Radiobiz

By: Nathi Khumalo

Do you still remember how life was before the internet was born? If you can, then imagine how life would have been if there was no radio but internet.  These days you can listen to radio via the internet regardless of the geographical location or footprint of that particular station. That is the internet fitting in or taking radio consumption to a different level, even though DStv already has an audio bouquet that has a whole list of radio stations you can listen to through pay-tv. However television is a visual device, people expect to see pictures and movement not just listening to a voice or music.

Radio a cheaper medium

The obvious advantage that radio would have had was that it is free; you pay nothing for listening to radio in your home, cell phone or car. The only cost is for buying a device that is used to consume the medium and that’s it. If internet came first we would be getting our news from TV and online news networks only, that would mean poorer communities would still be starved of information because of broadband affordability. So an opportunity for radio to brand itself as a cheap but effective would arise, advertisers would start considering moving some of their spend to radio since it would have been freely available to everyone. If you are an advertiser and your target market is lower LSM group, you would definitely jump into the opportunity.

Broadband cost too high?

Some might argue and say the cost of broadband would have reduced by now, so radio would have struggled to make its mark in the industry. Currently it is more expensive to advertise on radio than online, due to radio’s ability to play commercials repetitively until the message reaches the target market.

These are all what ifs, meaning it didn’t happen radio did come first before the internet. However this is the question many radio stations should be asking themselves if they want to survive. If they can come up with the right answers of how to take advantage of the internet then they will definitely survive this beast called the internet.

The excitement is palpable as there is officially less than a month to go until MTN hosts the annual Radio Awards gala banquet.

Contrary to popular belief, radio is still the dominant mass-medium in Africa, with the widest geographical reach and the highest audiences compared with television (TV), newspapers and other information and communication technologies (ICTs). According to Western Cape Primedia Broadcasting manager, Karl Gostner,” [radio] has the ability to have instant interaction and reaction on any topic or issue. [It] has a feedback channel that allows for the quick flow of information”.

With that said, the MTN Radio Awards are to honour this great medium as well as to “promote and recognise excellence in radio, with the objective of ensuring that radio remains one of South Africa’s foremost media choices”. The judging panel was announced by MTN Radio Awards Chairman, Rich Mkhondo and MTN Radio Awards CEO, Lance Rothschild. The panel will select the category winners using a set guideline to eliminate any possibilities of bias. Jeremy Maggs (Founder MTN Radio Awards), David Mashabela (Radio Presenter and Consultant), and Koos Radebe (Former Station Manager of Metro FM) form part of the list of confirmed judges.

The Gala Banquet will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 14th April. To enhance the festivities, the event will be followed by an after party. Join Radiobiz, as we will be counting down the days to the big day by follow up articles on anticipated category winners, accompanied by industry opinions.

For more information, visit http://www.mtnradioawards.co.za/index.html

South African musicians waited with baited breath as the 18th Annual Music Awards revealed their list of nominees the morning of March 8, 2012. The announcement, which was made at the Turbine Hall, in Johannesburg’s Newtown District, set the music and media industry on high anticipation of the upcoming event.

The prestigious occasion will take part on April 29, 30 at Sun City in North West. Randall Abrahams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN SAMA, and Serame Taukobong, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), approved the big revelation which was announced by veteran South African musicians. These were namely; Loyiso Bala, HHP, Kabelo Mabalane, Solly Mahlangu, Kurt Darren, Ziyon Hamilton (Liquideep), Matshediso Mholo (Malaika), Greg Carlin (Zebra & Giraffe), Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse and Lira.

There are 29 categories in which South African musicians who have excelled in the past year are recognized and acknowledged. Some of the most coveted awards, amongst others fall under the category ‘Record of The Year’, ‘Album of The Year’ and ‘Best Artist of The Year’. Dominating the nominations for 2012 was Zahara, who managed to secure herself seven nominations in the respective categories. MiCasa, and Zakwe also stood out, each securing five nominations in the respective categories.

