New English-language radio station opens in Vienna

Danube International launched online in test mode at 1011 UTC this morning. The new English language radio station, designed to serve the international community in Vienna, is the brainchild of radio legend Paul Hollingdale. In August 1979 Hollingdale launched international station Blue Danube Radio which closed in 2000. The time has come, Hollingdale believes, “To bring the international community closer together again” and with this he has created Danube International.

• Read more from Austrian Times

According to the station’s website: “Conceptual ideas for the resurgence of an English language international radio station have been discussed since Spring 2009. These early discussions were prompted because it is felt that Vienna is missing a dedicated radio transmission for the English speaking community, both national Austrian and international, in and around Vienna, throughout Austria and even perhaps further afield.

“It has been through the spring and summer of 2011 that actual progress has been made in terms of the realistic development of a small dedicated group of participants who are currently setting up the prototype station, including the setting up of this website, the recording and streaming of our first test transmission, and the developing of a marketable identity for the station, with the aim of progressing towards a full station launch in 2012.

“Between the present time, November 2011, and our target date for main launch in 2012, we hope to fully develop our station identity, programme structure and content, to provide a full streaming internet service, cable radio service and fm transmission.”

(Source: Media Network Weblog)

KBC Radio will use 7590 kHz for DRM test

The first DRM test transmission of Dutch-based KBC Radio will take place on Saturday 12 November from 1800 UTC. The frequency used will be 7590 kHz, instead of the previously advised 7550 kHz.

(Source: KBC Radio via Media Network Weblog)

Estonian PSB calls on EBU Members to support the "World Clean-Up 2012" campaign

The "Let's Do It" movement started in 2008 in Estonia where 50,000 people gathered and lifted 10,000 tons of illegal garbage from roads, forests and towns in just 5 hours! Today this global social movement launched a clean-up project "World Clean-Up 2012". The project is now in over 100 countries with more expected to join. The project aims is to find volunteers across the world and with their support organise a global clean-up action. Raising awareness around this environmental cause is essential to the success of the project, in which media organizations have their role to play.

Estonian Public Broadcaster (ERR) has embraced this initiative, and has played an important role in supporting and introducing the project into their programmes. ERR invites all EBU members to take part and support the "World Clean-Up 2012" campaign by communicating about the project and voicing the messages of its organizers on their TV, radio and new media platforms.

For more information: www.letsdoitworld.org

If you would like more information from ERR, please contact Anneli Tõevere-Kaur at
anneli.toevere-kaur@err.ee

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

EBU Seminar on Radio Music Ensembles

EBU Radio Members manage over 75 music ensembles (symphony  orchestras, big bands, choruses, children’s choirs, folk ensembles, string quartets, etc.), on which they spend more than €500 million, making them the world’s biggest employers of musicans (EBU website devoted to orchestras). 

Over 50 delegates, radio orchestra managers and music programme directors, met at the new Danish Radio-Television Media Centre in Copenhagen on 10-11 November 2011, where they admired the new concert hall designed by Jean Nouvel.

The seminar provided participants with an opportunity to exchange their experiences in orchestra management and to discuss the current role of music ensembles in public service radio broadcasting.

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

All India Radio's DRM transmission time increases

Indian state broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) has increased its DRM SW transmission by 8.25 hours to a total of approximately 16 hours a day. AIR first started Digital Radio Transmission from Delhi in Short-Wave band by using DRM Technology on 16th January, 2009 with a target coverage area of the UK and West Europe. Its Vividh Bharti service on DRM (in NVIS mode) has an approx coverage area of 800 Kms. With the increase in transmission time, more language services have now been added to the External services transmission.

(Source : DRM Consortium)

New Radio Channel “Couldn’t Be Better”

Private sector media operators have long called for reducing public broadcasting’s output. The overwhelming might of legacy, publicly funded radio and television stifles competition, they say. Politicians, sympathetic for various reasons, have been reluctant to make changes, fearing voter backlash. One of the first newly privatized radio channels has signed on to both criticism and praise.

 

A few seconds after midnight November 1st Denmark’s new national radio channel took to the airwaves. Radio24syv is a news talk channel, taking over the frequencies of public radio DR P2, the cultural channel. The news side of its programming is fairly traditional, presented by a mix of new and old voices from Denmark’s media scene. The talk side is unfamiliar territory.

Back in early 2010, Danish Culture Minister Per Stig Møller proposed privatizing a national radio channel of public broadcaster DR (formerly known as Danmarks Radio).  The Conservative People’s Party member – and former culture editor at Danmarks Radio – battled opposing politicians and, obviously, DR along with much of the country’s media establishment. The new channel, called FM4 or Radio Møller, would be privately operated but publicly funded through the broadcasting license fee. 

