Coronavirus – Association of European Radios

AER special bulletin – 11th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 16 July 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 11:18:00 +0000

In cooperation with AIR Asociación Internacional de Radiodifusión/
IAB International Association of Broadcasting

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL AROUND THE WORLD

BRAZIL

Special credit lines for broadcasters
The Banco do Nordeste (BNB), which has an agreement with the Cearense Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (ACERT) to modernize the technology park for radio broadcast and the migration from AM to FM, announced the possibility of extending the payment of loans contracted by companies for up to six months. Credit lines for working capital were also opened, with a grace period of up to six months.

The emergency measure focuses mainly on micro and small companies in northeast Brazil and part of the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo

The Federal Government passes the credit law for micro and small businesses
The Law No. 13.999 / 20 was published in the Official Federal Gazette on May 19, establishing the Pronampe (National Program to Support Micro and Small Businesses) for the development and strengthening of small businesses during the pandemic.

Under the rules of the new law, owners of micro and small businesses may borrow amounts corresponding to up to 30% of gross income for the year 2019. Businesses with less than one year of operation will be able to choose between borrowing up to 50% of the share capital or up to 30% of the average monthly income calculated from the start of the company’s activities.

The law also establishes that the funds received will be used to finance the commercial activity in a comprehensive way, including for investments and working capital, with the amounts received by Pronampe being used only for the distribution of profits and dividends among the partners. In exchange for making credit available, the beneficiary companies must maintain the number of employees.

The financial institutions that participate in Pronampe will be able to formalize the operations, observing the maximum annual interest rate limit equal to the Selic rate, currently at 3%, plus 1,25% on the amount granted, and the 36-month-payment period.

Interested radio and TV stations may request loans from any participating private banks and Banco do Brasil, which will coordinate the financing guarantee, in addition to other public banks that can join the program.

Deadlines for paying broadcasting contributions are extended
In response to a request made by ABERT (Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters) to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTIC), Provisional Measure 952 was published in an additional edition of the Official Gazette on April 15, which extends the payment of the Supervision Fee of the operation (TTF, which is part of Fistel), of the Contribution to the promotion of public broadcasting (CFRP) and of the Contribution to the development of the national film industry (Condecine), in the year 2020*.

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) had previously announced the extension of the payment of TFF and CFRP, which is due from March 31 to April 15. Since the publication of the Provisional Measure, the payment of the three taxes can be done, at the taxpayer’s discretion, in two ways:
– in a single payment, which expires on August 31, 2020; or
– in up to five successive monthly instalments, with expiration date on the last business day of each month, and the first instalment expiring on August 31, 2020. Selic, the Federal securities market, will adjust the instalments, without penalty or additional interest.

* TFF is a fee that is charged annually to radio and television stations and aims to pay the expenses incurred by the federal government for telecommunications inspection, as well as the development of new means and techniques to improve this activity. The CFRP is intended to promote public broadcasting services. Condecine is a contribution collected annually from television stations, and the income goes to the National Culture Fund (FNC) and the Audiovisual Sector Fund.

Government enables multiprogramming during the pandemic
The Decree No. 10,312, of the Presidency of the Republic, of April 4, 2020, allows the use of multiprogramming by commercial and educational stations for a period of up to 12 months from the date of publication of the decree. The use of the resource must be done through partnerships between broadcasting organizations and the federal, state, district or municipal government.

According to the General Standard for the Execution of Digital Public Television Services – No. 01/2009, this resource is only allowed for channels assigned to organs and entities that are part of the powers of the Union (EBC, Federal Chamber, Senate and Justice). This standard was approved by Ordinance No. 24, 02/02/09.

Since the Presidential Decree, due to the pandemic, this permission has been extended to all commercial and educational radio stations in Brazil. The measure is valid for 12 months from the date of publication of the decree.

Those broadcasting organizations interested in taking part must sign an agreement or similar instrument to establish an association with the Union, the States, the Federal District or the municipalities. Subsequently, they will communicate the use of the resource to the MCTIC, within a period of 30 days, accompanied by a copy of said agreement or similar instrument. Membership is voluntary. The responsibility for the content lies with the station and this content is exclusively related to education, science, technology, innovations, citizenship and health activities.

COLOMBIA

Suspension of payments to the State and other relief measures
In Colombia, health emergency has been decreed and mandatory isolation of all nationals has been ordered until April 13, however, radio and television services were declared essential public services, so they did not stop providing their services. Payments due to the State for compensations, concessions, licenses and use of spectrum have been suspended until May 30, and it is not considered forgiveness of debt.

In the labour field, it is allowed to advance employee vacations during the time of emergency and the retirement of layoffs for those who take unpaid leave.

In Bogotá, the payment of some taxes has been deferred for the months of June and July and the National Government has made the payment of public services more flexible.

Postponement of payment of obligations to the Single Fund for Information and Communication Technologies
By Decree 658 of May 13, 2020 – Article 3. Payment of obligations to the Single Fund for Information and Communication Technologies, in charge of operators of community television, community and public interest radio – the Government of Colombia resolved to postpone payments to be made by operators of the community sound broadcasting and public interest service and by operators of the non-profit community television service to the Single Fund for Information and Communication Technologies until 2021. The Ministry of Information Technology and Communications will regulate the matter.

MACEDONIA

AAAVMS grants financial aid to broadcasters to cope
AAAVMS, the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services granted financial aid to the television and radio stations, support to help cope with the consequences of this new reality, and ensure the primary role and obligations of broadcasters towards the public in times of crisis. The fund includes:
– Approximately €1.184.976 allocated to commercial and non-profit broadcasters holding television or radio broadcasting licenses,
– Around €486.976 assigned to the Public Broadcasting Service, i.e. Macedonian Radio and Television.

These funds have been granted for the purpose of providing protection for the media workers through purchase of protection equipment; for expenditures related to the production, procurement and broadcasting of programme; to help alleviate the adverse effects of the Coronavirus outbreak on the broadcasters’ economic performance; to support freedom of expression and information, and to enable their smooth functioning. All these measures are aimed at ensuring broadcasters’ smooth functioning and carrying out of their primary role and obligations towards the public: providing timely, objective and comprehensive information about the current situation, the prevention of the Coronavirus spread and the measures taken up by the competent institutions.

PANAMA

Government of Panama passes bill 295
Making use of constitutional authority, the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, passed bill 295 that adopts special social measures for the temporary suspension of the payment of public services such as electric power, fixed and mobile telephony and the internet. Acting on the basis of achieving the best interests of the economy and the well-being of Panamanians, the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, announced that after four intense negotiation sessions with the Panama Banking Association (ABP), an agreement that substantially improves the conditions proposed by Article 2 of Bill 287 was reached, allowing the moratorium to be extended until December 31, 2020.

The agreement with the banks includes a moratorium until December 31, 2020 for: mortgages (residential loans), personal loans, to small and medium-sized businesses, to the agricultural, commercial, transportation, cars and credit card sectors. “These measures protect the savings of all Panamanians and allow our banking system to continue standing. It is the most important banking center in the region that maintains 26 thousand direct jobs “he said. The President endorsed article 6 of bill 287 that provides that the National Authority of Public Services must adopt measures with public service providers so that radio stations can be granted a moratorium on payment for 90 days, extendable.

PERU

Suspension of procedures related to broadcasting services and private telecommunications services
The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) suspended the procedures related to broadcasting services and private telecommunications services and therefore will not be affected by the lack of compliance with obligations, during the State of National Emergency.

This measure covers, among other obligations, the rectification of requirements of form and substance, presentation of renewals. It also includes the terms provided by the Radio and Television Law Regulations and the General Telecommunications Law Regulations for compliance with the declaration and payment of financial obligations. Likewise, the payments of the instalments whose quotas are due during the period of the State of National Emergency.

Director General of Telecommunications Authorizations, Mariella Carrasco, recalled that “no procedure of those administered will be harmed. This with the purpose of guaranteeing the broadcasting services and the communications that appear between private entities while the emergency lasts and the fulfillment of the obligatory social isolation.”

UNITED STATES

Government approves Federal Stimulus Package
After intense bipartisan negotiations, the House and Senate have finally both passed, and President Trump has signed a $2 trillion plus stimulus relief package to help American families and businesses make it through the coronavirus pandemic. The package is the biggest economic rescue package in modern American history.

The Small Business Administration Loan Program will support loans of up to 250 percent of average monthly payroll, up to $10 million. This effort is targeted at small businesses, non-profits and veteran organizations with up to 500 employees; self-employed and “gig economy” individuals; and other specific industry sectors. The loans are to available immediately through SBA-certified lenders (banks, credit unions, etc.)

Corporate tax changes will allow employers to defer payroll taxes incurred through the end of 2020, with half to be repaid by the end of 2021. There will be Treasury loans for “distressed industries” from a $454 billion pool. Other points include enhanced unemployment insurance payments; an additional $600 per week for every person applying for unemployment benefits, over and above normal state benefits; and an employee retention tax credit program.

