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LONDON — Despite writing for RedTech for three years, I have said little about how I spend the rest of my time. Having mentioned the potential conflict of interest, I will abandon my usual discretion since this seems a good moment to mention something I’m passionate about.
For me, as a consultant, helping to extend Radioplayer radio technology platform’s reach is a vital way of combatting the potential dominance of alternative streaming services in European markets.
All types of initiatives are being taken at the European level to limit the impact of products that might threaten to squeeze more local, even national, content out of the market. We can see this in the recent decision within the EU to clip the wings of companies that might function as gatekeepers. Apple has responded by making the browser choice more apparent and opening devices to apps such as Fortnite, which are not presently in the app store. This leveling of the playing field is good news.
While various bodies exist for both public service and commercial radio, the industry as a whole could be viewed as needing a single voice powerful enough to cut through and take its place beside the tech giants.
How does this talk of app stores have any relevance to radio? While various bodies exist for both public service and commercial radio, the industry as a whole could be viewed as needing a single voice powerful enough to cut through and take its place beside the tech giants.
Those giants are so well funded that their products inevitably look glamorous and compete for audience and revenue. Competition is no longer between commercial and public service or the radio station down the road. Though the geographical progress of DAB+ across Europe is a cause for celebration, digital radio alone will never deliver the cool experience that internet users (almost all of us these days) expect.
Imagine yourself as a senior strategy executive working for a radio organization in a medium-sized European country — perhaps even in a large one. You’re ambitious about securing distribution and looking good on all available platforms. Being well organized, you have optimal metadata at your fingertips Now imagine calling one of the major automobile manufacturers with your perfect design, allowing for logos, album art and now-playing information. It’s probably not going to be an easy phone call! If the car screen is perfect for your service, why should the company follow your preferences and annoy every other broadcaster in the country? And let’s face the facts: No car company, device manufacturer, Google Home or Amazon Echo will customize its product for a single country or broadcaster.
Facing facts again, we, the radio industry, must be actively committed to securing the long-term future of the medium and our businesses in an increasingly competitive environment. We’ve come a long way from the four-channel environment I remember.
By now, you can guess where this is going. I’ve always been a believer in collaboration — seeking to set aside (often imaginary) obstacles and barriers to secure substantial, lasting advantages.
We, the radio industry, must be actively committed to securing the long-term future of the medium and our businesses in an increasingly competitive environment.
I’m proud to have played some role in the recent adoption of Radioplayer in countries further east, an expansion that looks set to continue.
Tracking back to the earlier imagined conversation, when Radioplayer, which represents many countries, contacts an automobile manufacturer, there is the opportunity to persuade them that securing the prominence and attractiveness of radio services is worthwhile. This international platform will be appreciated by drivers of new cars and on all types of devices in 22 countries, now including Croatia, Estonia and Slovenia.
Of course, compromise is necessary to work together — an individual broadcaster might want a slightly different spec or layout. However, the overall strength of working together should overcome any nerdier reservations about formats and products. Like any service or product, Radioplayer is a living organism — it will continuously develop and morph to meet the changing needs expressed by its broadcasters.
The industry has an excellent opportunity to work together. The chief investors in Radioplayer are substantially stepping up their contributions since the window to secure the position of radio as a mass-market medium may be short.
Other content providers with deep pockets and little connection with our local, regional and national communities are hungry to secure a slice of the action.
Fortunately, most European broadcasters reading this are probably already convinced, but there is no harm in reminding ourselves occasionally why this collaboration is essential.
If this sounds like an advertorial for Radioplayer, then accept my apologies. My brief from RedTech is to write about things I feel strongly about, and given my connection with Radioplayer as a consultant, I have abstained until now. But I share this for a single reason: I’m not certain that there’s a better idea out there to provide the basis for the ongoing success of the medium we love. Regular service will resume in the next issue.
The author was head of Radio at the EBU until 2020, and before that managing editor of one of the BBC’s national stations. He currently advises media organizations.
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