Read more

(Source : followthemedia.com via worldDMB)

Radio Slovakia International Competition

Historic Hotels of Slovakia
 

Radio Slovakia International hereby starts a new competition where you can win interesting prizes includinga one week stay for two in Slovakia.

In the Historic Hotels of Slovakia cycle we will introduce to you 10 hotels transformed into luxurious first class accommodation. Every first weekend of the month we will explore the nooks and crannies of Slovak castles, châteaux and other historical buildings which all have an interesting story to tell. After each round we ask you a question and the winner drawn from the correct answers receives a prize. At the end of the cycle, two lucky participantswill win the main prize.

Before you decide to take part in our competition, we have to notify you  about two important rules. The first rule states that the winner of the main prize pays the expenses of travelling to Slovakia and the other one is that only listeners without permanent residence in Slovakia may take part in the competition.

Our second stop is Necas’s Villa in the Northern Slovakia.Please listen carefully to the audio report at the bottom of this page.

The question for this round is: What was the original purpose of Necas’s Villa?

Please send your answers by December 1st, 2011.

By regular post at:

Radio Slovakia International
English Section
Mýtna 1, POBOX 55
817 55 Bratislava,
Slovakia

 or email us to englishsection@slovakradio.sk

(Source : Radio Slovakia International)

Broadcasting Board of Governors to Meet on November 18

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will meet on Friday, November 18 at BBG headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a focus on its strategic management of U.S. international broadcasting.

The Board will consider recommendations from the BBG’s Governance Committee including the 2012 meeting schedule and receive briefings on the Agency’s Performance Accountability Report and global audience estimate. In addition, broadcast executives will update the Board on programming and coverage issues.

The meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m., will be webcast both live and on-demand, at www.bbg.gov.

(Source : BBG Press Release)

Radio Taiwan International publish a series of QSL Card

Radio Taiwan International published a series of QSL Card ( a set of 12 QSL cards).

http://english.rti.org.tw/thmeInfo4.aspx?tid=E8A16697235ABE57

(Source : Radio Taiwan International)

Martyn Freeman appointed as General Counsel for BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the BBC, is today announcing the appointment of Martyn Freeman as its General Counsel.

This is a new role, with responsibility across all legal and business affairs, policy and regulatory matters, including the negotiation of transactions and joint ventures, rights and deals management, crisis management, compliance, risk management and talent accounting.

Martyn will report to BBC Worldwide Chief Executive John Smith and will be a member of BBC Worldwide’s Executive Board. He will take up his position on 21 November.

Martyn has been in charge of BBC Worldwide’s Legal and Business Affairs since 2002, as Group Head and then Director. In these roles, he worked on the creation of partnerships such as BBC Books and 2 entertain, the divestments of BBC Magazines and BBC Audiobooks, the re-structuring of joint ventures with Discovery, and has had overall responsibility for rights acquisition and management. More recently he has also led on raising financing and negotiating deals for BBC Worldwide’s slate of natural history feature films.

Previous to this position, Martyn has worked in a variety of roles across the BBC, including as Head of Business Affairs, Radio & Music, Factual & Learning and News.

BBC Worldwide Chief Executive John Smith said: “I am delighted to appoint Martyn as BBC Worldwide’s General Counsel. With over 17 years' experience working on legal and business affairs for the BBC and BBC Worldwide, there’s no one better placed to take on this crucial new role. His proven track record in negotiating deals with partners, rights holders and investors will be invaluable as we take the business forward.”

Martyn Freeman said: “I am delighted to become the first General Counsel for BBC Worldwide. It gives me the chance to build on nearly a decade’s work at BBC Worldwide as well as taking on some fascinating new challenges as BBC Worldwide continues to develop as a truly global media company.”

(Source: BBC Worldwide Press Office)

BBC Three to offer viewers a range of different perspectives on sex and sexuality

BBC Three has commissioned a season of programmes that will explore the complexities of sex and sexuality through a range of different viewpoints, from the scientist and the historian to the virgin, the lap dancer and the comedian.

Three-part series How Sex Works will lead the season, combining compelling real life stories, cutting-edge science and computer graphics to tell the story of the science behind sex. Inside the human body with CGI, the series will explore the physiological, neurological and psychological changes that happen before, during and after sex to investigate the science of lust and the mechanics of sex itself.