The National Association of Broadcasters welcomed the historic Federal Stimulus Package and has released a list of key provisions of interest to broadcasting companies.

“NAB is grateful to Congress and the White House for passage of the coronavirus relief package today”, President / CEO Gordon Smith said in a statement. “Allowing businesses with fewer than 500 employees to gain access to forgivable Small Business Administration loans will go a long way towards keeping many broadcasters and local businesses afloat during these difficult times”. Smith said that “the devastation to Main Street businesses – and to local broadcasters who support those businesses to drive commerce in hometowns across America – is unprecedented”. He said NAB plans to advocate for further relief for broadcasters.

URUGUAY

Specific measure to support the media sector still to be taken
The Uruguayan Government has not taken specific measures to support the media sector, although various requests have been sent to it for consideration. Meanwhile, broadcasting companies have resorted to the unemployment insurance system that applies to all private sectors of the activity. This consists of the suspension of the labour contracts of its workers for a maximum period of up to 4 months, and the government takes over their salaries at a percentage of 50% of their usual remuneration.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org
and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 10th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 17 June 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 21:08:00 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

CROATIA
HRF – HRVATSKI RADIJSKI FORUM

3rd HRF Academy: the success story of radio targeting young generations
The Croatian Radio Forum Association started back its training programme, with the 3rd HRF Academy held on June 10th. The topic of the 3rd HRF Academy was youth-format radio stations with programmes targeted to young audiences, why the model is successful and how it works. The students had the opportunity to discuss the subject in length with experts of the sector while visiting successful radio stations that are members of HRF.

Silvija Londero Šimleša, President of HRF, said: “By implementing this unique and progressive training model, Croatian Radio Forum Association aims to provide young people, students and the professional community with a platform for systematic radio education for the purpose of promoting, developing and improving radio as a medium with varying topics, from digitalization and technological development to media’s role in times of crisis.”

More on HRF’s website.

FRANCE
SIRTI – LE SYNDICAT DES RADIOS INDÉPENDANTES

€1.3bn in support for culture and the media
The third draft amending the Finance Law for 2020 (PLFR3) was presented to the Council of Ministers and tabled in the National Assembly on June 10th, aiming at strengthening the governmental support mechanism for the sectors most affected by the crisis. The emergency support plan for these most affected sectors is of €43.5 billion, including €1.3 billion for the culture and media sector. The Minister for Culture further clarified that the government’s support for culture and media was of €3.5 billion, the sum of €1.5 billion towards specific measures and €2 billion allocated for general measures.

Journal Satellifax stressed that the adoption of an advertising tax credit, as requested by the media sector, will be introduced through amendments during the debate on the PLFR3.

More information here.

COVID-19: The Senate puts forward 10 propositions for the Audiovisual sector
The Culture Committee of the Senate acknowledged in its Conclusions on June 10^th, that it is important to provide support to the audiovisual media that has been at the forefront of the health crisis.
1.       Give the audiovisual sector appropriate support in view of its economic weight and its democratic and cultural role;
2.       Ensure the sustainability of public service broadcasting by guaranteeing long term resources;
3.       Finalise the reform of the public audiovisual service;
4.       Preserve the terrestrial broadcasting of France 4 and its programming dedicated to youth and education;
5.       Adopt a general and temporary measure to support publishers’ investments in production and information;
6.       Clarify the financing model of public and private audiovisual media;
7.       Leveraging subscription video platforms by transposition the AVMS Directive;
8.       Preserve audiovisual diversity by, in particular, supporting independent radio and local television stations;
9.       Enhancing the attractiveness of 24-hour news channels;
10.   Relaxing production regulations to encourage investment.

More information here.

GERMANY
VAUNET – VERBAND PRIVATER RUNDFUNK UND TELEMEDIEN E.V.

Emergency aid funding program for broadcasting in Brandenburg
The Media Council of the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg (mabb – the local media regulatory of Berlin Brandenburg) decided on June 16th, on an emergency aid funding program for local and regional radio and TV. The aim of the program is to support local journalism in the corona crisis and to maintain media diversity in Berlin and Brandenburg.

At the beginning of May 2020, the majority of the Brandenburg state parliament demanded corona-related funding for private media in Brandenburg. The state government is now providing the media regulator with state funds of €750.000 for its own use in 2020. With these funds, mabb will support the technical sales of radio and local TV broadcasters in Brandenburg. The program includes around €225.000 for local TV, around €375.000 for radio broadcasters and around €150.000 for broadcasters in Berlin with programs and distribution in and for Brandenburg.

More information here.

GREECE
EIIRA – THE ASSOCIATION OF ATHENIAN PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS

Radio listening in Athens rose to its pre-COVID-19 high level
The most recent audience measurement data by AEMAR confirmed that radio ratings have returned to the high levels of listening, customary before the pandemic. Radio listening rose to an average 80.7% daily and 79.1% during the weekend, accounting for a total of 80.3% in general population’s listening.

The findings are the continuation of a positive trend, showing the high levels of trust in radio, with 84,2% of respondents in the recent research indicating radio as their most trusted medium and their favorite medium for providing trustworthy information and a friendly tone, 96.2% tuning into radio for companionship, and 69.6% of respondents strongly stating that they “couldn’t live without radio” .

More information on EIIRA’s website.

IRELAND
IBI – THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS OF IRELAND

Radio: the source of news in Ireland
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has funded the inclusion of Ireland in the Reuters Institute Digital News Report as part of its work on fostering media plurality in Ireland. The study covers 40 countries worldwide and aims to understand how news is being consumed globally, with a focus on digital news consumption and the devices used to access the news.

“Radio continues to poll strongly in Ireland, with more Irish consumers citing this medium as their main source of news than counterparts in the UK, North America & EU” cites the Report.

More here.

UK
RADIOCENTRE

Arqiva’s temporary relief for commercial radios
Thanks to the negotiations between Radiocentre and the UK government on ways to support the radio industry in the face of the severe economic downturn that is affecting the sector, the commercial radio sector has received a support package from Arqiva – the leading UK communications infrastructure company.

The temporary aid package from Arqiva is designed to help its customers with the cost of transmission during the coronavirus pandemic. Details of the new measures were confirmed in a letter to Siobhan Kenny, Radiocentre CEO, by Steve Holebrook Managing Director, Media Networks at Arqiva.

More information here.

Ofcom regulation relaxed until end of 2020
The UK’s communications regulator Ofcom confirmed, in a note to broadcasters covering a range of issues regarding regulation during Covid-19, that it will continue to allow greater flexibility on regulation until the end of the year 2020 to protect staff and provide the best possible service to audiences, following representations from Radiocentre and the commercial radio sector. As a result, it will not be taking enforcement action if a broadcaster is unable to meet all of its programming and production requirements, at least until the end of the calendar year.

More information here.

Bounce-back & Beyond
Radiocentre commissioned research agency DRG to explore how the coronavirus crisis has influenced spending intentions in the short and long term. The study examines how a consumer spending bounce-back can be expected with confinement measures lifting and shops preparing to re-open their doors.

The new report “Bounce-back & Beyond” explores how radio impacts decision making across different groups of listeners, and what audiences are most keen to spend on. Activities that have been most impacted by the lockdown, such as eating out at restaurants or socialising in bars or pubs, and travelling both within in the UK and abroad, top the list of things respondents are looking forward to spending money on again.

More information here.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 9th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 29 May 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Fri, 29 May 2020 11:17:57 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

FRANCE
SIRTI – LE SYNDICAT DES RADIOS INDÉPENDANTES

SIRTI estimates 3 out of 4 independent radio stations will have to lay off stay
Independent radio station representative SIRTI says that 300 to 450 jobs are at risk staff and more than a third of the stations fear to have to close down. 95% of SIRTI’s members believe the situation will not get back to normal by September 2020 and 41% of the independent radio stations expect to decrease events they usually organise at local level.

National advertising dropped by 60% and local by 80%. With independent radio stations’ revenues depending at 55% on local advertising, they call for support to broadcasting costs, investment in DAB+, the introduction of a tax credit for the communication sector and for the total coverage by the State of the partial activity scheme to be uphold until autumn.

More information on SIRTI’s website.

The Minister for Economy rules out the introduction of a tax credit for the communication sector
It fears it would benefit to businesses that have not suffered from the lockdown measures (e.g. supermarkets) or come on top of already strongly subsidised businesses. The Government argues that this refusal does not mean that no support will be allocated to the media sector. Member of Parliament Aurore Bergé, who advocated for such a tax credit, said that a tax credit for publishers could be foreseen.

Commercial radios unite to call for help
The Chairmen of 180 commercial radio stations – SIRTI, M6, NextRadioTV, NRJ and Lagardère News groups – wrote to the Prime Minister on April 28^th requesting for the temporary suspension of advertising on public service radio, Radio France. Commercial radio stations call for a better distribution of advertising resource for the next 12 to 24 months with a moratorium imposing Radio France to temporarily stop from meddling in the advertising market. Their intention is clear: they do not expect the State to subsidise commercial radio stations; they instead need a better sharing of resources. The signatories recall that the total radio advertising market in France amounts to €714 million in 2019, while Radio France’s revenues account for the same amount – €700.5 million in 2017, 88% of which comes from State funds.

