ASIA

The official launch of MBC Loud, Saudi Arabia’s first English-language radio station whose reach covers the entire breadth of the Kingdom, was celebrated at an event in Riyadh on Monday evening.Launched on air by the MBC Group earlier this month, it targets the youth and caters to a growing English-speaking audience.Broadcasting in Jeddah, Dammam and the capital city of Riyadh, the station follows a Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) format.Jay R and Danah host the four-hour breakfast show, titled ‘The Daily Wake Up,’ from 6 am to 10 am weekdays.The channel also features a syndicated feed featuring Ryan Seacrest and Sisanie from 4 pm to 7 pm.On Thursday and Friday, international DJs with pre-recorded dance music sets are featured between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.“It’s young, it’s vibrant, it’s exciting, it’s active, and I think it’s a chance for people to hear that fresh look on life in Saudi,” MBC CEO Sam Barnett told Al Arabiya English at the event.“MBC LOUD FM represents a distinctive radio brand; one that forms part of our commitment towards the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in the field of entertainment and broadcast,” Waleed Al Ibrahim, Chairman of MBC Group said in a press release statement.“With MBC LOUD FM, our goal is to reach a diverse audience throughout the country. By doing so, we aim to contribute to the Kingdom’s objectives in the upcoming phase, contributing to the nation’s ambitions in developments and growth in the entertainment and media industry,” he added.Ziad Hamza, MBC Group Director of Audio, Radio & Music said LOUD FM is a new audio experience aiming to change the way listeners experience FM radio.“MBC LOUD FM aims to enrich audiences’ listening experiences and elevate their enjoyment of radio and music content. Our mission is to connect listeners with their counterparts worldwide by offering distinctive radio content that e […]

Triton Digital has announced the promotion of Richard Palmer to VP of market development and strategy in APAC.Prior to his promotion, Palmer was director of market development APAC.In his new role, he will be responsible for driving Triton’s growth and market strategy throughout the Asia-Pacific region, while continuing to provide guidance and advice to publishers and broadcasters on the ever-evolving landscape of streaming, podcasting, measurement, and advertising technology.Palmer noted that during his time with the company, the podcast industry has gone through an evolution that requires publishers and advertisers alike to be agile and strategic now more than ever before.“In my focus on expanding Triton’s global footprint, we’ve pushed for new audio and measurement standards that propel the industry forward,” said Palmer.“Guiding our clients to reach new audiences and milestones has been a highlight of my career, and I look forward to continuing that work at Triton Digital in this new capacity.”Palmer took to LinkedIn to share the news, he wrote: “Looking forward to tackling the challenges ahead and the success that comes with overcoming them alongside the incredible team that makes Triton Digital the number one company in digital audio.” […]

India’s exchange4media group hosted the 11th edition of its e4m Golden Mikes Radio and Audio Awards 2023 on Wednesday, May 17, in Mumbai.At the awards night, which was attended by some of the most well-known radio jockeys, channel leaders and other industry luminaries, Radio Mirchi took home the title of ‘Radio Station of the Year’. The station bagged 39 metals, of which 12 were gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze.The ‘RJ of the Year’ title was won by three RJs in Hindi and English language. While RJ Abhilash of Big FM won gold, RJ Ginnie of Radio City 91.1 and RJ Jeeturaaj from Mirchi won bronze.Mirchi Bhushan and Mirchi Mushak Man of Radio Mirchi Nashik / 98.3 MIRCHI respectively won silver. Mirchi RJ Susmita of Radio Mirchi won bronze in the ‘New Aspiring RJ of the Year’ category while RJ Raunac and Annu Kapoor of Red FM and Big FM won Bronze and Silver respectively. Under the ‘Influencer RJ of the Year’ category, RJ Shourya of 104.8 Ishq FM, RJ Ashish of 104.8 Ishq FM and RJ Kartik of MY FM took home Bronze, Silver and Gold respectively.Here’s the full list of winners: […]

