Photos: XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria / Alexander von Spreti
„We loved Munich”: That was Radiodays Europe 2024
By Nina Brandtner
The Bavarian media industry likes audio. And the European audio industry likes Bavaria. That's the result of three days of networking, discussions and celebrations at Radiodays Europe 2024 in Munich. XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria supported the event as host partner and organized the two evening events "Sunday Welcome Drinks" and "Monday Radio Night".
Radiodays Europe 2024 is over – around 1500 audio professionals from over 65 countries came to Munich for the event, were infected by the Bavarian hospitality and inspired by the strength of the Bavarian audio industry.
A good start to the conference days with "Sunday Welcome Drinks”
Katja Wildermuth at the opening: "The audio scene is more creative, diverse and lively than ever"
Radiodays Europe was officially opened on Monday morning by Dr. Florian Herrmann, Bavarian Minister of State for Media. He welcomed the radio producers to Munich and thanked them for the important work they do: "Radio is fun, and radio is important for democracy." Dr. Thorsten Schmiege, President of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM), was delighted about an anniversary: "2024 is a special year for private broadcasters in Bavaria. They can look back on 40 years of great and successful development." Although the great diversity of the radio landscape in Bavaria creates competition, this only makes the providers stronger. "Bavaria is a stronghold for innovation", he emphasizes. Katja Wildermuth, Director General of Bayerischer Rundfunk, was also proud of the industry: "The audio landscape is more creative, diverse and vibrant than ever."
At the numerous panels that followed during the day, international star guests such as BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James and several Bavarian experts spoke about trends, innovations and developments in the audio industry Guy Fränkel from Rock Antenne, for example, spoke with other international industry leaders about new target group generation and Miriam Harner from Bayerischer Rundfunk about queer audiences.
Anyone who needed a break from listening could meet up at the XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria lounge booth for networking, a business meeting or to read the new radio report "The Power of Radio". The white paper, which was launched to coincide with the conference, covers all the latest trends and topics in the radio industry and contains interviews with experts and best cases from the Bavarian audio scene.
Malik Harris and Kaiserschmarrn: the audio industry celebrates at Monday Radio Night
Just as Monday at Radiodays Europe stands for listening, learning and business during the day, in the evening it stands for culture, good food and celebrating together. XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria had the pleasure of hosting this year's Monday Radio Night at the Forum der Zukunft on Munich's Museum Island. Great music acts such as Schlossgold Musi, Team Geil and the Bayern 3 Band as well as international stars Loi and Malik Harris guaranteed a balance between Bavarian culture and a rousing party. Strengthened by the buffet, the audience tested themselves at the fun station in the nail bar competition and enjoyed a delicious Kaiserschmarrn for dessert afterwards.
Despite the long celebration, the industry made it back on time the next day for the last panels of Radiodays Europe. The last pretzels were handed out at the XPLR: MEDIA booth and Radiodays CEO Peter Niegel reviewed the days there: "I am very happy with our choice of Munich as the host. I am even happier about the XPLR: MEDIA events. They were great, everything went as planned! The delegates loved the program, the location, the social events." A short time later, Niegel took to the Radiodays stage for his closing remarks. He brought Stefan Sutor, Managing Director of Medien.Bayern GmbH, and Juan Esteban Naupari, Project Manager at XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria, on stage for a special thank you and praised the team's commitment to the implementation of Radiodays Europe in Munich. And because the best is always saved for last, it was traditionally announced which city would be hosting the audio industry next year: Athens!
We say „Goodbye” and look forward to seeing you all next year at the XPLR: MEDIA side event in Athens!
XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria thanks all partners and contributors supporting the two events „Sunday Welcome Drinks” und „Monday Radio Night”: Alexander Zeitlhack, Antenne Bayern, Augustiner Bräu, Bayerischer Rundfunk, BLM, Frankenwein-Frankenland, Pepsi, Radio Arabella, Radio Gong 96.3, Schlossbrauerei Maxlrain, SELTERS, Studio Gong, TechniSat, Uplink, Verband Bayerischer Lokalfunk (VBL), Vereinigung bayerischer Rundfunkanbieter (VBRA), Wildbach Schokolade
XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria
Part of Medien.Bayern GmbH
Balanstraße 73 / Haus 11
81541 München
info@xplr-media.de
XPLR: MEDIA in Bavaria is an initiative of Medien.Bayern GmbH and is funded by Bayerische Staatskanzlei and Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien.