Zai Bennett, BBC Three Controller says: “Sex is on all young adults’ minds and we hope this major new season will encourage our audience to look at it from a variety of viewpoints. We aim to expose our viewers to a range of perspectives, some of which might be at odds with each other, but most importantly we want our viewers to watch these programmes and form their own opinions.”

More at BBC

(Source : BBC Press Release)

Sub-Regional Workshop on Media and Good Governance, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Amidst snowing the Sub-Regional Workshop on Media and Good Governance started on Tuesday 8th November 2011 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Twenty participants are taking part in the workshop.

Mr Karomatullo Olimov, Chairman of the Tajikistan National Commission for UNESCO opened the workshop. In his speech he said, “We would like to give a special focus to the transparency of the journalism depicting the social concerns of the society. Specially, we would like to emphasize the role of journalists in the event of armed conflict. Tajikistan unfortunately has experienced the civil conflict and the role of journalists reflecting the situation was quite crucial. Therefore, we realize the importance of objective, timely and correct information and would like to call our colleagues to follow these principles”.

This is the second Sub-Regional Workshop on Media and Good Governance organised for Central Asian countries by AIBD. These two workshops are implemented under the IPDC UNESCO project and supported by the UNESCO Almaty Office.

The workshop is hosted by the Independent School of Journalism, Tajikistan and supported by the Tajikistan National Commission for UNESCO.

Read More

(Source : Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development)

AIB announces Winners of 2011 AIBs International Media Awards

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) announced the winners of its annual global media excellence awards at a gala event in London on 9 November 2011. 

The AIB Awards are unique in broadcasting because of their independence from commercial interests - an independent panel of judges consisting of respected professionals from the broadcasting and wider media industries selected the winners from entries submitted from all over the world. 

Categories covered by the ‘AIBs’ include separate awards for radio and television, cross-media productions, as well as awards for innovation in marketing, use of technology, and a People's Choice award where the public determined the winner in the category 'Best coverage of Democracy Uprisings' via online voting on Yahoo! Maktoob. 

Simon Spanswick, AIB CEO said: ”The range and quality of entries was outstanding – what particularly struck me and the judges this year was the great work in cross-media where tight integration of content and concepts between platforms was demonstrated. Overall, entries to the AIBs demonstrated journalists' determination everywhere to get to the heart of a story, skilful use of terrific footage and world-class story telling." 

Hosted by Annabel Croft, Eurosport presenter and former tennis champion, the event was attended by senior executives, producers and journalists from media organisations around the world, and featured AWD ambassador Sarina Arnold and Swiss film maker Helen Stehli Pfister as special guests "in conversation". The 2011 AIBs are sponsored by Eurosport, OASYS, Russian Travel Guide TV and Vizrt. 

Read More

(Source : Association for International Broadcasting)

Radio Taiwan International and ZIZ of St. Kitts and Nevis signed MOU on news and program exchanges.

On October 12, Radio Taiwan International (RTI) and ZIZ of St. Kitts and Nevis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on news and program exchanges.

RTI has already signed MOUs with more than 50 media institutions to promote cooperation, including the VOA, Deutsche Welle, Radio Australia and so on.

The Republic of China on Taiwan established formal diplomatic relations with Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983. The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, also known as the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, is a two-island federal nation in the West Indies.

The MOU was signed by St. Kitts and Nevis's deputy prime minister Sam Condor and RTI Chairman Chang Jung-kung.

(Source : Radio Taiwan International)

Russia: new restrictions on foreign radio ownership

As of 10 November, 2011, foreign and foreign-controlled entities will not be allowed to become the founder of a radio channel or acquire over 50% of shares in a radio channel which broadcasts to more than one half of the territorial subjects of Russia, or over the territory on which one half or more of Russia’s population resides.

Earlier, such restriction applied only to television channels, but has now been extended to include radio channels as well. Licences for radio and television broadcasting will not be issued or renewed to companies which do not meet the above restriction.

(Source: lexology.com via Media Network Weblog)

SatLink adds Ku-band for sub-Saharan Africa

SatLink Communications has announced that it is adding services in Sub-Saharan Africa with new Ku-band capacity on the soon to be launched AMOS-5 satellite. The new Ku-band will take advantage of SatLink’s strategic location, added value broadcast services and Playout solutions to maximize the company’s position as a Gateway to Africa for international and local broadcasters.

“As a provider of global TV distribution services, SatLink offers a variety of solutions to access Africa. We are excited to add more C-band and Ku-band platforms on AMOS-5 at 17°E that complement our African distribution via other satellites. Africa is a growing market and we look forward to enabling more broadcasters to reach their audiences,” commented SatLink’s CEO David Hochner.

