Servus Riga! XPLR Networking at the Radiodays Europe 2026

Riga is the epicenter of the European audio world these days. Over 1,500 participants from all over Europe have traveled to the Latvian capital to attend the Radiodays Europe to discuss the trends of tomorrow. For us at XPLR: MEDIA, one thing was clear: when the international elite from broadcasting, podcasting and tech come together, Bavarian audio expertise is a must.

An evening full of energy (and good drinks)

After the first day of the congress, XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria invited guests to the legendary B Bārs in the charming old town of Riga on Sunday evening. Right on time at 7 pm, the location filled up with a mixture of “old friends” and many new faces.

The atmosphere was relaxed, professional and, above all, cordial. Over after-work beers and regional finger food, visitors were able to find out their own Bavarian audio personality in the XPLR quiz and the first intensive discussions quickly ensued. It is precisely this exchange at eye level that defines Bavaria as a media location and which we want to make visible internationally.

Spotlight: Where is the audio world heading?

A highlight of the evening was the welcoming speech by Medien.Bayern CEO Stefan Sutor and the expert input from Lukas Schöne, audio expert at MedienNetzwerk Bayern. In a short keynote speech, he provided insights into current audio trends in Bavaria.

According to Lukas Schöne, the following trends are currently shaping the audio industry:

• Personality is not everything: A strong personality on the microphone is a success factor, but not a sure-fire success. According to Schöne, “personality” requires a strategic framework and must match the reality of the listener’s life.
• The product is context, not just content: audio scores where visual media such as TikTok fail: as a companion in everyday life, for example when cooking or driving. Context is crucial here: while AI helps with playout, capturing the “vibe” remains a purely human task. Local radio stations in particular prove their strength here by hitting exactly the right note for relevant events.
• Coopetition is king: In the “engine room” of the industry – i.e. in technology or news – cooperation is more important than competition. Cooperation between competitors makes the medium more powerful. The aim is to position radio more strongly as a lifestyle product again through joint initiatives and to exploit synergies in future topics such as AI.
• Go out and share a drink: audio is increasingly acting as a starting point for building loyal communities in real life. The success of live events, such as the “Bergfreundinnen” tours or regional concerts, demonstrates the enormous bonding power of the medium. These interactions generate a measurable “real-life impact” and transform listeners into genuine brand ambassadors.

Relaxed and positive start to the conference days

The XPLR: MEDIA networking evening was the ideal teaser for what Radiodays Europe is all about: connection, innovation and collaboration. This is exactly what the media makers will experience over the next two days of the congress. Panels, keynotes and discussions will focus on the monetization of podcasts, political developments and the future of the international audio industry.

We draw a positive balance: the Bavarian audio landscape in Europe is more networked than ever before. A big thank you to everyone who took part in the XPLR networking event and made Riga a little bit “Bavarian”!