ASIA

India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has approved new rates for advertisements to be issued on private FM radio stations for its policies and programmes.The new rates, which have been announced after eight years, include a 43 per cent increase in the base rate taking in to account the rising costs dynamics for the period of December 2015 to March 2023. The move would benefit more than 400 community radio stations across the country.The pricing formula for finalising the advertising rates takes into account various factors such as city population and listenership data from the India Readership Survey (IRS) of 2019, said a statement issued by the Ministry.

With this increase, the Gross Base Rate for FM radio advertisement will increase from Rs 52 to Rs 74 per 10 seconds.  The adjustment is intended to maintain parity with current market rates. Based on this formula along with the enhanced base rate, almost all private FM radio stations will benefit from the new recommended rates at varying percentages depending largely on their listenership giving value for both FM stations and the clients of Central Bureau of Communication.Based on this formula the rates for 106 stations will increase by 100 percent, a 50 to 100 percent increase for 81 stations, and a less than 50 percent increase for 65 stations for which listenership data is available.The Rate Structure Committee for Private FM Radio Stations was set up by the Ministry last year to evaluate and recommend new rates which were last revised in 2015. The Committee submitted its recommendations after holdings several rounds of meetings with industry experts and stakeholders in addition to taking inputs from bodies like Association of Radio Operators of India. […]

Key DRM stakeholders in India, and other parts of Asia and the world, gathered virtually for a news-packed meeting on October 12, stressing once again the need for the Government to take a decision on the FM band digitisation. The 40 key participants represented the automotive industry, public and private Indian broadcasters, chipset, module and receiver manufacturers from India, China, UK and Germany; other important decision-makers interested in the success of digital radio DRM in India also took part.The event offered a unique opportunity to get the latest and important DRM news from Asia. They refer to the Indonesian government pronouncing DRM as the standard for Digital Radio Broadcasting in MW and FM bands, and in VHF Band III, China’s commitment to DRM and the recommendation for the automotive industry to include DRM AM receivers in cars, as well as the firm commitment to DRM in all bands and its rollout in Pakistan.The update on digital radio in India and the latest TRAI recommendations, as well as the extra services offered by DRM (like Emergency Warning Functionality) and the new revenue possibilities opened up by DRM were at the heart of the presentation.

The new DRM1000 module of CML Micro/Cambridge Consultants, its integration into new Gospell receivers, the developments announced by the Indian company, Inntot, and the global perspective brought by NXP (NXP) rounded up a strong event. This underlined the growing strength of digital radio (in the AM and FM bands), the continued investments in DRM and the need for completing the Indian DRM roll-out.The conclusion of the meeting was that the Indian government needs to take a clear decision on digitising the FM bands. There was also the suggestion made to the government to add to the recent cell phone recommendation (to include FM) that of adding DRM and EWF requirement. At the end of the meeting the Indian and other major DRM stakeholders committed once again their support and readiness to get involved in the full DRM roll-out in India. […]

NYF Radio Awards Unveils Eight Exciting New Categories to Reflect the Dynamic Shift in Audio Content CreationThe New York Festivals® 2024 Radio Awards competition is open for entries.The New York Festivals Radio Awards provides a showcase to celebrate world-class storytellers from around the globe. NYF’s Radio Awards 66-year legacy honors creative innovation and excellence in broadcast and audio content across all genres and platforms.

