p data-start=”240″ data-end=”645″>After a brief pause that raised fears of closure, MC2 is back with great ambitions and significant updates, thanks to the passion and commitment of Mario Chiavalin, COO of Heddy Media. Inevitably – also considering our previous Amarcord – we interviewed him to understand what future awaits a radio that truly stands out in the Italian and global landscape. And there’s no shortage of bombshell news.

Heddy Media

Mario will introduce himself during the interview, but first, here’s how the Heddy Media group describes itself on LinkedIn:

Heddy Media is an innovative ecosystem operating in the world of communication and entertainment, embracing television, radio, publishing, and on-demand streaming. Our mission is to offer high-quality content, valuing creativity and technological innovation to reach an increasingly broad and diverse audience.

The Interview

FM-world (Marco Hugo Barsotti): Let’s start with a brief introduction of yourself and then of Heddy Media.

Mario Chiavalin: I am Mario Chiavalin, COO – or operations director, if we want to say it in English – of Heddy Media.

Heddy Media is a group that includes several film production companies – we are finalizing a movie – various publishing outlets, and also radio. We started with Radio Sanremo, then Radio Venezia, and now we are activating DAB in Veneto for Radio Venezia, while Radio Sanremo will expand to other regions.

We Weren’t Wrong

FM-world: What happened with MC2?

M.C.: We received the news from one of our journalists at our publishing outlets. They informed us and put us in contact with Alberto Hazan.

FM-world: Sorry, what news exactly?

M.C.: That MC2 was about to close. So your news wasn’t wrong: Hazan, rather than selling it to someone who would have changed its essence, preferred to shut it down.

The intention was therefore to cease its broadcasts. However, after long meetings, discussing our philosophy – because the mood of MC2 is exceptional for us and its excellent ratings prove it – we reached an agreement.

We finalized it in a few days: every day a radio is off air is an additional problem, as you lose listeners.

Hazan

FM-world: Why had Hazan decided to close it, thus exiting the radio world?

M.C.: In reality, he hasn’t completely exited: he will stay with us as a consultant and probably also as a partner. It’s an idea that came up after we got to know each other better.

We concluded the agreement very quickly: we turned the radio back on, reactivated the app and servers, even though it was the week of Ferragosto. By the way, MC2 also broadcasts on digital terrestrial, I don’t know if you noticed.

FM-world: Even here in the French Riviera, from Monte Carlo, we receive it in DAB…

M.C.: In Monte Carlo, we are on FM. Then we are also in the Canaries, in Tenerife, etc., in DAB and on all platforms.

FM-world: FM in Monte Carlo? To us, it’s on DAB.

M.C.: Alberto told me FM, but I can verify the details. In any case, the great thing about MC2 is that it offers 20 thematic channels: everyone can choose the music they prefer, always of the highest quality.

Local vs Global

FM-world: Why MC2 specifically? It’s a global radio, while the others in the group seem very tied to a specific territory.

M.C.: Radio Venezia was a historic station in the city, the same goes for Radio Sanremo. But let me clarify: we didn’t take over Radio Venezia, which had closed and sold its frequencies to another station with a different project. We requested and obtained authorization from the Ministry to start a new Radio Venezia in DAB.

FM-world: Okay, very clear… almost. Let’s say, though, that the two brands have names tied to a city, while MC2 is a global radio.

M.C.: In reality, all three have meaning. Venice is known worldwide, so Radio Venezia also has an international connotation.

Radio Sanremo remains more regional, but it will be developed with the same principle as MC2, creating a bouquet of channels that will showcase Italian music, probably divided by time slots or genres. Today, radio must allow everyone to choose what to listen to, not impose a single schedule: the system is changing.

FM-world: You’ve decided to invest in a prestigious brand. It’s a significant investment, but MC2 currently has no advertising. Do you think it can be profitable?

M.C.: For us, MC2 has strategic value within the overall digital platform. There will be advertising, but it won’t be traditional: it will be international and selective. For example, someone wanting to advertise fruit and vegetables won’t advertise on MC2, regardless of their budget.

MC2 News and MC2 Sport

FM-world: So you’ll introduce moderate, high-level advertising to make it sustainable.

M.C.: Exactly. Plus, to the 20 existing channels, we’ll add four more. We’re organizing MC2 News and MC2 Sport, which will maintain the same mood: no crime news, but significant geopolitical, economic, and cultural news.

FM-world: Doing news means having editors, so higher costs…

M.C.: We already have agreements with professionals you know well, but I’d prefer to announce them only after the launch.

FM-world: In Hazan’s days, a powerful analog FM from Monte Agel (93.2) could be heard as far as St. Tropez, often on the “cool” beaches, so to speak…

M.C.: We’re already reactivated in Monte Carlo.

Funky Poetz

FM-world: A question about the music. They call them “Music Designers,” those who choose and maybe mix the music. I don’t know if they also design it, perhaps they do. In any case, those who set the musical direction: at MC2, they were big names, some shared with Monte Carlo 1 back in the day, because the ownership was the same. Do you plan to keep this structure? Will you bring in new people?

M.C.: Yes, we’ll integrate the staff with new figures, but Stefano Carboni will remain as supervisor and Dado for the artistic part. Hazan himself will continue to contribute: he has extraordinary experience, greater than mine.

FM-world: Well, he started at Lorenteggio with 105, like 50 years ago…

M.C.: Yes, yes, he started with Studio 105 in ’76.

This Ferragosto, we spoke almost every day. I think he chose us precisely because he saw a continuity of thought, which is fundamental for him. MC2 was one of his most beloved creations: not by chance, it wasn’t sold to Mediaset, and that might have annoyed someone.

Concessions

FM-world: But aren’t the Monte Carlo Network brands owned by Hazan and Frateschi?

M.C.: Yes, they are licensed by Monte Carlo Network. Radio Monte Carlo 1 is licensed to Mediaset, MC2 to us. The license always remains with Monte Carlo Network, not Mediaset.

FM-world: Good, so no issues.

M.C.: Exactly, and honestly, it would be like a flea against an elephant: it’s amusing to think of potential conflicts.

Distribution

FM-world: So, to summarize, can we say you’ll be on FM, DAB, and digital terrestrial?

M.C.: FM in Monte Carlo, DAB in the Canaries. For the French Riviera, we’re evaluating DAB: we have three authorizations and could broadcast in limited areas, perhaps in Northern Italy. Meanwhile, in Italy, we’re on channel 235 of digital terrestrial, in HbbTV with access to all twenty channels of the bouquet.

FM-world: Are you also planning local initiatives?

M.C.: Absolutely. We aim to improve distribution with as many channels as possible and will be present at major events – Fashion Week, Film Festival, and others – with dedicated spaces, let’s call them “kiosks,” to give visibility and strengthen the mood of MC2.

(Interview by Marco Hugo Barsotti for FM-world)