ASIA

The DRM Indian automotive group and the DRM Consortium have urged the Indian government to protect significant milestones reached with the DRM digitisation and to approve the extension of DRM to the FM broadcasting band.As the public TV and radio company, Prasar Bharati, has built a new infrastructure around the digitisation of the AM frequency bands, millions of Indian cars on the road (over 6 million) have radios capable of receiving DRM transmissions. Through the efforts of Prasar Bharati, DRM reception in the AM band has considerably improved, as demonstrated recently at BES2024 in Delhi, even in enclosed and covered spaces. This was largely due to the simple optimisation of transmitters, like the one in Nangli (Delhi), and the optimization of the DRM signal configuration, as the recent effort in December 2023 has impressively demonstrated.The next stage in improving and upgrading the DRM Digital Radio reception is to extend the open, non-proprietary DRM standard to the FM band as software upgrade solutions, already comprehensively demonstrated for automotive receivers, can achieve this goal.As stated in the letter, the DRM Indian car industry group, the Indian automotive industry,now require aclear decision from the Indian government on the digitisation of the FM band following the good work done already for AM bands. DRM FM could become easily available through an upgrade or retrofit in the existing cars already fitted with a DRM receiver.Following the example of Europe, the signatories of the letter urge the Indian government to mandate digital radio in all cars in India and to mandate the Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF), native to the DRM standard, in all cars, thus fulfilling one of the great goals of the Hon’ble PM of India.Alongside this the public radio, AIR, needs to increase digital broadcast power and optimize the configuration of existing DRM AM-band transmitters and extend pure DRM transmission hours to ensure they also cover peak traffic hours. AIR is also urged to provide a clear and comprehensive, multi-platform communication plan so that drivers and listeners understand that digital radio, with its extra benefits and enhanced audio, is available to them in cars, at no extra cost. Such good communication is vital not only for the car manufacturing industry but also for the growing mobile and portable receiver industry as well.In the opinion of the car group, a clear decision and subsequently, good communication will give the automotive market stability and certainty. Therefore, a decision to mandate digital receivers in cars, make EWF obligatory in receivers and extend DRM to the FM band is forward-looking and makes perfect sense. It will also lead to huge power and spectrum savings, provision of multiple radio services and textual information in most of the Indian languages. […]

Radiodays Europe, set to take place in Munich from March 17 to 19, will feature a host of sessions on AI.There will be a summit which is dedicated  entirely to diving into where we are now and predictions for the future, along with a number of other sessions on Monday and Tuesday.AI & Radio Best CasesEverybody talks about AI in radio but how does is actually work, and how does it sound? In this session, you’ll go behind the scenes of ChatGPT & Co., and hear from people who are actually doing AI-based radio every day – open to share the successes and the learnings.AI in Creative Audio: The Matrix Dilemma ExploredDelve into the transformative impact of AI on the world of audio creativity. Featuring a compelling showdown between AI optimist Lars Bastholm and AI skeptic Kåre Vedding Poulsen, this discussion will challenge and enlighten you and hopefully leave you more puzzled than ever.5 things you must do because of AIIn this session, we’re breaking down the essentials of what AI currently means to the audio business, but we also give you five things you should do starting tomorrow, so you won’t feel left behind.  Plus, you can ask the speakers anything.AI tools for radio stationsNew tools are popping up all the time for radio and podcasting and in this session radio futurologist James Cridland demonstrates some of the latest tools that could save you time and effort, and allow you and your team to concentrate on making great radio.AI and Audio Content Production Exploring the boundless possibilities of artificial intelligence in the realm of audio content production, with a primary focus on news and journalism. AI has rapidly evolved into a pivotal tool within numerous newsrooms, and it’s poised to become an even more integral part of our daily work in the foreseeable future.Register here. […]

Korean Brodcasting System (KBS) President and CEO Park Min unveiled theKBS Future Vision during the 51st anniversary celebration held at KBS headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on March 4, 2024.The announcement detailed the reorganization of KBS into three pillars. Min emphasized the importance of preparing for the next 50 years of KBS while presenting the organization’s future vision. He announced that KBS will be reorganized into three pillars: a division dedicated to fulfilling the mission of public service broadcasting, a high-quality production studio (tentatively named Content K), and a complex broadcasting cultural space (tentatively named K Studio).Future Vision 1KBS’ primary goal is to serve as a public broadcaster by prioritizing current affairs and cultural programming, international broadcasting services, and audience engagement. This will be accomplished by maximizing the value of its TV license fee.Future Vision 2The second future vision is to establish a content production division, named Content K, which will consolidate KBS’ production capabilities. This division will create a high-quality production studio similar to the BBC Studios in the UK and will play a comprehensive role in the production, distribution, and sale of various high-quality content, including dramas and entertainment.Future Vision 3The third vision aims to build a new broadcasting and cultural complex, tentatively namedK Studio, that will serve as a hub for K-pop and K-content. This multi-faceted space will host exhibitions, performances and experiences covering all aspects of culture, from K-pop to drama, food and beauty.Min emphasized that: “The future KBS will be transformed into a comprehensive public media group integrating these three divisions, and a reorganization will be implemented in the first half of the year.”“KBS is dedicated to serving the public, even in challenging circumstances, and will further this commitment by minimizing audience inconvenience and improving the system. This includes implementing mobile ticketing for audience convenience and remodeling the KBS broadcasting tour hall, which is scheduled for September 2024. Also, KBS plans to improve communication with future generations, increase collaboration with community radio, and make KBS content more accessible to the public.” […]

