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Issue: May. 06, 2008
Digital Radio
RAJAR Reports More Digital Growth
The latest U.K. audience research confirms steady growth in listening via digital platforms.
According to the First Quarter (Q1) 2008 figures released by Radio Joint Audience Research Ltd. (RAJAR), DAB receiver ownership in the United Kingdom rose by 40 percent year-on-year.
In Q1 2007, 19.5 percent of those aged over 15 claimed they owned a DAB set; for Q1 2008, the ownership figure increased to 27.3 percent.
RAJAR also reported that a total 17.8 percent of all radio listening is via digital platforms, of which 10.8 percent is via DAB, 3.2 percent via digital television and 2.1 percent via the Internet.
Some 31 percent of the population, specifically those aged over 15, listen to radio via a digital platform every week. Digital listening hours for Q1 2008 increased by 9 percent to 184 million hours per week. The most substantial listening increase was for DAB, up 10 percent to more than 110 million hours quarter on quarter.
There was also a slight increase in both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter radio listening via all platforms. Since Q1 2007, radio listening increased one percentage point to 90 percent of the U.K. population, or 45.4 million listeners. Since Q3 2007, it has risen by 445,000, an increase of 1.5 percent.
The BBC continues to outpace the commercial sector, scoring 56.8 percent of listenership compared to 41.1 percent for commercial stations.
DRM Shortwave Test Proposed for Alaska
A company has applied to the FCC for an experimental license to test Digital Radio Mondiale transmission on several shortwave bands in Alaska, according to a report from a shortwave blog about DRM.
Digital Aurora Radio Technologies of Delta Junction, Alaska, intends to test statewide DRM in the 5, 7 and 9 MHz shortwave bands, according to 26MHz.us, which is written by Bennett Z. Kobb.
On its application, the company stated that the goal is to assess performance of digital terrestrial shortwave broadcasting and serve the entire state. Commission approval is pending, according to the report; for now the FCC assigned call sign WE2XRH.
"In general, the population of Alaska is underserved with respect to the ability to have a high-quality, reliable public radio audio service," the blog quotes the company saying. "This is especially true for sparsely populated areas of the state."
Digital Aurora proposes to perform propagation, signal-to-noise ratio, field strength, bit rate and audio quality measurements over a two-year period, according to the application.
The report says a unique element of the test is the proposed use of government surplus over-the-horizon (OTH) radar transmitters made by Continental Electronics.
HD Radio License for Deva
iBiquity Digital Corp., the developer and licensor of HD Radio, has licensed Bulgarian firm Deva Broadcast to manufacture HD Radio monitors and receivers.
"The interest in HD Radio broadcasting is increasingly global," said Deva President Todor Ivanov. "We see a tremendous opportunity to apply our expertise in broadcast equipment design to HD Radio monitoring equipment and professional receivers."
According to Ivanov, Deva has assigned a long-term investment of US$600,000 for the development of HD Radio products. "We never spare efforts and resources to turn our ideas into successful products," he said.
iBiquity COO Jeff Jury stated that the company was "very pleased" to license Deva Broadcast as an HD Radio technology manufacturer. "This agreement represents an important step in upgrading stations around the world to the HD Radio system," he said.
Frontier Silicon Upgrades Venice
Frontier Silicon is upgrading its Venice module to enable the production of DAB+ receivers ahead of the 1 January 2009 launch in Australia of services using the advanced Eureka-147 DAB standard.
"With the launch of DAB+ in Australia this year, we have taken the strategic decision to develop the Venice 5.1 module so that our customers are ready to supply digital radios during the second half of 2008 as the market develops," said Frontier Silicon Chief Executive Anthony Sethill.
According to Sethill, the availability of a good range of receivers is a prerequisite for the successful launch of DAB+.
"Since we already have more than 50 customer designs using the Venice 5.0 module for existing DAB regions around the world, we know that these can be quickly adapted for DAB+ reception using Venice 5.1. This will ensure that retailers can swiftly stock a line-up of attractive DAB+ products as broadcasters roll out new services," Sethill said.
