ASIA

New York Festivals® 2023 Radio Awards has announced the Grand Jury.“We look for wide experience, demonstrated achievement and geographic diversity in our jury members as a way of quantifying fairness in the selection process. All of our Grand Jury members volunteer their time and are award winners themselves,” said Rose Anderson, SVP, Executive Director, New York Festivals Radio Awards.This year’s powerhouse Grand Jury of prominent international radio industry executives represent 19 countries on 6 continents. Populated with some of the most respected content creators, industry thought leaders and most recognizable voices in the industry, these 100+ directors, producers, journalists, writers, and sound artists embody passion and innovation for audio information and entertainment. The 2023 panel’s stellar reputation and diverse areas of expertise across ensure that this peer-judging process provides each entry with the attention it deserves.Emanating from some of the most prestigious and respected companies worldwide, these leaders champion innovative storytelling in news, documentary, entertainment, sports, and corporate image.The impressive roster of companies our jurors represent include SiriusXM, BBC, Radio Mitre S.A., Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, HarperCollins Publishers UK, Radio-Canada Ohdio, Talkers Magazine, Accompany Studios, Bioneers, TBI Media, Penguin Random House UK, Magnum Opus Broadcasting, NASA/JPL, Radio City, New York Philharmonic, Radio New Zealand, CliffCentral, Southern Ocean Media, TBI Media Ltd, and Clare FM.Grand Jury Members include:
Richard Baker, Founder/Director, Southern Ocean Media – Australia
Andrew Biggs, Imaging Producer/Director, Eyesound – New Zealand
Benoit Bories, Director/Producer, Faïdos Sonore/Créations sonores – France 
Olya Booyar, Head of Radio, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union – Malaysia
Rina Broomberg, Director, CliffCentral – South Africa
Paul Bushnell, Aukland Manager, Radio New Zealand – New Zealand 
Diego Cannizzaro, Owner & Director, DMC Studio – Argentina
Jennie Cataldo, Owner & Producer, Accompany Studios – USA
Chris Colbert, Chief Executive Officer, DCP Entertainment – USA
Juan Pablo Cordoba, Productor Artístico, Radio Mitre S.A. – Argentina
Nick Davis, Executive Director, Engagement & Inclusion, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Canada
Padraic Flaherty, Head of Operations & Group Program Director, Clare FM – Ireland
Rebecca Fortuin, Senior Audio Editor for HQ, M&B and Farshore, HarperCollins Publishers – UK
Michael Freedman, Professorial Lecturer – Journalism, Executive Producer – The Kalb Report & 113th President – National Press Club, The George Washington University & National Press Club – USA
Gary Haberfield, Managing Director/Executive Producer, Spiteful Puppet Entertainment – UK
Dylan Haskins, Commissioning Executive for Podcasts, BBC Sounds & BBC Radio 5 Live – UK
Caroline Jamet, General Manager, Radio, Digital Audio & Greater Montreal Radio-Canada – Canada
Geoff Jein, Head of Audio, TBI Media Ltd – UK
James Keyte, Head of Audio Content, Penguin Random House UK – United Kingdom
Götz Naleppa, Drama Director & Sound Artist, Naleppa Audio Productions – Germany 
Steve Levine, Owner & Producer, Magnum Opus – United Kingdom
Astha Mandiratta, Head Client Solutions, Network18 – India
Siobhan McHugh, Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Wollongong – Australia
Leslie Mullen, Producer, NASA/JPL – USA 
Anurita Patel, Vice President, Zonal Programming & Audacity, Radio City – India
Helen Quigley, Head of Production, B7 Production Limited – UK 
Des Shaw, Co-Founder, Zinc Media – UK
Helen Shaw, Founder/Director, Athena Media – Ireland
Lou Simon, Vice President, Music Programming, SiriusXM Radio – USA
Fyona Smith, Managing Editor, Today FM, Bauer Media Audio Ireland – Ireland
Mark Travis, Director Media Production, New York Philharmonic – USA
Carole Zimmer, Journalist & Host, “Now What?” – USA
To view the entire 2023 NYF Radio Awards Grand Jury visit, HERE.The NYF Radio Awards Grand Jury members view all entries during online judging panels to determine a score based on industry specific criteria. Juries determine Gold, Silver, and Bronze Trophy and Finalist Diploma Winners. The top-scoring entries are honored with the Grand Trophy.  Special Industry Awards honor Broadcaster of the Year and Production Company of the Year.The newly unveiled National Press Club Award will go to the highest scoring entry in the following news program categories: Best Coverage Of Breaking News Story, Best Coverage Of Ongoing News Story, Best Nonfiction Series and News Podcast.The New York Festivals Radio Awards 65-year legacy provides a showcase to celebrate world-class storytellers from around the globe.  