Forecasts for accurate ranges

More accuracy in broadcasting - thanks to precise population data.
The case

Fair approval procedures via reliable range forecasts

There are an infinite number of ideas for radio stations - but not an infinite number of frequencies and networks that can be used for broadcasting. The Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) is therefore responsible for examining the content and economic viability of the programs and deciding on approval in a procedure that is as objective as possible. In order to be able to make well-founded decisions, the BLM prepares reach forecasts for each organizational procedure, among other things, with which it can evaluate the reach potential and, if necessary, the advertising potential. And this is exactly where Nexiga comes into play - as a specialist for high-quality data and precise analyses.

The challenge

Good decisions require a precise basis for evaluation

Which channel reaches how many households? Which channels can be received in a coverage area? These and similar questions are taken into account when considering the approval of a channel. The basis for a balanced decision is, of course, the most precise data possible on which population groups can be reached with the new channel and which exact area will be covered.

 

One problem: although the Federal Statistical Office regularly provides current population figures per Municipality , there are often considerable inaccuracies, especially in rural areas, as the population density within a Municipality - between paddock and town center - varies greatly and a homogeneous distribution across the municipal area therefore leads to inaccurate forecasts.

 

In order to achieve reliable accuracy, the BLM uses house-specific data, which is calculated in a suitable analysis grid of 50x50m by Nexiga.

Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media
Institution under public law with legal capacity

Seat:Munich
Industry:Broadcasting
Employees:97 employees
www.blm.de
 

As one of 14 state media authorities in Germany, the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) approves and supervises private radio and television broadcasts in Bavaria.

BLM performs various promotional tasks in relation to programming and technology, research, training and media literacy. It also sees itself as an information and service platform for citizens and experts.

The BLM supports its licensed broadcasters in making efficient use of the latest technologies and, in cooperation with the infrastructure providers, ensures nationwide coverage in accordance with the latest standards.

The implementation

Fine 50x50m grid offers maximum decision-making reliability

Nexiga's fine-grained building data is the key to greater area accuracy for settlement areas and the cornerstone of higher analysis quality. The precise information on the number of inhabitants, households and building type, among other things, allows the distribution of the population within the municipal area to be determined more precisely. This gives the BLM a much more accurate and meaningful picture of the "listeners" who can actually be reached in a potential broadcasting area than when using official municipal data.

 

This accuracy is achieved firstly by regularly updating the database and secondly by using a 50x50m grid, which allows a much more detailed and therefore more meaningful forecast for Bavaria's broadcasting areas. The following figure shows where and how many potential listeners can be reached. Here, settlement areas and population density in the area of a Municipality are clearly visible.

Our forecast

Quantitative and qualitative accessibility is transferable

The result

The right choice for long-range networks

Thanks to the highly accurate population data screened to 50m, the technical coverage can be accurately forecast for local radio stations using the BLM's media information system (MEDIS).

 

Dispersion contours can be displayed on clear maps, compared with each other and used for the further technical coordination process. The BLM's decision to work with Nexiga has made the determination of population coverage even more precise.

More accuracy, more satisfied listeners!

"Nexiga was already able to convince us with the good results of the test data. The newly acquired information provides us with more precise technical coverage and thus forms a good basis for "daily forecasting work" in our database. This has enabled us to achieve one of our core objectives of ensuring efficient network expansion for terrestrial broadcasting networks through better forecasts."