We are pleased to share the study ‘Database_d Airplay - How Does Music Get on Air?’. For the first time, the study provides an overview of music in independent radio and brings together different perspectives, from radio producers and representatives of the Austrian music scene to representatives of independent media in Europe. The situation at Vienna's independent radio ORANGE 94.0 and other radio examples in Austria and other countries were analysed.
Radio is still an important medium for bringing music to people. Similarly, music plays an important role in the programmes of independent, non-commercial and community radio stations. In contrast to commercial radio programmes, however, independent radio stations are not simply concerned with audibility and a certain type of music, but with making diversity and niches accessible to audiences. Independent radio stations want to offer a stage for music and musicians that are not heard on commercial radio stations and also receive little airplay on public radio.
Music databases play an important role in this: most radios access the repertoire, which is used in particular for the automated part of the music programme, from a central database.
In order to answer the question of how music gets onto independent radios, the project deals with the question of what function music databases in independent radios fulfil for the programme and what framework conditions are needed for their use. Two perspectives take centre stage:
Together with the cooperation partners ORANGE 94.0 and mica – music austria, the aim is to find answers to the questions of how music databases influence the profile of the respective radio station and how they can contribute to the targeted visibility and promotion of local and underrepresented music. In addition to desk research, the project centres on interviews and focus groups with representatives of the music scene, experts and radio producers. In this way, different perspectives and needs are incorporated into the study and allow music databases to be analysed on a content-related, structural, technical, legal and financial level.
The starting point of the study is the situation at ORANGE 94.0 Independent Radio in Vienna; (best) practice examples in Austria and other countries are analysed. The results should allow scalable conclusions to be drawn for other independent radio stations.
Duration: January - December 2024
Cooperation partners: ORANGE 94.0 – das Freie Radio in Wien und mica – music austria
Contact: anke.schad-spindler(at)educult.at
Project website of Orange 94.0
International Comparison of Music Databases in Community Radios
The project “International Comparison of Music Databases in Community Radios” is an addition to the project “Database_d Airplay - How does music get onto Community Radios?”, which EDUCULT is carrying out together with ORANGE 94.0 and mica and which is mainly focused on Austria. The complementary project deals with the international comparison of the use of music databases in independent radio stations. Comparative analyses will be carried out in order to learn from examples of good practice in other countries. Among other things, it will examine the function of music databases in international community radios with regard to cultural diversity; the framework conditions required for their use; how music databases influence the profile of radio stations; and how music databases can contribute to the visibility and promotion of local and underrepresented music. The analysis is carried out on various levels: content-related, structural, technical, legal and financial. Methodologically, existing databases and solutions are researched, experts and representatives of international community radios are interviewed and an international comparative analysis of good practices is carried out.
Duration: April 2024-December 2024
Funded by: Federal Ministry Republic of Austria - Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport
Werkraum Schöpflin