ASIA

Expat radio station Surf 102.5 FM in Thailand’s resort town of Hua hin has rebranded as Surf Radio. 
The station started life 20 years ago as an initiative of Pongsawatch Charoennithithat with a vision to provide English radio for expat residents and visitors to the area. 
The station initially experienced some success, but soon faced challenges due to inadequate signal, and poor audio quality.

In 2015, Richard Buckle approached the owner with a view to transform and rebrand the station as Surf 102.5. 
Local businesses actively engaged with Surf for advertising and local community groups soon asked for promotion of their events, Surf 102.5 continued to grow in popularity.
Today, Surf Radio has undergone a major overhaul in terms of equipment, antenna, audio processing and high quality streaming.
Programming has been refreshed with new jingles voiced by legendary voiceover Mitch Craig that compliment Surf Radio’s playlist of mainly 80’s and 90’s hits, plus a sprinkling of  2000s, new tracks and a few classic old favourites.
Surf Radio’s new website is optimized for use on mobile phones, and the Surf Radio player appears similar to a radio app. […]

Content from BPRThe subject of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what it can contribute to media and broadcasting specifically is a topic so hot right now that pretty much by the time you finish writing an article about it, whatever you have written is behind the times.  We can look forward to a feeding frenzy of ideas and applications about how radio can utilise AI to enhance, extend and expand our content horizons so I am not going to delve into that but rather focus on the implications of AI and longer-term considerations.What got me thinking about this was a conversation with a friend who is about as far up the AI development food chain as you can get.  Admittedly not necessarily in audio applications but certainly in the higher-level applications of this amazing and slightly scary technology.

My first question was “So what is possible?” to which the answer was “Whatever you can imagine.”  This was quite a challenging response as I can imagine a lot, so I put to my friend the following.“What about a radio presenter with the topical edge of Howard Stern, the comedic timing of Bob Hope, the humour repertoire of Joan Rivers, the debating skill of Margaret Thatcher and which sounds like George Clooney”.My friend just smiled and replied “easy, so that’s all you want?”Well, it is not in fact as “easy” as all that, but it is entirely possible if the boffins have access to enough of the right reference data and modelling parameters.This prospect of engineering super AI personalities may seem fantastic, but it is comfortably within the remit of the technology.  The question is not so much what is possible but where we draw the line.  At present it seems the excitement about AI is moving well ahead of factoring the implications that may result.A recent example of this was the German magazine “Die Aktuell” which some weeks ago promoted an interview with Michael Schumacher stating the interview would “answer the burning questions that the whole world has been asking for so long”. However, the interview was not of course, with the real Schumacher but rather written by AI on a chatbot. To the horror of the Schumacher family the magazine sold it to their readers as a “world first”. The magazine even featured a photograph of a smiling Michael Schumacher on the front cover promoting the fake story. The Schumacher family are of course taking legal action and many wish them well in that pursuit.At this stage of the game no-one in their right mind can lay claim to knowing where AI is headed.  It is potentially the most expansive technology ever created because at a point it transcends human influence and becomes self-learning and self-developing if designed and allowed to do so.  It will not be a rabbit we put back into the hat easily because the commercial opportunities of AI will create such momentum and demand for the technology it will be a brave person who argues putting the brakes on and pausing to think for a while.So it’s not so much a matter of debating the potential and limits of the technology but rather the implications of the technology.In terms of broadcast some of the implications include:Copyright: What protections if any, will personalities have to their voice, content, style and personal story?Security: What protections will we need to prevent malicious interference, such as hackers accessing your AI traffic reports and turning them into a guide to Karma Sutra positions or a disgruntled employee deciding to leave you with a “special” message in the 7am news, read by your AI news anchor.Competitiveness: What if at the flick of a switch your competitor can have an AI personality that is funnier, smarter, wiser and knows exactly what “less is more” is all about compared to the real presenter you have that costs a fortune, never shuts up and is difficult to manage.Legal: What if a malicious interference leads to your station AI voice defaming someone or spreading false information.  Where does a station sit legally with that?  For some reason I think a defence of blaming the AI will not stand up in court.Listeners: What will listeners think about it all?  Will they even notice? Will there be a value placed on a real presenter or will they not care? Will it simply be about who entertains and informs them the best.Presenters: What does it mean to real presenters when they are competing against more knowledgeable, funnier AI presenters who never have “bad days”, deliver a perfect sense of timing, don’t take holidays, never get sick, have no problem filling a 6-hour show on a Sunday, do everything they are told and are cheaper?Radio’s Competitors: What does it mean to radio when our streaming competitors can replicate everything a radio station can offer with at least an equal degree of personality, content and localism?The main message is that while we all rush towards what AI can do for radio, pause a moment to consider what it may do to radio. This is not something you can stop or ignore. Look for the opportunities, protect against the threats, avoid the hype and pause occasionally to think.By the way, this was written by the real Wayne Clouten…not a Chatbot. Trust me, I’m a consultant.By Wayne Clouten, BPR […]