The introduction of Venice 5.1 coincided with the March Australian Broadcasting Summit, where attendees debated digital broadcasting trials and the management of the digital rollout.
Business Digest
Lawo Takes Over Innovason
German console and routing system manufacturer Lawo has acquired a majority shareholding in French digital mixing console company Innovason.
"It is no secret that we had been looking for a development partner for some time. We explored a number of possibilities but none seemed to be quite the match we were looking for until Philipp Lawo expressed an interest," said Innovason Sales and Marketing Director Xavier Pion.
According to Lawo Chief Executive Philipp Lawo, the investment in Innovason adds a "new dimension" to Lawo's activities. "The opportunity to create new synergies will be to the benefit of both companies. Innovason is a strong brand in the live sound market, and we are looking forward to taking it to the next level," he said.
The acquisition by Lawo officially terminated the period of receivership for Innovason.
Wincomn Takes on Klotz Varizone
Klotz Digital has named Beijing-based Wincomn Technology (赢康科技) as the exclusive distributor of its Varizone PA solution in China.
"We are delighted to have found such a strong and established partner in the Chinese market, who has proven their performance time and time again with other established brand products," said Klotz Digital Chief Executive Thomas Klotz.
According to Patrick Salloch, general manager of Klotz Digital Asia/Pacific, the appointment of Wincomn is the first step for the German company in establishing Varizone as "the new industry standard" in the building information system industry in China.
"Wincomn's sales channels, their technical expertise, vision and commitment will be the winning combination for us in this cost-sensitive market," Salloch said.
Recent Varizone installations in the Asia-Pacific region include the Sydney Star City Casino and the Victorian state parliament in Australia.
GTN Teams with Radio Academy
Customized traffic news service provider Global Traffic Network (GTN) sponsored the recent Radio Academy Production 08 event.
Production 08, which took place in mid April, included workshops, debates and interviews focusing on ways of making stations and programs sound better, connect better with listeners and expand onto other platforms.
According to GTN head of radio Anthony Rudd, the association with Production 08 was "a great fit."
"Production 08 is all about returning to making great radio and that is what Global Traffic Network is all about as well," said Rudd.
"We concentrate on doing one part of radio really, really well, and creating a fantastic business deal with the station or group — we use aircraft and top-quality sensor data to gather the best information, and broadcast it using great, experienced reporters."
Harris Broadcast Revenue Is Up
Harris said its broadcast communications revenue in the recent quarter was up 14 percent compared to a year earlier, to US$159 million.
"Strong orders and an increase in backlog in the third quarter are expected to drive higher sales and operating income in the fourth quarter," the company told investors. "A number of new initiatives are also underway to further reduce operating expenses and improve gross margins."
Harris does not break out radio business within the larger Broadcast Communications sector and it did not describe radio trends in its report.
But it said revenue grew in all business areas both U.S. and abroad, thanks to "the continuing global conversion to both digital and HD [high-definition] operations. Sales of transmission systems grew at double-digit rates, compared to the prior-year quarter, as a result of strong shipments in the U.S. market for the over-the-air digital transmission build-out. Double-digit growth continued in infrastructure and digital media systems, including routers, graphics equipment and multiviewers."
It said sales of traffic and billing software also improved; and the company cited recent implementations using its Harris One workflow solution in Taiwan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.
Parent company Harris Corp. said revenue in its third quarter was US$1.33 billion, up 24 percent; setting aside the impact of previous acquisitions, organic revenue increased 15 percent.
Clear-Com Taps Tilts Integration
In a move that broadens its reach into the Baltic region, Clear-Com Communication Systems recently selected Tilts Integration as its new distributor for Latvia.
Tilts aims to expand the use of Clear-Com intercom products among the Latvian broadcast, studio, live film, production and post-production industries.
"Latvia is rapidly developing in the areas of broadcast and live performance, with the emergence of many new studios and new media companies," says Dmitry Gerasimenko, managing director of Tilts. "All these areas need the right communication equipment. Clear-Com offers a wide range of sophisticated, reliable and flexible products that meet the demands of these growing market sectors."
