Ouvir rádio na net é como ouvir a rádio hertziana!

«As I write this, I'm listening to Mozart arias from an online radio station based in Buenos Aires. That's hardly unusual. Millions of people regularly listen to Internet radio on their computers. But there is no computer on in the house; I'm using pencil and paper (gasp!) to write these paragraphs. The sound is coming from what appears to be a clock radio. And that's essentially what it is — a clock radio for the Internet era. The AE Wi-Fi Internet radio is a stand-alone receiver, preprogrammed with more than 2,500 online stations. Designed to operate more like a radio than a computer, it's made by Acoustic Energy in Britain and is scheduled to hit the U.S. marketplace in mid-May. It won't be alone. Roku's long-delayed SoundBridge radio — also a stand-alone unit that can pick up Internet radio via Wi-Fi — is also scheduled to start shipping next month. It comes programmed with only about 80 stations (more can be added) and lacks the user-friendliness of the AE machine. But the sound quality is better»

fonte: «You Don't Need a Computer to Listen to the Radio on the Internet», Los Angeles Times, April 27, 2006, David Colker

(5.2) Criatividade

Walt Mossberg, o especialista em tecnologia do Wall Street Journal, esteve na convenção NAB 06 e falou sobre (o futuro d)a rádio. O texto merece ser lido na íntegra, ou pelo nos extractos divulgados pelo site RAIN, mas aqui ficam algumas ideias:

«There are now 50 million iPods out there,” Mossberg said. “What you have to do to confront the iPod and the Internet isto be better at what you do. “My music tastes don’t fit into the little boxes that Clear Channel in my market has decided I need to fit into,” he said, arguing that broadcasters need to use streaming, podcasts, HD-2 channels, and other tools to beat that iPod“You’re in the business of producing audio programming, and you should be  using all the technology at your disposal.” (...) “Your job is not just to string together a bunch of songs in a row, but to put on exciting new programming to attract new listeners and beat the iPod.” »

 

(ACT) EUA criam regras para serviços on line de música

« New radio platforms are rapidly gaining strength, though time-shifting and storage capabilities are generating major concerns. While consumers are increasingly opting for on-demand models, groups like the RIAA have been pushing for compensation on technologies that allow consumers to locate and store specific songs within streamed broadcasts. Now, a new piece of legislation has surfaced on Capitol Hill that addresses those concerns, specifically as they relate to satellite, internet, and cable-based radio formats. The freshly-introduced Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006, or PERFORM, is being backed by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). "I want new services to continue to be made available on different platforms," said Graham. "But the rules need to be fair for everyone.” Specific compensation amounts were not outlined, though a release from the office of Dianne Feinstein noted that "all cable, satellite, and internet companies should be subject to the same rates," defined by “fair market value. (…) "What a listener cannot do is set a recording device to find all the Frank Sinatra songs being played on the radio-service and only record those songs".

Fonte: «Legislation Seeks Compensation on Radio-Based Downloads», Digital Music News», 27/4/06

ACT a 30/4/06: esta medida vai ter consquências: «"If the PERFORM Act becomes law, webcasters who use the statutory SoundExchange licenses to play music would have to give up MP3 streaming in favor of a DRM-restricted, proprietary formats that impose restrictions on any recordings made. So much for great time-shifting technologies like Streamripper and RadioLover."»

O regulador britânico intervém na programação

É, penso, um caso único na Europa (e, muito mais, nos EUA): o regulador audiovisual britânico, OFCOM, intervém quando determinada rádio muda o tipo de programação que «contratuliza» com esse regulador (o formato). Este caso, recente, é ilucidativo (até dos próprios receios das rádios) – não podiam passar música irlandesa porque não tinha essa uatorização:

« Ofcom has issued a ‘yellow card’ to CN Radio’s Touch FM in Coventry for a format breach. The regulator said Touch FM's general music policy was acceptable but specialist Irish music output was being broadcast in an inaccessible timeslot of 12am to 5am on Mondays.
Ofcom deemed this to be "contrary to the spirit of the format" and has asked the station to remedy the problem, which Touch FM has agreed to do.
The 'yellow card' is a way of identifying and rectifying format problems without having to sanction the station with financial penalties or by shortening the licence length.
Jon Hewson, chief executive, CN Radio, said: "We believe that we are programming Touch FM Coventry very well within its format requirements and that the yellow card is somewhat harsh."
He feared that Ofcom's move would set a worrying precedent for the radio industry following its policy of 'light touch' regulation.
"The station's format document does not state any timing requirements for the specialist show. I think that it's a very worrying signal if the regulator starts talking about the spirit of a format and introduces a significant grey area in this way."

 

Fonte: « Ofcom asks Touch FM to revise specialist policy», Mediaweek, Amanda Lennon, Publication Date 2006-04-25 12:15 PM

Em defesa da emissão local

O presidente da reguladora norte-americana FCC:

« “Satellite radio is an important service, it’s very popular, and it’s grown very rapidly, but I think its fundamentally different from what local, free over-the-air broadcasters can provide, and we need to recognize that. What local broadcasters are able to do is provide unique insights and a unique service, particularly during times of crisis. We don’t want everything to just become a nationalized service. We still want that to have those local broadcasters disseminating local news and entertainment to consumers»

 

Fonte: «FCC Chief: Satellite Radio ‘Fundamentally Different’ From Broadcasting», Radio Ink, 26/4/06

O que a rádio (convencional) deve fazer para reagir à ameaça?

Três dos conselhos que o presidente da NAB dá á industria radiofónica (e televisiva) para reagir à «concorrência»:

 

1.       « Exploiting “every new technology – on every new platform.” According to Rehr, broadcasters must move quickly to increase distribution channels for their content with the goal of being omnipresent in the culture, going “everywhere to everyone, through every device.”
2.       Promoting the benefits of DTV and digital radio. He urged broadcasters to show consumers “the exciting possibilities of digital television before the DTV conversion, not when the DTV transition is upon us. But right now.” It is the broadcaster’s responsibility to inform viewers that “the most pristine signals they can receive” are over-the-air digital television. The NAB will be announcing a consumer DTV education program, he said.
3.       Promoting greater competition among the cable, satellite and telecommunications companies.
Fonte: « NAB president: It’s time to go on the offensive» Apr 26, 2006 2:08 PM

Um jornal que funciona como a rádio: notícias na hora

O El País acaba de lançar um novo jornal, chamado 24 Horas, um jornal «fruto de um processo totalmente automático, sem intervenção humana". A máquina está programada para, mal recebe a ordem para descarregar a edição, colocar nas páginas iniciais do 24 Horas as "notícias mais recentes do ponto de vista informativo", seguidas pelas "mais consultadas pelos leitores em elpais.es". A última das 14 páginas exibe informação bolsista, o tempo e o cartoon diário exclusivo de Ramón Rodriguez».

Os responsáveis explicam que «O target deste novo projecto do grupo Prisa é "o público da imprensa tradicional que não gosta de ler no ecrã mas quer saber as últimas notícias e tem pouco tempo, exige agilidade", refere Ruth Blanch. A responsável rejeita a competição do 24 Horas com o El País, sublinhando que o novo projecto é um jornal para imprimir e ler as notícias mais importantes das últimas horas».

Ou seja, os jornais são cada vez mais multimédia (tiram cada vez mais partido das potencialidades da net), neste caso «invadindo» o espaço da rádio

 

Publicidade só não aumenta na rádio

O DN (não oestá on line) revela hoje ops numeros do investimento publicitário no primeiro trimestre de 2006, relativamente a identico trimestre do ano passado.

TV sobe 25,3%, imprensa mais 6,4 %, outdoor cresce 22,1%; em queda (esperada) o cinema (menos 16,8) e a rádio, com uma perda de 5,3 por cento. É preocupante, sem dúvida!

