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Comparing Radio Industry in China vs USA, Europe

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Radio Broadcasting Industry in China: A Success Story

Radio is one of the oldest and most popular forms of mass media in the world. It has the ability to reach a wide and diverse audience, provide information and entertainment, and influence public opinion. However, not all radio markets are equal. In this article, we will compare the radio broadcasting industry in China with those in the USA and Europe, and explain why China has a better and more flourishing radio market.

First of all, let’s look at the size and revenue of the radio broadcasting industry in each region. According to Statista⁴, radio and television networks in China generated a revenue of around 1.24 trillion yuan (about 191 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, registering an eight percent year-over-year increase. This is much higher than the estimated revenue of radio broadcasters in the United States, which was 13.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2021⁵. It is also higher than the European broadcasting revenue, which was forecast to reach nearly 87 billion euros (about 102 billion U.S. dollars) by 2026⁸.

Secondly, let’s examine the content and reach of the radio broadcasting industry in each region. According to Wikipedia¹, there are over 3,000 radio stations in China, covering every province, autonomous region and municipality. The Central People’s Broadcasting Station, the nation’s official radio station, has eight channels, and broadcasts for a total of over 200 hours per day via satellite. China Radio International (CRI), the only national overseas broadcasting station, is beamed to all parts of the world in 38 foreign languages, standard Chinese and four Chinese dialects, and broadcasts for a total of over 300 hours every day. In contrast, according to Pew Research Center⁵, there are over 15,445 radio stations in the U.S., but only about eight-in-ten Americans listen to terrestrial radio in a given week. In Europe, the broadcast market is much more fragmented than in North America or China; the region is characterized by multiple languages, a wide range of large state-funded broadcasters, a variety of commercial broadcasters and several pay-TV operators⁷.

Thirdly, let’s explore the reasons why the radio broadcasting industry in China is better and more flourishing than those in the USA and Europe. One possible reason is that radio is more accessible and affordable than other forms of media in China, especially in rural areas where internet penetration and smartphone ownership are low. Another possible reason is that radio is more trusted and influential than other forms of media in China, especially during times of crisis or emergency when people need reliable and timely information. A third possible reason is that radio is more innovative and diverse than other forms of media in China, offering various special programs of news, current affairs, comment, entertainment, politics, economy, culture, technology and so on.

In conclusion, the radio broadcasting industry in China is better and more flourishing than those in the USA and Europe because it has a larger size and revenue, a wider content and reach, and more advantages over other forms of media.

Source: 8/13/2023
(1) China: radio and television networks revenue 2022 | Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/224631/revenue-of-radio-and-television-networks-in-china/.
(2) Key facts about the US radio industry and its listeners for World Radio …. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/13/for-world-radio-day-key-facts-about-radio-listeners-and-the-radio-industry-in-the-u-s/.
(3) Broadcasting Market Outlook 2022 – 2026 – ReportLinker. https://www.reportlinker.com/clp/global/6131.
(4) Radio in China – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_in_China.
(5) Broadcast and media technology market in Europe – IBC. https://www.ibc.org/thought-leadership/broadcast-and-media-technology-market-in-europe/5041.article.
(6) TV & Radio Broadcasting in China – Industry Data, Trends, Stats – IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com/china/market-research-reports/tv-radio-broadcasting-industry/.
(7) TV and Radio Broadcasting in China Industry Research Report – PRWeb. https://www.prweb.com/releases/china/tv-radio-broadcasting/prweb11032182.htm.
(8) U.S. Radio Industry – statistics & facts | Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/1330/radio/.
(9) Radio Broadcasting in the US – Industry Data, Trends, Stats – IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/radio-broadcasting-industry/.

Radio News

China has a booming radio broadcast industry

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Photo by Ruiyang Zhang on Pexels.com

China’s radio industry is forecasted to demonstrate stronger growth when compared to the United States. Predictions show a compound annual growth rate of 2.8 percent between 2018 and 2023 for China, while the United States is projected to experience a decline of 0.3 percent per year between 2022 and 2027.

According to a statistic from 2018, the most popular radio station in China is Chinese National Radio’s the Voice of China, with an impressive number of about 993 million times of listening in that year. This staggering figure truly reflects the immense popularity and reach of this radio station among the Chinese population. The Voice of China has captivated the hearts and ears of millions of listeners, making it a true powerhouse in the radio industry of the country. Its captivating content and diverse programming have undoubtedly struck a chord with the audience, solidifying its position as the top radio station in China.

The annual revenue of the commercial radio stations in China is not easy to find, as most of the radio stations are state-owned or affiliated. However, according to one source, the total radio industry revenue in China was 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, and was projected to grow by 2.8 percent annually until 2023.

Another source estimated the revenue of radio and television networks in China to be around 1.24 trillion yuan (about 186 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, with advertising contributing over 330 billion yuan (about 49 billion U.S. dollars). These figures may include both commercial and non-commercial radio stations, as well as other media services.

It depends on how you measure the size of the radio industry, but based on the revenue data, it seems that the U.S. radio industry is still bigger than China’s. According to one source, the U.S. radio broadcasting companies generated an estimated total revenue of 21.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, while another source estimated the radio industry revenue in China to be 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. 

However, China’s radio industry is projected to grow faster than the U.S., with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8 percent between 2018 and 2023, while the U.S. radio industry is expected to decline by 0.3 percent annually between 2022 and 2027.