Tilts Integration has more than a decade of experience in the field of television, broadcasting and telecommunications in the Baltic region, offering consulting, installation, training and technical support services.
Technology
Canada Commits to PPM
The Arbitron Portable People Meter will be used to measure radio and TV audiences across Canada, the audience research firm BBM Canada said.
Arbitron and research firm TNS Media Intelligence will deploy PPM in five markets. The companies say it will be the world's largest meter panel that provides both TV and radio audience data.
BBM adopted PPM for TV measurement for Montréal and Québec City in 2004. "Since then the system has been adopted as currency in a number of countries so we are delighted that the PPM is 'coming home' to the rest of Canada," said Richard Marks, global head for TNS Media Intelligence in the announcement.
The new service is scheduled to begin installation in early 2009 with a commercial launch later that year.
Product News
A-Ware Unveils Nexus Server
Nexus Server from A-Ware Software Inc. gives third-party software real-time access to MusicMaster database and scheduling content.
Primarily designed as an automation interface, Nexus Server can connect with other software systems, such as traffic and billing, research analysis and Web services.
"Radio and our other music providers have been asking for this functionality for some time. What is unique about the MusicMaster Nexus Server is that it has been designed to integrate with any systems wishing to do so," said A-Ware President Joe Knapp.
An HTTP service application, MusicMaster Nexus Server is able to process requests from third-party systems across a local area network or the Internet. One Nexus Server can process requests for multiple MusicMaster databases.
Telos Unveils Advanced IP Codec
Telos Systems is now shipping its new IP codec, Zephyr/IP, which is optimized for operation over the public Internet and mobile phone data services.
Telos-developed Agile Connection Technology (ACT) in the Zephyr/IP combines state-of-the-art loss detection and concealment with dynamic buffering and auto-varying bitrate functions. These continuously adapt to network conditions to help minimize the effects of packet loss, varying bandwidth and jitter.
Additionally, the Z/IP works directly with high-speed mobile phone data networks and features a PC Card slot that accepts standard mobile data cards.
The Z/IP also introduces AAC-ELD encoding, based on low-delay AAC. AAC-ELD delivers a high degree of fidelity at low bitrates, nearly inaudible loss concealment and auto bitrate and jitter tuning.
The Z/IP family comprises both a studio codec and a PC-based server that addresses firewall and Network Address Translation (NAT) issues.
The device also has audio I/O via AES/EBU, analog and an Axia Livewire IP-Audio interface, studio-grade 24-bit A-to-D and D-to-A converters, Ethernet and USB connections, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
PROFline Builds IP Offering
A common denominator in several product developments from PROFline is an added IP functionality.
PROFline has enhanced its SFD FM demodulator with IP capabilities; the standard SFD-IP offers SNMP and Web browsing functionality. Optionally, it can include streaming of MP3 over IP for remote monitoring.
The company also introduced the DMM digital stereo encoder and the TRB DVB-compliant demodulator for DAB, DAB+ and T-DMB ETI satellite distribution. Based on 32-bit DSP technologies, the DMM offers digital and analog audio inputs, double SCA input, 19 kHz output and dual MPX output.
PROFline developed the TRB for the transport of ETI data stream according to ETSI EN 300 799. It provides DVB-S input (L-band), SCPC and multiplex mode, double E1 output and an HDB3 encoder.
PROFline also added IP functionality to the SFY MPX stereo broadcast modulator. The SFY-IP offers RDS encoding, FM modulation and DVB-S demodulation, with an SNMP functionality replacing the RS-485 interface.
New Display for RTW Monitoring
Now available as a standard feature for RTW DigitalMonitor, SurroundMonitor and SurroundControl solutions is an ITU-compliant loudness display.
The range enables the monitoring of the loudness of stereo, multichannel and surround signals in a wide range of applications, and in a form that works as a complement or an alternative to conventional peak meters.
The DigitalMonitor 10500 is an entry-level system with a TFT screen for monitoring digital stereo audio signals. Users can now select integrated loudness measurement, in accordance with ITU BS.1771 for stereo signals.
