German MP denounces media ban in Ethiopia

According to reports from journalists at Voice of America and Deutsche Welle, the Ethiopian government is keeping a “blacklist” of names of “undesirable” journalists and “subversive” critics. In this context, Thilo Hoppe, a Member of the German Bundestag who is himself amongst those listed, has made the following statement:

“The attempt to ban foreign media broadcasting in Ethiopia from conducting interviews with opposition activists and critical observers demonstrates once again the sorry state of freedom of expression in Ethiopia.

“According to information provided by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of exiled journalists in the world. Under the guise of an anti-terrorism law adopted in 2009, newspapers are being shut down and journalists arrested. The radio frequencies of Deutsche Welle’s Amharic programme are frequently systematically jammed.

“After the intergovernmental negotiations with Ethiopia in June, German Development Minister Niebel stressed the importance of human rights dialogue in German-Ethiopian development cooperation.

“If more than lip service is to be paid to this human-rights dialogue, these new cases of violation of press freedom must also be clearly and firmly raised in discussions with Ethiopian partners.”

(Source: abugidainfo.com via Media Network Weblog)

UNAMID demands radio licence in Darfur

The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the joint United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in Sudan’s conflict-affected region of Darfur (UNAMID) for one year. The Council also demanded that UNAMID be given a licence to operate its own radio transmitter in line with the provisions of the Status of Forces Agreement.

UNAMID has been in place since 2008 to quell fighting and protect civilians in Darfur, where an estimated 300,000 people have been killed and some 2.7 million others forced from their homes since fighting erupted in 2003, pitting Government forces and allied militias against rebel groups.

(Source: UN News Centre via Media Network Weblog)

Foreign service of Radio Afghanistan inaugurated

Minister of Information and Culture Dr Sayed Makhdoom Raheen inaugurated the foreign service of Radio Afghanistan yesterday. This service will initially air programmes in English and Urdu daily from 8:00 to 9:00 pm [1530-1630 UTC].

Dr Raheen said that the service has been revived through the efforts of the director general and employees, and in the first place it will air English and Urdu programmes, followed by Arabic and Russian programmes and subsequently French and German programmes.

According to Dr Raheen, revival of this service will assist in recognition of Afghanistan to its outside friends and will inform them about the country’s events. Abdul Ghani Mudaqaq head of the publications department of Radio Afghanistan said that the service will cover Asia, Africa and Europe.

(Source: Bahktar News Agency via Media Network Weblog)

Radio Television Malaysia to broadcast inside trains

Programmes produced by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) can be watched and listened from inside the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) trains beginning next year. RTM Director-General Datuk Norhayati Ismail said the collaboration between RTM and KTMB was aimed at getting closer to the people, particularly the youths, to encourage them to use KTMB services in reducing traffic volume.

“RTM broadcasts many interesting programmes especially for the youths in efforts to increase its listeners and viewers. Through this cooperation, RTM hopes to share its programmes with KTMB commuters,” she said on Saturday. Ms Norhayati said RTM had been cooperating with KTMB for the past 14 years through various programmes involving the public.

(Source: Bernama via Media Network Weblog)

Hit VOA Program "Angola, Fala Só" Expands to Full Hour

Voice of America’s new Portuguese language call-in show to Angola has become such a hit with audiences, the program is growing from 30-minutes to a full-hour format starting this week.

Angola, Fala Só, which roughly translates to “Just Say It” in English, went on the air in March, tackling a range of issues, from politics and health to rules on social behavior.

Washington-based host Luis Costa Ribas says the show is being expanded because producers have been getting hundreds of calls by listeners who want to be on the weekly program, which is broadcast on medium wave, shortwave, mobile and streamed on the Internet.

Ribas says, “The extra thirty minutes will allow time for more listeners to have a voice and express an opinion that can be heard all over Angola. It can also give us more room for follow-up on some hot topics, without taking time away from our audiences.”

Callers from anywhere in Angola are welcome to phone in or text-message their questions or comments to the show, which is partly funded by a grant from the U.S. State Department.

The title for the Portuguese language show was inspired by a popular expression, which is often used in the Angolan capital, Luanda.

Visit the Angola, Fala Só webpage (click here) for more details about toll free numbers to call with your questions or to listen on-line.

For more about VOA’s Portuguese Service, visit www.voanews.com/portuguese/news.  For more about VOA in English visit www.voanews.com.

For Media inquiries contact Kyle King in Washington at kking@voanews.com.

(Source : VOA Press Release)

RNW Africa strengthens ties with partners

The first ever conference for RNW’s partners in Anglophone Africa took place in Kenya this week, bringing together media organizations from 10 countries. The partners included a diverse range of professionals from commercial and state media outlets, community and university radio stations, as well as newspapers and magazines. But despite their diversity, the partners share a common goal: to improve the quality of the content offered to their audiences.

• Read the story on our Africa website

(Source : Media Network Weblog)

Extreme language damages broadcasting in Ghana

The Media Foundation for West Africa has expressed dismay at what it describes as the alarming increase in the use of indecent language in the media landscape. At a media briefing in Accra, Ghana, Professor Kwame Karikari said the rights to free speech and media freedom have come under threat by radio and television commentators, political party functionaries and public office holders who respect no ethical principles and manners in their public utterances.

He bemoaned the situation where false allegations and claims, insulting expressions and blatant lies have characterised discussions on the airwaves. Professor Karikari also expressed displeasure about the manner in which political party functionaries heap vicious accusations against leaders without any justification.

He noted that the indecency in communication on radio and television discussions is not reflective of the Ghanaian cultural standards and undermines the contribution of the broadcast media in the advancement of democracy in Ghana. Professor Karikari said the time has come for radio and television networks to ensure that participants in their current affairs programmes are independent minded enough to encourage non-sectarian expressions and fairness in the discussions. He called on the government to speed up the process of enacting the broadcasting law.

(Source: Ghana Broadcasting Corporation via Media Network Weblog)

A brief look at 75 years of radio (History of Singapore Radio)

By  CHRISTOPHER TOH

What began as a single radio station in 1936 has now become the nation's largest radio network, with programmes in various languages - English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil, French, German, Japanese, Hindi and Korean - to cater to the culturally diverse and increasingly cosmopolitan population here. CHRISTOPHER TOH

1936
Radio transmission begins in Singapore, operating from a government building at Empress Place - the first "city studio".