Attendees to Radiodays Asia 2023 can join a free workshop on Monday 4th September: How to design and plan your podcast by using the MethodKit for Podcasts. A workshop with DW Akademie and Public Media Alliance.Whether you’re an audio pro or just starting out, the MethodKit for Podcasts developed by DW Akademie can be used across every aspect of your podcast — from development to production to distribution to marketing or from audience growth to content ideation and more.In this session, you’ll learn how to use this new analogue and digital tool, as well as find out more about its development and how it’s being used globally. Furthermore, you’ll discuss about the value of podcasts in times of crises and how podcasts can complement breaking news.

The MethodKit for Podcasts was developed in collaboration with leading podcast experts from around the world and includes 61 cards designed to help you and your team discuss, map, plan, ideate & prioritise your podcast journey. The kit has been translated into 28 languages.More details, including how to book, will be released shortly. […]

On Sunday, July 30, Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, launched the installation project of a 1000-kilowatt Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) digital transmitter at HPT complex, Rawat, Rawalpindi, at a cost of 0.4 billion Pakistani rupees.She said the groundbreaking initiative, set to be completed within two years, marked a significant milestone in the Radio Pakistan’s history and would revolutionize broadcasting capabilities. She termed DRM Technology as inevitable to meet the needs of modern broadcasting as analogue and shortwave technology become obsoleted.This will increase the signal strength and coverage area of Radio Pakistan’s broadcasts to 52 countries in Central Asia, Middle East, Far East and eastern Europe, in addition to south Asia. Among the countries which would benefit from Radio Pakistan’s DRM broadcasts are Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Iran, UAE, Qatar, Turkmenistan, and others.

Aurangzeb, who announced the project and its support by the government at the beginning of July already, underlined that the modern transmitter, based on DRM technology, will be able to transmit up to four different signals simultaneously. The minister said the new transmitter would thus enable dissemination of vital emergency information to all citizens during natural calamities.The sound quality of Radio Pakistan’s broadcasts would also be substantially improved, enhancing the overall listening experience for audiences. In addition, the use of the DRM technology would achieve significant cost savings for Radio Pakistan, with an estimated 33 percent reduction in electricity consumption.The Minister congratulated the whole nation on the launch of this complex project and appreciated the hard work the Director General Radio Pakistan and of all officials who put in their efforts to start it.She stressed that the Government’ decision to digitise Radio Pakistan after 75 years had been lauded by the international DRM Consortium. The inauguration is part of phase 1 of a three-phase DRM digitisation plan of the country’s public broadcaster; in effect, this signifies that Pakistan has embraced the DRM standard in all bands for the whole country. She also asked the Director General of Radio Pakistan to complete the project within one year, ahead of the two years stipulated time. […]

The draft Programme for Radiodays Asia 2023, to be held on September 5 and 6 in Kuala Lumpur, has been announced.On Monday, September 4, there will be a Podcast Design Workshop with DW Akademie and Public Media Alliance.Day 1 on Tuesday, September 5, will start with Opening keynotes and welcoming addresses from radio executives from India, Malaysia and Australia.