On May 7^th, Minister for Culture Franck Riester held talks with radio and TV representatives where the issue of advertising suspension for Radio France was raised, after which he told Newspaper “Le Journal du Dimanche” (JDD) that he believes the current balance to be satisfactory. Riester promised however other actions to compensate the drop in revenues and its cabinet has started working on a proposal for tax credit for the communication sector.

GERMANY
VAUNET – VERBAND PRIVATER RUNDFUNK UND TELEMEDIEN E.V.

New aid measures for the radio industry in Brandenburg and Bavaria
The Brandenburg State Parliament has adopted an aid programme for local radio and TV stations. In addition to the red-black-green coalition factions, the free voters also voted for an emergency aid of €750.000. This is to support the technical distribution of these local programmes. “Die Linke” which had submitted its own motion for further support for local media, abstained. The AfD voted against the aid package. As already agreed in the coalition agreement, electronic local media will receive €1.5 million in support annually from next year on.

More information here.

Berlin Senate launched further aid measures for companies at federal and state levels
At the beginning of April 2020, the Berlin Senate approved the Emergency Aid Package IV in the amount of €30 million. SMEs in the cultural and media sector with more than 10 employees, a turnover of up to €10 million and headquarters in Berlin are eligible to apply. Local commercial radio and TV broadcasters are explicitly included.

More information on VAUNET’s website.

Radio is the most widely used medium for local information
According to the new Media Diversity Monitor (2019-II) of the German State Media Authorities, radio is the medium that is most frequently used by citizens in Germany for local information. One out three respondents listens to the radio every day to find out about local current affairs. This puts radio ahead of the Internet (28%) and daily newspapers (26%).

More here.

ITALY
CRTV – CONFINDUSTRIA RADIO TELEVISIONI

“Decreto Rilancio”: important measures to support radios and TVs facing the effects of COVID-19
With the Law Decree 19 May 2020 no. 34 – “Decreto Rilancio“, effective as from May 19, 2020, the Italian Government enacted a series of measures aimed at providing support to aid Italian companies facing the effects of Covid-19 epidemic.

Among the measures for the radio sector:
o Tax credit on advertising investments: according to art. 186, and only for the year 2020, the tax credit will be recognized on the basis of 50% of the total investments and not exceeding the maximum total of €20 million in advertising on analog and digital television and radio broadcasters, local and national (not co-owned by the State);
o Emergency fund for local broadcasters of €50 million to radios and TVs providing a public-value service to inform the citizens about the ongoing pandemic.

More information here.

SWITZERLAND
VSP- VERBAND SCHWEIZER PRIVATRADIOS / ASSOCIATION SUISSE DES RADIOS PRIVEES and RRR – RADIOS RÉGIONALES ROMANDES

Private radios and TVs receive emergency aid of CHF 30 million
The coronavirus pandemic has had severe repercussions for media with advertising revenue having fallen dramatically. Given the particular importance of media for democracy in Switzerland, a number of broadly backed motions were submitted during the extraordinary session of the Parliament requesting immediate financial assistance of CHF 57.5 million. The Federal Council consequently adopted two emergency ordinances at its meeting on May 20, 2020. Private radios and TVs will be benefitting from a CHF 30 million contribution, with approximately CHF 487.000 for each private FM radio station. The regulation will come into force on June 1, 2020.

More information here and here.

UK
RADIOCENTRE

Tuning In Livestream
Radiocentre held its very first Tuning In Livestream on May 19, 2020, with a great line up of industry experts examining how radio is handling the coronavirus crisis and looking ahead to what the future of radio holds. Here’s what happened. If you wish to watch the presentations, you can do so on Radiocentre’s YouTube channel here.

Building shelf awareness
Radiocentre’s Planning Director Mark Barber presented the latest report on how radio advertising can influence in-store behaviour, run by shopper insight consultancy Shoppercentric. The study examines how exposure to radio advertising on the journey to the supermarket can help brands increase stand-out on shelf and influence purchase behaviour, and explores how these effects can be maximised through creative development and media planning strategies.

Full report can be downloaded here.

Mental Health Minute
Following the release of the ’60 Second Support’ radio series from Radiocentre and Heads Together last month, which aimed to help millions of people across the UK deal with issues such as isolation, bereavement, conflict and self-care during the coronavirus crisis, hundreds of radio stations across the UK have united to broadcast the #MentalHealthMinute simultaneously. The Mental Health Minute is a minute-long message overseen by Radiocentre and Heads Together, the mental health campaign coordinated by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. This year, the message focused on how people can support each other during the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting that, whoever you are and whatever you’re going through, you are not alone – and it’s OK to reach out.

More here.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 8th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 14 May 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Thu, 14 May 2020 10:55:16 +0000

NEWS AND MEASURES FROM THE EU

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

State Aid to support the European Economy
The European Commission supported Member States in their support measures for citizens and companies by relaxing its rules with regard to State aid (within the meaning of Article 107 (1) of the TFEU). This support was done through the Temporary Framework for State Aid that was adopted on April 3^rd 2020 and amended on May 8^th 2020.

The Commission has since approved hundreds of State Aid schemes to support national economies. For example:
o   Approved State Aid in Lithuania and Estonia for support to the cultural sectors;
o   Approved Umbrella Schemes in the United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia or Poland to allow for direct grants, equity injections, selective tax advantages or advance payments for SMEs, self-employed or large companies;
Approved State Aid in Denmark to support SMEs with tax deferral in relation to VAT and payroll tax liabilities.

The State aid rules linked to the coronavirus can be found here, and the list of State Aid schemes approved here.

Commissioner Vestager on EU response to COVID-19
On May 4^th, 2020, Commissioner Margrethe Vestager exchanged views with the IMCO Committee (Internal Market and Consumer Protection), where she stressed that a EU recovery plan from the COVID-19 crisis would have to embrace the green transition and digital transformation.

Read more here.

Commissioners Gabriel and Breton on EU response to COVID-19 with regards to the Culture and Creative Sectors
On May 4^th 2020, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and Commissioner Thierry Breton exchanged views with the CULT Committee (Culture and Education) to discuss the
European Union’s response to the COVID-19 crisis with regards to the Culture and Creative Sector (CCS):

Media: The Commission acknowledged the loss of advertising revenues faced by both small and large media actors, and highlighted the role of independent media that is to provide verified sources of information, which therefore should be supported. It outlined its responses to the current crisis:
o   Maintain and strengthen equal competition rules, particularly with regard to platforms;
o   Preserve the budget allocated to Creative Europe;
o   Test financial and innovative solutions, particularly to support the media at local and regional level;
o   Embrace digital technologies to make them great broadcasters of quality European content;

Funding: The Commission stressed that more flexibility in the grant of Creative Europe and its MEDIA strand funds will be granted, and liquidity should be provided to the actors most in need. Funding for the music sector will be allocated through the Music Moves Europe Action and the European Media Landscape programme is to provide with a minimum of €9 million.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

MEPs call for EU funds to support the media and creative sectors
On 21^st April 2020, CULT Committee MEPs called for EU responses to be adopted to support the media and creative sectors:
o   Support needed for the media and press sectors though emergency funds
o   Make sure EU support reaches culture SMEs, individual creators and charities
o   Create an emergency fund for media, earmark structural funds for culture, and beef up the guarantee instrument

Read more here.

European Parliament President calls on the EU Institutions to set an ambitious recovery plan
On May 6^th 2020, MEP David Maria Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, called the EU Institution to ‘be brave on EU recovery plan’. He stressed that the recovery package must be sizeable and add value, all this embedded in a strong MFF. He reminded the EU Institutions that the time was of essence especially for the most vulnerable Europeans.

Read more here.

MEPs call for a green and ambitious recovery plan
ENVI (Environment, Public Health and Food safety) MEPs told Commissioner Frans Timmermans on April 21^st, 2020 that the EU must remain firm on climate change, with a Green Deal taking a centre stage of EU recovery efforts. They added that an EU Climate Law should move ahead as planned.

Read more here.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Joint Declaration by the EU Ministers for Culture and Media
Following initial discussions on April 8^th, the Ministers for Culture and Media from the EU (all Member States but Hungary) published on May 1^st, 2020 a joint declaration on culture in times of the COVID-19 crisis, underlining concrete actions taken by the Member States. A first set of national and European measures were launched as a basis for further action to support the recovery of the Culture and Creative Sector:
o   Regularly make an informed assessment of the situation in order to act appropriately;
o   Put forward solution whereby EU-level effort will supplement the national measures today and in a multiannual perspective;
o   Special attention to the flexibility and digital initiatives with the Creative Europe programme;
o   Ensure that the aid provided by EU funds and programmes reaches the culture and creative sectors, and contributes to their recovery.