1942
During the Japanese Occupation, radio is operated by the Japanese as Syonan Hoso Kyoku.

1946
With the end of World War II, the British once again take over and establish Radio Malaya Singapore And The Federation Of Malaya (RMSFOM).

1951
Radio moves to Caldecott Hill, with its programmes channelled to Jurong's transmitting station.

1959
The independence of the federation of Malaya in 1957 results in the establishment of Radio Singapore - an independent offshoot of RMSFOM. Operating on the medium and short-wave bands, it offers four channels with programmes in English, Malay, Tamil and seven Chinese dialects.

1963
RMSFOM is renamed Radio Malaysia.

1965
After Singapore declares its independence, Radio Singapore is renamed Radio Television Singapore (RTS) - along with the arrival of television.

1967
FM radio transmissions on bandwidths FM90.5, FM94.2, FM95.8 and FM96.8 begin.

1980
RTS is renamed the Singapore Broadcasting Coorperation (SBC). Its first Chairman is the late Ong Teng Cheong.

1981
A fifth radio station FM92.4FM, playing classical music, is launched.

1982
The five stations are renamed Radio 1 (English), Radio 2 (Malay), Radio 3 (Mandarin), Radio 4 (Tamil) and Radio 5 (classical music).

1987
SBC starts "format programming" to adapt its radio broadcast to the needs of segmented groups of listeners.

1989
Singapore's first 24-hour music channel, Perfect 10 98.7FM is launched.

1990
Three more stations are launched: Class 95FM, Y.E.S. 93.3FM, Ria 89.7FM

1991
Radio 2 is re-named Warna 94.2FM, Radio 3 becomes City Sounds 95.8FM, Radio 4 is now called Olikkalanjiam 96.8FM.

1994
Radio Singapore International (RSI) is launched, as is FM97.2, a 24-hour Mandarin music station. On October 1, SBC is dissolved for corporatisation; and the Radio Corporation of Singapore (RCS) is established.

1995
Radio 1 becomes ONE FM90.5 in 1995.

1997
FM97.2 is re-named Love 97.2FM, and Olikkalanjiam becomes Oli 96.8FM, even as two more stations - NewsRadio 93.8FM and FM 96.3 The International Channel - are launched. TrafficWatch is launched across all stations.

1998
City Sounds 95.8FM is retooled as Capital 95.8FM, while ONE FM90.5 becomes Gold 90.5FM.

1999
The digital radio stations are launched.

2001
RCS is dissolved and MediaCorp Radio (MCR) is established as a private corporation, with MediaCorp as the holding company.

2004
Lush 99.5FM, a trendsetting radio station for those aged 25 to 40, is launched on New Year's Eve.

2005
NewsRadio 93.8FM becomes 938LIVE.

2008
On Jan 1, all 13 stations broadcast 24/7. The businesses and operations of MCR are transferred to MediaCorp Pte Ltd (MPL). RSI stops transmission. Korean and Hindi are added on for Expat Radio 96.3XFM's offerings.

2009
Lush 99.5FM moves its studio to Orchard Central.

2010
987FM moves its studio to *SCAPE. MeRadio, a smartphone application, which carries all 13 stations is launched.

(Source : todayonline.com)

Peter Duhan made Czech Radio Director General

The Czech Radio Council has elected Peter Duhan as the new Director General of Czech Radio. Elected on July 28, 2011, Peter Duhan is taking up this position after being the Interim Director of Czech Radio since February 2010.

Mr Duhan has worked in a number of high profile television and radio leadership roles, including between 1991 – 1992 when he was the Director General of Czechoslovak Radio.

Click here to read the Czech Radio press release on his appointment (in English only).

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

Modified list of temporary Dutch FM transmitters

Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands has published a revised list of temporary FM transmitters in the Netherlands to replace the transmissions from Hoogersmilde following the mast collapse two weeks ago. Eight stations are now broadcasting from the emergency mast at Assen, but coverage is not as extensive as from Hoogersmilde. In addition, all signals from the Lopik transmitter site are being radiated with reduced power until the cause of the fire there has been definitively established. That means there are still some areas of the Netherlands where FM reception is not optimal. Further developments are expected shortly.

• The situation as of 29 July 2011 (PDF)

(Source : Media Network Weblog)

Indian TV, radio to air spots against bidi smoking

Two public service announcements (PSAs) are to be aired on all major radio and television channels under the National Tobacco Control Programme as part of its mass media campaign on bidi smoking and the association with cardio-vascular diseases. 

The campaigns by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry will be first government sponsored mass media campaign anywhere in the world that links bidi smoking to CVD.  The campaign has been developed with technical support from the World Lung Foundation, and the spot has been field tested in different settings. The main message of the campaign is – ‘Quitting smoking is hard, but the consequence of not quitting is harder’. 

The campaign ad comprises two PSAs – ‘Heartbreak’ and ‘Surgeon’. While heart break has 15, 30 and 45 second versions, the surgeon PSA has only a 15 seconder. These PSAs will also be supported by radio. This nationwide campaign will be aired during August. It has been dubbed in 14 regional languages for pan India coverage. 

(Source : Radioandmusic.com)

TV move for Ronnie Wood’s radio show

Ronnie Wood’s Absolute Radio show is to be turned into a television version for the Sky Arts channel, which will be produced by indie Somethin’ Else.

BBC Radio 2 evening show presenter Jo Whiley is also joining the TV channel for a show featuring debate about the music industry and specially-recorded live performances.

The Rolling Stone’s programme will launch next February and follow the format of his radio show which led him to awards at both the Sonys and Arqivas this year. We’re told he’ll be joined in the studio ‘by a series of high profile guests and friends from across the music industry for interviews, performance and conversation’.

Ronnie Wood said “I’ve had so much fun doing my radio show and had lots of success with recent awards, so I’m really excited it’s now going to TV to give the audience the chance to see behind the scenes.”

Ten programmes will be made, under the direction of Somethin’ Else Executive Producer Jez Nelson. He said: “This is a real bulls-eye for Somethin’ Else. We came up with the idea for the radio show with Ronnie a year ago; now that it has become an international radio hit, and won a number of awards including a Sony Gold, it is the right time to look at taking it to the next level – transferring it on to TV. Somethin’ Else creates great content across a range of platforms – radio and TV included – and while the idea of taking a radio show to TV is unusual, we think fans will find it compelling.”

Former Radio 1 presenter Jo will start her 11-part series in October this year. She’ll be joined by a series of musicians, journalists and commentators for a discussion segment and there’ll also be a band or artist performing two songs within each episode. Each programme will be accompanied by a 30 minute spin-off show, Jo Whiley Live, where the bands featured in the main show will play extended sets. 

Jo said: “Doing a show like this with Sky Arts is a hugely exciting project for me. Performance is going to be a big part of both shows; getting on the established acts but also the opportunity to give new bands a showcase on the channel. I’m delighted to be part of a programme that gives a forum to debate the complex issues facing the music industry today, and I’m looking forward to giving our guests the opportunity to really speak their mind.”

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

New DG appointed for Doordarshan

Tripurari Sharan has been appointed Director-General of Doordarshan for the next three years, the Hindustan Times reported.

Mr Sharan, 50, takes over from LD Mandloi, who was the acting Director-General. 

Mr Sharan previously served as a director with the Film and Television Institute of India, in Pune. Prior to his latest appointment Mr Sharan served as principal secretary, food and civil supplies. He had also been managing director of the Bihar State Film Development Corporation.

Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous body established under the Prasar Bharati Act and achieves its broadcasting objectives though All India Radio and Doordashan.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Georgian government sells management rights over Tbilisi TV tower

The Georgian government’s decision to put the Tbilisi TV broadcasting tower up for online auction has sparked concerns among industry insiders. Those within the industry are concerned that the takeover could lead to increased service prices for TV companies. Located on top of Mtatsminda mountain (Saint Mount) and overlooking the capital city, the structure is an important landmark.

At present, the tower is managed by state-owned Alfacom, a Tbilisi-based management company formerly functioning as Telecenter of Georgia. Boris Adamia, the Deputy Director of Alfacom, told the local station Radio Palitra, that they had no information about putting the tower up for auction before it was announced publicly.

• Read more from Georgia Today

(Source : Media Network Weblog)

BSkyB says Murdoch remains chairman

James Murdoch remains chairman of British pay-tv giant BSkyB amid a phone-hacking scandal at the group’s biggest shareholder News Corp, it said on Friday after unveiling a 23 percent jump in annual profits.

“Following the withdrawal of the News Corporation proposal, the board will return to normal processes. James Murdoch remains chairman,” BSkyB said in the earnings release.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. was forced earlier this month to scrap its bid for control of BSkyB in the face of a growing scandal over newspaper phone-hacking at his News of the World tabloid newspaper in Britain. The crisis had sparked calls for Rupert’s son James to resign the chairmanship of BSkyB, but the company’s board gave him their unanimous support at a meeting late on Thursday.

BSkyB, which broadcasts live English Premier League football and blockbuster movies, added that it now has 10.3 million household subscribers, a proportion of whom pay monthly fees to access its Internet broadband and telephone services. “This has been a year of outstanding operational and financial results for Sky,” said James Murdoch in Friday’s statement. “It is to the credit of Sky’s first-class management team that the company has continued to deliver throughout the offer period that ended earlier this month.

Faced with intense political and public pressure over the phone-hacking scandal, News Corp called off its bid for the 61 percent of shares in the satellite broadcaster that it did not already own on 13 July.

(Source: AFP via Media Network Weblog)

RFE Social Media Analyst Shares Digital Literacy Expertise

Camilla Hawthorne at TechCamp Moldova

Camilla Hawthorne, a new media analyst for RFE, was recently asked to share her expertise and skills in social media and online activism at TechCamp training sessions in both Lithuania and Moldova. She was joined at the Vilnius camp by RFE's Kenan Aliyev and Mardo Soghom.

"These are the countries we broadcast to day in and day out, so to be able to share and work with different community members was very important and rewarding," Hawthorne said.

About 80 activists from civil society organizations (CSOs) representing Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the countries of the Balkan region, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine participated in TechCamp: Vilnius on June 29-30, where they  focused on how technology can be used to facilitate citizen journalism and further their objectives for strong democracies and open societies.  The training session in Chisinau on July 15-16 gave representatives of Moldovan CSOs a chance to learn how technology can be used to make government data accessible, promote transparency, and empower citizens.

According to Hawthorne, "We [RFE] were able to bring the knowledge we have working with our broadcast countries combined with the how-to of new media, activist reporting, Internet censorship and promoting media freedom."

"The role of the Internet for social change is really starting to reveal itself," Hawthorne said. "Most of the people [at the sessions] were being introduced to a new world of tools and RFE was able to sit down with people from human rights organizations and share our expertise.  It was powerful that they were able to walk away with new knowledge on how to work with their citizenry, get the message out and work with their governments.”

Last week, Hawthorne was interviewed on "The Blender," the weekly RFE podcast, where she discussed technological opportunities as well as challenges facing online activists across the world. Highlights of TechCamp can be viewed through Storify. To see more tweets from this and other, along with future TechCamps, follow #techcamp on Twitter.

 TechCamp is a global program under U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Civil Society 2.0 initiative, which is an effort to galvanize the technology community to assist civil society organizations around the globe by providing capabilities, resources and assistance to enable them to harness digital media and Internet circumvention tool (ICT) advances in order to build their digital capacity and online activism efforts. CSOs support the collective values and beliefs that non-governmental communities have for the promotion of a healthy democracy.

(Source : RFE/RL)

Ofcom cuts and advertises More FM licence

Ofcom has shortened the licence period for Somerset station More FM by one year, and has re-advertised the licence.

The regulator found the station deliberately transmitting at several times above its permitted power level, meaning the licence will now expire in July 2012. 

Ofcom said that the breach was serious because of its scale, the length of time for which it continued, the public safety risk it could have posed, and the overall failure of the licensee to maintain control of its service.

Field engineers took measurements and visited the Minehead transmission site and reported that a new transmitter and antenna array had been installed, without consultation with Ofcom – itself a breach of the Code – and that the station was transmitting a directional high powered signal several times greater than that permitted under the terms of the Licence.