With the six-channel 10600 and 10660-VID SurroundMonitors, users are also able to monitor digital multichannel and surround audio signals.
The eight-channel SurroundMonitor 11900 and the SurroundControl 31900 and 31960 systems provide more advanced display options. These include three individual bar graphs that show the summed-up loudness of all individual signals, the integrated value with a dynamical time window and the result of a long-time integration over the previous seven days or more.
RTW also enhanced the software supplied for all three product ranges.
Studer Unveils Compact 2500
In its 60th year of activity, Studer has launched a new on-air console, the OnAir 2500.
The fully digital and self-contained OnAir 2500 system uses software technology derived from the OnAir 3000 and advances the operational concepts implemented in the OnAir 2000.
The compact chassis of the OnAir 2500 encloses the control surface, I/O breakout, DSP core and power supply. Studer is offering 12-, 18- and 24-fader console configurations; motorized channel faders are available as an option.
Each fader strip has a graphic OLED screen with a channel label, level and gain reduction meter and parameter readouts, adjustable via a rotary encoder and two push buttons below the display.
The 12-inch TFT touchscreen of the OnAir 2500 uses the Studer-patented Touch'n'Action system and can display all the relevant settings and configurations for each channel in addition to the OLED displays.
Eight small channel pushbuttons — EQ, dynamics, aux send, for example — immediately open the corresponding page on the main screen, allowing for quick adjustment.
In addition to interfaces on XLR and Sub-D connections, the internal audio system offers interfaces to digital multichannel formats such as MADI, ADAT and IEEE 1394 FireWire.
NTI Unveils New Test Tool
NTI has launched a new reference grade signal generator for digital audio, the Digirator DR2.
The battery-operated device provides all common digital audio test signals, stereo and multichannel formats. Used in conjunction with the Digilyzer DL1, it constitutes a compact, portable broadcast application measurement system.
Digital signals generated by the Digirator DR2 — at up to 24-bit resolution and all standard sampling frequencies up to 192 kHz — include sine, sweep, chirp or noise with adjustable levels and frequencies.
For multichannel audio applications, the DR2 offers a comprehensive set of surround sound signals in Dolby D, E, Pro-Logic and DTS formats. It is possible to store as WAV files in the internal memory and to seamlessly loop further user test signals.
The DR2 can also continuously monitor aspects such as channel transparency and system delays when dealing with digitally encoded signals.
New 'Feathers' for You/Com Parrot
Extended battery life is just one of the new features of the You/Com Parrot professional ENG flash recorder. Key characteristics of the handheld Parrot include its size as well as a live broadcast capability and easy-to-use push-button operation.
The "Go" button connects the Parrot live to the studio while a double-press of "Go" transfers audio files directly from the Parrot to the studio via a Bluetooth-enabled 3G cellphone.
In addition, You/Com has boosted battery life to a minimum of 10 hours and has added an LED display to indicate takes and clips.
Parrot users can even record telephone interviews in stereo with the unit and send audio files over 3G networks, achieving file transfer speeds of 200 kbps, as well as mix recorded commercials directly from the Parrot from a remote event.
Programming News
Passion Partners With Fès Festival
U.K.-based DAB station Passion for the Planet joins Radio France Internationale and Al Jazeera as a media partner of the 2008 Fès Festival.
Now in its 14th year, the Fès Festival of World Spiritual Music takes place in Fès, Morocco, 6–14 June.
"We have chosen to partner with Passion for the Planet as it is the only radio station in the United Kingdom to deliver an audience that is focused on the issues close to the heart of the Fès Festival," said Mary Finnigan, the British coordinator for the festival.
"Both the Fès Festival and Passion for the Planet are about making the world a better place," said Finnigan, "about getting in touch with our spirituality, about tolerance and understanding through communication and friendship."
Passion for the Planet will promote the festival on air and will then be in Fès to record interviews with some of the Fès Forum speakers for broadcast later this year.