Read the full Declaration here.
Read more about Culture Ministers’ discussions here.

ERGA

ERGA reacts to COVID-19 pandemic

The European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) adopted on April 6^th, 2020, communications in which it addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the media sector and the measures taken by Member States, regulators and stakeholders. ERGA underlined the need for measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the media sector and the European Single Market.

Furthermore, it extended the remit of its Subgroup dealing with Disinformation, which will now also gather information on the measures taken by platforms to tackle disinformation related to COVID-19, as well as measures taken by governments and NRAs.

ERGA members (National Regulatory Authorities) also decided to create an ERGA Action Group to exchange experiences and information about the crisis’ implications on the economic conditions for the audiovisual media sector in the Member States.

Read more here and here.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 7th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 28 April 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 11:19:00 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

FINLAND
RADIOMEDIA

Podcast Research 2020: Awareness and listening continue to grow
According to a recent survey by RadioMedia, popularity of audio continues to grow with a continued rise in podcast listening alongside radio listening. The survey, commissioned by Norstat in February 2020 on a sample of 1043 surveyed participants aged 15-64, reported that podcasts’ awareness and reach have increased of 15% compared to 2018. Main findings include:
– awareness: 99% of respondents aged <30 were aware of what podcasts were, compared to 61% of those aged 55-64;
– frequency of listening: regular podcast users have increased: 21% of 15-64-year-old listen to podcasts every week, and 39% of surveyed participants listen to podcasts at least once a month; one-third of respondents estimated an increase in listening to podcasts in the next six months;
– genre listened to: entertainment is the most popular podcast genre (49%), followed by news and current affairs (35%), then family issues (32%);
– 52% of 15-29-year-old typically find their podcasts through social media, whereas 59% of 45-55-year-old search via podcasts’ compilation services;
– podcasts are mainly listened to via smartphone, which was mentioned as the primary device by 81% of respondents;
– the majority of surveyed participants listen to podcasts at home (73%), and half (48%) in the car or public transports.
The 2020 Podcast Survey also examined, for the first time, advertising in podcasts. 52% of participants reported finding advertising, 62% commercial collaborations and 48% product placement. The majority perceived advertising, product placement or commercial collaboration as either positive (13%) or neutral (66%). The younger the age group, the more positive the attitude: only 13% of those <29 perceived advertising as negative.

GREECE
EIIRA – THE ASSOCIATION OF ATHENIAN PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS

Initial drop in listening of 7 % has been partially recouped
Greek radio saw an initial drop of approximately 7% in general population listening in the first weeks of COVID-19’s quarantine measures. This figure is expected as listening in the car is a major component of general population listening’s habits. However, the most recent figures, show good signs of a bounce back through an increase in listening, with the total drop in listening now estimated to -4% for April.

Digital campaign by EIIRA for radio: “They stay home, they listen to radio”
EIIRA has launched a campaign for radio citing the facts reported in the latest radio audience measurement conducted in Attica from MRB HELLAS companies and LINK GLOBAL in March and April 2020. Main findings are the following:
– 8 out of 10 people continue to listen to radio on a daily basis;
– The average time spent listening to radio is more than 4 hours per day;
– 3 out of 4 people believe that radio is a trustworthy and reliable source of accurate information;
– 7 out of 10 people state that radio keeps them company and/or they cannot live without it.
The campaign was an opportunity for EIIRA to thank the listeners for continuing to listen to radio while confined to their homes.

Greek radio stations “heavily hit” by COVID-19
The Greek Government has taken a series of relief measures and support packages for the months of April and May, to help companies which have been “heavily hit” by COVID-19, including commercial radio stations. The main support measures include:
– suspending the employment contract of all or part of the company’s employees for 45 days, with the government paying 800 euros for each employee who had is contract suspended; the employees, whose contract has been suspended, can lower the rent of their primary residence by 40% and the landlords get a supporting governmental subsidy;
– giving employees the possibility to work alternately, granting 50% of the salary; the measure can be repeated for up to 6 months as many times as needed.
The company can choose to apply either or both on different groups of employees.
In addition, the Greek government announced an 11 million-emergency fund for digital and newspapers in the form of advertising spend, sponsoring an advertising campaign for COVID-19 on digital and newspapers worth 11 million. EIIRA asked the Government to secure a similar advertising package for radios and TV, which is much needed as advertising revenues have dropped by – 80% in April for Greek radios.

ITALY
CRTV – CONFINDUSTRIA RADIO TELEVISIONI

Italian Chamber of Deputies approves “Cura Italia” decree
The “Cura Italia” decree was transposed into law following approval from the Chamber of Deputies on April 24. The Decree aims at issuing urgent measures to address the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 emergency and was published in the Official Gazette on March 17, 2020, becoming effective the same day. Among the measures to support people, businesses and professionals adopted by the Italian Government is the tax credit for advertising investments –the so-called bonus pubblicita’ – Art. 98 of the Decree. Bonus pubblicità is applied to certified expenses incurred for advertising in local media for which any company or private investors can obtain a tax credit:
– the tax credit is applicable to up to 30% of the entire amount of the advertising investments planned and carried out in 2020;
– direct beneficiaries are investors in advertising on local media, namely daily press and magazines (also online), local TV and local radio (analogue and digital, and their web sites);
– national TV and radio, as well as social media are excluded;
– it’s applicable to the year 2020 only;
– it is financed via the “Fondo per il pluralismo e l’innovazione dell’informazione” (Fund for pluralism and information’s innovation).

SWITZERLAND
VSP- VERBAND SCHWEIZER PRIVATRADIOS / ASSOCIATION SUISSE DES RADIOS PRIVEES and RRR – RADIOS RÉGIONALES ROMANDES

Federal Council rejects request for support from private radio stations
Swiss private radio stations raised the alarm about the corona crisis, liquidity shortages and loss of income due to advertising sudden drop. Therefore, they called the Federal Government for an immediate emergency relief contribution of CHF 12 millions. The request was rejected. Private radio stations, which currently have high program costs but hardly any income, will look for new ways to get the urgently needed emergency aid and until then fulfil their service mandate as usual.

CTT-E adopts temporary aid to support Swiss media
The drop in advertising revenues resulting from the coronavirus pandemic – between 60% and 95% – has worsen very quickly the media’s economic situation despite the current high demand for journalistic offer. For these reasons, the Committee responsible for transports and telecommunications (CTT-E -Commission des transports et des télécommunications du Conseil des Etats) has decided, by vast majority, to table two motions aimed at supporting the media sector:
1. The first motion calls the Federal Council to take immediate temporary measures while waiting for the Parliament to formally adopt the package of measures to support media, namely:
– Provide the Swiss Telegraph Agency (ATS) with additional financial aid to continue offering its basic services to its subscribers in three languages and free of charge,
– provide the necessary resources for the free distribution of local and regional newspapers by the Swiss Post (approximately CHF 25 millions) and,
– reduce in the distribution price of other daily newspapers (approximately CHF 10 millions);
2. The second motion, which the Committee adopted unanimously, aims at ensuring that local radios and TVs get an additional CHF 30 millions compared to 2019. This emergency aid can be drawn from the radio and TV tax reserves set up to counter the risk of fluctuation.

Less daily reach, but longer time
According to the latest Media Pulse’s audience measurements, daily reach for radio stations has seen a moderate drop from 81% to 77%. The lower figure can be attributed to commuters not listening to radio in the car anymore. Despite a slightly lower reach, listening duration has increased. The daily audience of around 5.4 million people aged 15 and over, was reported listening to radio 127 minutes instead of 119, which, in proportion to the total population, means an increase in daily listening time from 96 to 97 minutes. Jürg Bachmann, President of VSP, commented on the figures and said:” while radio lost some reach, its usage time has increased. If you can report that your business is stable at a time when everything is falling back, you can be satisfied. Stability is [synonym of] success nowadays”. However, Jürg Bachmann notes “private radios are economically in a difficult position. They keep their business running and are close to their listeners even in these demanding times. Nevertheless, revenues currently hardly offset the normal operating costs of private radios, because radio advertising collapsed from one hour to the next. The request to the Federal Government for an emergency package was rejected and that is disappointing for the private radios, which flourish thanks to advertising. Advertising keeps them alive. The current audience measurement’s data show that radios continue to reach their audience and will be listened to even longer, [which means] it is the right time for advertising on radio!”