A rádio hertziana vai ganhar à concorrência

... diz o presidente da NAB, National Association of Broadcasters: «To our competitors I say, ‘We will beat you,” he said during the Monday morning address delivered from the Las Vegas Hilton. “Radio’s history is one of meeting new competition head on and coming out on top. That hasn’t changed. All we seek is a level playing field.”

(fia-te na virgem, neste caso na história... e não corras - comentário meu!) 

fonte: «David Rehr Warns Radio’s Competitors: ‘We Will Beat You’», Radio Ink, 26/4/06

Uma rádio HD a emitir em 5.1 Surround

Pela primeira vez uma rádio nos EUA está emitir em 5.1 Surround, o «formato» sonoro equivalente/idêntico ao Superaudio CD - ou seja, permitindo (com um descodificador) a recepção em cinco colunas.

Jorge Guimarães Silva esclarece, a meu pedido: «Equivale à passagem do Mono para o Estéreo, mas a primeira transmissão em surround 5.1 foi feita pela União Europeia de Radiodifusão (EBU), em 12 de Outubro de 2003, aproveitando o "Dia da Rádio". escrevi um texto sobre isso em 12/10/2003: http://telefonia.weblogger.terra.com.br/200310_telefonia_arquivo.htm»

«Telos Systems and CBS Radio said WZLX(FM), Boston would become the first station in the nation to broadcast all of their format in 5.1 surround sound using the MPEG system on its HD Radio signal. The change is expected to occur within the next 90 to 120 days. The companies hope the move will attract the attention of Boston-based receiver makers such as Boston Acoustics and Bose, as well as other stations, to get them excited about MPEG Surround sound capability, said Steve Church, chief executive officer of Telos Systems and Frank Foti, president of Omnia. "This is going to create a significant boost to radio's aural impact and will be an important motivation for consumers to buy HD Radios," said Church. The station will hold off on promoting the 5.1 surround until there are compatible MPEG Surround receivers in the market, said Church and Foti, who added MPEG has developed a reference design for receiver makers. Other stations are interested in adapting their studios and music formats to surround sound, said Foti, who added the classic rock and classical formats currently have the most music recorded in 5.1 surround. Telos/Omnia is helping WZLX convert its record library to surround and Fraunhofer is providing the MPEG Surround encoder. WZLX is a Classic Rock-formatted station».

fonte: WZLX to Go 5.1 Surround, RWonline, By Leslie Stimson

Os LAD são mesmo um fenómeno!

«that of all of the new media tested – satellite radio, Internet streaming, text messaging, video games – the sharpest growth belongs to iPods and similar MP3 players. The iPod (and similar portable devices) has become a pop culture phenomenon, rapidly becoming a dynamic force in the way that music (and other content) is being purchased and consumed. From the 2005 to 2006 studies, iPod/MP3 ownership has risen sharply, from 21%-35% - which translates to 67% growth year-to-year. No other media activity has shown anywhere near that type of dramatic increase in our study».

fonte: «iPOD OWNERSHIP IS EXPLODING AND PODCASTING IS EMERGING AS A VIABLE CONTENT MEDIUM», JacobsMedia, April 24, 2006

BBC aposta mais na interactividade

É irreversível. A BBC já está a dar os primeiros passos:

«The BBC is preparing to revamp its internet and broadcast strategy with user-generated content and greater interactivity. MySpace, YouTube, and Flickr will offer inspiration for the stepped-up venture, and the BBC will also deliver its television and radio content on-demand across multiple platforms. For a website overhaul, the BBC is expected to hold a design contest, which fits into the new approach well. User-generated radio stations and unsigned band content are also expected to be part of the mix. The "web 2.0" strategy is designed to court a younger generation of media viewers, and develop a deeper audience bond. A key component of the revamped strategy will be the BBC iPlayer, which will offer on-demand playback of previously-aired television and radio shows. The player will enable PC-based viewing initially, though playback across a wider range of devices and platforms is also expected. The initiative comes ahead of renewed government funding, and the program is being tailored to the lives of modern-day media consumers. Meanwhile, the BBC has already engaged in a number of new technologies and concepts, adding momentum to the initiative. Last summer, the company delivered free Beethoven downloads from a BBC Philharmonic performance, an experiment that was followed-up with another classical offering involving Bach. Elsewhere, the company is flirting with a digital music store, and the BBC recently positioned its video news archives for free download and consumption.»

