ASIA

Content from BPRBPR’s All Audio mapping studies conducted in various markets across the globe in recent months reveal that music plays a significant role in why listeners return to radio from other forms of audio, particularly music streaming services.This may seem extraordinary to some however the reality is that listeners can become just as disenchanted with music streams and their own playlists as they might with music on a radio station.While the principal reasons listeners leave radio for other audio are generally music related, a significant proportion of listeners return to radio for a music related reason.Statistics from seven markets reveal that amongst those radio listeners using other forms of audio, on average; around 40% leave radio for a music related reason.  When returning to radio around 24% report a music related reason behind their motivation.  Figures for individual markets, demographics and format styles can vary quite a lot however the pattern remains the same.Radio is certainly distinguished most relative to other audio by personality, localism and news/information but music still plays a pivotal role on music radio stations.People prefer to be entertained rather than entertaining themselves and in this respect listeners often mention that they prefer the “mix” of music offered by radio.  Managing your own music choices via other music platforms can be fun but after a while it can also be like wrapping your own Christmas presents.As a result of these findings it is clear that music radio stations offering the optimal selection of music (mix) to their target audience has never been more critical. There is great opportunity in getting it right and a world of pain in getting it wrong.  Strategically focused music testing is now likely more important than it ever was in the past!By Wayne Clouten, BPR […]

In an effort to encourage healthy lifestyles and awareness, Astro Radio Malaysia’s Lite FM streamed the Lite Feel Good Festival, the first virtual event to celebrate health and wellness, featuring experienced subject matter expertsIt was held on Saturday, October 16, from 10am – 3pm, via Lite FM Facebook Live.It included activities and insightful sharing sessions from experienced speakers and coaches, touching on topics such as nutrition, work-life balance, healthy aging, personal and family mental wellness, and more. Topics included:
Recharging vs Rejuvenating with John Kam, CEO of D Jungle People
Back Into The Wild with Dr. Joel Low, Clinical Psychologist and Director of The Mind Psychological Services and Training
Overeating: Why We Do It, And How To Change Our Habits with Adele Wong, Nutritionist and Dietitian at Nutrition Track
Mental Health Issue In Children: Knowing The Red Flags with Katyana Azman, Consultant Child Psychologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Strengthen Your Immunity with Dr. Rajbans Singh, President of The Malaysian Wellness Society
Fans and listeners also participated in Zumba sessions with The Zumba Twins and a meditation approach to wellness accompanied by music in Dance Flow Yoga with Adelina Mahiyudin and Debbie Ong, from Hot Yo Studio. […]

Organized by UNESCO in partnership with WHO, Remote Radio Week is an online training programme aimed at building the capacity of local radio stations to produce accurate and professional radio content in the event of containment measures or emergencies, including financial difficulties.The programme, which will be held from November 1 to 5, will also be available on demand. It will cover the several thematic areas, with particular reference to the pandemic crisis.The programme targets Radio operators, professionals and managers worldwide with a particular attention to the needs of local radio stations.Remote Radio Week will propose distinct programmes in English, French, Spanish and Arabic during the day, featuring experts, examples, debates and technical tips for the audience. OBJECTIVESUNESCO Remote Radio Week is an online event covering the theme of ‘Remote Radio,’with the goal of supporting the mission and operations of radio stations located on five different continents.It consists of an online program that provides information on how to:
Train station staff to work remotely (e.g. studio, broadcast, IP, cloud, social networks, and DIY equipment)
Promote credible and trustworthy radio journalism and public service efforts (reliable information, disinformation, media and information literacy, social links, etc.)
Manage a radio station in times of crisis (e.g. human, economic aspects, social/strategic role)
FIVE THEMES IN FIVE DAYSDay 1: The Radio ConnectionMedia of proximity/ companionship, Info/fake news, entertainment and education
Discussion How important is radio during a pandemic or any type of crisis ? What are the benefits it brings?
Expert Tips Good Governance / Human Resource Management
Flash Testimony Accessibility for the disabled
Masterclass How to develop local revenues for radio, independant from donor funding, for sustanability (subscriptions, affiliation, branded content / sponsored podcast, audio branding)
Resource Disinformation (How radio can fight against fake news)
 Day 2: Home StudioAudio interface, mics, headphones, accessories, recording/editing/mixing workstation/acoustics/isolation, podcasts, all-in-one solutions, DIY
Discussion How should you equip your home studio for professional FM radio or podcasts?
Expert Tips Advice on how to produce a high-quality broadcast from a home studio
Tips ou Flash Testimony Visual Radio
Masterclass Interactive radio
Resource Domestic Violence (how radio can bring awareness to gender-based violence)
Day 3: Remote ContributionLive broadcasts, emergency, interview-multiplex, remote debates, AoIP codecs, telephony, quality-latency-resilience, security
Discussion How to manage audio contributions from home
Expert Tips 10 apps for radio journalists
Flash Testimony Radio in a box (autonomous solutions for emergency situation)
Masterclass Mojo/Mobile Journalism (Inexpensive / using the bare minimum)
Resource Regularly Reporting on COVID (how radio can produce programmes on COVID)
Day 4: Cloud RadioMusic and news scheduling, live antenna, voice tracking, remote advertising/trafficking, remote playout, security, VPN, backup
Discussion Why should radio broadcasters make use of the cloud?
Expert Tips Tips on the best features to use when operating your radio from the cloud
Focus Cybersecurity / Data privacy
Masterclass Free and open source radio tools
Focus The voice of indigenous people
Day 5: Audio EverywhereStreaming, podcast hosting, hyperdistribution, Social networks
Discussion How to deliver a quality audio program on all listening devices live and on- demand and how to adapt content?
Flash Testimony Social Audio / Covid
Flash Testimony Freedom of information / Podcast
Masterclass Social Audio : Extending delivery of broadcast (or radio) content to new platforms
Resource Education/Information (How radio can ease universal access to education and information?)
Closing session What’s next ? (Replay, Resources, WRD22)
 For more information, visit www.remote-radio-week.org […]

