12 January 2006
Norm Pattiz, a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors which oversees US international television and radio broadcasting, has resigned.
Pattiz, widely credited as being the force behind new US international broadcasting initiatives such as Radio Sawa and Al Hurra TV, cited “personal reasons” for his resignation. In his resignation letter to President Bush, Pattiz, founder of radio syndicator Westwood One Inc., said the two ventures are “reaching mass audiences previously unheard of for U.S. international broadcasting in that region of the world.”
Pattiz said that he wanted to devote his time to other ventures and that his decision to quit the board had “nothing to do with politics.”
12 January 2006
January 6th proved to be the dawning of a new era for FM radio in India. In a bid process covering around 58 radio stations in 13 cities, including the four metros and fast-expanding cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad, a range of would-be radio operators jockeyed for position.
The bid process follows the relaxation of the Indian government control of FM radio broadcasting. For the government, the new bids have yielded dividends in the form of a healthy licence fee while listeners gain a wider variety of radio entertainment options and, in all likelihood, greater sophistication in programming.
25 companies won stations by forking out Rs 568 crore (thats around £72million or US$178million) for 53 frequencies. HT Music won frequencies in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. Radio Mirchi gained licences for all seven FM stations that it had bid for in the first leg of the Phase II FM radio bidding held by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
Apurva Purohit, CEO of Music Broadcast (Radio City), said: “This is good news for the industry. The whole sector will grow. The process was handled brilliantly and this means great news for consumers. Hopefully, the industry will segment its offering and give a wider choice to listeners.”
Anil Mehra, group finance director, Living Media, said, “Even though the bids varied, we believe that the total revenue accruing to the government is as per
their expectations.”
According to A P Parigi, MD and CEO, Entertainment Network (India) Ltd, which owns the Radio Mirchi brand, “Government policy does not allow for players
to be present in two stations and hence the company was not eligible to bid for the other stations. The bids have been extremely rational. The shift from
fixed licence fee to revenue share model in Phase II policy will result in more viable radio business models and the bid values are favourable enough to
drive growth for the FM industry.”
Radio Mid-Day West, a new venture in association with BBC Worldwide, won six frequencies out of the nine it had bid for.
The AIB is holding a Regional Media Leaders Forum in New Delhi, India, on 14 February.
12 January 2006
The latest edition of the AIB’s quarterly magazine, The Channel has been published.
This new edition – supported by Hellas Sat – is packed with the latest news from across the international broadcasting industry as well as feature articles.
As new international television channels launch, The Channel looks at the chances they have for success and analyses what their strengths and weaknesses are. We also examine the plans for pan-African TV where at least two separate groups are looking at launching services.
Plus there’s full information about the AIB Regional Media Leaders Forum in New Delhi on 14 February and the first announcement of the AIB International Broadcasting Awards 2006.
To subscribe to the magazine, click
here.
21 December 2005
Al Arabiya News Channel has joined the AIB as a Platinum Member.
Part of MBC based in Dubai Media City in the United Arab Emirates, Al Arabiya has been on the air to the Middle East with its Arabic-language news service since 2003.
“The AIB is delighted that Al Arabiya has chosen to join the Association, demonstrating its commitment to the international broadcasting industry through Platinum membership,” says Simon Spanswick, AIB Chief Executive. “We will be working closely with Al Arabiya to provide the complete range of member services, and look forward to encouraging considerable interaction with our other members in the region and throughout the world.”
A full profile of Al Arabiya appears in the new edition of The Channel
13 December 2005
The AIB extends its sympathies to everyone caught up in the terrorist attacks in London on Thursday 7 July.
The AIB confirms that its Regional Media Leaders Forum on Friday 15 July will take place as planned.
The AIB Regional Media Leaders Forum will take place in London on Friday 15 July 2005.
More than 70 people are already registered for this half-day conference, including broadcasters, politicians, regulators and consultants from across Europe.
See who is registered: download the latest delegate list
here.
This half-day conference will include in-depth discussion and debate between the keynote speakers and delegates and there will also be excellent networking opportunities ensuring a thoroughly worthwhile event.
Keynote speakers are Mr K S Sarma, Chief Executive of India’s Prasar Bharati – which runs Doordarshan television and All India Radio – and Nigel Parsons, Managing Director of Al Jazeera International.
With additional input from high level speakers and video inserts plus expert
moderation from ITV News Channel journalist and anchor Andrew Harvey, the AIB Regional Media Leaders Forum is an event not to be
missed.
Broadcast partner
Taking place in central London at the Geological Society, Piccadilly, the
half-day conference includes the presentation of the inaugural AIB
International Broadcasting Awards and a networking lunch.
Reserve your place today – the cost is just £25 plus VAT for AIB members, and only £75 plus VAT for non-members.
See who is registered: download the list
here.
Download the event brochure
here, or book online by clicking
here.
Conference location Geological Society, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG
