The soundtrack for the broadband age
Private radio stations Internet instead of FM: With two new channels, 105 is making a threefold start into the radio future.
Private radio stations Internet instead of FM: With two new channels, 105 is making a threefold start into the radio future. "My starting point was the question: Where are radio innovations possible today?", is how Giuseppe Scaglione explains the latest evolutionary step of Radio 105. After seven years of fighting for a terrestrial license, the controversial station manager has written off the FM market. Instead, he is now focusing on the Internet. Since the end of April this year, Radio 105 has not only been available on cable
network, but also as a 128-kilobit stream via its website. This means CD quality - three times over. Because
In addition to the actual 105 program, Scaglione is launching two online-only channels, 105 Classics and 105 Dope. 105 Classics focuses on club hits from the 70s and 80s, 105 Dope on hip-hop and R'n'B. Both broadcast practically exclusively music - without moderation and without advertising. Giuseppe Scaglione is convinced that the time is right for the launch on the Internet. According to the IGEM communications technology study, 44% of Swiss people aged 15 and over now have a broadband connection that enables high-quality radio broadcasts. Among 15 to 24-year-olds, the figure is as high as 60 percent. The Neue Zürcher Zeitung reports that interest in online radio is increasing: the use of SRG's special interest stations Swiss Classic, Swiss Pop and Swiss Jazz via the Internet doubled compared to the previous year to 10,000 people in January 2005. Meanwhile, the next technological innovation is already on the horizon: Radio from the Internet directly to the
cell phone. 105 wants to be at the forefront of this development. "While the radio industry is obviously not interested in innovation, the telecom industry has a huge interest in the development of new distribution channels," believes Giuseppe Scaglione. Once these had established themselves with the public, all stations would undoubtedly jump on the bandwagon. But until then, Radio 105 wants to exploit its head start and firmly establish its brand.
Funding sets limitsScaglione emphasizes the importance of the brand, especially in the endless variety of online offerings. "People need a home, they want someone who selects the music they like for them," he says. This is why the number of 105 online channels is never expected to grow to infinity, although the radio pioneer is keeping the option of expanding the range open. For the time being, however, financing limits the expansion. Scaglione is aware that many listeners tune in to Internet stations not least because they come without commercials. Other ideas are needed: "Commercially, our main goal is to merge radio and online into new forms of advertising," says Scaglione.
Stefano Monachesi
network, but also as a 128-kilobit stream via its website. This means CD quality - three times over. Because
In addition to the actual 105 program, Scaglione is launching two online-only channels, 105 Classics and 105 Dope. 105 Classics focuses on club hits from the 70s and 80s, 105 Dope on hip-hop and R'n'B. Both broadcast practically exclusively music - without moderation and without advertising. Giuseppe Scaglione is convinced that the time is right for the launch on the Internet. According to the IGEM communications technology study, 44% of Swiss people aged 15 and over now have a broadband connection that enables high-quality radio broadcasts. Among 15 to 24-year-olds, the figure is as high as 60 percent. The Neue Zürcher Zeitung reports that interest in online radio is increasing: the use of SRG's special interest stations Swiss Classic, Swiss Pop and Swiss Jazz via the Internet doubled compared to the previous year to 10,000 people in January 2005. Meanwhile, the next technological innovation is already on the horizon: Radio from the Internet directly to the
cell phone. 105 wants to be at the forefront of this development. "While the radio industry is obviously not interested in innovation, the telecom industry has a huge interest in the development of new distribution channels," believes Giuseppe Scaglione. Once these had established themselves with the public, all stations would undoubtedly jump on the bandwagon. But until then, Radio 105 wants to exploit its head start and firmly establish its brand.
Funding sets limitsScaglione emphasizes the importance of the brand, especially in the endless variety of online offerings. "People need a home, they want someone who selects the music they like for them," he says. This is why the number of 105 online channels is never expected to grow to infinity, although the radio pioneer is keeping the option of expanding the range open. For the time being, however, financing limits the expansion. Scaglione is aware that many listeners tune in to Internet stations not least because they come without commercials. Other ideas are needed: "Commercially, our main goal is to merge radio and online into new forms of advertising," says Scaglione.
Stefano Monachesi