AUSTRALIA
CRA – COMMERCIAL RADIO AUSTRALIA

Local content quotas suspended in $54m package for Australia’s coronavirus-hit media
Communications minister Paul Fletcher announced a tax waiver for TV and radio, and new money for regional journalism. To help the news media sector struggling with the economic impacts of the corona crisis, the Australian Government:
– has suspended its local content quotas for broadcasters for the rest of 2020, with the option to extend through 2021;
– has deployed extra $54million AUD into Australia’s television, radio and regional publishers;
– will also provide a 12-month waiver of spectrum tax for commercial television and radio broadcasters, at a cost of $41m, and invest $50m in regional journalism, of which $13.4m is new money.
Joan Warner, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia – CRA welcomes the measures but calls for further actions: “We are grateful for the one-year waiver of spectrum taxes which amounts to about $1.2 million for radio, spread across the large number of networks and stations”. “However, we are disappointed that commercial radio, as the most hyper local of the mediums, has been largely overlooked in spite of its continued delivery of service to the Australian community during the pandemic, and before that, during the bushfires and the drought”, Warner said.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 6th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 21 April 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:13:00 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

BELGIUM
UBA asks for a tax incentive on investments in Belgian media
The Belgian media sector reported a loss of almost 40% in advertising investments in March 2020. A recent study conducted by WFA (World Federation of Advertisers) in the last week of March 2020, also confirmed this dramatic trend: 81% of advertisers have postponed their planned campaigns due to the corona crisis and 57% have already cut their media spend. Advertising revenue is the main source of funding for information and content, and such a drop is threatening the provision of news and the plurality of media. The Union of Belgian Advertisers (UBA – Unie van Belgische Adverteerders), in collaboration with Belgian media, called the Federal government to set up a system of tax credit or investment deduction for advertising investments, to motivate advertisers to continue to invest in Belgian media.

CROATIA
HRF – HRVATSKI RADIJSKI FORUM

Loss in advertising revenues for Croatian commercial radio
HRF, the Croatian Radio Forum Association reported a loss in advertising revenues for commercial radios of 35% in March and 50% in April; May’s data are not yet available.

Information for broadcasters relating to program obligations
Understanding that in these exceptional circumstances the production and reruns of audiovisual and radio content will be significantly hindered and even impeded, and that certain legal program’s quotas will be difficult to meet, the Agency for Electronic Media informed radio broadcasters that some of the legal obligations for radio, like the percentage of own production or reruns, will not be taken into account in their program analysis until August 30, 2020 – Articles 37 and 38 of the Electronic Media Act. This does not apply to news programs. The Agency for Electronic Media called on the media sector to continue professional, high quality and reliable reporting of news on the corona virus pandemic, as well as natural disasters, by providing up-to-date, accurate and verified information to citizens. The Agency declared it will closely monitor the situation, the impact of the corona virus pandemic on the media industry and adjust its guidelines with the aim to find the best ways to support the entire industry in these times of crisis.

FRANCE
SIRTI – LE SYNDICAT DES RADIOS INDÉPENDANTES

French commercial radios get together to call the State and Regulator for help
Competing commercial radios – RTL, Europe 1, RMC, NRG Group, SIRTI and Nova – co-signed two letters at the beginning of April to request for immediate and strong support. The letter aimed at the French Culture Ministry asked for the creation of tax credit for advertising communications that would run until December 31st, 2020. Radio also calls for the Audiovisual Regulator CSA to report the roll-out of DAB+ initially scheduled for Q4 2020, and an 18 months moratorium on the application of music quotas obligations. All radio sale houses agree to say that their advertising revenues decreased substantially in March and should decrease of 80% in April.

Government drafts support for the audiovisual and press sectors
Minister for Culture Franck Riester told the Senate on April 16th its proposals for support measures to the media sector.
– No green light for a tax credit measure yet but the Government is studying the proposal;
– The creation of a comprehensive support plan for the press to support struggling actors, especially by supporting the distribution throughout the territory. The provision of financial aid will be expedited;
– On the audiovisual reform, further discussions on the timetable with Parliament are required. With this regard, the implementation of the new neighboring rights introduced by article 17 of the DSM Directive through press/platform negotiations, could be made final.

SIRTI study shows drastic impact of confinement measures on local radios
SIRTI outlined the impact of the corona virus on independent local radios, and their efforts to maintain their essential activity. Local advertising revenues have dropped of 36% for commercial radio in May (32% for national) and are expected to drop further in April: 78% for local and 75% for national revenues.

GERMANY
VAUNET – VERBAND PRIVATER RUNDFUNK UND TELEMEDIEN E.V.

Securing broadcasting – German Länder consider journalists to be part of the infrastructures relevant for the system (“systemrelevant”)
The German federal system leaves major parts of the execution of crisis management to the Länder (regions), while the federal state gives health recommendation and is coordinating. VAUNET has asked for uniform and comprehensive measures for broadcasters’ employees such as journalists, editors and technical staff. VAUNET has addressed relevant decision makers to consider them as part of the infrastructure relevant for the system (“systemrelevanten Infrastruktur”). The purpose is to enable broadcasters to fulfil their function as critical infrastructure (“kritisches Infrastrukture”), exempting their employees from the restrictions imposed to contain the corona virus.
Most of the Länder have now included journalists and media representatives as relevant for the system. The details vary in each Länder. However, it allows them to benefit from support for childcare in specific situations. If Germany had provided stricter lockdown measures, journalists and media representatives would have benefited from further exemptions besides childcare. VAUNET has drafted forms in case of potential further lockdown measures (currently not yet planned).

No sector specific measures to compensate financial loss
German radio and TV are facing an important drop in advertising. Besides, the production of content (films, TV shows, live broadcasts of music and sports events/sport reporting, but also of journalistic content) is in some cases severely restricted or even impossible. For example, it is currently not possible for radios to stage and broadcast live music events in concert arenas. When possible, radios have to face additional productions costs (additional health measures, costs of higher streaming usage). Producers are benefiting from specific measures from film funding bodies but there are no sector-specific measures for broadcasters. They have to apply for the measures applicable to the entire economy (immediate loans, short-time work allowances for salaried employees or subsidies for the self-employed).

IRELAND
IBI – THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS OF IRELAND

Radio stations will receive up to €95,000 under Covid-19 scheme
Independent commercial radio stations can apply for up to €95,000 in special funds to help them raise “public awareness and understanding of Covid-19” within the €2.5 million funding scheme launched by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, on the request of Minister for Communications Richard Bruton. Licensed commercial radio stations can apply for sums ranging from €45,000 to €95,000 per station under the round, which is paid for out of the existing Sound & Vision scheme financed by a portion of licence fee receipts. The funding is available to cover costs “directly related” to the aim of enhancing public awareness and understanding of the health emergency and the closing date for applications is April 29th, with funding decisions “announced as soon as practicable”. The maximum award of €95,000 will be available to local speech and information radio stations, with the upper limit for national speech and information stations set at €85,000.

ITALY
CRTV – CONFINDUSTRIA RADIO TELEVISIONI

Italians continue listening to radio
CRTV released the latest findings of the study “Listening to Radio in times of COVID-19” by GFK – Media measurement for Tavolo Editori Radio (TER) the agency responsible for radio audience measurement in Italy. Despite the changed radio listening habits resulting from the health emergency, i.e. 67% of the population using the car less and 30% no longer commuting to work, the impact on radio listening is limited. In fact, the study reveals new behaviors: the 81% of listeners who were listening to radio before lockdown are still doing so, to which a 2,4% of new listeners needs to be added. Usage time has shifted: before lockdown, a 74% was listening to radio in the car and 48% at home, whereas during lockdown, respectively 34% and 71%. Overall, the significant drop in listening in the car is compensated by an increase in listening via different devices: not only via FM, but on DAB+, TV, smartphone and computer. The use of tablets and smart speakers has also increased. Important to mention is the use of apps and aggregators: reach has increased of 24% and time spent of 61%.

NORWAY

Over 20 NOK million for local broadcasting
The Norwegian Media Authority allocated 20.4 million NOK (over 1.7 million €) to 89 local broadcasters under the grant for local radio and TV. “This year, we will bring the first aid payment to 75% of the [full] support scheme to remedy the difficult situation faced by the local media”, said Mari Velsand, Director of the Media Authority.

UK
RADIOCENTRE

Staying Connected During the COVID-19 Crisis
Radiocentre’s latest research – Staying Connected During the COVID-19 Crisis – reported that 38% of commercial radio listeners are tuning in for an extra hour and 45 minutes each day since lockdown started, as they spend more time at home. These listeners are now tuning in for an average of 26 hours every week, compared the average time spent listening of around 14 hours a week prior to the health crisis. The research explores the reasons behind the increase in listening and how radio is keeping people connected and help them cope while isolated. 90% percent of respondents agreed that commercial radio kept them in touch with the outside world, an 89% that it kept them informed, and a further 84% said that radio keeps them company. Confidence in radio as a source of news was also a recurring reason for tuning in, with ‘it delivers trusted news’ cited by 68% and ‘I trust the news on radio more than other sources’ by 51%. Siobhan Kenny, CEO at Radiocentre, said: “With so many of us confined to our homes, either working or self-isolating, we are seeing shifts in media consumption across the UK. In these strangest of times, we are all finding our own ways to cope, and I am grateful that radio is proving such a consistent source of comfort and trusted news to so many.”

