Before we dive into the list, let’s look at how we compiled it. The main challenge radio faces is how to deal with changes in the way listeners consume radio. Or should I say audio? Changes in listener behavior drive innovation in radio, especially among younger audiences. That’s why we included research about changing listener behavior at the top of the list.
When we know how behavior is changing, we can think about how to engage these audiences, with new content forms, concepts, and multi-channel platforms. So we included the best sessions about new concepts.
Today listeners expect just the right content, in just the right form, through just the right channel. Anytime, anywhere. So radio stations need to focus on data and how data can be leveraged to provide excellent (personalized) listener experiences. And we need to know how we are going to pay for the radio/audio of the future. Therefore we included sessions about listener data and new revenue models.
That brings us to our top picks for this years Radiodays Europe…
1. The latest research on youth and their changing behaviorTuesday 2 April - 13:45-14:30
Speakers: Rasmus Kidde (Audience Researcher, DR, Denmark), Siril Heyerdahl (Producer & Editor, NRK, Norway)
Public Service broadcaster in Denmark DR conducted a study into younger audiences and how their media habits are changing, moving away from traditional broadcasting towards more personal, social and on-demand experiences. This session presents insights from this study.
Siril Heyerdahl from Public Service broadcaster NRK in Norway presents how NRK is making all producers for their youth platforms in to “target group agents” to get better at creating media content for this difficult to reach audience.
2. Planet Audio in the year 2025 - The actual future of using radio and audioMonday 1 April - 13:45-14:30
Charlotte Hager (Comrecon Brand Navigation, Germany)
The audio evolution is in full swing. Whether at home, in the car, at work or on the move via smartphone and headphones: audio and radio are favorite companions in many everyday situations. Voice assistants also ensure that audio is central to the digital world. Against this background, the question arises: What is the use of audio in 2025?
The qualitative study "Planet Audio: Audio Utilization of the Future" reflects the expectation of the listeners. With the innovative method, LEGO® Serious Play®, i.e. by "playing" with LEGO elements, the audio usage of the listeners was visualized and analyzed in the future. A unique qualitative map presents the findings of what will happen in which area.
A glimpse of the key findings:
- A new audio union is born: Audio is growing stronger again. The central channels FM radio, streaming services, podcasts, and web radios will converge until the year 2025 and merge into each other.
- In the future, there will only be one central device to receive different forms of audio content. Also, radio becomes customizable, and listeners become program makers. Radio on demand will make it possible to consume the right audio content depending on the situation, mood or personal daily routine.
- Personalization is increasing: Advertising will be more personalized, subtle, and interest-based. The consumer will still be given a choice whether to use the free version with advertising or the paid premium version without advertising.
- A conscious switch off and exit from the music activation will play a role in the future. On Silent Island, the listeners seek and find peace and relaxation.
The results that are relevant to programmers and content directors are shared for the first time. Get an early insight into what audiences will want from you, in a few years down the road. If you can't wait, visit the Radiozentrale website for the press release of this study.
3. Creating a new digital listening habitMonday 1 April - 12:05-12:45
Simon Gooch (Chief Innovation Officer, Swedish Radio, Sweden
Swedish Radio innovation officer Simon Gooch is known to be one of the leading innovators in radio in Europe. Having presented highly informative sessions before at Radiodays Europe you can be sure this will be an entertaining session about establishing excellent listener relationships in the context of smart speakers, wireless headphones, and cars that drive themselves. Simon will talk about how Swedish Radio is focussing on individual sound clip that are not dependent on a broader context to be understood. Independent sound items, which are small bits of sound that are connected in different ways on different devices and different platforms.
4. The future of personalized “radio” newsMonday 1 April - 12:05-12:45
Tamar Charney (Managing Director, Personalization and Curation, NPR, USA), Mark Little (CEO, Kinzen, Ireland)
Broadcast radio listening by 25–44 year-olds to NPR programming increased by 26%. That’s significant growth with listeners who don’t typically listen to talk radio. So what’s making younger audiences listen to NPR?
It’s a combination of great news content, excellent distribution across devices and platforms, and the personalized NPR One App. Their programming is everywhere from podcasting to smart speakers. Between November 2017 and March 2018, streaming from Amazon Echo more than quadrupled, and Amazon and Google smart speakers account for over 16% of weekly total listening hours.
The NPR One App is a localized, personalized flow of atomized news stories and podcasts, that is the backbone of NPR’s mobile apps, car dashboard play, and voice assistant strategy. In the process of building this service, NPR has discovered how to use personalization responsibly.
Learn how NPR is engaging younger audiences responsibly with a personalized stream of individual sound clips.
