EBU has looked at the future prospects for the delivery of radio broadcasting services, and the results are given in a report (available to EBU Members only). This new report focuses on the delivery options for radio with the aim of assisting EBU Members in their strategic decisions.
Changing radio environment
For many decades radio broadcasting has been delivered via terrestrial platforms such as analogue AM and FM networks. The on-going digitalization of broadcasting, and the impressive development of the Internet are fundamentally changing the way radio is produced, distributed and consumed. Both broadcasters and viewers will benefit from these changes if an approach examining all delivery options is taken for radio.
Terrestrial and Internet radio are complementary
This report suggests that a digital terrestrial broadcasting platform will be essential in the future for distribution of the most popular radio services to mass audiences for fixed, portable and mobile reception. The terrestrial broadcasting platform is also very important for maintaining and developing broadcaster‘s brands.
Internet radio is important for serving smaller groups of listeners (e.g. niche channels) and provides interactive non-linear services. In addition, the Internet enables global presence and virtually unlimited choice of programmes.
A combination of terrestrial and Internet distribution will enable broadcasters to provide a full range of services at any location, at any time, and for all reception modes. For this convergence to succeed, it must to be supported by suitable receivers. The receivers should be user friendly and capable of utilising different distribution technologies at the same time.
Radio services are continuously evolving and the choice of a delivery method is primarily determined by the broadcaster's service and coverage requirements. Other elements such as distribution costs, availability of receivers and regulatory conditions also need to be considered when deciding strategy.
Further information
For more information, see the full EBU BPN 095 (available to EBU Members only). If you would like to join this kind of work in the EBU or learn more about the spectrum, broadband or broadcast related topics visit the new EBU Expert Communities on Spectrum and Broadband & Broadcast.