first career choice was to be a first class or even Test cricketer; but alas, it was not to be. Instead it was his second career choice, journalism, that made him a household name interviewing some of the most famous people of our time.Among those he admired most, he cited only Frank Sinatra, Katharine Hepburn and the cricketer, Shane Warne as well as Sir Donald Bradman on a shortlist of “the ones that got away”. Bob Dylan also eluded him, although they met once when they were staying in the same hotel.

“Eggs over easy and coffee,” Dylan told him when Parkinson approached him at breakfast and told him that he loved his music. However, the one place Parkinson was not the world’s most famous TV interviewer was America….. Bob Dylan had mistaken him for a waiter.His trademarks were his warmth and enthusiasm, and a recognition that the first requirement of a successful interviewer was to be a good listener. Parkinson also knew how to control an interview: “I am the boss, not them. It’s my patch, not theirs. This is my home … they have got to come down my stairs into my living room and talk to me.”These are valuable lessons for radio hosts today….. to be a great listener and to know how to control the interview.Too many times I hear the host reading from a list of questions without paying attention to what the guest has just said to the previous question. The host just marches on regardless, often missing the chance to open a very entertaining “door” that the guest had just left ajar.It also sounds to the listener that the host isn’t listening to the responses which can be inferred as disrespect.Then there’s control. If you let the guest take control you have no idea where the interview will lead. It will end up being a rambling mess of words strung together. This is not entertainment.Sir Michael Parkinson knew how to make an interview entertaining.Vale Sir Michael Parkinson.By David Kidd, BPR […]

According to a recent survey by Nielsen Review and Consumer & Media View (CMV), radio stations under Media Prima Audio (MPA) reached more than 5.5 Million weekly listeners.Based on the Weekly Hearing Review for Individuals aged 15 years and above in Peninsular Malaysia, the survey was conducted from July 2022 to June 2023.Malay-language radio station Hot FM has maintained its position as the number one radio station with a steady listenership of 3.73 million people. The station has held various exciting campaigns, such as Hot Hulur Wang Sama Listener (HWSP), where winners stand a chance to win a cash prize of RM300,000. In addition, there are also Hot Awards, Last Beat Hot FM, Hot Picnics in several locations, and various other campaigns.

On October 26, 2023, Hot FM took the initiative to introduce a new combination for the HotFlix segment with Ayu and Aidil Fikri. Aidil Fikri is Malaysia’s first Malay-speaking AI DJ. After three weeks of Ayu and Aidil Fikri broadcasting in the segment, they have received a positive response from listeners, who consider DJ AI as something fresh and new in the radio industry.Fly FM managed to maintain its position as the number two English-language radio station in Malaysia with 2.11 million loyal listeners tuning in to the station every day. It ran various exciting campaigns, including Code Breaker, RnB Flydays x DJs Playground, as well as being the first radio station in Malaysia to introduce AI radio presenter Aina.Kool 101, the station formerly known as the FM Bulletin, has 192,000 loyal listeners 192,000 loyal listeners. It launched various campaigns to establish closer ties with the people through campaigns based on current and social issues.Campaigns organised by 8FM, which has been rebranded Eight FM have received support from 592,000 listeners.MPA’s CEO, Nazri Noran, said: “We are constantly working to make improvements to each of our stations, by improving the quality of content and meeting the needs of listeners. I would also like to thank our listeners who have always faithfully listened to the radios on Media Prima Audio, as well as our partners who have provided us with great support throughout the time. Without the support of all of you, we would not have been able to achieve our position as the number one radio station in Malaysia.” […]

Palestininan Journalist Yaaqoub Albarsh, executive director of Namaa Radio, died on Sunday after sustaining injuries from an Israeli airstrike on his home in northern Gaza,  according to the Beirut-based press freedom group SKeyes, the Ramallah-based Palestinian news network SHFA, the Palestinian press freedom group MADA.The Israeli aggression on Gaza has taken a severe toll on journalists since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7 and Israel declared war on the militant Palestinian group, launching strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.According to CPJ, this is the deadliest month for journalists since it began gathering data in 1992.