In response, the Licensee’s representatives made submissions on three grounds; the misplaced trust in a fellow director of the broadcast operation, being unclear over the status of ownership of the radio asset, and discovering only after investigation, prompted by Ofcom’s intervention, the intent behind the overpowering of the Minehead site radio signal.

“It was clear that the breach had resulted from a severe loss of control on the part of the Licensee over the management of the service,” Ofcom said.

Because of the licensee’s unsatisfactory record of compliance with licence conditions, Ofcom will not be implementing the special application procedure for the re-advertisement of this licence and will publish a full re-advertisement of the Bridgwater & West Somerset licence on Tuesday 2 August 2011, which will have a closing date for applications of 1 December 2011.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

BBC reporter killed in Afghanistan

A local BBC reporter was among at least 22 people killed in a gun and bomb attack by insurgents in the south Afghan town of Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan province, BBC News reports. 

He was named as Ahmed Omed Khpulwak, a reporter for the BBC Pashto radio service as well as the Pajhwok news agency. 

He was one of several people killed when a TV and radio station was attacked. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Officials said the violence included three suicide bombings followed by fighting in a market, adding that all eight attackers had now been killed.

BBC Global News director Peter Horrocks said: "The BBC and the whole world are grateful to journalists like Ahmed Omed who courageously put their lives on the line to report from dangerous places".

Two soldiers were among the dead but no senior government officials were harmed, officials said.

Residents said heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles were used by both sides.

Health officials the 22 people killed included three women.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Freddie Flintoff to explore depression in sport for new BBC One documentary

Former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff will probe what lies beneath the glossy veneer of the professional sporting world by exploring its relationship with depression in a new one-off documentary for BBC One. 

In The Dark Side Of Sport, Freddie will embark on a journey to learn more about depression, its presence in sport and the measures that can be taken to help players who suffer with this debilitating illness. Freddie has first-hand experience of this area having watched various sporting colleagues battle privately with the illness throughout their careers.

Charlotte Moore, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries, says: "Depression affects many people throughout the UK. It's a subject we avoid talking about, particularly in sport where it is becoming increasingly prevalent. Freddie Flintoff has witnessed its sometimes devastating effects during his own glittering and explosive cricketing career. Both Freddie and director Jim Loach will bring a fresh and sensitive approach to this subject for BBC One viewers." 

Freddie will meet sportsmen and women past and present, from those who lost careers through depression to those driven to the edge. He will examine and question the role of journalists and fans who expect their heroes to perform at the highest level, no matter what. In an era of multi-million pound deals where image and reputation are everything, who picks up the pieces when it all becomes just too much? Freddie asks what can be done to help support and protect our athletes. 

Gabe Turner, producer for Fulwell 73 Productions, says: "We are thrilled to have Freddie on board for this exciting project and feel that this subject matter will allow viewers to see a more serious side to this national icon."

The Dark Side Of Sport (1x60) was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, and will be executive produced by Leo Pearlman for Fulwell 73 Productions and Maxine Watson for the BBC. The film will be produced by Gabe Turner and directed by Jim Loach.

(Source : BBC Press Release)

Jason Roberts joins 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live

Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts will join the presentation team on 606, the nation's biggest football phone-in, on BBC Radio 5 Live, minutes after stepping off the pitch on Saturday 13 August. 

It's the first time that a playing Premier League footballer has hosted a football phone-in, offering a unique insight on the issues, debates and controversies of playing the game at the top level. Jason will present the show for the first three months of the season. 

Jason joins the roster of 606 presenters which includes Robbie Savage, who retired from playing in May, commentator Alan Green and presenters Mark Chapman and Darren Fletcher. 

Jason Roberts said: "I'm really excited to be joining 606 and becoming part of the UK's biggest football phone-in. I can't wait to talk to fans straight after I've come off the pitch, and discuss the day's action and events!

"I'm a long time listener to 606, so love the debates and opinions on the show. It will be brilliant to combine playing for Blackburn Rovers with talking to the nation and giving the fans a player's view of the game.

"I have been lucky enough to play at every level, from the Conference to the Premier League, and I cannot wait to connect with fans from all levels of football on 606."

Radio 5 Live and sister station 5 Live Sports Extra are gearing up to the start of the 2011/12 football season with unrivalled live football coverage and commentary, including 128 live Premier League matches and also coverage of the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, and England's crucial qualifying games for Euro 2012. 

(Source : BBC Press Release)

KBS World Radio launches contest via Internet

KBS World Radio has launched a K-Pop contest, "K-Pop World Star", through its KBS website and YouTube. The open audition event is aimed at further promoting South Korean pop music, which has taken the world by storm. 

Contestants can sign up for the content by uploading video clips of themselves singing a K-Pop song at the two websites. The sites are available in 11 major languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean. 

After the preliminary evaluation to pick out 10 challengers, the list will be whittled down to three, who will be mentored. The finalists will be screened by a panel of judges and online voters. A trip to Seoul awaits the K-Pop World Star winner, who will also stand a chance to be part of KBS programmes.

KBS World Radio will produce a special programme based on the results of the competition for broadcast in November. 

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Massive downpour interrupts EBS-Korea's FM broadcast

Torrential rain wrecked havoc on Seoul this week, causing massive flooding and a landslide in the South Korean capital. On Wednesday, an EBS FM radio station (104.5MHz) had its transmission momentarily interrupted when a mudslide damaged its building and caused an electrical power failure. 

However, once power was restored with emergency generators, the station replaced its normal programming with music and emergency programmes for one-and-a-half hours. EBS' TV channel switched its regular programming to emergency programmes for 13 minutes. All normal broadcasting has since resumed. 

An EBS spokesman said transmission was shifted to another EBS facility in another building, adding that the company expects that it will take about three weeks to completely restore the damaged studios. 

Many EBS staff pulled together to clean up the affected building, aided by military and municipality personnel.

Other broadcasters were also affected by the torrential downpour. Outdoor sets of KBS dramas, such as Gwanggaeto the Great which are currently airing, were flooded. This forced KBS staff to stop filming. The Chosun-ilbo daily also reported that broadcasters MBC and SBS were similarly affected.

