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Radio. Over 10 million active DAB + receivers in Italy and reuse of FM band after the analog switch off. Podcast Media Monitor with E. La Teana (RTL 102.5 / WorldDAB)
Eugenio La Teana, RTL102.5 and WorldDAB : All analogue and digital platforms are still needed today. Almost reached 10 million DAB + receivers in Italy. Often users do not realize they are listening to DAB and this is a good thing. DAB could overtake FM in Italy in 2025, but even then it would be foolish to abadaon analog. After switching off we will have to reconvert the 88-108 band, not abandoning it but thinking about reusing the FM for new digital services. The local broadcaster didn't seem interested in investing in DAB, but they haven't missed the train yet.
More of everything
Newslinet had the opportunity to interview Eugenio la Teana, head of innovation at RTL 102.5 , member of the Steering Board of WorldDAB and Country Manager of Radioplayer . The conversation lasted over an hour, touching on important topics such as the reuse of the 88-108 MHz band after the switch off, the current state of DAB +in Italy and abroad, because Radioplayer is essential for the survival of Radio in a world. globalized, radio vision, HBBTV and more.
The perimeter
Considering the perimeter and depth of the topics touched upon, we decided to publish the interview as follows: the totality of the conversation in two successive podcasts, the first of which is published today . The main points of what has been discussed will also be published in two subsequent articles, starting with today's one.
Eugenio La Teana
(Newslinet) - What are your activities today? (Eugenio La Teana) - My main activity is innovation at RTL 102.5, but I also deal with other activities at an international level: I am Country Manager for Radioplayer Italia and I manage relations with some international associations including WorldDAB, where I sit in the steering board. Without forgetting that I deal with the network infrastructure of EuroDab Italia , one of the three national operators of DAB + digital radio.
Innovation
(NL) - Before moving on to DAB let's talk about Radiovision. You started 20 years ago, when there was only FMand SAT . Today you can attend DAB +, DTT, FM, Sat, Web, Mobile App, App for Smart TV, RadioPlayer, Apple TV. How have distribution costs increased? (ELT) - I premise: any company that wants to remain relevant on the market cannot exempt itself from innovation. RTL 102.5 obviously continued and continues to invest, because the innovation process never ends, it is an infinite click. Innovating means looking at the market and people's behavior and we always try to anticipate what will happen.
Radiovision
As happened with Radiovision. At the time we told ourselves that radio produces content, and producing audio-only content was a limitation on the possibilities offered by technology. Furthermore, for us, the user must make no effort to find us, regardless of the device that he has available at any given moment. Thanks also to this we have become the main radio in Italy.
Costs
Returning to the costs, there is certainly an important cost for all this: that of the band, it is true, has decreased over the years, but the number of people who connect has increased. In any case, this means that more people are connecting to our content.
All platforms needed today
(NL) - Are there any trends of the various platforms that you can share with us? (ELT) - To date I believe that all platforms are essential, no signal tells us that we can abandon any of them. Many people still use traditional broadcast channels, even analog. We must continue to offer the simplest possible access for the population unfamiliar with more advanced means.
Digital on the rise
Obviously, the digital offer is increasing thanks to the renewal of the car fleet: those who buy a new vehicle find themselves in possession of a DAB offer that in addition to having a quality ... of the best features of the FM also offers a superior choice in terms of of contents ..
Digital compression
(NL) - You said "quality" and then you corrected yourself in "characteristics". The quality of DAB with current bitrates seems to us lower than that of FM… (ELT) - It depends on the bitrate you use. Inside the block we use a high one, so… but I express myself better. The FM radio certainly does not hear bad, even if in our opinion in terms of quality the common ear (so to speak) today does not perceive differences. But there are characteristics that define the listening quality that go beyond the "sound quality".
Listening experience
DAB + guarantees a better listening experience than FM and digital also eliminates interference noise typical of analog. Moreover, it improves the effectiveness of coverage: with digital we have a network gain, two or more plants in the same coverage area instead of destroying each other reinforce each other. We therefore get a better listening in terms of robustness, eliminating interference and rustles.
Dab and Analog
Sometimes they tell us "I switched to DAB but I don't perceive the difference". And in fact the quality (of RTL 102.5 and Freccia: 96 kbps , ed) is better in digital, but it is not easy to perceive it unless suitable systems are used. I mean portable radios with a small speaker don't give the real perception of the difference.
DAB vs FM: the listeners
(NL) - You have at least two hats, the one from RTL 102.5 and the one from WorldDab . How important is listening to DAB today in Italy and for you in particular? (ELT) - Look, there is still no comparative audience survey on the various channels. It is something we are working on but I can give you an important number: we are approaching the 10 million receivers on the market and this is a figure that comes to us from the most registered receivers sold . We are also working to sensitize listeners to DAB, since with receivers in the car sometimes the user does not even know they are listening digitally. The curve is constantly growing, proportional to the sale of the new cars .