"We have been to the Fès Festival in the past and it is a magical event — music from all over the world in stunning settings," said Chantal Cooke, Passion for the Planet managing director.
Pop Idol for Indian Radio?
The Freemantle Media Idols franchise has proven a television winner around the world, and now some Indian radio stations are looking at developing their own radio version of the talent contest.
The Hindu reports that radio stations are using talent contests to build listenership and to find new talent, citing the example of playback singer Sonu Niigaam, who was a judge on Indian Idol and hosts "Life Ki Dhun" on RadioCity.
"Radio channels are coming up with many talent hunt shows. Participants shared stage with me in Big FM's 'Sing with Sonu' contest. Similarly, in Fever 104 FM's 'Sing with AR Rahman' contest winners got the chance to performed live with Rahman sahib," Sonu told The Hindu.
On the Internet, the Idol-on-Radio idea has been taken to the logical extreme by webcaster Radio IO and its "Idols Channel", which offers "new talent and captivating vocals from hot TV music competitions from around the world," including performances from American Idol, Pop Idol, Australian Idol, X Factor, Rock Star, Popstars, Making of the Band, and so forth.
Clear Channel Radio Launches erockster Portal
After a preview at the Coachella music festival in California, Clear Channel Radio debuted its erockster music portal last week.
The collection of on-air, online and on-demand content is aimed at 13–34 year olds, and will reach some 5,000 songs over the next month, adding 1,000 songs per week.
As of 2 May, erockster streams programming from KYSR(FM) in Los Angeles, WWDC(FM) in Washington, D.C., and WRFF(FM) in Philadelphia, as well as streaming programming from Clear Channel archives; erockster is also available as an HD2 digital radio channel. As additional stations are added, the show will be syndicated as a two-hour program for FM stations.
Listeners can influence what gets played by signing on to the site to register preferences.
Producer Eric Szmanda (who plays lab technician Greg Sanders on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") said the service gives fans an outlet to listen to a variety of music, discuss bands, concerts "and really anything that we have an opinion or comment on that's music-related."
Exhibition Update
Upcoming Events
14–16 May 2008: Cinema, Flash & Sound, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17–20 May 2008: 124th AES Convention, Amsterdam, Netherlands
18–22 May 2008: 1st International Conference on Radio, Tehran, Iran
20–22 May 2008: CeBIT Australia, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
21–23 May 2008: TRK-24, Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia
23–25 May 2008: GeorgiaTel, Tbilisi, Georgia
26–28 May 2008: Congresso Mineiro de Radiodifusão, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
27–28 May 2008: AMS (Asia Media Summit) , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
27–30 May 2008: KITEL 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan
28–31 May 2008: KOBA, Seoul, South Korea
30 May 2008: India Radio Forum, Mumbai, India
2–4 June 2008: Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum, Bonn, Germany
5–7 June 2008: PALM India Expo / FM Radio Expo, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India
5–7 June 2008: 33rd International AES Conference: Audio Forensics—Theory and Practice, Denver, Colorado
16–17 June 2008: RDS Forum Meeting, Glion sur Montreux, Switzerland
16–18 June 2008: RadioAsia 2008, Singapore
16–19 June 2008: Congreso Comunicación y Transmisión Digital, San José, Costa Rica
17–20 June 2008: BroadcastAsia2008, Singapore
17–20 June 2008: WIS/Expo Comm Korea 2008, Seoul, South Korea
24–26 June 2008: European Spectrum Management Conference, Brussels, Belgium
29 June–4 July 2008: Acoustics'08 Paris 155th ASA Meeting / 5th Forum Acusticum / 9ème Congrès Français d'Acoustique, Paris, France
30 June–2 July 2008: Radio Festival, Glasgow, Scotland
1–2 July 2008: RadioTV Forum, Rome, Italy
5–6 July 2008: EBU General Assembly, İstanbul, Turkey
8 July 2008: WBU Secretaries General Meeting, İstanbul, Turkey
14–17 July 2008: AMIC Annual Conference, Manila, Philippines
4–5 August 2008: LABS'08, Miami, Florida
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