Radiocentre urges Government to support commercial radio sector
Following the announcement of a governmental three-month deal to support the newspaper industry, Siobhan Kenny, CEO of Radiocentre, urged the Government to provide commercial radio with additional sector specific support recognising its essential role to provide public service information across the country throughout the Covid-19 Crisis.

The Audio Content Fund doubles Coronavirus Support round
The Audio Content Fund, a scheme designed to provide funding to support the creation of original radio and audio production in the UK, has doubled the budget of its Coronavirus Support funding round to £400,000. 11 projects have been approved so far and £134,000 already distributed.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 5th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 08 April 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 11:09:00 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

AUSTRIA
VÖP – THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCIAL BROADCASTERS IN AUSTRIA

Corona aid package to help the media sector: an important step for media diversity
VÖP, the Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Austria welcomed the increase in funding for commercial broadcasters (TV & Radio) of 15 millions € in 2020approved by the National Parliament, ensuring private media can continue to fulfil its task of informing citizens with up-to-date and trustworthy information. Corinna Drumm, Managing Director at VÖP commented: “With their services, Austrian commercial broadcasters are making an important and essential contribution to overcome the crisis together. They provide around-the-clock, reliable and complete information. They offer companionship to the population with a variety of aid and support activities. They bring the system-conserving Austrians in front of the curtain and stand up for the regional economy. And, of course, they help people at home to overcome the crisis with their diverse entertainment offerings. Thanks to the extraordinarily committed, flexible and professional colleagues in the stations“.

Private channels ensure the provision of information and entertainment
In a separate press release, VÖP pointed out the importance and relevance of Austrian commercial broadcasters: They provide accurate and up-to-date information on national, regional and local levels on all important developments related to the corona crisis, making an important contribution to the fight against fake news and disinformation. The commercial radio stations reach more people than ever before showing how important and relevant radio is, especially in times of crisis:
– In total 77% of Austrians listen to the radio every day;
– 4.7 million Austrians tune in to one of the commercial radio stations at least once a week;
– Radio usage is higher than ever before, averaging 201 minutes a day;
– 80% of the usage of commercial radio stations is generated by younger age groups (below 50 ys.), whereas only 40% of the PSB usage is caused by this age groups;
– Despite the high usage, advertising revenues fall dramatically: the loss in advertising revenues is in between 50 to 80%.

CROATIA
HRF – HRVATSKI RADIJSKI FORUM

Proposal for measures to preserve radio and jobs in the radio sector
HRF and the CEA (Croatian Employers’ Association)- Coordination of Commercial Radio Stations called the Prime Minister of Croatia Mr. Andrej Plenković to create a set of urgent measures to ensure radio does not succumb to the current crisis. HRF proposed the following:
– To establish a new status framework allowing radios suffering from a drop in advertising of almost 60%, to use state resources free of charge for the entire duration of the crisis and for 6 months after its end; these resources include the use of frequencies, the use of concessions and the provision of program broadcasting services;
– To reschedule the payment of tax obligations, interest-free, for a period of 36 months with a grace period of 6 months, through a highly “simplified” procedure;
– To allow the use of credit facilities, loans and guarantees under HBOR’S (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and HAMAG BICRO’s (Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments) programs;
– To encourage advertising on radio.
The use of credit facilities, loans and guarantees under HBOR’S (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and HAMAG BICRO’s (Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments) programs has been approved. The other measures are under discussion.

FINLAND
RADIOMEDIA

Finnmedia proposes temporary media support to mitigate the effects of the corona crisis
The Finnish Media Federation (Finnmedia) called the government to take urgent support measures to secure journalistic communication in Finland during the corona crisis and beyond. Finnmedia proposed the introduction of temporary state support for media companies. Jukka Holmberg, CEO of Finnmedia said: “In order to ensure that the aid does not distort competition between companies, we propose to implement it as a refund of VAT paid on magazine subscriptions and single issue sales to companies or, alternatively, as a temporary return to the zero VAT rate.” Finnmedia also proposed that the state similarly reimburse VAT paid to companies on media sales revenue for a period of one year. “Ad hoc support is also needed for advertising-funded media whose content is free to consumers. It would apply to all editor-in-chief media with advertising revenue. In this way, the support would also extend to city newspapers and private radio and TV channels” says Holmberg.

FRANCE
SIRTI – LE SYNDICAT DES RADIOS INDÉPENDANTES

SIRTI President Alain Liberty calls for tax credits to cover radio distribution costs
The SIRTI is calling for the creation of a tax credit to covers costs linked to distribution / transmission of FM and DAB+ and for the overall support for the roll out of DAB+. Independent radios also advocate for other measures, such as tax credit for communication agencies to support their advertising investment towards broadcasters. This initiative is also encouraged by other media organisations and backed up by Member of Parliament Aurore Bergé (rapporteur on the Audiovisual Reform) who is discussing to the relevant government actors.

The communication sector has not seen worse crisis since 1945
More than 2/3 of the advertising agencies will declare partial unemployment according to the association AACC. The drop in advertising is of average 70%.

CSA President confirms the Regulator’s flexibility with regard programme adaptation requests from broadcasters
The French Regulator announced that the procedure for the allocation of the DAB+ frequencies was postponed. The CSA is in contact with TV channels and radios stations that are facing challenges due to their loss of advertising revenues. It is considering specific measures with this regard, with the support of the Culture Ministry. For local radios, exceptional support through funds of the “expression radiophonique” could intervene.

GREECE
EIIRA – THE ASSOCIATION OF ATHENIAN PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS

#STAY_HOME # LISTEN_TO_RADIO
In these difficult circumstances, radio remains the best companion for all, AEMAR reported on their latest radio audience measurement, conducted in Attica from MRB HELLAS companies and LINK GLOBAL:
– 8 out of 10 people listen to the radio daily, with an increase in the average daily listening time on weekdays of 82%
– Listening at home is, as expected, increased.
This proves that listeners understand the importance of radio and continue to choose its companionship, information and entertainment.

IRELAND
IBI – THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS OF IRELAND

President Michael D. Higgins to share Covid 19 address on Independent Radio Stations
The Irish President Michael D. Higgins made a public address on the impacts of Covid19 to the Irish population and asked IBI to coordinate the broadcast of the message through its member radio stations.

ITALY
CRTV – CONFINDUSTRIA RADIO TELEVISIONI

Tax credit
The Italian Government extended an existing measure to boost advertising on press and local radio and TV (tax credit on incremental advertising). Current tax credit allows companies to deduct 30% of all advertising investments for the year 2020 in newspapers and digital media, in addition to local television and radio stations. Confindustria Radio Televisioni called the Italian Government to launch a special emergency fund to help commercial broadcasters (both TV and radio) survive the current drop in ad spend, providing additional economic measures to the first emergency decree, the so-called “Decreto Cura Italia” 18/20 containing general measures for the economy, workers and the industry which is now under discussion for transposition.

RADIO TER 2020 – March 31– June 15
Tavolo Editori Radio (TER) the agency responsible for radio audience measurement in Italy announced the temporary interruption of its service due to the pandemic.

LATVIA
EHR – EUROPEAN HIT RADIO

Drop in advertising revenues
Revenues for commercial radios has decreased by 50% in March. The industry expect a dramatic drop of up to 90% in April.

Largest State support for commercial media to date to overcome the coronavirus crisis
The Latvian National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) drafted a €1.6 millionCovid-19 electronic media crisis stabilisation plan to enable commercial radio and TV to operate in emergency situations, and to ensure that the public continues to receive quality and diverse information. The program will allow the media to retain journalists, presenters of popular programs and other content creators, providing them with much-needed social guarantees in times of crisis, while promoting fair rules in the post-crisis sector. The aid will by advocated by the Ministry of Culture this week and is to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in the coming days.

UK
RADIOCENTRE

Radiocentre launches new coronavirus-focused ad campaign
Radiocentre launched a new ad campaign to encourage advertisers to continue investing in radio. The ‘Business as usual, even when it’s not business as usual’ spot aims to help promote radio to brands that are still operating, need to communicate with their customers and are able to advertise in these difficult times.

WORLD / LATAM
AIR/IAB – ASOCIACIÓN INTERNACIONAL DE RADIODIFUSIÓN

Campaña de la AIR ante la desinformación y noticias falsas en tiempos de pandemia/ AIR’s campaign against disinformation and fake news during the pandemic
AIR/ IAB launched a campaign to raise awareness about the role and the importance of private radio and TV against fake news and disinformation in times of emergency.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 4th edition – Radios and COVID19 – 02 April 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 11:02:00 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

DENMARK
DANSKEMEDIER

DanskeMedier calls for temporary relief package to ensure that media, as primary source of trustworthy news, does not succumb to the current crisis, and Parliament agrees
Danish media is heavily impacted by the corona crisis. Drops in advertising revenue is likely to have dramatic and permanent financial consequences. Therefore, the industry urged the government to launch a temporary relief package to ensure that media can continue to fulfil its task of informing citizens – both locally, regionally and nationally. The proposed support package asked to support the media industry experiencing a decrease in advertising revenue of more than 20%, to receive a compensation for 80% of the loss. Jesper Rosener, Chairman of DanskeMedier stated: “the crisis will have far-reaching economic consequences for the industry. The existing emergency packages are unfortunately very limited. That is why we call the government to act immediately to ensure the media industry also survives this crisis.”