United Kingdom, leading role
If we talk about Europe, the rate is even higher, especially where the classic radio set still has an important presence at home, I am thinking of the UK or the Nordic countries. Which leads me to say that we have been far-sighted, since for years we have been able to replace the home radio set with the television where - as we said before - we have been present for two decades. With advantages - and back to your talk about quality - for all those who have a home theater system to watch movies: in their case they benefit from excellent quality sound even for the radio (indeed, radio vision) .
Switch off , no one has decided yet
Let me add some information outside our territory. Norway is the only country that has made an analog switch-off. England did not do it, where they started much earlier than us, but also in Switzerland where digital listening has gone beyond analog, the time horizon is still uncertain. But there is a fundamental element: that those who go digital do not go back. Obviously, it makes no sense to cut ties with analog where it still has consistency, but digital, once chosen, becomes the preferred form of listening.
Overtaking in 2025
(NL) - Have you tried to do an extrapolation, a regression of some kind on the digital growth curve that allows you to see the intersection, the moment when the digital will overtake the analog FM in terms of listening? (ELT) - Well, what I could call break even could come in two or three years (2025 NDR) . I think the next listening surveys will be able to confirm this.
Switch off, madness
But I want to clarify! This does not mean that now is the time for a switch off, it would be madness. We would still deprive many people of the opportunity to listen.
The future of the 87.5 - 108.0 MHz band
(NL) - One of the points often debated also following the proposals of Roberto Sergio di Rai is the famous switch off. In your opinion, why is it always talked about, what or to whom do those few MHz between 88 and 108 serve? (ELT) - The FM frequencies will have to be converted anyway, it would be madness to leave them free! The next day we would find a subject who takes them and makes use of them.
FM reuse
In short, it is a resource that we must reconvert in the digital environment in favor of the subjects who have protected it and created value in recent years. As you well know, there are digitization models also for FM, not developed in our country (and not even elsewhere, apart from the United States), because DAB is more efficient and effective. But technologies run, so everything that wasn't there yesterday could be there tomorrow. Therefore the 88-108 band remains an important resource for the distribution of content on the move, an asset to be safeguarded.
New technologies
(NL) - So on FM… indeed on the 88-108 band we could propose the use of new technologies: we will return to them in the next interview. But now I want to ask you why in Europe we have not adopted HD Radio which guarantees continuity, compatibility and preserves the value of assets for broadcasters? (ELT) - Because from the point of view of the crowding of frequencies in Europe we would have had too many difficulties. Also from the point of view of performance, DAB was chosen after an in-depth analysis of efficiency, which also examined FM extra . All technologies that we have personally tested. DAB is better performing both in terms of technology and of the market.
The importance of a continental policy
Look, I have followed DAB from the beginning and I must say that there is no imposition: it is the whole industry that has moved in this direction. It is no longer possible to think from a national point of view, it is necessary to think at the European level. And we have been good, with constant experimentation, with the creation of a capillary network, we made a non-repayable investment but we also made sure that the industry followed us. A great and long job.
DAB and local broadcasting
(NL) - But the local stations criticize the big names for having monopolized DAB with all the transitional authorizations, leaving them today only the crumbs… (ELT) - Absolutely no one is out of the game. The opportunities were there for everyone right from the start. When we invested in digital, others could do it too: but to innovate you have to invest, you have to believe in it, it's not that everything comes from above.
The importance of looking ahead
We have believed in digital even when others did not believe in it and keep in mind that both the authorities and the ministry have vouched for the space also for local consortia. Which are now constantly being launched. There are spaces for local operators and ... (NL) - ... Yes, but from what I remember years ago there was a problem of lack of megahertz, of "blocks" ... (ELT) - There has always been an underlying problem : RAI used the frequencies allocated to the DAB for its internal use. We recall the story of the "interchanges" where we found the available resources among those employed.
Lack of commitment
But then, in any case, some of these resources became free and - as far as I know - there was not a great commitment on the part of the locals to go and use them. Of course, we need to get together, create a consortium. But then consider that the costs are not even that important: the systems need to be done, but you can spread the costs over 20… let's say, yes, 20 companies or 20 channels. And for the local area with three plants you arrive at a consistent coverage.