Track 1 will feature these sessions in the morning:
The Future of Radio: Transition, evolution and transformation by Kenny Ong, CEO of Astro Radio, Malaysia.
How AI is transforming radio’s entire value by Christian Schalt, Chief Digital Officer at RTL, Germany.
Creating powerful radio – and beyond, a keynote session with Valerie Geller, international radio coach and author from the USA, on how be a great communicator in radio and podcasting.
The power of disruption, a case study which involves hiring an ex-minister for a radio breakfast show after his termination from politics, an unexpected and unique move, with Nazri Noran, CEO of Media Prima, Malaysia.
Radio Plus: Increase revenue by focusing on outcomes instead of output with CEO of BigFM, India, Abe Thomas.
Interactive Car Dashboards & New Revenue Streams with Philippe Generali, CEO of RCS.
Afternoon sessions for Track 1 include:
CADA – Building a new multi-platform audio brand for youth with Emily Copeland
360 – Next generation measurement data  with Deb Hishon, Media Measurement Director, ANZ at GfK
The AI challenge – From Mumbai to Beijing
The AI Advantage – how to leverage AI technology for ratings & revenue  with Paul Kaye Rogers, Canada & Francis Currie, UK
Radioplayer – driving Asian radio into the future with Yann Legarson, CEO, Radioplayer, France.
Rapid response podcast
The Gen Z challenge
 Track 2 will begin in the afternoon and feature these sessions:
Cool tools for your radio station from the podcast world with James Cridland, radio futurologist and editor of Podnews.
Conversations with Richard Fidler with Steve Ahern, ABC Sydney.
The mysterious audio world of Japan with Guy Perryman, producer and presenter at Inter FM in Tokyo.
Visual Audio with David Hua, SBS, Australia.
Malaysia: What is driving audiences to radio? with June Pang, head of the Malaysia media measurement of GfK,
Low cost DAB with Jaqueline Bierhorst, Digital Radio NL and Nick Piggott, Radiateideas, UK
The power of local radio featuring speakers from Malaysia and Australia.
 On Day 2, Wednesday, September 6, Podcast Day Asia will be Track 2, and Track 1 will have the following sessions:
What can we learn from radio’s success in Australia? with Paul Amos, Xtra insights
Music vs Speech: What’s the perfect mix? A panel discussion with Guy Dobson and others.
Audio discovery in car
Audio apps and innovative digital platforms
Successful radio innovations in Asia
How to unlock your leadership with Pascal Grierson, UK and Kenny Ong, Astro, Malaysia.
Radio: Where are your women?  with Andrea Ho, from AFTRS, Australia
Journalism: Covering the Uncovered
What’s next in AI? How will radio and broadcast change?
25 ideas in 25 minutes
Podcast Day Asia in Track 2 all day will have these sessions:
The last 12 months in podcasting – and were we go next  with James Cridland, Editor of Podnews
Same but different – Podcasts across Asia with Guang Jin Yeo, Singapore
Asian podcast listening habits with Timi Siytangco, Acast, Singapore
Common mistakes podcasters make within their first 5 years with Norma Jean Belenky, Podbean.
USA: Telling a compelling story with Gregory Warner, USA, host of the NPR podcast Rough Translation.
Podcast monetisation – how to make money with Kym Treasure, Raven Lim and Timi Siytangco.
The fight for ears: New listening data highlights the pivot on podcast with Kellie Riordan, Deadset Studios, Australia, will unpack new exclusive Australian research on habits, preferences, and profiles.
Showcase: Podcast India
Podcasting is not just audio anymore with Mae Miryam Thomas, India, and others.
KJ – A Malaysian pod success with Khairy Jamaluddin
The best of the best podcasts – Asian success shows
What’s Next for Podcasting
Register for Radiodays Asia 2023 here. […]

According to a report by Rappler, DWPM Radyo 630 — a joint project between ABS-CBN and House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s Prime Media Holdings Incorporated, started broadcasting nearly all-day programming from July 17.The two companies had announced a joint venture in May, where ABS-CBN would provide content while Prime Media controls the distribution and broadcasting.DWPM Radyo 630 TeleRadyo Serbisyo Para sa Mamamayan (TeleRadyo Service For the People) signals ABS-CBN’s return on free radio, more than three years after it lost its free-to-air channels.

Radyo 630 had a soft launch for two weeks, from June 30 to July 16, with half-day programming from 6 am to 12:30 pm, and the hook-up of ABS-CBN’s flagship news program, TV Patrol, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm on 630 kilohertz (kHz) on the AM band. It started its YouTube streaming on July 3.It features ABS-CBN anchors, reporters and former DZMM TeleRadyo talents filling up the afternoon to evening slots.ABS-CBN sports news anchor Migs Bustos hosts Share Ko Lang, a program on “inspiring and trending” stories from 1 pm to 2 pm.From 2 pm to 3:30 pm, a free legal advice show, Hello Attorney, airs with lawyer Noel del Prado and ABS-CBN reporter Lyza Aquino.The KarTon tandem of ABS-CBN anchors Karmina Constantino and Tony Velasquez moves from the morning to the afternoon with Isyu Spotted, from 4 pm to 5 pm, from Mondays to Fridays. They used to anchor, On the Spot (OTS), on TeleRadyo, from 9 am to 10:30 am.Peter Musngi, also known as the voice of ABS-CBN, returns to the afternoon with ABS-CBN news anchor, Rica Lazo, on Pasada from 5 pm to 6:30 pm.ABS-CBN’s chief of reporters, Jeff Canoy, caps Radyo 630’s whole-day programming with Amy Perez from 8 pm to 10 pm on Kasalo.Prior to the closure of TeleRadyo, the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2023 had ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo and GMA’s Radyo DZBB as the leading stations with a 13% share each in weekly use. […]