Content from BPRThis article is the third in a six part series.The real value in strategic thinking isn’t just in generating ideas or in making better decisions: it’s about building a framework that future-proofs your radio station and provides you with the best chance of achieving long-term success.Here’s the next tip on how to become a better strategic thinker.Step 3. Broaden Your HorizonsLearning is a lifelong experience. Our ability to succeed depends a great deal on how willing we are to expose ourselves to new information and on how well we process that new information to come up with something fresh and new.Strategic thinking and curiosity go hand in hand …the more ideas and experiences you’re exposed to, the more material you have with which to make decisions.Try to experience new things, new places and new people. Get out of your daily routine from time to time. Ask questions. Google different websites for news and information.Einstein made a profound statement about staying curious: “Don’t think about why you question, simply don’t stop questioning. Don’t worry about what you can’t answer, and don’t try to explain what you can’t know. Curiosity is its own reason. Aren’t you in awe when you contemplate the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure behind reality? And this is the miracle of the human mind — to use its constructions, concepts, and formulas as tools to explain what man sees, feels and touches. Try to comprehend a little more each day. Have holy curiosity.”Psychologists believe that the best strategic thinkers are T-shaped. The bar on the top of the ‘T’ represents the breadth and extent of their knowledge, while the stem represents a deep understanding of their own area of expertise. T-shaped people are ambidextrous thinkers……they are highly skilled in a specialist area but they also have a great deal of knowledge or expertise in many other areas.As a programmer, you not only need to have expertise in your specialised field to succeed but you also need a broad arsenal of knowledge not just in the world around you but within your own radio station.When was the last time you had a conversation with your sales director to learn more about their side of the business?By David Kidd, BPR […]

Asian entries won one metal and seven Finalist nods as the New York Festivals Radio Awards announced the 2021 Storytellers Gala award-winners.From Qatar, Al Jazeera Digital’s entry ‘Hindsight’ won a Silver in the Best Narration category as well as a Finalist nomination for Best Coverage of Breaking News Story for ‘Beirut Explosion Multiplies Lebanon’s Crises’.India’s 104.8 ISHQ FM won two Finalist nominations, one each in the Best Social Justice Appeal and Best Mini Series.South Korea’s Busan E-Fm, Singapore’s Class 95, Taiwan’s Radio Taiwan International and Saudi Arabia’s Thmanyah had one finalist each.World-class audio work created by global storytellers from 30+ countries was honored at the October 12th Storytellers Gala virtual event.The 2021 Radio Awards Grand Jury panel honored riveting podcasts and audiobooks, dramas, documentaries, breaking news coverage, entertainment and music specials created by masterful audio storytellers from around the globe.A total of 3 Grand Awards, 48 NYF Gold Radio trophies, 46 Silver and 49 Bronze awards were given away.The BBC was honored with the 2021 Broadcaster of the Year Award. Award-winning entries captivated listeners with exceptional storytelling in News, Podcasts, and Dramas. TBI Media UK earned the title of Production Company of the Year.For the complete list of the 2021 Radio Awards winners, visit HERE. […]

Content from BPRCovid changed the way people look at many things, from social interactions to work from home to the re-shaping of media patterns and habits. Lockdown stories involving bread making, TV series binges and wearing facemasks are just some of the symptoms of the way the world changed in 2020 and 2021.If you’ve just woken up after the long slumber as the world starts to get back to ‘normal’ with vaccination levels increasing, places like the UK looking forward to July’s ‘freedom day’ and New York officially celebrating the end of the pandemic with fireworks, the most obvious question is what’s changed?Around the world, media generally was badly hit as economies were impacted by the effects of covid. Today the news is significantly more upbeat as radio in particular bounces back strongly – last month Australian radio reported May revenue increase of 73% following an increase in April of 51%.But what else is happening to radio?Contemporary music formats are finding more and more challenging as music tastes split and polarise and radio competes with various forms of social media for their listeners’ time and attention.Streaming giants Spotify, Amazon, You Tube etc. continue their push to create ‘radio like’ services.Podcasting is becoming a way of life.In short, Radio needs to be very clear how it will meet these new threats – doing nothing isn’t an option.Now here’s the interesting bit:The ‘biggest’ formats are versions of oldies including Classic Hits / Classic Rock and news & talk according to latest listening trends from the US and other markets. Why is that?Classic Rock is still being used in movies and gaming – introducing 50+ bands to new audiencesClassic Hits replaces 60s oldies with songs from the 80s and 90s.In their different ways both of these formats are reminders of a simpler and more comfortable time – before the world got crazy.And News and Talk? Well, because we’re in changing and often uncertain times the appetite for information is increasing.Be very careful not to assume that the ‘bunker mentality’ will last, as the world emerges to a post lockdown phase, there is likely to be a swing back to new, up to date feel-good music among many age groups. You need to have your finger on the pulse to understand exactly what your listeners are looking for.So how does the future look from your perspective, are you ready to meet the new challenges?By Peter Don, BPR […]