A KBS spokesman said the broadcaster's Science and Disaster Broadcast Department broadcast emergency programmes for almost 17 hours, in response to the unexpected weather conditions. 

The Korean Herald reported yesterday that at least 53 people were dead and 14 others missing, due to landslides and floods which were triggered by over 400mm of rain which fell between Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Eutelsat expands into new orbital position

Eutelsat Communications is expanding its commercial response to high-growth video, data, telecom and broadband markets with the opening of business at the 3° East orbital position. To support further long-term expansion, Eutelsat has selected Astrium to build a tri-band satellite, which will increase and diversify its resources for markets in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and South America. Called Eutelsat 3B, the satellite will operate in C, Ku and Ka-bands and be launched in early 2014.

In advance of Eutelsat 3B, resources on a satellite now called Eutelsat 3A were deployed this month to 3° East. This capacity is able to deliver users powerful coverage of Europe and North Africa for services that include GSM backhaul, data networks, IP backbone connectivity and maritime applications.

To complement Eutelsat’s capacity portfolio and geographic reach, the Eutelsat 3B satellite will add resources in three frequency bands connected to fixed and steerable antennas for maximum flexibility. With a single platform assembling Ku, C and Ka transponders, users will be able to select the most relevant frequency band for different types of service.

Up to 51 transponders on Eutelsat 3B will be configured as follows:

• A Ku-band payload of up to 30 transponders will be connected to widebeam footprints over extended Europe and East Africa. A steerable beam will add further flexibility, with coverage possible of South America or African regions. This capacity will address video contribution, corporate networks, data and telecom markets.
• A C-band payload with 12 transponders connected to a pan-African beam will respond to continued high demand for capacity for telecom services.
• A Ka-band payload of nine transponders connected to steerable beams that are in particular expected to cover Africa and South America will meet expanding connectivity requirements for corporate networks and Internet access.

The Eutelsat 3B satellite will be based on the Astrium Eurostar 3000 platform. Weighing 6 tonnes at launch, the satellite will be designed with 15 year life expectancy. The investment required for this programme is included in Eutelsat’s capital expenditure outlook for the period 1 July, 2011 to 30 June, 2014.

(Source: Eutelsat via Media Network Weblog)

Analogue broadcasts ends in most of Japan

Japan became the first Asian nation to switchover to digital TV broadcast today. 

Public broadcaster NHK has terminated its analogue broadcasts in all areas in Japan except for the three prefectures which were devastated by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. Analogue broadcasts in the region will continue until 31 March 2012.

NHK President Masayuki Matsumoto and Michisada Hirose, President of the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan, held a joint press conference in Tokyo. 

Mr Matsumoto said: "As a public broadcaster with a mission of delivering its services throughout Japan, NHK has invested about 400 billion yen (US$5.1 billion) to implement necessary measures, including the construction of relay stations".

Analogue terrestrial television broadcasting in Japan was launched in 1953. NHK began its terrestrial digital broadcast in 2003 following a legal revision that stipulated that analogue transmissions be terminated by 24 July, 2011. However, after the 11 March earthquake, it was decided that digital switchover in the affected areas would be postponed until next March.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

BBC and Sky partner for live Formula 1 rights

BBC TV and Sky Sports have been awarded the live rights to Formula 1 ™ between 2012 and 2018. 

The move will bring increased choice, innovation and breadth of coverage to UK and Irish motor racing fans. 

The two leading UK sports broadcasters will offer fans unparalleled live High Definition coverage of every race of the season. 

The broadcasting partnership will include:

• All races, qualifying and practice sessions live on Sky Sports across TV, online and mobile and tablet devices
• Half the races and qualifying sessions remain live on BBC TV, online and mobile including key races such at the British Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix and the final race of the season
• Extensive BBC highlights on TV, online and mobile, of all races and qualifying sessions that BBC is not covering live
• Build up coverage of each Grand Prix on BBC News, Sky Sports News and Sky News
• Extensive multiplatform coverage including red button, bbc.co.uk/sport and skysports.com

The audiences brought by Sky and BBC will ensure Formula 1 reaches the widest possible audience. BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra will continue to cover every race live.

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, said: "We are absolutely delighted that F1 will remain on the BBC. The sport has never been more popular with TV audiences at a 10 year high and the BBC has always stated its commitment to the big national sporting moments. With this new deal not only have we delivered significant savings but we have also ensured that through our live and extended highlights coverage all the action continues to be available to licence fee payers."

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "This is fantastic news for F1 fans and Sky Sports will be the only place to follow every race live and in HD. We will give F1 the full Sky Sports treatment with a commitment to each race never seen before on UK television. As well as unrivalled build up to each race on Sky Sports News, we will broadcast in-depth live coverage of every session. Sky customers with Sky Sports will also be able to enjoy F1 across multiple platforms and devices, including Sky Go."

Formula 1 will join the line-up of live sport on Sky Sports, which marked its 20th birthday in April. Subscribers can enjoy Premier League and UEFA Champions League football, England Test matches, three of golf's four majors including the Masters from Augusta, international, European and domestic rugby union, Super League rugby and a host of other sports events.

Notes to Editors

If there are an odd number of races in the season, the final selection will be screened exclusively live by Sky Sports.

(Source : BBC Press Release)

Fiji's FBC promotes new frequencies

Staff of Fiji's national broadcasting service, FBC, are going all out to promote the new frequencies which were launched earlier this month.

Various promotions were held over the past few weeks and now FBC is targeting listeners in the urban areas of Lami, Suva and Nasinu. 

FBC Promotions Officer Viti Browne said this was a good chance for fans to meet their favourite personalities and score some station giveaways. 

"If you've noticed, on the streets of Suva this morning, the whole of FBC was out in town with our station's T-shirts and we're meeting the people of Suva and handing out calendars, stickers and flyers. 

"This is of course to tell everyone about our new frequencies. So we're out on the town the whole day, we have our personalities who are also out and about and you can meet them in person or you can come to the station." 

For Lami, Suva and Nasinu listeners, the frequencies are: GoldFM - 100.2FM, 2DayFM - 95.4FM, BulaFM - 102.4FM, Radio Fiji One - 93FM, MirchiFM - 97.8FM, and Radio Fiji Two - 105FM. 