As of November 14:
42 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 37 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 1 Lebanese.
9 journalists were reported injured.
3 journalists were reported missing.
13 journalists were reported arrested.
The dead include Palestinian freelance journalists working for international news services, and others who work for local news outlets crucial for local understanding of what’s happening. Many have died in air strikes on their homes, some alongside their children and families.The Israeli Defence Forces insist they do not target journalists, but Reporters Without Borders says at least ten have been killed while clearly covering the news.Israeli politicians have also explicitly called for the murder of reporters in Gaza. The National Public Diplomacy Directorate of the prime minister’s office described the journalists as “accomplices to crimes against humanity” and demanded “that immediate action be taken,” Danny Danon, a member of the Israeli parliament, in a post on X,  called for the“elimination” of photo-journalists “who participated in covering the massacre.”Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned these calls, saying “Israeli authorities have gone from claims that they cannot guarantee the protection of journalists in Gaza to death threats against reporters covering the conflict based on suspicions that are so far unsupported by arguments or evidence. Statements discrediting the integrity of an entire profession on this basis are unacceptable. They condone and incite the persecution of those who are risking their lives to report the news. We condemn these statements and reiterate that targeting journalists who cover conflicts is a war crime.” “CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.” […]

Jacqueline Bierhorst has been elected as President of WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB+ digitalradio. Bierhorst was previously the Vice President, and has represented Digital Radio Netherlands on theorganisation’s Steering Board since 2015.She takes over from Patrick Hannon, who is stepping down after ten years in the role. The handover took place at the annual WorldDAB Summit, held this year in Munich, Germany.Speaking at the Summit, Bierhorst paid tribute to Hannon’s work as President. “His leadership, enthusiasm, and vision helped shape the course of WorldDAB for the past ten years. We have witnessed an exponential growth of DAB+ across the globe and how DAB+ is now included as standard in every new car in Europe and beyond.”

Bierhorst added: “It is a privilege to be part of a mission that not only has the potential to revolutionise the way the world listens to radio but is already making a huge impact helping radio thrive and making sure every person can enjoy free-to-air digital radio on the move, at home or at work, with DAB+ at the heart of this listening experience.”Elsewhere at the conference, the President of Bavarian regulator BLM, Dr Thorsten Schmiege, gave his prognosis for radio’s future. “If DAB+ continues to develop in this way, it seems likely that in two or three years more people will listen to radio in Bavaria via digital delivery methods than via FM,” he said. “Reason enough for us the Bavarian Regulatory Authority, as part of its ‘Audio Strategy 2025,’ to work together with broadcasters on concepts for a migration to DAB+.” Schmiege stressed this cooperation was critical: “The switchover to DAB+ can only be undertaken jointly and with the greatest possible regional coverage – it should involve as little loss of daily reach as possible,” he said.Meanwhile, Hervé Godechot of French regulator Arcom, highlighted the rapid growth of DAB. “In France, a total of 556 stations, from major networks to smaller ones, including the public service Radio France, have been authorised to broadcast on DAB+, and 110 multiplexes are currently on air. Since the summer more than half of French listeners are in areas where they access DAB+.” Godechot added that 300 new transmitters will increase population coverage to 62.2% by next March, while the DAB+ trial in the French overseas territory of Martinique has been extended to next summer. Godechot said the forthcoming “white paper” on radio would review the economics and technologies involved, alongside the evolution of uses and roads to success.Over 400 attendees in Munich and online heard speakers set out the continuing global growth of DAB, with updates on the significant progress being made in Ghana, Indonesia, Bahrain and Australia.DAB’s importance in Android Automotive’s latest release was discussed by Joseph D’Angelo of Xperi and Gregor Pötzsch from CARIAD, Volkswagen Group. The increasing role of DAB+ in providing emergency warnings also featured, with the Chair of WorldDAB’s Technical Committee, Lindsay Cornell, giving an update the work of an Emergency Warnings task force, set up to define requirements and testing methods for receiver features ahead of international implementation. Media DAB presented Italy’s first use of DAB+ in an emergency, in this case displaying an image of a missing girl on receiver screens.Summit sessions also included the red-hot topic of AI with Luigi Troiano of data company Kebula and Yann Legarson from Radioplayer exploring how DAB+ can work with AI, and how it can help personalisation, while BMT’s Mathias Küfner described how it was using AI to generate content cover art for DAB+ displays. Dr Lawrie Hallett of the University of Bedfordshire in the UK previewed his forthcoming report on smallscale DAB+, setting out how it can “grow the digital radio cake” by helping to promote DAB in previously under-served sectors. […]

Content from BPRTalk radio has been a mainstay of both commercial and public broadcasting for a very long time.It could be called “the original social media platform”……..giving listeners the chance to express their views to a wider audience and engage with the hosts.