Since 1957 the competition has celebrated innovation and excellence in broadcast audio content across all genres and platforms keeping pace with industry developments and global trends.  All entries within the competition are judged by international panels of award-winning creative professionals who are respected within the broadcast industry.The entry deadline for the 2023 Radio Awards competition is January 31, 2023. To enter please visit: HERE, for additional information visit:Rules and Regulations and 2023 Radio Awards Categories.All 2023 award winners will be celebrated at the NYF Storytellers Gala taking place on April 18th at the 2023 NAB Show Centennial in Las Vegas. This is the 13th year of New York Festivals strategic partnership with NAB.To view the 2022 NYF Radio Award winners showcase, visit: HERE. […]

Tieline has released their highly anticipated HTML5 TieServer Web Console management tool.The TieServer Web Console is used to register networked codecs to a TieServer domain and configure and control Report-IT user accounts.The new HTML5 TieServer Web Console delivers an improved layout and more efficient control of Tieline devices connected to TieServer. It is available for a low annual subscription and provides several benefits, including:
The ability to easily configure, view and manage large numbers of codecs, sharing servers and Report-IT user accounts.
Access to VIP-Connect which delivers an automated login authentication process to assist talent and guests to log in by sending them a unique VIP-Connect URL.
Existing customers can visit www.tieserver.com to use the updated HTML5 browser with the same login credentials as the old Java Web Start version of the TieServer Console. This landing page also provides a link to access to the old Java version.New customers can try the TieServer Web Console by requesting a two-week Cloud Services demo at www.tieline.com/register.The TieServer Console app for iOS and Android is still available as a free download to set up and manage a small number of Report-IT user accounts.For more information visit www.tieline.com/products or contact Tieline sales: […]

Content from BPRWhen was the last time you heard a radio listener say that they were passionate about a radio station that they listen to? Probably not as frequently as one would like. Many factors can cause a decline in listener passion. One of them is the strict adherence to format rules and structure. Highly formatted stations leave little room for spontaneity. In fact, spontaneity is often discouraged and considered to be a “deviation” from the format. Whereas a format can provide a station’s programs with structure and direction, it can also prevent on-air performers from being creative and using their talent as a means to connect with listeners.I recall specific instances when a program director praised me for properly executing a format and in turn discouraged me from developing a persona within that format.  Of course, not every presenter has the ability to be spontaneous and creative. However, strict adherence to the format leaves little or no room for growth on the part of the presenter.Next time you conduct a listener focus group ask the question “Do you like to listen to a station whose presenters are highly predictable and talk about the same things from one day to the next?” Chances are that few listeners will respond in the affirmative.The element of freshness is fundamental to human communication. People who say and do the same thing all the time are boring. Interesting people offer us ideas and observations that are fresh and new. Talk radio is founded not just on information but opinion and insight as well. Without it, talk radio would wither on the vine. To a degree, the same applies to other formats. Listeners want to be surprised. This does not mean that listeners want to be shocked or offended but rather that they want to be exposed to new ideas, thoughts and observations.People are passionate about things that excite them and stir their imagination. Unfortunately, modern day radio too often fails in this respect. As entertainers and informers, we must be prepared to present our audiences with programs that offer both consistency and imagination.  Otherwise, they will go elsewhere maybe even leave radio altogether.Passion is contagious. Repetition does not create passion, creativity does. As has been said many times, “If what you’re doing isn’t working try something new.”By Andy Beaubien, BPR […]