fonte: «BBC Moves Towards User-Generated Content», Digital Music News, 26/4/06

Curiosa esta afirmação: «After a yearlong review of its strategy, the British Broadcasting Corp., the world's biggest and best-known public broadcaster, said it plans to put more resources into its already-large Internet presence and no longer regards itself primarily as a producer of television and radio»

Uma aposta na informação de trânsito

«The battle between radio formats is about more than just music, especially when it comes to commuters. Americans spend an inordinate amount of time in their vehicles, often in headache-producing traffic jams. That has created a push for next-generation traffic navigation technologies, including new rollouts from both satellite and terrestrial companies. Most recently, terrestrial giant Clear Channel Radio announced a slate of new distribution deals involving its Total Traffic Network, which uses a team of reporters, traffic cameras, helicopters and airplanes to deliver real-time updates. That system will now be used by Citadel Broadcasting and Fox Interactive Media, according to an announcement made early this morning (...) Elsewhere, offerings like XM Instant Traffic & Weather from XM Satellite Radio offer real-time traffic information in 21 metropolitan areas, part of a plan to supplant the local advantage that terrestrial radio offers.»

fonte: «Clear Channel Radio Broadens Traffic Technology», Digital Music news, 26/4/06

3 mil músicas num telemóvel!

É o Nokia N91 e já está à venda. Para quem tiver quase 700 euros...

Com os seus 4 GB, pode, diz a própria marca, levar «até 3.000 das suas músicas favoritas».

Como comentava comigo o Edgard, «iPod Nano vira coisa de criança». Por falar em iPod Nano: se a versão maior tem 4GB e suporta até mil músicas, como é que o N91 pode ter até 3 mil e a mesma capacidade? É um problema do formato de compressão do iPod (o AAC)?

Mais um exemplo de como a net está a ser potenciada

«Meet the press», um mítico programa da televisão NBC, está a ser promovido de múltiplas maneiras - para além da difusão hertziana.

Uma vista de olhos pela página do programa (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/) mostra que os seus responsáveis já passaram a fase dos medos (isto vai retirar audiência ao programa?). Ou seja, que, no final, haverá mais gente a ver o Meet the Press. É só uma questão de rentabilizar (comercialmente ou não) isso mesmo!

(obrigado E.)

A publicidade nas rádios de satélite

«Sirius's "commercial-free music stations will be commercial-free. We will not run commercials on our music stations, and the reason for that is when consumers are asked why they subscribe to satellite radio, one of the drivers is that terrestrial radio is running too many commercials."»

Podcasting para quem não domina a técnica

Corey Deitz, do RadioAbout, promete: com este software, qualquer infoexcluído consegue fazer um podcast...

A rádio é importante para os norte-americanos

(directamente da terra dos estudos, mais um...; feito com mil entrevistas no universo da população dos EUA)

«Survey: Radio is Important to Americans
Charleston, SC - Apr 19, 2006 - Americans rate the importance and relevance of local commercial radio very highly, despite the entry of high-technology competition, a national survey commissioned by American Media Services shows. The survey found that 78 percent said radio is important in their everyday lives, and 91 percent said radio is important in American life in general. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) said they listen to radio at least once a day. The telephone survey of 1,004 American adults was conducted April 13 to 15, 2006, by Omnitel. The survey is considered accurate within plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The new findings complement those in AMS’ initial survey in January: 64 percent said they were listening to radio as much as, or more than, they were five years ago. In the AMS survey, 57 percent of men and 49 percent of women said they listen to radio at least daily. The availability of music, news and reports on weather and traffic continues to be the most often cited reasons for listening to the radio, with 98 percent of respondents saying they listen to radio for one of those features.