The Government of Nepal is planning to expand the integrated broadcasting service by merging Nepal Television and Radio Nepal, and establishing the Public Service Broadcaster within the next two fiscal years.This was announced in the policies and programs for the next fiscal year presented in the parliament by the government on Friday.The government wants to advance the communication industry as a knowledge-based service industry and it also plans to pay attention to policy, legal and structural reforms for the promotion of freedom of press and expression and decent journalism.The Press Council will be transformed into a Media Council with new legal arrangements to regulate the content published and broadcast by all media and an umbrella law related to mass media will be created.President Ram Chandra Paudel said: “The access of common citizens to the use of information and technology will be increased. The use of information technology will be expanded in areas such as education, health, development, construction and service delivery.” […]

Radiodays Asia, the leading radio and podcasting conference in the Asia-Pacific, has announced more speakers for this year’s event which will be held 5-6 September in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Deb Hishon, Media Measurement Director, Triton Digital, Australia and New ZealandDeb has been working on Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) contracts for 20 years and in media research for almost 25. During this time, she has acquired a deep knowledge of the media and radio industries in both Australia and New Zealand. Part of Deb’s role is assisting clients with using the radio ratings and providing additional qualitative and quantitative data to guide them with their strategic direction; from programming to product management to aid revenue and audience growth.Guang Jin YEO, founder of Singapore-based podcast production house, 1 Up MediaGuang Jin YEO is the founder of Singapore-based podcast production house, 1 Up Media and works primarily with TV networks. Coming from an ex-P&G media analyst & strategist background he is able to provide the broader picture of local East/South-East Asian podcast media landscape.Andrea Ho, Australian Film, Television and Radio School’s Discipline LeadAndrea is an experienced media executive, leader, and on-air broadcaster and producer in radio and audio. She is currently the Discipline Lead, Radio and Podcasting at AFTRS. Andrea worked at the ABC as Head of Planning for the Regional and Local Division. More recently Andrea was the Director of Education for the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas.Radiodays Asia is a collaboration between Radiodays Europe, the world´s largest and leading conference for radio, audio and podcast, and broadcasting and podcast partners in Asia and Australia. The 2023 edition will run over two days in two tracks with 50 sessions. Top international speakers and industry leaders as well as successful producers and market experts will share their insights.Register for Radiodays Asia at Super Early Bird prices before June 1. […]

Content from BPRAs programmers, you all know the importance of ensuring that the content that your stations produce is “compelling”. Of course, you also know that many stations fall way short of mark. Of course your stations don’t….. right?!So what does compelling actually mean? Let’s start with the dictionary definition. Something is “compelling” when it “makes you pay attention because it is so interesting and exciting.”Compelling content is not just entertaining…..compelling content makes you think…it makes you feel…..it makes you tell your friends…it makes you keep listening in case you miss any more compelling content. Compelling content captures and maintains the attention of the audience.There are a number of key elements that contribute to making content compelling:Originality: Compelling content stands out from the crowd by offering a unique perspective or approach. It provides fresh insights or explores unconventional ideas, but it always offers something new and valuable. Of course, it can also be “saying what the audience is thinking but no one else is game enough to say it”!Emotional appeal: Compelling content elicits an emotional response from the audience. It may be humorous, heart-warming or inspirational, but it always connects with listeners on a deeper level.Relevance: Compelling content is relevant to the audience for which it is intended. It addresses their interests, needs and emotional trigger points. What may be compelling for the #1 Talk station in town is probably very different from what would be compelling for listeners of the #1 CHR station.Clarity: Compelling content is clear and easy to understand. It uses simple language and avoids technical jargon or complicated explanations that might confuse or alienate listeners. From a Talk radio perspective, compelling content makes complicated issues easier to understand….at least from the host’s perspective.Presentation: Content that is compelling involves great story telling techniques. Two radio shows could present exactly the same storyline but with great story telling skills one will always be better than the other. Work on the story…. the outline of events….. and then work out how to present it in an entertaining and compelling way so that the audience feels emotionally connected.By David Kidd, BPR […]