For more information, visit: http://samusicawards.co.za/

By Mpho Smart

POWER 98.9 FM is poised to launch after winning a licence from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) last year.

Preparations for the launch of the new talk show station in Gauteng are underway. Given Mkhari, one of the owners of the new station, said landing a broadcast licence was a dream come true. Winning the licence was a watershed moment for the Richtrau consortium which comprises companies owned by businessmen Mkhari and Sandile Zungu.  Zungu is the Executive Chairman of Zungu Investments Company (ZICO) which was established in 2002. ZICO is involved in financial services, mining, general services, gaming, book publishing and media.

Power FM will compete for SABC’s SAFM and Primedia’s Radio 702 audiences with its broad coverage of current affairs. Mkhari, a co-founder and chief executive officer of MSG Afrika Investment (MSGAI), said the station would be targeted primarily at the growing black middle class. He said the station would provide a platform for the audience to ‘freely’ share and debate issues that affect them. Mkhari believes there is a need for a radio service for an audience somewhere between SAFM and Radio 702 and that the market was elastic enough to accommodate more players in the country.

MSGAI co-owns the first and only commercial radio station in Limpopo, Capricorn FM. The government’s aim in awarding additional commercial broadcasting licences is to facilitate the involvement of historically disadvantaged communities into the radio industry. Mkhari said: “The licensing process seems to have addressed inequalities from a transformation perspective.” He said the industry has a lot of work to do still.

ICASA had received 41 applications in response to its invitation to apply for broadcasting licences in 2009. Richtrau is looking to launch the station in June.

The outspoken 5fm radio DJ was arrested for speeding last night, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. It is reported that he was caught by the Gauteng traffic police driving 182 kilometres an hour in a 120km/h zone. Although his time in jail was brief, as quoted during an interview on Radio 702 earlier today, “I spent a couple of minutes behind bars, like a bad ass… but I was glad to be back home.”

Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter went buzzing once people got wind of the news. Cliff tweeted; “rumours of my imprisonment are greatly exaggerated,” shortly after his release last night.

According to the Independent Online (IOL), the contentious DJ is expected to appear in court in Pretoria today (Wednesday) March 7, 2012 on charges of speeding and reckless or negligent driving.

It is always an exciting time when big names in radio are shuffled during line-up changes. The biggest and most recent news to hit the radio scene is the Anele Mdoda and Grant Nash departure from  the radio station, 5fm. Mdoda has relocated to 94.7 Highveld Stereo, whilst her side-kick, Nash, is reportedly leaving radio altogether. Nash is said to be moving to Nepal to further pursue his practice and beliefs as a Buddhist and vegan.

To complete the stations line-up shift, DJ Euphonik inherits Roger Goode’s Saturday evening slot between 19:00- 22:00. Goode will then host weekday evenings.

South African media industry especially radio and television should brace themselves for more competition, this is after ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) issued six invitations to apply to provide commercial sound broadcasting in both primary and secondary markets.

ICASA also issued another invitation for subscription broadcasting services.
In terms of the Primary Markets licensing process, the Authority intends to award two licences to applicants in the geographical markets in Gauteng, two in the metropolitan areas of and around Durban and a further two licences in the metropolitan areas of and around Cape Town. These amounts to a total of six licences will be issued to successful applicants. It should be noted that the frequencies to be licensed for Primary Markets are on the Medium Wave band.

With regard to the Secondary Markets licensing process, the Authority intends to award one licence to the successful applicant in the Northern Cape, two in Free State and one in the Eastern Cape Provinces. A total of four licences will be issued to successful applicants.
The number of licences to be issued for subscription broadcasting services will be determined by the level of compliance with the requirements set out in the ITA.
The ITAs can be found on the ICASA website (www.icasa.org.za).

After a recommendation by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Board, Communications Minister Ms Dina Pule MP, applied her mind and is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Lulama Mokhobo as the Group Chief Executive of the SABC.

The appointment is with immediate effect for a period of five (5) years. Ms Mokhobo has the relevant qualifications, skills, capabilities and experience required for the position. She has extensive executive leadership experience in both the private and public sectors. She was previously SABC Group Executive for Public Broadcasting Services.