Yes, Talk radio is expensive to run compared with music formats, but unlike other formats the content is difficult to replicate.That’s a USP!There are many reasons why Talk radio will survive and remain relevant in the future.Here are just a few:Audience Engagement. Talk radio offers a unique form of engagement, allowing listeners to speak with their favourite Talk personalities through talk back, social media or online chat. This interaction creates a sense of community among the audience, which is not found in other media formats.Local Relevance. Talk radio stations focus on issues and topics that matter to their listeners, again, providing a sense of community. Local news, weather, traffic, politics and discussions about concerns that are close to the listener equate to building a strong bond with the audience.Diverse Content. Talk radio covers a wide range of topics, from politics and current events to entertainment, health, lifestyle, sport etc.Accessibility and Convenience. Radio in all formats, talk or music, has always been easily accessible through traditional radio receivers, but it has also adapted to the digital age, with online streaming, podcasts and mobile apps. This adaptability ensures that listeners can tune in anywhere and at any time.Companionship. Great Talk radio hosts develop a personal connection with their audience, creating a sense of companionship. Listeners often turn to their favourite hosts for comfort, advice and entertainment, especially during long commutes or solitary moments. The personalities make the “complicated sound simple”……they explain the issues impacting their listeners’ lives in clear and concise terms.Zero Screen Dependency. Now we programmers already know this but it’s worth mentioning again. Unlike television, Netflix (etc) or YouTube, talk radio doesn’t require constant visual attention. People can listen while driving, working, exercising, or doing things around the house, making it a flexible choice for multi-tasking.Entertainment. Great Talk radio is highly entertaining (to fans of the format) not just informative. Regurgitating information without presenting it in an entertaining manner is a recipe for disaster in the digital age. This entertainment factor, driven by high profile personalities who understand the issues that matter to their listeners, is a powerful point of difference that provides longevity to the format.Challenges to Newer Mediums. Let’s face it…..many people like it when someone else does the work for them! While streaming services and on-demand content have gained in popularity, they also have some downsides. Subscription costs, choice overload and the need to actively select content can lead to decision fatigue. There are many podcasts available that attempt to compete with Talk radio BUT the advantage Talk stations offer is a CURATED experience….it takes taking the decision making burden off the listener. Oh….and you can’t interact with a podcast!Loyal Listeners. Many talk radio shows have established a loyal fan base over the years. These devoted listeners often identify strongly with specific hosts or stations, making it less likely for them to abandon the medium in favour of newer alternatives.Aging population. Talk radio’s strength lies with the 50+ demographic, listeners who when they were teenagers never thought that one day they’d be listening to a Talk station. It’s just part of the lifecycle of radio listening. Now, the good thing for Talk radio is that, as we all know, the population is aging. In 1993, the 50+ demographic made up 25% of Australia’s population; in 2023, that figure is now 35% and will continue to grow.Opinion based Talk Radio. Opinion based (especially political) talk radio has a dedicated following due to its focus on specific beliefs and perspectives. Usually this defers to the conservative wing of politics. Listeners seeking a platform that aligns with their views can find solace and validation in talk radio shows that echo their beliefs.The late Rush Limbaugh is an excellent example of how to create great Opinion based Talk radio.And please remember, Rush started his career in radio as an announcer on CHR stations.His initial success as a Talk host in the US spawned a nation of imitators. Throughout the country hosts and executives heard Rush and concluded that the key to success was bashing the “liberal left” for three hours – or all day!Oddly that wasn’t Rush’s original mission. When Ed McLaughlin, the boss of ABC Radio Networks, launched Rush’s show an article appeared quoting Rush and his role.Rush said, “I’m here to inform, inform, inform.”Walter Sabo, the respected Talk programmer, was with Ed McLaughlin the day the article quoting Rush appeared.Walter Sabo: “Ed said to me, “I will have to talk to Rush about that. His most important job is to entertain.Following Ed’s conversation with him, Rush carried out his mission, he entertained while also informing.Rush did not get ratings and cash for espousing conservative views. There were other spokespeople who did that very well such as William F Buckley – an erudite conservative who never got ratings.Listening hard to Rush airchecks, he was mostly entertaining.How did he do that? First, he never offered duplicate arguments for his opinions. Every single day he presented brand new evidence and facts and stories to support his point of view. Secondly, he riffed.There were long periods featuring funny, human stories. Cat stories! Third, Rush understood radio to a pristine point of science. When he had nothing to say, he used the medium’s most powerful tool… silence!He understood the essential bond with the listener and therefore we never heard his producer on talkback, rarely, rarely, rarely a guest interview. Phone calls were extremely well screened, coached and ready for air. Sharp produced bits were designed to drive the conversation. The show was a show not a lecture.Today’s winning hosts don’t waste time forming political opinions, they invest their time in building an entertaining show.”As long as Talk radio continues to be in touch with the values and lifestyles of the audience and simultaneously entertains & informs i.e. inform entertainingly and entertain informingly, the future of the format looks great!!By David Kidd, BPRMain Pic: Shutterstock […]