There are constantly new developments in the content, rights, production and broadcast of the 4,000 concerts offered by the Permanent Services via the Euroradio network and the new M2M (Music to Members) platform. That is why every two years, the EBU Radio Music Seminar brings together participants in Radio Music Operations to exchange the latest information.

As soon as Wim Moortgat (BEVRT), Chair of the Euroradio Contact Engineers Group, introduced himself as an angel, he had smiles and laughter on his side. In fact, the engineers are here to help, as he pointed out, because they are music- lovers and experts in one person. Friedrich Spangemacher (DESR) then described the content, objectives and tasks of the Music Group, followed by Margit Desch (ATORF), introducing the International Relations Group as the operational hinge of the entire exchange business. These three expert groups are the players in the music exchanges among Radio Members, which make up an indispensable part –  sometimes over half – of EBU Members’ cultural and music radio programming.

Other keynote addresses concentrated on the rapid developments in the converging (digital) media world. Radio producers realize that their relationship with listeners continues to be transformed at dazzling speed as radio becomes visual and interactive, available anywhere and anytime. Everyone needs to be aware of these challenges and their solutions.

Some 50 delegates attended this two-day workshop (12-13 November 2012) in Geneva. Aside from hearing the latest news on EBU Music (Classical and jazz) and Eurosonic (rock, pop, folk and world music) exchanges, they had the opportunity to attend half a dozen training sessions: the topics ranged from "Technical hands-on for programme people" to details about "Audio over Internet Protocol" tools. Frequency issues were also discussed as well as the importance of loudness for radio.

Christian Vogg, head of Radio and Music

At the close of this Seminar, it was quite evident that radio is becoming increasingly vibrant, dynamic and innovative. Images, audio interviews and videos are providing added value to the musical content of concerts, whose broadcasts to EBU Members are many and flexible, in both time and space. Indeed, there seems to be no limit to the new technology being developed in the contribution circuits bringing concerts to radio broadcasters, or in the means of distribution to their listeners.

Please find the presentations of the Music Seminar in the EBU Lounge.