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Six-day strike at BBC Arabic service starts on Saturday

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members working at the BBC Arabic service are to stage a six day strike starting on Saturday, the union has announced. The strike is in addition to the BBC-wide action happening on 1 August, which now includes an indefinite work to rule. It will begin at midnight on Friday 29 July and end on midnight on Thursday 4 August. A work to rule is also being applied.

The industrial action at the Arabic service comes as a result of a dispute over working conditions and the implementation of a new rota system. In a statement, the BBC said they were ‘disappointed’ with the decision to strike and apologised for any disruption to services caused. It continued: ‘Following significant cuts to the central Government grants that support the World Service, all departments are being asked to make changes and the BBC considers this strike action to be unjustified.’

‘The BBC announced proposals for BBC Arabic in June 2010 with aim of driving efficiencies to allow more investment on programming. The proposals included changes to working conditions and rotas which are comparable with staff working on other news outlets in the BBC.’

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: ‘No consideration has been given to the need for adequate staffing levels balanced against meet the needs of output, so that the number of anti-social and unsafe shift times would be vastly increased. This will drastically disrupt people’s lives and will lead to dramatically increased levels of work-related stress and sickness.’ She added: ‘Journalists at the Arabic service are particularly concerned at the vagueness of duties and how management plans will leave staff vulnerable to exploitation and favouritism.’

Both parties said they were open to further discussion. NUJ members at the service previously went on strike for 48 hours in January over a dispute involving rota changes.

(Source: Ariel via Media Network Weblog)

Sweden to support internet freedom

The Swedish government is to set aside international development aid to promote internet freedom around the globe, in the hope of promoting democracy abroad.

The "Arab Spring", when democratic movements bolstered by social media on the internet shook regimes across North Africa and the Middle East have once again emphasised the power of the world wide web. Opening up discussions and contacts across boarders, despite the best efforts of national dictators. Sweden's International Development Assistance Minister, Gunilla Carlsson claims this country is doing a lot to help internet activists abroad.

"We are looking with the special rapporteur at the United Nations to see that we have freedom on the internet. It's very important as a human rights aspect", she says, "but then also when it comes to development assistance, we have really tried to see how we specifically can support democratisation and the freedom of speech. There we have allocated quite a lot of money in order to support those that are fighting for all our freedoms, and to protect those that are risking their lives, by letting us know what is happening under dictatorships and in parts of the world where we have a lot of oppression."

Carlsson adds that she sees it as a way to fight poverty, and therefore highly suitable to come from the aid budget. "We can't have sustainable poverty reduction if we don't have democratisation. Many of those countries where we are active with development assistance are countries where there is oppression, and where we would like to see that there is change. Here I see a lot of opportunities, but also responsibility for a development assistance policy that is really modern and innovative."

In concrete terms the Swedish government is helping with encryption services, giving training for citizen journalism, how to avoid risks and determining the technical solutions, as well as helping the "democratic dissidents" if they get into trouble.

(Source : Radio Sweden)

Michael Parkinson back on Radio 2

Sir Michael Parkinson is returning to Radio 2 next week to front a new documentary about legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong.

The ‘Behind the Music’ programme has been produced by Indie firm Made in Manchester and airs to mark the 110th anniversary of Armstrong’s birth.

The hour-long programme includes a range of new interviews with friends and colleagues of Louis Armstrong including his manager for many years and one of his producers. It includes an audio tour of the Louis Armstrong House Museum and interviews with jazz musicians Dame Cleo Laine, Digby Fairweather and Chris Barber. There’s also a visit to the Birdland Jazz Club in New York where they pay tribute to Louis every Wednesday night – and to Belfast where Louis was mobbed on a visit in 1962.

Executive Producer Ashley Byrne told RadioToday.co.uk: “We were delighted that Sir Michael Parkinson agreed to host this programme. Louis is Parky’s all time jazz hero and his love and affection for the music and the man really comes through in this programme which includes loads of impressive new interviews with the people closest to Louis.”

Parkinson hosted the Sunday Supplement show on Radio 2 between 1996 and 2007, although he’s recently been back on the station with My Favourite Things on Monday evenings, an hour-long show where he plays some of his personal favourite songs.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

GMG swap Rock Radio brand for Real XS

GMG Radio’s Manchester Rock Radio station is to be re-branded as Real Radio XS from September, while the Glasgow station looks like being sold to Brand Managing Director Billy Anderson.

The group says the new name in Manchester will ‘benefit from the brand strength and scale of sister station Real Radio’.

106.1 Real Radio XS will also be available on digital radio for the first time as it joins the North West regional multiplex.

The group is in discussions with Real and Rock Radio Brand Managing Director Billy Anderson about selling the Glasgow Rock station to him and a consortium of private investors. He will leave GMG at the end of August after 10 years with the group.

It marks the end of the group’s association with the Rock Radio name which started life in January 2007 when Paisley’s Q96 was bought by GMG and relaunched. The Manchester licence went on air in May 2008 after originally being won under the name ‘Rock Talk’. GMG have five separate main Real Radio services, operating six regional FM licences, in Scotland, Wales, North East England, North West England and Yorkshire.

GMG Radio Chief Executive Stuart Taylor said: “There is a clear appetite for the music we play and these plans will give both stations the best possible chance of growth and success, provide an attractive commercial proposition for advertisers and mean that this genre of music continues to thrive in these two regions. Billy has been a key figure in GMG Radio`s growth and a great support at both station and board level and with his passion for rock music and keen eye for business we wish him every success for the future.”

Billy Anderson added: “I’ve had the time of my life at GMG Radio, joining when the group was about to launch its second station, Real Scotland, and I will truly miss the people. But I’m extremely excited about the potential for Rock Radio and will now be able to fully focus on acquiring the station. Once that is complete, I am looking forward to unveiling plans on a unique new way of experiencing and interacting with the greatest genre of music in the world – rock!”

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

Elvis heads to Salford for Radio Festival

American radio legend Elvis Duran is to make an appearance at the Radio Festival this year taking place in Salford Quays.

The Z100 morning show presenter has been booked to speak at the annual event near Media City UK, where he’ll be part of a session called ‘The Best at Breakfast’.