The vast majority of the Parliament agreed to adopt an aid package to help the media sector at a time when it is critically needed. “The aid package for the media sector is based on the principle of compensation for advertising revenue loss, those who lost the most receive the highest compensation. We fully support the political intention. In addition, the package includes all media actors (daily and weekly newspapers, radios, magazines, digital media) which we, at DanskeMedier, have placed great emphasis on. The aid package also invests in media diversity in Denmark, which, in the long term, would fulfil its mission of educating citizens.” Jesper Rosener, Chairman of DanskeMedier commented.

Danskemedier has a Coronavirus dedicated page on website
The new web page provides an overview of the Government’s financial aid packages supporting media companies and detailed information ranging from eligibility to apply for support to compensation to employees.

FRANCE
SIRTI – LE SYNDICAT DES RADIOS INDÉPENDANTES

Radio initiative
Local radio station Collines FM in the west of France, member of the SIRTI, has launched a special programme every Sunday to relieve residents of nursing homes of their anxiety from being afar from their loved ones. The programme allows family members and residents to exchange thoughtful messages on air. The initiative was welcomed by both groups who said. This topic was broadcast during the 13.00 TF1 Television news programme.

Advertising groups expect their revenues to experience a 20% decrease in 2020
CEOs of large groups (Havas, Vivendi) admit they had underestimated the effects of the corona crisis.
– Televisions expect their revenues to drop from 50 to 80% as numerous advertisers have cancelled their advertising campaigns.
– According to Kantar, Radio, TV and print have witnessed the cancellation of 30% to 80% of their advertising campaigns.

Audience data
– French citizens are seeking information: radio stations specialised in news such as France Inter, France Info (public) or RTL have seen their audience increase of 16% since March 9th on Deezer.
– Confinement is not profitable to Deezer and Spotify. Deezer is experiencing a decrease in its stream volumes and a change in their users’ habits.
– Mediamétrie, a French audience measurement organisation, says people watched 4 hours 29 minutes of TV daily in March. It is 45 minutes more than in March 2019.
– Podcast: Acast says audience listening of podcasts targeted to the youth has increased of 300%.

State aid: a €4 billion plan
French Junior Tech Minister announced a €4 billion plan to help French Tech through loan schemes, transition financing or early payment of the research credit tax.

Audiovisual Reform on hold
The Audiovisual Reform that aims at transposing the AVMSD and the EECC has been paused. The discussions in Parliament were reported to a “later date”; parliamentary activities have been limited to texts that are urgent and necessary to deal with the coronavirus crisis. French Culture Minister Franck Riester and three members of his cabinet are ill with coronavirus.

Jean-Noël Tronc from Sacem on adapting state aid to specificities of French authors
French artists’ Collective Management Organizations, Sacem, says authors are being hit by both a loss of revenues from advertising contracts and of music distribution in concerts or shops.

GERMANY
VAUNET – VERBAND PRIVATER RUNDFUNK UND TELEMEDIEN E.V.

Collapse in revenues threatening the existence of private radios – Interview with Hans Demmel, Chairman of VAUNET
Private radio stations enjoy a particularly high level of trust in the regions and therefore play an important role in the current crisis in informing the population. However, radio stations are particularly suffering from the economic consequences of the crisis, with decreasing advertising revenues threatening, in some cases, their very existence. Hans Demmel, Chairman of VAUNET, said: “Private radio stations enjoy a particularly high level of trust in the regions and therefore play an important role in informing the population about the current crisis. However, radio stations are particularly suffering from the economic consequences of the crisis, with decreasing advertising revenues threatening, in some cases, their very existence“.

IRELAND
IBI – THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS OF IRELAND

Independent Broadcasters welcome announcement by Minister Richard Bruton of further support for independent radio during Covid 19 crisis
IBI has welcomed the announcement by Minister Richard Bruton of allocating €2.5 millions to ensure the continuation of news, current affairs and information programming on independent radios now threatened by the sudden reduction in advertising revenue due to the crisis. “We’d like to thank Minister Bruton for acting swiftly in response to our urgent requests and we look forward to working with the BAI to quickly and effectively ensure this money which is so important to ensure the continuity of services to our listeners is distributed without delay,” said John Purcell, Chairman of IBI. “We’d like to acknowledge the work and effort of Minister Richard Bruton, Minister of Sate Sean Canney and the officials in the Department of Communications for acting swiftly to secure this essential funding. We are heartened by their recognition of the important role that radio is playing in servicing the communities we broadcast to and helping them mobilise in the face of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Our members complete attention will now be on serving the needs and interests of the millions of people who tune to independent radio every day”.

UK
RADIOCENTRE

Commercial radio sees double-digit listening uplift as UK tunes in from home during lockdown
Commercial radio stations across the UK saw a double-digit increase in online listening in recent weeks:
– Global reported a significant increase in connected radio listening, with daily reach up 15% and hours up 9%, between 9-17 March;
– Bauer reported an average daily reach increase of 15%, and average daily hours up 13% week-on-week.
Alongside new figures released by Bauer and Global, many smaller local radio groups have also reported a surge in online listening numbers and time spent listening.
Siobhan Kenny, CEO of Radiocentre, said: “As the UK acclimatises to a new world of working from home and enforced isolation, radio proves its strength as a hugely valuable source of information, reassurance, company and, most importantly, fun. As one of the most trusted and accessible forms of media, it is perhaps no surprise that so many are tuning in right now.”

Radiocentre has a COVID-19 hub
The new web page offers information and highlights on Radiocentre’s work during the corona crisis.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 3rd edition – Radios and COVID19 – 27 March 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 10:38:00 +0000

NEWS AND MEASURES FROM THE EU

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Plenary: MEPs call for a more unified EU response
Prior to a crucial urgency vote on the first batch of measures proposed by the Commission to help members states tackle the pandemic in an efficient and coordinated way, MEPs called for EU countries to collaborate and to keep internal borders open to allow medical equipment and goods to be delivered.
More information here.

EP President Sassoli’s press conference following his interventions in plenary and in the European Council meeting
President Sassoli held a press conference after plenary session in Brussels. He stated that we need the democratic process to help us overcome this emergency. These are days of reflections: first we need to try and identify the tools we need for the medium and long-term. He reiterated the institutions have provided an initial response and we [the Parliament] welcome the Commission’s intervention and package. They [the Commission] have revised the Stability and Growth Pact within massive intervention from the European Central Bank which is usually important for the financial stability of Member States. “We need creativity, we need new capacities, we need to ensure extraordinary measures to respond to a crisis like this, it is not enough just to tweak the instruments that already exist. That’s why we have called upon Heads of States and Governments to accept their responsibilities at this time.”
More information here.

EU Parliament votes emergency financial measures in extraordinary plenary
The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved two financial support’s packages for countries affected by coronavirus outbreak:
1. an investment initiative of 37 € billions to promote investments in the sectors affected by the crisis;
2. a widening of the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund up to 800 € millions covering now public health crises in addition to original support to countries affected by natural disasters.
The Council still has to formally approve Parliament’s position. The adopted measures will enter into force once published in the Official Journal of the European Union in the coming days.
More information on the European Parliament’s website.

What’s next?
On April 2, Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, will be discussing with MEPs members of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee on the EU response to the COVID-19 outbreak. MEPs of the same Committee will be then exchanging views on AI in education, culture and the audiovisual sector.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Eurogroup: Governments and institutions in the EU are taking decisive measures
Eurogroup President Mario Centeno said on 24 March 2020 there was a broad support to consider a pandemic crisis support safeguard based on an existing European Stability Mechanism precautionary instrument.
The Eurogroup gathered for a video conference on the same day to discuss policy responses to the COVID-19 economic fallout: “First, there is a clear increase in our fiscal response. In one week alone, the total amount of the fiscal measures at national level has doubled and is now estimated at 2% of GDP. Liquidity support schemes for firms and workers have been scaled up from 10% to more than 13% of GDP. Second, coordinated measures at the European level are being deployed, supplementing national efforts. Third, we have started a debate on additional forms of support to reinforce crisis management and prepare the ground for the economic recovery.”

Leaders clash over stimulus against pandemic during virtual summit
EU heads of state and government disagreed on the economic response to coronavirus including a joint debt instrument, the so-called ‘corona bonds’, proposed by 9 Members States including Italy and Spain mostly hit by the crisis. Germany and the Netherlands did not accept joint debt instruments and proposed instead to use the European Stability Mechanism’s 410 € billion available. The European Council failed to reach an agreement and asked the Eurogroup of finance ministers to propose solutions to the economic fallout from the coronavirus within the next two weeks. Journalists said: the fight over financing instruments overshadowed an array of other steps that EU leaders have taken in recent weeks to strengthen the overall response to the pandemic, including new joint procurement measures for essential medical equipment; a 30-day ban on non-essential travellers from outside the EU; and better coordination over internal border restrictions.