Comrex is now shipping BRIC-Link III. Debuted at NAB 2022, the latest model in its popular cost-effective IP audio codec line features a new, more powerful processor for improved reliability in addition to enhanced front panel indicators, including four buttons which will trigger contact closures by default and are configurable for auto-connections to other Comrex IP audio codecs.BRIC-Link III includes CrossLock VPN technology, Comrex’s proprietary suite of reliability tools which offers an expanded array of techniques including improved congestion detection, redundant transmission, forward error correction, and deadline-sensitive retransmission. Plus, with the ability to use multiple IP networks for increased bandwidth in addition to the intelligent monitoring and dynamic adjustment of data packets, CrossLock optimizes audio for transmission over the public Internet and provides peace of mind to broadcast engineers.With a suite of encoding algorithms including stereo and mono linear mode, FLAC modes, AAC/HE-AAC modes, Opus, G.722 and G.711, BRIC-Link III can accommodate a wide variety of applications. BRIC-Link IP audio codecs are commonly used in home studios, as STLs, for voice-over delivery, for sportscasting, and for many other situations that require point-to-point connections. With additional operation modes like HTTP and IP Multicast, BRIC-Link III can alsofunction as a streaming server or send audio to multiple locations (depending on network bandwidth), making it an incredibly versatile hardware codec with an entry-level price point.BRIC-Link III is compatible with all other Comrex IP audio codecs, including the ACCESS codec line as well as older BRIC-Link models. It also includes EBU 3326/SIP mode for interoperability with third-party manufacturer codecs.BRIC-Link III works with Comrex Gagl, a new service now available for remote contribution. Gagl turns any Comrex IP audio codec into a hub for up to five participants. […]

The next ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium event will be organised as an in-person event from the 6-9 March 2023 at Kuala Lumpur. It attracts close to 1,500 participants annually, representing over 350 organisations across the region and beyond.An ever-expanding range of technologies is now on the market, providing broadcasters with important new opportunities. DBS showcases these to help broadcasters make the right decisions.The DBS2023 event, through its conference sessions, panel discussions, focused workshops and masterclasses, presented by eminent experts across the globe, will address challenges, find solutions and share experiences related to digital transition, technology implementation, creative content ideas, and enhancing user experiences.DBS2023 ConferenceDBS2023 Conference sessions are organised as panel sessions with multiple speakers presenting on topics related to a session theme. Engage in thought-provoking discussions in the conference.DBS2023 Workshops and MasterclassesThe DBS2023 event will also include Workshop and Masterclass sessions that are deemed to be more focused on a specific topic/solution or product(s) by a specific vendor.Submit your Speaking Request at CALL FOR SPEAKERS – ABU DBS 2023 […]

Mediacorp expands its audio reach to capture 3.8 million listeners weekly, as its roster of free-to-air and digital radio stations continue to be the premier choice for 88.6% of all adults in Singapore who tune in for over 10 hours weekly. According to the latest Nielsen Radio Survey, the company also commands 83.8% of the radio market share, eclipsing that of competitors.In a testament to Mediacorp’s success in staying ahead of consumer preferences and market needs with its customer-centric and multi-platform strategy, listenership on the company’s digital radio network achieved an impressive compound annualised growth (CAGR) of 17% over five years since 2018. This marks the fourth consecutive year of continuous gains on the digital front to reach a record 1.63 million listeners weekly, or 91.6% of all digital listeners.The findings are based on the latest Nielsen Radio Survey conducted from August to October 2022, which tracked radio listenership via diary recordings by 2,014 adults aged 15 and above, with the results weighted by age, sex and race to be representative of the Singapore population.Mediacorp sweeps nine out of top 10 positions, top five are Mediacorp stationsAs the leading radio network, Mediacorp’s radio stations are the preferred choice among key audience segments across gender, age, race and occupation4 . As its reach continues on an upward trajectory for the fourth consecutive year, its capacity to attract, captivate and retain audiences is clear: nine out of the top 10 spots in the ranking of stations is a Mediacorp radio station, with the top five belonging to the company. Out of the 11 hours and 46 minutes that listeners spend tuning in to Singapore’s radio stations weekly, 10 hours and 27 minutes (88.8%) were on Mediacorp’s radio stations.The reigning champion is Chinese station YES 933, boasting a record 964,000 listeners (22.4% of weekly listenership) after attracting an additional 30,000 listeners (+3.2%) since the previous survey6 . As the first choice for a variety of audience segments, including Chinese aged 15+, millennials aged between 25 and 34, premier audiences and