Elvis’ show is syndicated in over 30 markets in America on the Premiere Radio Network, and he’s been on mornings at WHTZ for 15 years. The show is the most listened to morning show in New York, which consistently ranks number one across multiple demographics and can be heard live across places including Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, Tampa, Phoenix and Atlanta.

Now with 30 years in the business across different cities in America, Elvis has been a programme director as well as presenter. He said: “I am really looking forward to being in Manchester for what is regarded as the best radio festival in Europe, maybe the world. Interesting radio is all about entertaining listeners and coming up with new ideas to keep content fresh and interactive. I am excited to address some of the UK’s best radio talent and collaborate with the audience to share invaluable knowledge and skills.”

John Myers, Chief Executive of The Radio Academy added: “It is a real honour to have Elvis in the building. If you are on the air, I recommend you walk over broken glass if necessary to hear how he does what he does. I can’t wait. It is a wonderful opportunity for our audience to get close to the best of the best.”

Manchester talk host Allan Beswick has also recently been announced as a guest at the event. He presents breakfast on BBC Radio Manchester and will be talking about talk radio and late night programming.

Other confirmed speakers for the event in late October/early November include BBC Director General Mark Thompson, Radio 2′s Bob Harris and Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne. Tickets are available from the Radio Academy.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

John de Mol reacquires Radio 538, Radio 10 Gold

Talpa, the company of Dutch media magnate John de Mol, has reacquired market-leading Radio 538 from RTL Nederland, along with Radio 10 Gold and Slam! FM.

Despite the recent recession and a declining advertising market, Radio 538 has been a stable source of income for RTL. The advertising market is now growing again, and in 2010 Radio ??538 had advertising sales of 56 million euros, almost 6 percent more than in 2009.

RTL Nederland has owned Radio 538 since June 2007, as part of the deal that saw John de Mol sell his failed television channel Tien to RTL, who relaunched it as RTL8. In return Mr De Mol received a stake of 26.3 percent of RTL Nederland. He now has to divest himself of those shares as he has become a shareholder in RTL’s main rival SBS. The Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) said last Friday that otherwise Mr De Mol, who also produces and sells TV programmes, would have too much power in the commercial television market.

RTL Group, the parent company of RTL Nederland, used its first right to purchase Mr de Mol’s shares. Financial terms were not disclosed.

(Source: NRC Handelsblad via Media Network Weblog)

BBC staffing row over ‘one year to go’ coverage

The BBC sent almost 10 times as many staff as its main news rival to cover an event marking one year until the start of the London 2012 Olympics, according to the Daily Telegraph. The corporation, the official games host broadcaster, sent 153 “domestic” staff to report on the “One Year To Go” series of events throughout the capital. In addition, 58 BBC World Service staff, who are not [yet] funded by the licence fee, also covered the special events marking a year to the games’ opening ceremony. A total of 250 BBC staff were accredited.

In comparison ITN, which produces several news programmes for ITV and Channel 4, sent just 22 staff to cover the day-long event while Sky News sent 11 employees. The BBC was criticised for sending a “cast of thousands” and of a “complete overkill” by a member of staff covering the event, who did not wish to be named. But the corporation defended its staffing, saying journalists, producers and technicians produced “dozens of hours” of broadcasting across television and radio as well as online.

• Read more from The Telegraph

 (Source : Media Network Weblog)

KBS Music Bank World Tour

Since many Hallyu fans can't come to Korea, KBS's Music Bank is bringing it to them!

KBS representatives met with press members to discuss the pending series of KBS Music Bank broadcasts planned for abroad countries.

It will all start off in New York, where Music Bank will take place in the US sometime in October. The next stop will be China in November, Vietnam and Europe the following year in 2012. As anyone who's watched an episode of Music Bank would know, the show is a bunch of the kpop artists, including both fresh-faced rookies as well as old-time favorites, performing on one stage one after another.

The director, Jun Jin-gook talked about how Music Bank China will be held in conjunction to the Chinese Gayo Festival. The festival has been an ongoing event for the past 10 years. In Vietnam, the Music Bank concert comes at the perfect timing of celebrating the 20th diplomatic relation anniversary. KBS has been keeping a close eye on the spread of Hallyu to Euroope as well, so a concert in that region is not out of the question. Director Jun went as far as to reveal that local concert reps from Europe have been visiting KBS in efforts of organizing a concert.

(Source : KBS World)

BBC Worldwide brings best of British TV to european fans with the BBC iPlayer App for iPad

BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm, is from today offering audiences across Europe the first-ever opportunity to delve into a digital mix of classic and contemporary British TV programming with the launch of the new global BBC iPlayer App, available exclusively on iPad.

This brand-new video on demand subscription service, launching first in Western Europe, will deliver the award-winning programming upon which the BBC's history and heritage is built, to viewers in 11 markets. For €6.99 a month (or €49.99 for an annual subscription), the app will initially be available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

Subscribers will be able to access a rich selection of captivating English language programmes across eight genres: News Specials & Documentaries; Entertainment; Drama; Comedy; Science & Nature; Family & Kids; Music & Culture and Lifestyle. The app brings together classic comedies such as Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses, thrilling drama series Sherlock, Luther and much loved Pride and Prejudice, recent episodes of the UK’s famous soap EastEnders, global motoring phenomenon Top Gear, the Doctor Who archive and the adorable children's show Charlie and Lola. Hours of new programming will be added to the service every week, along with imaginatively themed collections curated from the BBC's extensive archive, including David Attenborough and the story of the Royal Family.

Designed to be intuitive and easy-to-use, a key feature of the app allows subscribers both to stream and to download shows for offline viewing for when they can't access Wi-Fi connectivity. The stylish and simple interface enables users to build a personal library of shows.

John Smith CEO BBC Worldwide said: "I'm proud that we're one of the first international broadcasters to give access to our shows in a perfectly packaged app. This launch is an important route to market in our strategy of pursuing multiple platforms for our programmes and brands, taking British programmes to new digital audiences around the world. Today marks a significant next step on a digital journey that has already seen 12m BBC Worldwide apps downloaded across brands as diverse as Lonely Planet and Good Food."

"Based on the soaring success of the UK's pioneering BBC iPlayer service, the app combines technical innovation with editorial creativity to transport users to the heart of the BBC and British television and on a journey of discovery, wherever and whenever they want," said Jana Bennett, BBC Worldwide President of Worldwide Networks and Global iPlayer. "We have an exciting vision for what this service could become and will develop it based on feedback from within the markets."