European Council: joint statement
On 26 March, the members of the European Council followed up, by video conference, on the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They also addressed EU enlargement, the earthquake in Croatia and the situation at the EU’s external borders.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Commission to develop coordinated ‘exit strategy’ from lockdowns
The European Union’s national leaders working to develop a coordinated “exit strategy” to prepare the measures necessary to lift social isolation and get back to a normal functioning of societies.

EUROPE / WORLD

G20 leaders vow ‘whatever it takes’ to fight virus and rescue economy
G20 leaders committed to inject $5 trillion in fiscal spending into the global economy to fight the coronavirus crisis. The leaders issued a joint statement urging a coordinated international response — including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank — both to contain the pandemic and to address the accompanying economic shock. And in all respects, they pledged a “whatever it takes” approach.

Coronavirus: No end in sight
EU politicians and policymakers can’t say when lockdowns will be lifted and what these stringent measures would accomplish.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.

AER special bulletin – 2nd edition – Radios and COVID19 – 25 March 2020

Francesca Fabbri — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 10:19:00 +0000

INITIATIVES AT NATIONAL LEVEL

CROATIA
HRF – HRVATSKI RADIJSKI FORUM

Akcija radijskih postaja: Točno u podne Hrvatska će se ujediniti pjesmom – Croatian radio stations united with a song
On March 23, the most-listened-to and most popular Croatian radio stations across the country united in playing same songs – “My Homeland” by the Band Aid and “Insieme” by Toto Cutugno – at the same time to show unity and hope in times of extraordinary suffering for the country.

FRANCE
SIRTI – LE SYNDICAT DES RADIOS INDÉPENDANTES

A word from SIRTI – Le Syndicat des Radio Indépendantes
SIRTI President Alain Liberty talks about the economic uncertainties faced by independent radios. He reminds radio’s trusted role, especially in times of crisis, which he believes should attract advertisers back to the radio. He shares radio’s welcomed response to the pandemic by increasing airtime devoted to news while taking safety measures by having hosts and staff working from home. Liberty adds that positively responded to the health requests for the dissemination of awareness campaigns carried out by the Ministry of Health. Finally, he welcomes the recent communication from the Regulatory Authority, that outlines the latter’s leniency towards radio.

Regulatory reaction
The French National Regulatory Authority, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA) wrote to the radio stations on 19 March 2020. The CSA announced it will be tolerant and understanding with regard to the application of the regulatory and conventional frameworks applying to radio. The assessment of radios’ respect of the distribution and production rules will also be done in light of the current circumstances. Lastly, the CSA expressed its support to radio and guaranteed that their concerns will be shared with the government bodies.

GERMANY
VAUNET – VERBAND PRIVATER RUNDFUNK UND TELEMEDIEN E.V.

Die Bedeutung der privaten Medien in Krisenzeiten. Relevanz der privaten Radiosender – The importance of private media in times of crisis. Relevance of private radio stations
In times of crisis, private radio stations play a decisive role in informing the population. German commercial radios have adapted their programmes to include special editions and podcasts on the Corona virus. Here are some examples: Antenne Bayern started daily children’s news to help families answer questions that are appropriate for children. Antenne Niedersachsen launched an ad campaign called “Together Against Corona”, in which prominent public voices call for protection against the virus. Other radio stations followed Antenne Niedersachsen’s example and are now taking part in the initiative. Berlins Hitradio 104.6 RTL turns the largest radio competition into an aid campaign, where listeners are allowed to be reimbursed of the costs of cancellation of a trip or purchases for children at home. RTL Radio Center Berlin started a 24-hour information channel on the Corona virus, the “Corona Aktuell”, broadcasting non-stop expert interviews, news and services. The 24-hour web channel is produced daily by the newsrooms of 104.6 RTL Berlins Hitradio and 105’5 Spreeradio and can be found on the websites 104.6rtl.com and spreeradio.de, as well as on the apps of the stations.

IRELAND
IBI – THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS OF IRELAND

#TrustRadioChooseRadio
IBI – the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland launched the #TrustRadioChooseRadio campaign to call the Irish Government, including the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, to take serious action and financially support IBI radio stations so they’d be able to continue broadcasting and being a vital source of trusted information during this unprecedented crisis.

Local radio station levy to be waived for six months
John Purcell, chairman of the IBI – the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland group, called for urgent Governmental support to ensure radio stations keep services running despite the dramatic drop in advertising revenues. The broadcasting levy paid by local radio stations will be waived for the first six months of 2020 to help them continue during the coronavirus crisis despite disappearing advertising revenues. Minister for Communications Richard Burton said he would request that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland implement the waiver, which he said would save local radio stations almost €1 million between them.

Government announces new COVID-19 Income Support Scheme
The Irish Government announced a National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme to provide financial support to Irish workers and companies affected by the crisis. The scheme will give businesses, including radio stations, 70% of the wage cost of a staff member to allow them to remain at work.

ITALY
CRTV – CONFINDUSTRIA RADIO TELEVISIONI

La radio per l’Italia – Radio for Italy
To show solidarity and offer encouragement to the Italian population in these times of great suffering, for the first time in Italian history, all national and local radios came together for an unprecedented common broadcasting initiative called La radio per l’Italia – Radio for Italy. On Friday 20 March at 11.00AM, at unified frequencies, all Italian radios simultaneously played the Italian anthem and three famous Italian songs as a symbol of unity in these difficult circumstances. The broadcast was simultaneous on FM, DAB, television and streaming platforms, on radio sites and applications.

Radio and TV on the frontlines during the emergency
CRTV President Franco Siddi explained in his interview with Sole 24 Ore that the radio and TV sector plays a fundamental public service role by providing constant, verified and high-quality information and by being a companion during these stressful and challenging times. The sector is struggling, it has already been negatively affected by the COVID19 crisis, with a foreseen loss in advertising revenue for radios of 18%. CRTV President Siddi reiterates that it is important to now focus on the current emergency but, thinking ahead, there are issues waiting for a response like the copyright directive and radio digital transition.

#iorestoacasa – #istayhome
In line with governmental directives, CRTV activated “smart working” (working from home and remotely) to protect the health of its employees and members, as well as to ensure continuity in its services.

SPAIN
AERC – LA ASOCIACIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE RADIODIFUSIÓN COMERCIAL

La radio comercial pide al Gobierno un plan de ayudas e incentivos para mantener las emisiones y el empleo – Commercial radio calls the Government for state aid and incentives to continue working and broadcasting
Following up on the adoption of an economic measures’ package by the Spanish Government (the so-called Temporary Employment Regulation File – ERTE), AERC – La Asociación Española de Radiodifusión Comercial calls for further measures as the package fails to respond to the needs of commercial radios. The ERTE package includes a provision on the suspension of employment contracts or working time reduction, which cannot be applicable to radio workers as it would inevitably lead to a lack of professionals running radio stations and consequent impossibility to continue broadcasting essential information to the public.
AERC urges the Spanish Government to adopt a plan of state aid and incentives to help radio sector to survive, especially in view of the current loss in advertising revenues now up to 80% compared to last year.

UK
RADIOCENTRE

Ofcom and broadcasters in times of coronavirus
Following requests from Radiocentre, Ofcom has confirmed that it is suspending production and programming regulation for the next 3 months. Ofcom stated in their note to broadcasters that, where broadcasters are genuinely unable to continue to meet the programming and production requirements set out in their licence as a result of the disruption due to Covid-19, they would consider the force majeure condition in the licence to be engaged, and a licensee would not be liable to enforcement action as a result.

AudioFund supporting radio audiences during the Coronavirus crisis
Audio Content Fund has announced funding round for public service initiatives on commercial radio during the Covid-19 outbreak. The special fund, financed by the UK Government, has made a minimum of £200,000 of its budget available for content that will support radio audiences during the coronavirus crisis.

Radio bite: A friendly companion
Radiocentre’s recent research study “Audio Now” explores how people use audio to help them survive challenging times. The research finds six different need-states where audio plays a role. During the current climate, radio will not only provide trusted information on the ever changing news but will be a voice for those who are isolated and without companionship, along with the people working remotely who just miss their early morning chats over a cup of coffee in the office kitchen.

Rescue Remedy
Radiocentre circulated a new briefing paper for sales people – Rescue remedy: How radio can help an advertiser’s business during the current crisis – presenting ideas to advertisers to help them stay ahead of the competition across the next few months by using radio.

#ClapForOurCarers
At 8pm on Thursday 26th March, UK radio stations will pause for a mass applause as a sign of gratitude to NHS workers for their hard work during these difficult times.

For further information, please contact francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org and +32 2 736 91 31.