Big radio pool confusion
Starting July 1, there will be three radio pools, but only for six months
From July 1, there will be three radio pools, but only for six monthsBy Markus Knöpfli The radio industry is shaking up its pools - at such short notice, with such tight time limits and in such an uncoordinated manner that outsiders can hardly see through it all. In any case, there will be three national radio pools in the next six months instead of the previous two, as well as a jumble of names - but how things will continue from 2003 is still open. Probably everything will be completely different again.
Names are just smoke and mirrors. This is especially true in the radio scene. The Million Pool, although it can start in the announced composition, is renamed at the same time due to name disputes. Conversely, Pool 2000, which will no longer exist in its current composition, defiantly retains its name. And to complete the confusion, there are increasing signs that the City Pool will also soon be reorganized. So it should come as no surprise if it continues to be called the City Pool or - why not? - renamed the Million Pool.
But first things first. At least one point in the whole radio pool discussion seems to have been clarified in the meantime: on July 1, the Million Pool, which has been renamed One Pool, will go on sale. As previously described (WW 20/02), it comprises the previous Zurich module of Pool 2000 (Hitradio Z, Argovia, Sunshine) as well as the radios Top, Grischa/Piz, 32, Ri and Central. The One Pool can be divided into three modules: the Zurich module with Hitradio Z, Argovia, Sunshine and Top, the Mittelland module with Argovia and 32 and the Eastern Switzerland module with Top, Ri, Grischa/Piz and Central.
The new Pool 2000 will also start on July 1, still with three modules, but the Zurich module (Hitradio Z, Argovia, Sunshine), which was in breach of contract, was released into the One Pool last week at its own request and replaced by the Powerpool (Radio 24, Zürisee). The pool tariff will of course change, details will be decided this week, as will the question of whether Radio Aktuell should also be integrated. Incidentally, the dismissal of the unfaithful three even took place without lawyers for once, although presumably not without compensation payments. However, it was agreed to keep this confidential.
So far, contracts in the radio scene have rarely been honored
The main problem with the new Pool 2000 is not the many changes under the old name, but the fact that they will only be valid for six months. The reason for this is that the Powerpool could only be used as a replacement module for Zurich until the end of 2002. It is therefore still completely open as to what will become of Pool 2000 from 2003.
But why didn't the Powerpool allow itself to be involved in Pool 2000 in the long term? Because it received an invitation from the City Pool (Basilisk, Extra Bern, Pilatus). In addition, there is probably an instruction from the management of Tamedia. The three radio stations, 24, Basilisk and Extra Bern, in which the Group has a stake, are to be bundled into one and the same pool package.
One thing is certain: The City Pool has decided to expand, but has not yet given notice of termination. If everything goes according to contract, a termination should be announced this week. However, this may not even be necessary if there is unanimity regarding the inclusion of Radio 24 and the Powerpool. That would be in the articles of association. But what are statutes and contracts worth in the radio scene? So far, they have rarely been adhered to. In addition, Tamedia will surely find a way to at least get its Radio 24 into the city pool, after all it already sets the tone there via Basilisk and Extra Bern.
There are therefore many indications that the integration of Radio 24 or the Powerpool into the City Pool will become a reality from 2003. This would then result in the dissolution of Pool 2000. Two more or less reasonable scenarios would then be conceivable (although experience shows that these are unlikely to come to fruition): The orphaned pool modules Bern (BE1, BeO, Canal 3) and Basel (Regenbogen, Edelweiss) each remain independent and offer themselves as possible additions to the eastward-oriented One Pool. Or they could join the One Pool as additional modules. However, the (rhetorical) question then arises as to why they have not already done so. The media planners would certainly have thanked them. With this chaos, the radio industry is doing itself the greatest disservice.
Names are just smoke and mirrors. This is especially true in the radio scene. The Million Pool, although it can start in the announced composition, is renamed at the same time due to name disputes. Conversely, Pool 2000, which will no longer exist in its current composition, defiantly retains its name. And to complete the confusion, there are increasing signs that the City Pool will also soon be reorganized. So it should come as no surprise if it continues to be called the City Pool or - why not? - renamed the Million Pool.
But first things first. At least one point in the whole radio pool discussion seems to have been clarified in the meantime: on July 1, the Million Pool, which has been renamed One Pool, will go on sale. As previously described (WW 20/02), it comprises the previous Zurich module of Pool 2000 (Hitradio Z, Argovia, Sunshine) as well as the radios Top, Grischa/Piz, 32, Ri and Central. The One Pool can be divided into three modules: the Zurich module with Hitradio Z, Argovia, Sunshine and Top, the Mittelland module with Argovia and 32 and the Eastern Switzerland module with Top, Ri, Grischa/Piz and Central.
The new Pool 2000 will also start on July 1, still with three modules, but the Zurich module (Hitradio Z, Argovia, Sunshine), which was in breach of contract, was released into the One Pool last week at its own request and replaced by the Powerpool (Radio 24, Zürisee). The pool tariff will of course change, details will be decided this week, as will the question of whether Radio Aktuell should also be integrated. Incidentally, the dismissal of the unfaithful three even took place without lawyers for once, although presumably not without compensation payments. However, it was agreed to keep this confidential.
So far, contracts in the radio scene have rarely been honored
The main problem with the new Pool 2000 is not the many changes under the old name, but the fact that they will only be valid for six months. The reason for this is that the Powerpool could only be used as a replacement module for Zurich until the end of 2002. It is therefore still completely open as to what will become of Pool 2000 from 2003.
But why didn't the Powerpool allow itself to be involved in Pool 2000 in the long term? Because it received an invitation from the City Pool (Basilisk, Extra Bern, Pilatus). In addition, there is probably an instruction from the management of Tamedia. The three radio stations, 24, Basilisk and Extra Bern, in which the Group has a stake, are to be bundled into one and the same pool package.
One thing is certain: The City Pool has decided to expand, but has not yet given notice of termination. If everything goes according to contract, a termination should be announced this week. However, this may not even be necessary if there is unanimity regarding the inclusion of Radio 24 and the Powerpool. That would be in the articles of association. But what are statutes and contracts worth in the radio scene? So far, they have rarely been adhered to. In addition, Tamedia will surely find a way to at least get its Radio 24 into the city pool, after all it already sets the tone there via Basilisk and Extra Bern.
There are therefore many indications that the integration of Radio 24 or the Powerpool into the City Pool will become a reality from 2003. This would then result in the dissolution of Pool 2000. Two more or less reasonable scenarios would then be conceivable (although experience shows that these are unlikely to come to fruition): The orphaned pool modules Bern (BE1, BeO, Canal 3) and Basel (Regenbogen, Edelweiss) each remain independent and offer themselves as possible additions to the eastward-oriented One Pool. Or they could join the One Pool as additional modules. However, the (rhetorical) question then arises as to why they have not already done so. The media planners would certainly have thanked them. With this chaos, the radio industry is doing itself the greatest disservice.
