Research on digital radio for Ireland has concluded that there is a need for a coherent, inclusive and coordinated approach to the development of digital radio in Ireland. Entitled “Digital Radio for Ireland: Competing Options, Public Expectation”, the report was launched in the offices of Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI). The research was undertaken by Athena Media and the Dublin Institute of Technology and was funded through the BCI’s Media Research Bursary Scheme.
The report found that innovation in terms of radio content will be a key issue in ensuring the success of digital radio in the long term. In focus group interviews with radio listeners it emerged that content and content diversity were top priorities in envisaging the future of radio.
From a broadcasting sector perspective, participants felt that incentives to enter the digital radio market need to be married with a requirement for broadcasters to innovate. With regard to technology, those surveyed broadly supported the adoption of DAB+ as the most appropriate technology for the delivery of digital radio. However, concern was expressed as to how the adoption of such a technology could take account of local and community radio. There was an overwhelming acknowledgement in the research of the significance of the Internet and online delivery as an essential component of digital radio.
Commenting on the report recommendations, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said “We are entering a new era in broadcasting with the imminent establishment of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and the framework that new broadcasting legislation provides for the development of digital radio. I have no doubt that this research report will play a key part in assisting and informing the policy development process”.
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers