The author is chief of regional radio for AFN Europe. This commentary originally appeared on LinkedIn in January 2025. Comment on this or any article. Email [email protected].
Military radio services such as the American Forces Network (AFN) have been a vital part of morale, information and connection for decades. In 2025, the landscape remains dynamic, with emerging and legacy challenges everywhere. As part of my new years objectives, I am looking to get involved with the discourse to talk about and involve those in the field to help (and to learn) how to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of broadcasting to the military audience.
The Legacy Players:
Who still has skin in the game? Where in the world do people still place value in live radio broadcasting for their military communities? You may be surprised!
- American Forces Network (AFN): Since 1942, AFN has connected U.S. military personnel overseas with entertainment and critical command messaging. Its digital platform, AFN Go (and it’s new video streaming technology AFN NOW), ensures global accessibility anywhere outside of the continental U.S.
- British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS): Since 1943, a staple for UK forces, BFBS is funded as a charity and combines traditional broadcasting with digital innovation to keep troops informed and engaged.
- Germany — Radio Andernach: Since 1974, Germany’s Bundeswehr radio continues to provide German troops with essential updates and cultural programming, though only available from within an app for service members.
- Israel — Galei Tzahal (Israeli Army Radio): Since 1950, Israel’s military station serves both military and civilian audiences, and has evolved from a modest military broadcaster to one of Israel’s most respected and widely-listened-to radio stations, blending news, music and “national unity.”
- Korean Forces Network (KFN): Since 1956, South Korea’s KFN delivers tailored morale and information programming to its armed forces, often in partnership with U.S. broadcasters.
- Others: Networks like Japan’s “Self-Defense Force” radio, and Brazil’s regional military stations such as Rádio Verde-Oliva further underscore the global value of these services.
It’s also interesting that the Canadian Forces Radio and Television (CFRT) service was available 1974–1994 in Germany and other locations, though CFRT ceased all operations in 2014 partly due to funding constraints. Its legacy creates discussion about the importance of maintaining morale-boosting services.
What are the current challenges:
The current challenges for military broadcasters below are, in part, similar to those experienced by the public sector (the BBC for instance). We all have budgets, we are all expected to provide demonstrable value and, not being commercial, we don’t have to turn a financial profit.
- Digital Transformation: There is a need to include streaming platforms to stay relevant to younger, tech-savvy audiences.
- Budget Constraints: CFRT’s closure illustrates the permanent struggle that is securing funding for morale-focused initiatives and demonstrating concrete value to audiences and end users.
- Audience Fragmentation: Personal devices and the enormous choice available at peoples’ fingertips make unified messaging harder, requiring creative engagement strategies.
- Cultural Relevance: Balancing global consistency with localized content remains a challenge. One of the largest challenges we encounter is relevance to younger generations of service members. Boomers, Gen X and Millennials who grew up with radio are retiring, and many of the Gen Z joining the military have not grown up with radio in the same way that we did.
Challenges vs Commercial sector
One of the key differences of a military radio station versus a commercial station, is the way they are funded. Whilst [military stations] have the advantage of not being reliant on advertising revenue, allowing them to focus on serving the specific informational, educational and morale-boosting needs without commercial pressures, commercial stations are driven by profitability and audience ratings.
- Limited Audience Reach: Military stations target a niche audience (e.g., service members and families), sometimes on bases that only have a few hundred people in total. Commercial stations can aim for a much broader appeal and can foster greater cultural relevance and public engagement.
- Lack of Competition-Driven Innovation: Commercial stations operate in a competitive environment, which drives constant innovation in content, technology and audience engagement. Military stations may lack the same urgency to evolve quickly, leading to less dynamic programming.
- Resource Constraints: While military funding ensures stability, it can also mean operating within a fixed budget that may not allow for the advanced production quality or high-profile talent seen in commercial radio.
- Fewer Incentives for Listener Feedback: Commercial stations rely on audience feedback for ratings and ad revenue, creating a strong incentive to adapt programming to listener preferences. Most military stations, without these pressures, may be less agile in responding to their audience’s changing needs.
- Limited Entertainment Appeal: The lack of commercial pressures might lead to a focus on functional programming (e.g., informational updates) over entertainment-driven content, which could reduce listener engagement compared to the more entertainment-focused commercial stations. N.B. BFBS are an example of a military focussed broadcaster with large scale commercial appeal – they are the exception!
Future Directions:
So where do we go, how do we convince the people with the purse strings to invest in the future, particularly for radio?
- Collaborative Efforts: Expanding partnerships among allied broadcasters (e.g., NATO partners) to share resources and enhance reach.
- Stronger Local Connections: Localized programming tailored to the unique needs of specific installations builds trust and a sense of belonging.
- Interactive Community Platforms: Social media, live events and digital engagement tools can create opportunities for service members and families to connect, share stories and support one another.
- Demonstrating Value: By highlighting real-world impact — such as enhanced morale, improved communication and emergency readiness — military broadcasters can solidify their importance to commands and communities alike. But this is harder to quantify!
Military radio stations are more than just entertainment providers for their bases; they are morale builders and strategic communicators. By embracing innovation and collaboration, they can remain vital to their audiences worldwide.
So, is it still needed? Absolutely. For three key reasons:
- Building Community: Military broadcasting fosters a sense of unity and connection among service members, families and commands. It provides a shared space where individuals feel understood, supported and part of something larger than themselves, especially in remote or isolated deployments.
- Delivering Relevant Value: Through localized programming, live events and interactive platforms, military broadcasters deliver practical and emotional support tailored to unique military lifestyles. They demonstrate their value by improving morale, strengthening resilience and enhancing readiness across communities.
- Reliable Command Messaging: Military broadcasters ensure accurate, timely communication of mission-critical information, even in areas with limited or disrupted internet access. Their trusted platforms offer a consistent and secure way to inform and unite personnel worldwide.
These pillars make military broadcasting indispensable, even in a rapidly changing media landscape.