5. Double session: 1. New revenue – exploring untapped markets 2. Expand your brandMonday 1 April - 14:45-15:45
Menno De Boer (Radio 538, the Netherlands), Michael Dujardin (Tomorrowland, Belgium), Ger Gilroy (Newstalk, Ireland). Siobhán Kenny (CEO, Radiocentre, UK), Rob Timony (Audio XI, Ireland)
Expanding your radio station into a lifestyle brand and uncovering new revenue streams at the same time? Sounds too good to be true? Well, that’s exactly what the presenters in this session promise.
This session explores where the boundaries of a traditional radio station end. With Irish sports programme “Off the ball” talking about how this programme evolved into a brand in its own, with video, events, and trips, resulting in increased listening and new revenue streams.
Radio 538 in The Netherlands is intimately involved in the Dutch dance scene. With specialized programs and close collaboration with events like Tomorrowland. Resulting in a loyal listener base and increased brand awareness. Menno De Boer (538) and Michael Dujardin (Tomorrowland) will share challenges and insights into their partnership. But we might be a little biased here because Menno de Boer is one of our most enthusiast Prepr users who helped us build the platform from day one ;-)
6. Beyond FM - The new normalTuesday 2 April - 9:05-9:40
Simon Mason (Head of New Technology, Arqiva, UK), speakers from Norway and Switzerland TBA
New forms of content, new devices, and new platforms are shaping the way listeners consume live radio and on-demand audio. With the rise of 5G networks and the closing down of FM in favor of DAB, listeners will change listening behavior.
This session answers the question of how stations can use these changes to stay relevant and grow their audience in a multi-platform world.
7. AI in radio & audio: MonetizationMonday 1 April - 16:00-16:40
Frank Bachér (General Manager Digital, RMS, Germany), Thomas Kabke-Sommer (General Manager, Crossplan, Germany)
“Data is the new gold.” And tech giants like Facebook and Google are proving this to be true, by making huge profits by selling data of their users to advertisers. What can radio stations learn from these very targeted ways of advertising? And how can radio stations join this race for their share of consumer attention and advertising revenue?
Frank Bachér from the German sales house RMS presents their data management platform, that might help radio stations do just that. Get ready for some great insights about how radio stations can grow data-driven revenue.
NoteworthyThe top 7 sessions all focus on crucial aspects of the future of radio, and that’s why we selected them. But there are also some high-level strategy sessions with industry leaders. Don’t expect detailed insights from these sessions, but they should give you an excellent overview of the significant challenges radio faces, and how key influencers are dealing with them.
Radio SummitMonday 1 April - 13:45-14:30
Cilla Benkö (Director General, SR, Sweden), Bob Shennan (Director, Radio and Music, BBC, UK), Dani Bücher (CEO, Energy Switzerland), Darren Davis (President, iHeartMedia Networks Group, USA)
Four top executives from public and private radio stations take the stage to share their opinions about the state of radio, and it’s future. On-demand audio, smart speakers, podcasts, atomized items, multi-platform publishing, new revenue streams, fake news, and competing with tech giants.
In the Radio Summit, we will again hear from four top-level radio executives from across Europe, both private and public. They will share their views on present challenges and future opportunities for radio. What are the critical problems for broadcasters today? Smart speakers and global digital players – how do we meet new competition? When is it right to be on other platforms, “work with the devil”? What can we agree to collaborate on? This high-level panel session addresses these and many more questions.
Sound Matters – The Future of AudioMonday 1 April - 09:00-10:00
Keynotes by: Paul Keenan (CEO of Bauer Media UK and European Radio, UK), Gilles Marchand (Director General, SSR SRG, Switzerland), Noel Curran (Director General, European Broadcasting Union, Ireland)
The opening session of Radiodays is hosted by Paul Robinson (UK) and Florence Fischer (Switzerland). With short keynotes and interviews addressing how radio is changing, the main challenges for radio stations, how you can deal with these challenges, and what the latest innovations are.
Content and data management for radio stationsSunday - Tuesday
Alexander Josiassen, Bernard Jan Boekholt, and Tim Hanssen (Prepr)
The Prepr team attends the Radiodays as well. Prepr is a content and data management system for radio stations. With Prepr you can prepare and deliver great radio shows, manage incoming messages and phone calls, manage prizes, contests, and winners, publish audio and content to multiple platforms, manage listener data, and activate listeners. A new and exciting way to engage your audience. Want to learn more? Check out Prepr for Radio, or schedule a meetup during Radiodays Europe.
ConclusionRadio has some significant challenges, but the future is looking bright. We hope this overview helps you make the most of the Radiodays. If you have any comments or suggestions for the list, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Have a great time in Lausanne!