The DRM General Assembly 2024 will be ground-breaking, attractive and innovative. For the first time the annual meeting of the DRM Consortium, together with a newly announced DRM Masterclass, will be held in the Middle East, in Dubai, UAE, on May 19-20.
Participants from all over the world will be invited on May 19 1100-1300, local time, to a “DRM Masterclass” on the DRM standard.
It will be a clear and simple presentation of the standard with plenty of time set aside for questions and brief demonstrations. The “DRM – the What, Why and How” is open to registered guests.
May 20 will be fully dedicated to the General Assembly. This will be an opportunity for the Consortium to provide a general update on all the DRM activities marking a very successful year, to invite VIPs to contribute with their views on digital radio and to involve all participants in strategic discussion sessions. All those present will have a chance during the sessions and break times to network together and meet delegates from key regions.  […]

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, UNESCO’s Partner Radio Begum in Afghanistan completed three years.The station was launched in 2021 by the Begum Organization for Women, created by Hamida Aman. It is the only Afghan radio station where all staff members are women, all content is related to women and the goal is to bring hope back to the women of Afghanistan.It airs in 19 Afghan provinces, including remote areas such as Badakhshan, Ghor and Nimruz. where media access, is lacking due to Taliban restrictions especially for women.According to Aman, the station, which has 30 employees, provides a platform for women to engage in dialogue and interaction, ensuring they do not feel isolated.Its primary focus is women’s education. Six hours a day are dedicated to educating female students in grades seventh to 12th in Persian and Pashto languages. Other content covers health, nutrition, parenting and women’s advice.Aman told The Asahi Shimbun: “Considering the current situation of Afghan women and the restrictions imposed by the authorities to limit their operational capacities—such as no interaction between women and men, forbidding women to attend governmental news conferences, forbidding women to travel alone and so on—one can say, ‘Begum is doing an amazing job.’”To mark International Women’s Day, the station launched Begum TV, an educational TV channel, targeting Afghan schoolgirls and students, deprived of education.Radio Begum also provides opportunities for female doctors to answer women’s questions in live programs.Aman hopes that Radio Begum will continue to be able to provide services even in the face of obstacles posed by the Taliban. […]

Tuesday afternoons, from 3:00pm PNG time, Sista Sounds on ABC Radio Australia takes you across the Pacific playing established and emerging female musical talent, representing the region’s diverse sounds and influences. The weekly show is hosted by Samoan-Australian music journalist Sosefina Fuamoli.
Sosefina Fuamoli
Fuamoli has twice won Best Live Music Journalist at the Australian National Live Music Awards and hosts of On the Record and Pacific Sundays already on ABC Radio Australia. Rick Howe will produce the new show.​Fuamoli and Howe hope listeners will learn about new music not only from their home island nations but also from neighbouring island countries.Fuamoli said:“It’s a really cool opportunity for me as a music fan to be able to discover more music from our beautiful island regions. But more importantly, as someone with the platform to do so, this show is going to be a haven for incredible women to have their moment. And have that moment in a way that is organic and real; not just a token spotlight week on female music that is gassed up once a year.” ​We’re really looking to create a space within our community to feature and preference talented female artists. Somewhere that audiences, fellow artists and anyone who is interested can discover new music and powerful female voices, all year round.” ABC Radio Australia manager Justine Kelly said:“I’m thrilled that in the same week as International Women’s Day, we’re able to launch Sista Sounds as a platform for Pacific women’s music to be amplified. Sose’s expertise in music journalism and passion for Pacific artists, combined with Rick’s extensive knowledge of Pacific music, will provide listeners with an exciting weekly discovery of emerging female talent from across the region.” Sista Sounds is broadcast on ABC Radio Australia every Tuesday at 3:00pm PNG time and repeated on Fridays at 5:00pm PNG time. You can also listen live via internet streaming, through 24-hour FM stations, or catch up with full episodes on ABC Pacific online. […]