The EON function and how to make it work to a radio station's advantage

This sub-section is a much abbreviated version from another design idea which discusses the methods behind how to keep the listener on your stations when each part of the network is broadcasting different local based programs. The EON function has a counterpart on DAB, which works in exactly the same way.

The EON RDS function will tune to any radio station, which carries the same Program type code (e.g. Pop Music), as the station that the listener is on, once it fades. Radios that have the EON function are mainly available in cars, where the need for re-tuning is more important. The purpose is to provide an alternative to the station that the listener is listening to once it fades. To do so, each broadcaster, will broadcast out a Programme Type code which best describes the serves that they are broadcasting. There are 32 different codes to describe most of the different styles of music plus a function to be used in exceptional circumstances.

If for example, we look at "Pop Music"; this applies to a number of stations; if someone were to be driving from London to Brighton with the radio set to the EON function being active. Once Capital FM fades, then the radio will then look for the next station which describes itself as "Pop Music". The radio would then tune to this station. With the current FM/VHF stations in operation this would not be too much of a problem. The radio would either tune to Invicta FM, Southern FM, Mercury FM, KFM or the Eagle and also radio 2 (which may be quite strong!). A 2 in 6 chance or 33.3% chance of retaining the listener. In theory the radio should tune from Capital FM to Southern FM (because it should be the clearest), although on paper there is a 66.6% chance of it tuning to a non-Capital Group station.

With Digital then since there are more stations and the coverage patterns are more defined – a number of the stations will be at the same strength.  Since local Digital Radio has not yet arrived in Brighton in 2003 when this was written, it is only possible to speculate; but using a degree of educated guesswork, then the radio will tune to one of the following stations;

Life, Core, BBC R2, Southern FM, Juice, Gaydar, Capital Gold (from Brighton), Spirit, plus any other stations added to the transmitters in the future using the label of "Pop Music" to describe its programme Type.

This gives a 3 in 7 at best (43%) but at worst all of the other DAB transmitters in between have the potential to grab the listener especially from the other Sussex Multiplex (12A) which is yet to be advertised fully. Hence it is incredibly advantageous to make sure that all Programme TYpe codes relating to the stations make sure that all PTY Codes are the same even if local programming is in operation. This gives a higher possibility of retaining the listener. Of note also is any foreign stations which encroach on English air space during times of tropopausic scatter, these too may carry such descriptions as "Pop Music".

It is also important to try and give stations as inventive and imaginative programme type codes as is possible without wandering outside of the description of that code.

EXAMPLE CAPITAL GOLD, it would be very advantageous to use the name "Oldies Music" for Capital Gold as opposed to Pop Music, whilst Capital Gold comes under both descriptions.

Pop Music denotes "Commercial Music, which would generally to be considered to be of current popular appeal, often featuring in current or recent record sales charts". ^[3] [p.79]

Oldies Music denotes "Music from the so-called Golden Age of Pop" ^[3] [p.80]

Currently on DAB, Capital Gold describes itself as the first, where it may be more potent to describe itself as the second, not least because this description is only shared with Classic Gold. Since Capital Gold is describing itself as "Pop Music" on Digital Radio, Classic Gold has a 100%chance of holding the listener this is in spite of the fact that all of its S.Id codes are different.

At this point, however, the listener may have decided which station he or she preferred and which one they might perhaps store in the memory or manually tune back to  when the signal became available again. 

It is the writers understanding that the Linkage actuator over rides the EON PTY function, where the radio will first look for a relay of any station declared in with the linkage actuator information and then afterwards looks for other stations carry the same PTY Code.

The following sources have been used for information regarding this design idea;

References:

[1] - European standard on R.D.S broadcasting EN 50067,

Bibliography:

The Radio authority - whom I spoke to concerning the issues regarding advertising with reference to Linkage Actuators.

The radio now web site [www.radio-now.co.uk]

Mike Brown’s transmitter gallery at [www.mb21.co.uk]