“Our categories for investigative journalism and nonfiction series documentaries and social justice across all genres recognized how individual actions can change the world and the ability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity,” said Rose Anderson, SVP & Executive Director, New York Festivals Radio Awards.  “Today’s storytellers are finding innovative ways to keep listeners informed, entertained, and engaged in our ever-changing and interconnected world so the New York Festivals Radio Awards has introduced eight new categories that encompass that robust creative spirit.” NYF’s new SciFi/Fantasy/Horror and Mystery Programs categories expand the Entertainment roster. Editorial/Viewpoint News Feature rounds out the journalism-based News Reports/Features category group providing a new outlook on current events and thought-provoking perspectives.  Short Form Documentary offers additional opportunities to showcase distinctive points of view.New Podcast categories shine the spotlight on storytelling in a wide variety of topics.  Investigative Journalism Podcast features in-depth reporting into significant issues, events, or topics, and Mystery Podcast showcases narratives that keep listeners on the edge of their seats. On-Air talent categories honor top audio talent, new categories this year include News Correspondent/Reporter and Sports Correspondent/Reporter.The National Press Club is the World’s Leading Professional Organisation for Journalists™. The National Press Club Award, launched in 2023 in partnership with the National Press Club, goes to the highest scoring entry in the following News program categories: Coverage of Breaking News Story, Coverage of Ongoing News Story, Nonfiction Series, and News Podcast.For 2023, “Start Here” by ABC News in the News Podcast category earned the inaugural National Press Club Award. This year’s winner will be announced during the 2024 Storytellers Gala in April.

“Our partnership with the National Press Club continues, honoring journalists who are using their talents to tell the stories that matter and keep listeners informed,” added Ms. Anderson.View the 2024 NYF Radio Awards extensive category roster: HERE.The 2023 Radio Awards winners were honored in a virtual ceremony on April 18th during the NAB Show in Las Vegas.  This was the 14th consecutive year of NYF’s and NAB’s strategic partnership. Anchored from New York City’s Lincoln Center, over 160 teams sent their acceptances from around the world. Special vignettes featured industry leaders who shared what motivates their passion to create award-winning work. View the 2023 Storytellers Gala.NYF’s 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.New York Festivals invites award-winning industry leaders from 6 continents around the world to become members of their world-class Radio Awards Grand Jury. The 2024 Grand jury will be recruited in the coming weeks. Those jurors will include some of the most world’s recognizable voices and captivating content producers in the radio industry. Entries are judged on production values, creativity, content presentation, direction, writing, achievement of purpose, and audience suitability.All Entries in NYF’s 2024 Radio Awards will be judged by the NYF Grand Jury of 200+ producers, directors, writers, and other creative media professionals from around the globe.Award-winning entries for 2024 will be showcased in the Radio Awards winners gallery. To view the 2023 Radio Awards winner’s gallery, visit HERE.The entry deadline for the 2024 Radio Awards competition is January 31, 2024.To enter the 2024 Radio Awards please visit: HERE, for additional information visit: Rules and Regulations and 2024 Radio Awards categories.About New York Festivals: New York Festivals ®Celebrating the World’s Best Work since 1957About NAB ShowThe 2024 NAB Show will be held April 14-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. NAB Show is the world’s largest and most comprehensive convention encompassing the convergence of media, entertainment, and technology. NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life in new and exciting ways.About NAB The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org. […]

Content from BPRThere’s safety in numbers – right?Sometimes there are good reasons to follow the advice contained in these old aphorisms but in using this principle to choose the music you play on your radio station might be the worst thing that you could do.Let me explain.

Take the example of a ‘hit’ song that becomes a hit mostly because everyone else is playing it but not many people actually like it. The programmer who spends a lot of time following the music played on their competition or on the station they particularly like in another city but nobody knows the songs.Often decisions about songs played can be justified by  “ ….. station XXY is playing it a lot, they must have good research on it …”  however listeners don’t often share the same interest in other stations and are even less interested in what may be playing in another city.In BPR’s recent All Audio Survey the main reason that people return to radio after listening to streaming, podcasts, their own playlists etc etc is MUSIC. That means that radio’s curated music mix is one of its key strengths and for many people the reason they choose the station they listen to.Whether your station is chosen because it plays the best new songs, contemporary music or older hits the principle is the same – playing music your listeners know and like is the most important thing that you can do to attract or satisfy them.In the digital age when listeners can choose any station anywhere, people mostly don’t! Successful programmers who understand this also know the importance of well-crafted music programming based on well-chosen songs to deliver both passion and variety for their listeners.