Moti consortia now active
Of course, it is also natural for large groups to invest first, indeed I would say that the public service should be the first to lead the way. But if you turn on a DAB radio today you find many active local consortia, I think the situation is evolving rapidly ... (continued) (MHB for NL)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notsoslow.substack.com
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By Marco Hugo BarsottiEugenio La Teana, RTL102.5 and WorldDAB : All analogue and digital platforms are still needed today. Almost reached 10 million DAB + receivers in Italy. Often users do not realize they are listening to DAB and this is a good thing. DAB could overtake FM in Italy in 2025, but even then it would be foolish to abadaon analog. After switching off we will have to reconvert the 88-108 band, not abandoning it but thinking about reusing the FM for new digital services. The local broadcaster didn't seem interested in investing in DAB, but they haven't missed the train yet.
More of everything
Newslinet had the opportunity to interview Eugenio la Teana, head of innovation at RTL 102.5 , member of the Steering Board of WorldDAB and Country Manager of Radioplayer . The conversation lasted over an hour, touching on important topics such as the reuse of the 88-108 MHz band after the switch off, the current state of DAB +in Italy and abroad, because Radioplayer is essential for the survival of Radio in a world. globalized, radio vision, HBBTV and more.
The perimeter
Considering the perimeter and depth of the topics touched upon, we decided to publish the interview as follows: the totality of the conversation in two successive podcasts, the first of which is published today . The main points of what has been discussed will also be published in two subsequent articles, starting with today's one.
Eugenio La Teana
(Newslinet) - What are your activities today? (Eugenio La Teana) - My main activity is innovation at RTL 102.5, but I also deal with other activities at an international level: I am Country Manager for Radioplayer Italia and I manage relations with some international associations including WorldDAB, where I sit in the steering board. Without forgetting that I deal with the network infrastructure of EuroDab Italia , one of the three national operators of DAB + digital radio.
Innovation
(NL) - Before moving on to DAB let's talk about Radiovision. You started 20 years ago, when there was only FMand SAT . Today you can attend DAB +, DTT, FM, Sat, Web, Mobile App, App for Smart TV, RadioPlayer, Apple TV. How have distribution costs increased? (ELT) - I premise: any company that wants to remain relevant on the market cannot exempt itself from innovation. RTL 102.5 obviously continued and continues to invest, because the innovation process never ends, it is an infinite click. Innovating means looking at the market and people's behavior and we always try to anticipate what will happen.
Radiovision
As happened with Radiovision. At the time we told ourselves that radio produces content, and producing audio-only content was a limitation on the possibilities offered by technology. Furthermore, for us, the user must make no effort to find us, regardless of the device that he has available at any given moment. Thanks also to this we have become the main radio in Italy.
Costs
Returning to the costs, there is certainly an important cost for all this: that of the band, it is true, has decreased over the years, but the number of people who connect has increased. In any case, this means that more people are connecting to our content.
All platforms needed today
(NL) - Are there any trends of the various platforms that you can share with us? (ELT) - To date I believe that all platforms are essential, no signal tells us that we can abandon any of them. Many people still use traditional broadcast channels, even analog. We must continue to offer the simplest possible access for the population unfamiliar with more advanced means.
Digital on the rise
Obviously, the digital offer is increasing thanks to the renewal of the car fleet: those who buy a new vehicle find themselves in possession of a DAB offer that in addition to having a quality ... of the best features of the FM also offers a superior choice in terms of of contents ..
Digital compression
(NL) - You said "quality" and then you corrected yourself in "characteristics". The quality of DAB with current bitrates seems to us lower than that of FM… (ELT) - It depends on the bitrate you use. Inside the block we use a high one, so… but I express myself better. The FM radio certainly does not hear bad, even if in our opinion in terms of quality the common ear (so to speak) today does not perceive differences. But there are characteristics that define the listening quality that go beyond the "sound quality".
Listening experience
DAB + guarantees a better listening experience than FM and digital also eliminates interference noise typical of analog. Moreover, it improves the effectiveness of coverage: with digital we have a network gain, two or more plants in the same coverage area instead of destroying each other reinforce each other. We therefore get a better listening in terms of robustness, eliminating interference and rustles.
Dab and Analog
Sometimes they tell us "I switched to DAB but I don't perceive the difference". And in fact the quality (of RTL 102.5 and Freccia: 96 kbps , ed) is better in digital, but it is not easy to perceive it unless suitable systems are used. I mean portable radios with a small speaker don't give the real perception of the difference.
DAB vs FM: the listeners
(NL) - You have at least two hats, the one from RTL 102.5 and the one from WorldDab . How important is listening to DAB today in Italy and for you in particular? (ELT) - Look, there is still no comparative audience survey on the various channels. It is something we are working on but I can give you an important number: we are approaching the 10 million receivers on the market and this is a figure that comes to us from the most registered receivers sold . We are also working to sensitize listeners to DAB, since with receivers in the car sometimes the user does not even know they are listening digitally. The curve is constantly growing, proportional to the sale of the new cars .
