Lots happens in the radio industry each week so here’s a summary of the week we just enjoyed.
Here’s What Happened
When Bauer baught Iradio, we asked in a poll if people thought they were getting too big. The industry was clear, with 79% of people saying yes,
None of that matters ultimately though, as nothings going to stop Bauer buying unless Coimisiún na Meán or the CCPC step in. This week the company announced another deal, with the Germans now set to acquire ad sales business Media Central.
Media Central operate as the quiet backbone in radio really, but they sell ads for Bauers stations, as well as other clients such as Classic Hits Radio and Beat 102 103.
The company say that it will continue to serve these other clients, but it’s slightly concerning to be relying on your competitor to sell your ads too.
Its certainly not unheard of, Urban Media sell ads for other stations even though they’re owned by Wireless Group, while over on the TV side, Sky Media sell ads for tons of channels despite owning many themselves. The relationship can work, but it’s scary in some ways for these stations as they never signed up to have Bauer selling their ads.
It’s a fascinating time to see a company expanding so quickly, but for those who already saw Bauer as too big, this won’t exactly calm their unease.
Red FM breakfast with KC kicked off on Monday, and it sounds decent to be fair.
The shows not radicaly different to what’s been there before, or even what’s airing over on 96FM, but despite the Pop Quiz effectively being a rebranded instagrand. (KC’s words not mine), the production feels a bit slicker in my view.
Like any new show or station it takes time to get muscle memory down for a new desk with new production elements ETC, but KC is generaly really good at production, and it showed.
I Would have liked to see a bit more of a drastic revamp, but KC is a quality host. This was clear to hear with his use of a clip in a post read interaction with sports reader Ruairí O’Hagan. The two were able to have a fun, natural interaction around a sports commentator sounding like Mickey Mouse. It was a quality link, and it’s exactly the kind of style one expects from KC.
Long time 96FM news reader Victoria Nichols has joined the show as head producer and co presenter, so it’s going to be interesting to watch this relationship develop in the coming weeks and months.
Generally it’s a quality show even if I do feel some elements like the pop quiz could have been revamped a bit. KC’s strong presenting style is familiar to listeners in Cork, and I don’t think they’ll be disappointed.
Could Tubridy be off to the home of the 80s and 90s, Irelands Classic Hits Radio?
The station have said they’d match his €170,000 offer from RTÉ, but in exchange they’re looking for a two hour show each morning instead of one.
This would likely be a game changer for Classic hits, giving them an immediate listenership boost. At the same time though it’s double the airtime for the same cost. You’d expect that Tubridy would try push for the €250,000 as Classic hits are also allowed twice as many ads as RTÉ.
A deal like this would work wonders though, meaning that Classic hits would be taken as seriously as Newstalk in the market. Tubridy could earn nice money on Classic Hits, and earn TV money on the side, so it’s not a bad offer if they went to the €250k mark.
Will it happen, who knows. But now at least Tubridy and his agent know Classic Hits are interested.
Read the story on radio today, who refer to this story as a “stunt”
Quick Bits
€6.4 million has been allocated in the latest Sound and Vision funding round
Learning waves and Radio Kerry are teaming up for the Radio and Podcasting course in the Kingdom
RTÉ kids podcast Maddie + Triggs is to become a tv series
8Radio has turned 10, and is back on FM
Marty and Dee from Radio Nova have spoken about balancing work and family life
The IMRO Hall of Fame inductees will be announced on September 11th
And that’s the summary for this week. Come back to radio land next week for more radio news📻 and be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for more fun from the world of radio.