Great music research comes after you have agreed on a clear strategy, and is based on the right mix of core and secondary listeners. Music programming must deliver music passion. – songs that listeners love.  You will never do that by following the crowd and simply doing what everyone else does.In recent times we hear the criticism that  ‘.. all stations play the same music …’ due to factors like more networking, group playlists or cost savings at the cost of hometown heroes. Music that is chosen for your listeners in your market can help focus on individual needs and market preferences.If listeners choose music as a reason to listen don’t they deserve better?By Peter Don, BPR […]

Indian network 93.5 RED FM, has launched a gaming concept on radio: the Quiz India Movement.It aims to capture the essence of trivia, India’s knowledge and light-hearted fun. The first season of Quiz India Movement began on 2nd October and will run till 19th November.Each season of Quiz India Movement is based on a certain theme. This year, Quiz India Movement by RED FM is giving cricket fans 49 days of rewards with a prize pool of Rs 2.1 million y answering questions on a dedicated microsite. The show is being hosted by cricket expert RJ Raunac.

Nisha Narayanan, Director & COO, RED FM, and Magic FM, said: “The campaign aims to blend the theatre of the mind element with a digital hook, setting it apart from other quiz shows. Quiz India Movement banks on the benefits of traditional radio and a new age platform social media to provide an enhanced audience experience. This year, the show has cricket as its theme, which acts as a fitting launch pad for season one, considering it is time for the World Cup.” […]

Selling Radio Direct with Pat BrysonYou’ve just sold a brand, new client. Yippee!!!!That’s what we say in Oklahoma when something great has happened.

You worked hard for this one. It may have taken weeks, months or even years to get their agreement. You may have the urge to sit back, rest a little, and enjoy the “win”.Now is when the real work begins. Our new client is now entering the critical first 3 or 4 months of their advertising campaign. In about 60 or 90 days, they will be smack dab in the middle of the “chicken out” period. What is this? How does it work?We know that campaigns created with the radio recipe of enough weekly frequency, long enough, and with a relevant message, still take time to ramp up. That’s why it is imperative that we use OES schedules, make them a minimum of 52 weeks, and utilize great creative. It’s like a train. You hook the engine to the train cars. The train begins to roll, slowly at first, chugging along. As it gains momentum, the train speeds up. Eventually, it reaches maximum capacity. It will continue to travel at maximum capacity as long as the engine is attached. If the engine is disconnected, the train will gradually slow down. But I digress.When we sell a new client, we must have a conversation UP FRONT, at the time we sell them, about the “chicken out” period. We need to forecast what their results will be like, how long it will take advertising to “ramp up”. The worst thing is to have our clients expect to air an ad today and have 50 people running into their store tomorrow shouting our call letters. Of course, in their heart of hearts, that’s what they want to happen. If we don’t manage their expectations, they will think “Radio doesn’t work”.What is this conversation? “Mr. Client, let’s talk about what you can expect to happen. The first people who will mention your ad will be family, friends, maybe some competitors. You’ll probably have some other radio reps come in: they listen to our stations. What you shouldn’t expect to happen is for customers to come in and tell you they heard it. That rarely happens. It will take from 6 to 9 months for your advertising to ramp up. Other clients have told us they see more results in the last 90 days of their campaign than in the first 9 months. I’m not saying you won’t see some results sooner, but that the full effect will take some time. So, please be patient with the process.”

What do we need to do in the first 90 days? We need to stick like glue to our new client. Whatever your agreement for client contact, exceed it. Be in touch weekly either by phone, email or in person. Send them articles on their industry. Refer business to them. Take them coffee, donuts. Invite them to lunch.We like to circulate the new client’s business and contact information to our front desk and our on-air people. Why? Because listeners often hear part of a message and contact us to get the rest of the story. We need to be prepared to direct customers to our clients.Of course, you send a thank you note. It’s a nice touch to have your manager send one as well, or perhaps a well-known on-air personality. These make your client feel extra special.The way we provide exceptional service in these first critical months will set the stage for a happy client or an unhappy one. Go the extra mile!Happy Servicing and Happy Selling! […]