After obtaining her BA degree from the University of Botswana and Swaziland, she completed her Master of Science qualification at the Utah State University in the USA Minister Pule is satisfied about the integrity of the selection and evaluation process.

The Minister, Deputy Minister and the SABC Board congratulates Ms Mokhobo on her appointment and wishes her every success in turning around and stabilizing the public broadcaster. MS Mokhobo’s appointment reaffirms Minister Pule’s commitment to, after due process and consideration, quickly fill the top executive positions at the public broadcaster. This should allow the SABC to deliver broadcasting services to the South African public in a cost effective manner.

Source: Communications ministry

 Article by: Radiobiz

The latest Radio Audience Measurement Survey (RAMS) by SAARF show that the time spent listening to radio per week has dropped by an hour year on year and by 12 minutes period on period. The TSL per day also dropped by just 8min y/y and 1min period and period. Western Cape and Northern Cape are the only regions showing some growth in time spent listening.

Even though the TSL has generally dropped, a few stations are experiencing nice listenership growth period on period. Yfm grew by 1,3% to 1,4m listeners a week period on period , Metro FM is showing a 8,3% growth y/y. Radio 2000 has also grown its listeners by 26, 5% y/y to 914 000, Ukhozi FM’s listeners grew by 8, 6% y/y to 6,6m and total community radio grew their base by 11, 35% y/y to 8,4m listeners.

Good Hope FM has 20,5% more listeners than December last year, Capricorn FM has grown their base by 4,6% y/y and Talk Radio 702 has increased their listeners by 4,7% y/y. However other stations are still struggling to increase or retain their listeners, M-Power FM has the lowest number of listeners in the commercial radio space at 55000 down from 108000 same time last year. Ligwalagwala FM has dropped their listenership by 15, 8% y/y.

Ikwekwezi FM also have 10, 3% less listeners than last year. Classic FM is showing a 22, 2% decline in their listenership y/y, Phalaphala FM have 8, 7% less listeners than they had this time last year. Listeners continue to listen to an average 2.1 stations per week, for more on this visit www.saarf.co.za

About 40 percent of the music videos we see on top local music shows are created by a vibrant film production company called Gorilla Films. Established about a decade ago, this Johannesburg -based company has completely taken over the music video industry.

Justin Campos, who co-founded the company in 1998 with his younger brother Nicky, says their clientele has grown to unprecedented levels, an achievement he attributes to his team’s cutting edge skills and low prices.

“Our biggest achievement so far is not the multiple awards we have won, it’s that every single client we have worked with is a satisfied client and this for us is what we thrive on. No matter who the flavour of the month is, Gorilla Films will endeavour to surpass all expectations,” he says.

According to Campos, the name Gorilla originates from the term “Guerilla-filmmaking”, which refers to innovative techniques used to produce high-end results with few resources. Over the past few years, the company has produced a string of award-winning music videos for big names such as Black Coffee, HHP, DJ Cleo, Kabelo, Ntando, Thandiswa Mazwai, Oskido and Theo Kgosinkwe.

In its early years, the company was run from a small townhouse in Sunninghill but has grown to become South Africa’s premium music video service provider, with offices in Randburg, where four other young and talented film makers help Campos.

The film producer says some musicians also prefer to work with Gorilla Films because of the company’s affordability. “We always produce high quality videos no matter what the budget is and I think that is what makes us stand out in this competitive market where everyone is trying to make the next best video.”

Campos adds that he is particularly impressed with the fact that every musician now knows his company, and “there is no more need to spend a lot of time on promotional campaigns.”

A self-taught film maker, Campos has been recognised at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and the Channel O Music Video Awards, as well as the Metro FM Music Awards. His younger brothers are also actively involved in the local entertainment sector. Nicky has since left Gorilla Films to explore other artistic avenues, and his other brother, David, is making a name for himself as a music producer.

Those wanting to work with Gorilla Films can contact the company at www.gorillafilms.co.za.