The global BBC iPlayer App is now available to download for free from the App Store in the launch markets on iPad.

The global version of the BBC iPlayer App launched today marks the start of a pilot phase for the service.

NOTES TO EDITORS
The UK and global version of the BBC iPlayer are very different offerings. BBC iPlayer in the UK is the on demand TV and Radio service that gives licence fee payers the opportunity to watch live TV and the last seven days' programming on hundreds of devices, across four screens. The global and commercial version is entirely funded by BBC Worldwide. The fundamental aim of the service is to realise more value overseas from British TV content to generate revenues to support the BBC.

(Source : BBC Press Release)

Dutch public network Radio 5 on the air on 1251 kHz from Limburg

Dutch public network Radio 5 is back on mediumwave via the 10 kW transmitter at Hulsberg on 1251 kHz. This transmitter, which serves the province of Limburg in the south of the Netherlands, had been carrying Radio 1 in parallel with 747 kHz since the collapse of the mast at Hoogersmilde in the north of the country two weeks ago. But since FM reception of Radio 1 in Limburg is good, there is no need to use mediumwave as well.

However the main mediumwave transmitter on 747 kHz will continue to carry Radio 1 instead of Radio 5 for as long as necessary to serve parts of the provinces of Gelderland, North Brabant and South Holland where FM reception is patchy. It isn’t yet clear how long this situation will last.

(Source : Media Network Weblog)

Radio Marina to test from radio ship on 1485 kHz

Dutch regional commercial broadcaster Radio Marina will be on the air this weekend with a test transmission from the radio ship Jenni Baynton in Harlingen. The news and oldies station wants to see how much of the licensed coverage area it can achieve on its mediumwave frequency.

According to owner Willem Rense Post this test is a step in the right direction: “The Radiocommunications Agency, the government organization that manages Dutch terrestrial frequencies, indicated several months ago some flexibility in dealing with requests to for re-coordination of transmission sites for mediumwave broadcasting, so there is a glimmer of light at last on the horizon. ”

Radio Marina 1485AM says it will not be just another non-stop music station. As well as presented music programmes it will also focus in short blocks on various locations around the IJsselmeer. Mr Post said “We want to provide regional news firsthand, through a network of local ambassadors, so as a listener you get a good picture of what’s going on in the region.”

The test transmission will take place from Saturday 30 July at 0600 UTC till Sunday 31 July at 1600 UTC on mediumwave 1485kHz and on the Internet at www.radiomarina.nl.

(Source: De Stentor via MediaMagazine.nl via Media Network Weblog)

The EBU is recruitment a Media Director

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has launched a procedure for the recruitment of its future Media Director.

The Media Director promotes co-operation and co-production, and the sharing and exchange of relevant and attractive content for all platforms among the Members of the EBU. For more information, the job description can be found here.

Exceptionally qualified candidates with a demonstrated interest in the position are asked to submit their applications online at Jobs @ EBU.

Complete applications, accompanied by a curriculum vitae, must be received by 25 August 2011  at the latest.

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

BBC Introducing brings wealth of new music to Reading and Leeds Festival

BBC Introducing today announces the line-up for its stage at the Reading and Leeds Festival next month. Between Friday 26 and Sunday 28 August, the BBC Introducing Stage will showcase 36 under-the-radar artists from across the UK. The first stage at Reading and Leeds Festival was in 2008, so now returns for its fourth year. 

Jason Carter, Editor, BBC Introducing, says: "Giving new artists the opportunity to play at Reading and Leeds across the bank holiday weekend is exactly what BBC Introducing is all about, new musicians' access to play at one of the premier UK festivals. Our selection panel was top notch for the event, including presenters and music producers across BBC Radio 1, Later… With Jools Holland and also the NME – we have a great final line-up. As well as the performance opportunity, audiences watching the BBC coverage will get to hear and watch all the highlights from the stage, giving the new musicians even wider exposure."

Stages at each site will boast a range of local artists from Leeds and Reading, as well as highlight new talent from around the UK. Festival-goers can enjoy the wealth of genres of offer, from the rock 'n' roll, experimental sounds of A Genuine Freakshow and Cardiff band, Cuba Cuba, to singer-songwriter, Rae Morris and four-piece indie rock group, This Boy Wonders. Each site will host the same line-up on different days across the weekend. 

The bands that will be performing on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds are:

• A Genuine Freakshow
• Anguish Sandwich
• Black Diamond Bay
• Clock Opera
• Courage Have Courage
• Cuba Cuba
• Daughter
• Discopolis
• Don Broco
• Kirk Spencer
• Mexanines
• Milk Maid
• Rae Morris
• Rainy Boy Sleep
• Save your breath
• The Bronze Medal
• The Kill Van Kulls
• The Original Rude Boys
• The Winchell Riots
• These Furrows
• This Boy Wonders
• Tomahawks for Targets
• The Minutes
• Funeral Suits
• Spector
• Arthur Rigby and the Baskervylles
• Castrovalva
• The Simon Pollard Band
• Circles
• Heart-Ships
• Ham Sandwich

This year, the stage will once again feature the "returners slot" – artists who have been supported by BBC Introducing in previous years, who have now started to find a wider audience, are given the chance to return to the stage where it all started and perform a headline slot. General Fiasco return to Reading and Leeds after working in the studio for the past year and are ready to deliver their new material to the festival. Fixers are back after a great year, which kicked off with them being the first act to feature in the BBC Introducing Radio 1 Playlist in January. Finally, Rizzle Kicks return to the festival to thank BBC Introducing for their early support, after storming the charts this year.

Previous artists that have graced the BBC Introducing Stage at the Reading and Leeds Festival include the recently Mercury Music Prize Nominated, Everything Everything, as well as Pulled Apart By Horses and The Brilliant Things. 

Live music highlights from the BBC Introducing stage are broadcasted across BBC Local Radio, Asian Network, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Radio 6 Music. 

Bands are chosen by a combination of the BBC Introducing Network, Leeds promoters, Futuresound, and promoters, Festival Republic. 

(Source : BBC Press Release)