'Euro-Chip' is the only way to safeguard radio's future, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Media Director Annika Nyberg-Frankenhaeuser told the annual pan-European radio conference Radiodays in Berlin (March 17-19).

An initiative to promote the adoption of a radio reception chip as industry standard to make analogue and digital free to air radio available to all receivers was launched by the EBU in Brussels in October 2012.

Since then, Ms Nyberg-Frankenhaeuser said the EBU had begun to build a united campaign among radio executives both public and private, to agree on a common message.

"This work has resulted in what we call the Euro-Chip Campaign, fully backed by EBU Members," said Ms Nyberg-Frankenhaeuser. "It is historic because never before have public radio broadcasters been able to agree on one common message; to say with one voice to the industry, 'if you join in and make sure there will be free-to-air broadcast in every radio device, then we promise to provide the content needed.'"

A cost effective solution

The EBU is involved in talks with carmakers, network operators, mobile phone, device and chipset manufacturers, some of whom have already designed and integrated reception chips for some smartphones, web-tablets and existing car radios.

"The EBU will not produce chips," said Ms Nyberg-Frankenhaeuser. "There is an industry out there which is already doing that. Our role is to raise awareness about the impact this simple device can have in ensuring radio remains cost-free."

Radio key to introducing new music

The conference also heard from Tony Wadsworth, the Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry. Mr Wadsworth observed that despite the flood of online and mobile music platforms in the past two years, radio had maintained its position as the number one source through which new music is introduced to audiences.