Bakom assures private radio stations of support
The radio industry is facing great challenges, and uncertainty is increasing. This was stated by the Vice Director of Bakom, Roberta Cattaneo, at Swiss Radio Day 16 in Zurich. She assured the industry of support in these uncertain times.
"Radio has always been dynamic," Roberta Cattaneo, Head of Media at the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM), told the Radio Day audience. Meeting listeners' tastes and usage habits and responding to corresponding changes has always been challenging, she said. "But in the coming years, uncertainty will increase," Cattaneo explained.
Digitization with uncertain consequences
She sees one reason for this in digitization. The change from FM to DAB+ is important, but whether and how the audience will follow this migration is uncertain. In addition, global developments and the emergence of streaming services are influencing the use of radio as a medium. "Bakom cannot influence global trends," Cattaneo explained. But where possible, he said, Bakom would help the industry. For example, the federal government is providing financial support for the migration to the new DAB+ broadcasting technology. In addition, the private radio stations would receive a larger share of the fee money. These would already make up a predominant part of the budget for individual radio stations. In 2019, the licenses for private radio stations will expire. According to Roberta Cattaneo, the Federal Council will decide next year how to proceed for the years 2020 to 2025. In doing so, she said, it will certainly take into account the situation of the migration to DAB+, which has not yet been completed. With DAB+, the battle for frequencies, broadcasting sites and coverage areas will be eliminated.
Greatest uncertainty due to No Billag initiative
Roberta Cattaneo sees the greatest uncertainty for private radio stations in the so-called No Billag initiative. This would make it impossible to charge fees. Without these fees, not only SRG would be far from being able to maintain its current offering. Private radio stations would also be severely endangered without fee money, said the deputy director. And from Bakom's point of view, the very welcome technology promotion would then also no longer be possible. When exactly the initiative will be voted on is still open. Until then, however, there is uncertainty, which naturally makes innovation and investment more difficult. However, Bakom wants to be a reliable partner, especially during this time, and make life easier for the stations. That is why Roberta Cattaneo announced that the originally planned external quality monitoring would be dropped next year. And she wishes above all for "ideas, drive and perseverance" from the radios. (SDA)