parents, it simultaneously claimed the accolade of top digital station with 457,000 digital listeners, and recorded an overall engagement rate of 6 hours 38 minutes.Placing overall second by a narrow margin, but coming in first on both market share and engagement rate is LOVE 972, with 951,000 listeners (22.1% of weekly listenership) who tuned in for 10 hours 22 minutes weekly. This represents an increase of 1 hour 28 minutes since the last survey, which also marks the highest jump in audience engagement across all stations surveyed. Beyond its list of accolades, the station is also the prime choice among women aged 15+, and notably, silvers aged 55+, with whom it achieved a listenership growth of 11%.In overall third place, CLASS 95 continues to be the top English radio station. Following a 3.3% increase in reach, the station recorded 877,000 listeners (20.4% of weekly listenership) who spent an average time of 4 hours 30 minutes listening weekly. Beyond establishing itself as the preferred station among men aged 15+ and PMEBs (professionals, managers, executives and businessmen), the station also achieved a near doubling in digital listenership from 231,000 to 446,000, marking the highest increase among all stations surveyed.In fourth place is CAPITAL 958, which reached 668,000 listeners (15.5% of weekly listenership) and recorded an engagement rate of 10 hours 5 minutes. As a close runner-up to LOVE 972 among silver audiences aged 55+, the station grew 15,000 digital listeners since the last survey6 , marking the third consecutive year of growth on the digital front.Coming in at fifth place for the second year in a row is Malay station Warna 942, which celebrates a highest ever reach of 529,000 listeners (12.3% of weekly listenership) who tuned in for 9 hours 27 minutes weekly. Having recorded a stunning 89.9% increase in digital listenership from 109,000 to 207,000, it is the undisputed top station among Malays, and comes in third among Indians aged 15+. Following closely behind in seventh place is 987, which records 481,000 listeners and retains the honour of being the top station among those between 15 and 24 years old, growing its reach by 51.3% to reach 174,000 listeners. This includes a steady growth in digital listenership, which increased by 80,000 since the last survey6 to hit a record 270,000 listeners. Following closely behind in eighth place is GOLD 905, with 408,000 listeners who spend 4 hours 10 minutes tuning in to the station weekly.Breaking into the top 10 leaderboard for the first time ever is the nation’s preferred English news station CNA938 in ninth place, with a weekly reach of 380,000. This includes a digital listenership of 292,000, representing a 79.1% growth in digital reach, or 129,000 listeners, since the last survey6 . Also breaking personal bests is Oli 968, the top station among Indians 15+. In tenth place, it achieved a record listenership of 348,000 (8.1% of weekly listenership) with an engagement rate of 6 hours 29 minutes.Meanwhile, listenership on classical music station Symphony 924 has remained largely stable at 214,000 (5.0% of weekly listenership); followed by Ria 897 at 133,000 (3.1% of weekly listenership), making it the third leading station for Malays aged 15+. Digital station Indiego, also made its debut in the survey with 2,000 listeners tuning in weekly to the latest indie music from Singapore and around the world.Digital radio network records fourth consecutive year of growthAs Mediacorp continues to boost its suite of digital offerings including the variety of digital audio content such as podcasts, its digital radio network achieved a fourth consecutive year of growth in listenership, achieving a compound annualised growth (CAGR) of 17% over five years since 2018. This translates into a reach of more than 1.63 million listeners, or nine in ten digital listeners, with close to seven hours of weekly engagement.These results correspond with the uptick in performance for Mediacorp’s digital audio service meLISTEN, which saw a growth of 7.4% this year in monthly average unique visitors7 , which reached to 679,973 unique visitors. In terms of podcast content, downloads spiked 41.1% compared to last year to reach a total of 995,585 average downloads monthly8 .Mediacorp’s Chief Executive Officer, Tham Loke Kheng said: “To be continually recognised as the top audio network in Singapore is not an accolade that Mediacorp takes lightly. We are committed to delivering the finest content to entertain, inform and inspire listeners across all demographic segments, and are proud that the latest Nielsen survey has affirmed our success in doing so. As we celebrate being the preferred audio network for a record 3.8 million listeners, we will continue working hard to curate the music they love, create compelling content they enjoy, and connect with them across our network.” […]