Radio Mouv' transitions entirely to digital platform, confirmed by Sibyle Veil, starting in September.
Gone FM, Shining Digital: Mouv', Youth Radio's Digital Transition Ahead
In a shakeup announcing the end of FM radio broadcasts for Mouv', France's public youth radio, President of Radio France, Sibyle Veil, confirmed the move towards a full-time digital presence. This restructuring was revealed in an internal letter to staff on April 28 and was verified by the Agence France-Presse (AFP). The decision comes in response to a double concern: the steep drop in radio listening, particularly among young people and music radio stations.
Mouv', founded in 1997, stands as Radio France's most vulnerable channel given its unique position at the epicenter of these two significant evolutions. As Ms. Veil shared in her "strategic update," "Music listening has adapted to digital media channels, not vanished completely." Out of the 15-24 age group, only 9% listen to music on the radio compared to over 80% via streaming audio and video.
Upon Mouv's digital transition, the permanent staff members who opt not to stay will have the opportunity to explore options within other stations within the group. After an extraordinary social and economic committee meeting discussing this project, unions have raised concerns over the potential suppression of Mouv'.
Extra reading | Article for subscribers: Radio France ponders ending Mouv' on the FM band this summer
"A New Era"
Ms. Veil also hinted at her ambitions to establish "the first public service radio for children." She views this ambition as a matter of public service importance. "The teams from France Inter, who have been leaders in creating youth content since 2018, have been assigned to work on this," she specified. This future radio will utilize DAB+, the radio equivalent of TNT (digital terrestrial television). Eventually, DAB+ will replace FM, making room for this children's radio service.
As these strategic changes unfold, the radio industry braces itself for a challenging future. France has experienced a slow decline in radio listening over recent years, coupled with a reduction in the budget for public audiovisual resources. Ms. Veil reflected on these challenges, revealing that by 2025, the difference between projected and actual revenue could total €23.9 million. This fiscal strain is likely to continue, leading Ms. Veil to describe the current situation as a "turning point."
Extra reading | Article for subscribers: Radio France plans to transform Mouv' into a digital music stream
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- The strategic update from President Sibyle Veil suggests a shift towards a digital-only presence for Mouv', France's public youth radio, which was confirmed after the radio's FM broadcasts were announced to end.
- As part of this transformation, Mouv' might be replaced by a public service radio for children using DAB+, a digital radio technology similar to TNT.
- This move towards digital platforms is likely due to the significant decline in radio listening among young people and music radio stations, which has been exacerbated by a reduction in the overall budget for public audiovisual resources.
- Concerns have been raised by unions regarding the potential suppression of Mouv' following the transition, with permanent staff members having the option to explore opportunities within other stations within Radio France if they choose not to stay.