Additional statistics:

78 percent usually tune to a local radio station when they get in their car

More people had a favorite local radio personality in their local markets (37 percent) than a favorite television personality percent (32 percent), newspaper personality (7 percent) or personality on a local internet site (1 percent)

When asked what about the different qualities that make a good radio personality, they ranked four as most important: 89 percent said they liked to listen to someone who makes them think, 82 percent said one who makes them laugh, 79 percent wanted a personality they could trust, and 76 percent said a good radio personality has strong ties to the local community

Overall, 41 percent of respondents said they liked to listen to stations that have a good balance of music, news, weather and traffic information. That rated above playing their kind of music (26 percent) or making them laugh (3 percent).

Of those respondents who had a "favorite media personality," 37 percent said their favorite personality worked on the radio, while 32 percent said their favorite worked on television.

61 percent of those likely to change stations during commercial breaks do so in a minute or less.»

fonte: http://beradio.com/currents/radio_currents_041706/index.html#ams

O HD pode vir a ser um bom negócio

A partir do momento em que há centenas de rádio a emitir por HD, abrem-se perspectivas de novos negócios para os novos canais de multicasting. E a Clear Channel, como gigante, não perde tempo: acaba de criar uma nova empresa/solução, a que chama Format Lab para vender formatos alternativos... à concorrência que quer ter um segundo ou terceiro canal. «a new service that will make 75 new channels available to rival radio broadcasters for use in digital radio multicasts, station web sites and other outlets.

Format Lab channels include a variety of genres, such as traditional jazz, bluegrass and classical music. Within the rock category, Clear Channel offers such channels as Dank, a combination of hip-hop and rock; Vinyl Vineyard, intended as a throwback to Album Oriented Rock; and The Gig, featuring nothing but cuts from live albums.

Among other formats included at Format Lab are variations on urban, Christian, Spanish, comedy, country, and gay-themed programming.

"As other companies begin to use the HD side channels, they’re going to need programming help of the sort we can provide with Format Lab," said John Hogan, president and chief executive of Clear Channel Radio, in an interview. "So they will be very interested in what we can provide them."

fonte: Radio Ink, Clear Channel Experiments In The “Format Lab”, 24/04/06

Nem por acaso: «The member stations of the HD Digital Radio Alliance are rolling out HD2 channels in an additional 22 markets, bringing the total number of markets in which stations are multicasting their digital signal to 50 markets. This is the second wave of multicast formats to be announced; the first 25 markets were unveiled earlier this year. HD2 multicasts will now be available in 50 markets (including 42 of the top 50) -- more than six months ahead of schedule, says the alliance. The number of new radio stations created under the initiative now tops 450»

Peculiaridades da rádio nos EUA

Depois da saída de HStern para a Siriuas, a CBS/Infinity ainda não recuperou: primeiro criou um novo formato, chamado «free FM» e a seguir contratou alguns nomes de peso, entre eles David Lee Roth (Van Halen...). Agora Lee Roth abandonou e a CBS foi em busca de novos nomes para animar as manhãs das suas afiliadas «free fm» - acaba de contratar um dupla humorística e polémica conhecida como Opie & Anthony (actualmente a trabalhar já na XM).

Veja-se esta informação da Radio Ink: «John Mainelli in the New York Post reports that O&A will do a three-hour, FCC-friendly simulcast on CBS and XM (6-9 AM) and then two uncensored hours just for XM». O que é que isto siginfica? que as tres horas hertzianas são controladas ao nível da linguagem; as duas horas só na XM são «à abrir...» porque o regulador FCC não controla as emissões via satélite (daí a passagem de Stern...)