United Kingdom, leading role
If we talk about Europe, the rate is even higher, especially where the classic radio set still has an important presence at home, I am thinking of the UK or the Nordic countries. Which leads me to say that we have been far-sighted, since for years we have been able to replace the home radio set with the television where - as we said before - we have been present for two decades. With advantages - and back to your talk about quality - for all those who have a home theater system to watch movies: in their case they benefit from excellent quality sound even for the radio (indeed, radio vision) .
Switch off , no one has decided yet
Let me add some information outside our territory. Norway is the only country that has made an analog switch-off. England did not do it, where they started much earlier than us, but also in Switzerland where digital listening has gone beyond analog, the time horizon is still uncertain. But there is a fundamental element: that those who go digital do not go back. Obviously, it makes no sense to cut ties with analog where it still has consistency, but digital, once chosen, becomes the preferred form of listening.
Overtaking in 2025
(NL) - Have you tried to do an extrapolation, a regression of some kind on the digital growth curve that allows you to see the intersection, the moment when the digital will overtake the analog FM in terms of listening? (ELT) - Well, what I could call break even could come in two or three years (2025 NDR) . I think the next listening surveys will be able to confirm this.
Switch off, madness
But I want to clarify! This does not mean that now is the time for a switch off, it would be madness. We would still deprive many people of the opportunity to listen.
The future of the 87.5 - 108.0 MHz band
(NL) - One of the points often debated also following the proposals of Roberto Sergio di Rai is the famous switch off. In your opinion, why is it always talked about, what or to whom do those few MHz between 88 and 108 serve? (ELT) - The FM frequencies will have to be converted anyway, it would be madness to leave them free! The next day we would find a subject who takes them and makes use of them.
FM reuse
In short, it is a resource that we must reconvert in the digital environment in favor of the subjects who have protected it and created value in recent years. As you well know, there are digitization models also for FM, not developed in our country (and not even elsewhere, apart from the United States), because DAB is more efficient and effective. But technologies run, so everything that wasn't there yesterday could be there tomorrow. Therefore the 88-108 band remains an important resource for the distribution of content on the move, an asset to be safeguarded.
New technologies
(NL) - So on FM… indeed on the 88-108 band we could propose the use of new technologies: we will return to them in the next interview. But now I want to ask you why in Europe we have not adopted HD Radio which guarantees continuity, compatibility and preserves the value of assets for broadcasters? (ELT) - Because from the point of view of the crowding of frequencies in Europe we would have had too many difficulties. Also from the point of view of performance, DAB was chosen after an in-depth analysis of efficiency, which also examined FM extra . All technologies that we have personally tested. DAB is better performing both in terms of technology and of the market.
The importance of a continental policy
Look, I have followed DAB from the beginning and I must say that there is no imposition: it is the whole industry that has moved in this direction. It is no longer possible to think from a national point of view, it is necessary to think at the European level. And we have been good, with constant experimentation, with the creation of a capillary network, we made a non-repayable investment but we also made sure that the industry followed us. A great and long job.
DAB and local broadcasting
(NL) - But the local stations criticize the big names for having monopolized DAB with all the transitional authorizations, leaving them today only the crumbs… (ELT) - Absolutely no one is out of the game. The opportunities were there for everyone right from the start. When we invested in digital, others could do it too: but to innovate you have to invest, you have to believe in it, it's not that everything comes from above.
The importance of looking ahead
We have believed in digital even when others did not believe in it and keep in mind that both the authorities and the ministry have vouched for the space also for local consortia. Which are now constantly being launched. There are spaces for local operators and ... (NL) - ... Yes, but from what I remember years ago there was a problem of lack of megahertz, of "blocks" ... (ELT) - There has always been an underlying problem : RAI used the frequencies allocated to the DAB for its internal use. We recall the story of the "interchanges" where we found the available resources among those employed.
Lack of commitment
But then, in any case, some of these resources became free and - as far as I know - there was not a great commitment on the part of the locals to go and use them. Of course, we need to get together, create a consortium. But then consider that the costs are not even that important: the systems need to be done, but you can spread the costs over 20… let's say, yes, 20 companies or 20 channels. And for the local area with three plants you arrive at a consistent coverage.
Moti consortia now active
Of course, it is also natural for large groups to invest first, indeed I would say that the public service should be the first to lead the way. But if you turn on a DAB radio today you find many active local consortia, I think the situation is evolving rapidly ... (continued) (MHB for NL)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notsoslow.substack.com