(Source: SatLink via Media Network Weblog)

African Edition of “VOA 60” Now on Mobile Sites

Washington, D.C., November 7, 2011 -- Mobile phone users in Africa are discovering they can watch the latest news from around the continent with “VOA 60-Africa,” a fast-paced look at the day’s most important headlines and interesting events.

Voice of America’s new video headline service gives mobile users a convenient and concise look at the major news stories in Sub-Saharan Africa. From this week’s call for the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president, to Prince William’s visit to a UNICEF emergency supply center, "VOA 60-Africa" keeps you informed wherever and whenever you want. It’s your world in 60 seconds.

“There’s been an explosion of mobile phone use in Africa and we wanted to make it easy for people to keep up with the major news developments and the most interesting stories from the region,” says VOA Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard. “VOA 60-Africa gives people a snapshot of the news that matters most to them, in a format they like, on a platform they are comfortable with. Mobile is a logical place for us,” Dillard says.

"VOA 60-Africa" is an outgrowth of the "VOA 60-World" headline service that was introduced earlier this year, and is available on many of VOA’s language service webpages and mobile sites.

Now VOA’s African language mobile sites, from Amharic to the Zimbabwe service, bring you a daily 60 second video round up. The service works on any phone that supports downloadable video.

For more information contact Kyle King at the VOA Public Relations office in Washington at kking@voanews.com, or visit our main website at www.voanews.com, and click on mobile service.

To get VOA in languages other than English, navigate to www.voanews.com/english/mobile and select from our full list of VOA mobile sites.

(Source : Broadcasting Board of Governors Press Release)

NHK promoting sustainable energy

Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, has taken the lead in promoting sustainable energy following the 11 March disaster, its Executive Vice-President, Naoji Ono, said today. 

Speaking during the Special Topic Session at the ABU General Assembly in New Delhi, he said the power shortages caused by the disaster had come as a shock and forced people to re-evaluate their lifestyles. 

Before the earthquake and the accident at Fukushima nuclear plant, atomic energy had generated nearly 30 percent of Japan's electricity. But only 11 of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors were now in operation. 

"Households, businesses, governments and the media all faced a major change. As the public broadcaster, NHK took the lead in covering this paradigm shift," Mr Ono said.

"Many Japanese lost faith in nuclear energy after 11 March. We're reflecting on the energy-hungry society we've built. NHK has covered this issue extensively."

The broadcaster's coverage had included a special, two-part prime time programme titled ‘Rebirth of Japan', as well as regular power forecasts, he said.

"The interest our viewers have in building a sustainable society is growing."

Mr Ono was one of seven speakers at the session, which looked at ‘Media Development and Media for Development'.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Japan and China top winners of ABU Prizes

Japan and China were the top winners of the 2011 ABU Prizes. 

The winners were announced during the ABU Prizes awards ceremony last night. The event was held in conjunction with the 48th ABU General Assembly in New Delhi, India.

Japan was the big winner in the TV segment, winning awards in the drama, youth, news and documentary categories. It also won a radio prize for its drama as well as the Dennis Anthony Memorial Award for its coverage of the 11 March disaster.  

China hauled three radio awards for its news, documentary and external broadcast programmes while its entertainment show nabbed a TV prize. 

This year's competition saw an increase in submissions. There were 141 entries for the TV categories and 73 radio programme submissions.  

2011 ABU PRIZES WINNERS

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

ABU gets new President, Vice-President

The ABU's 48th General Assembly and associated meetings ended in New Delhi today with the announcement of the election of its new President. 

The CEO and President of KBS-Korea Dr Kim In-Kyu was unanimously elected the union's President this evening. His term begins with immediate effect and will last until the end of 2014.

Dr Kim assumes the position after serving as ABU Vice-President since the beginning of this year. Prior to Dr Kim's election, Datuk Ibrahim Yahaya, Media and Broadcast Advisor to Malaysia's Minister of Information, Communication and Culture, was the Acting President. Datuk Ibrahim now resumes his position as ABU Vice-President until the end of 2012. 

Naoji Ono, Executive Vice-President of NHK-Japan was unanimously elected ABU Vice-President to take over the position vacated by Dr Kim. His term begins with immediate effect and will last until the end of 2014.

Mr Ono joins Vice-Presidents Datuk Ibrahim and Murtaza Solangi, who is Director-General of PBC-Pakistan. 

IRIB-Iran was elected to the ABU Administrative Council while MNB-Mongolia and RTPRC-China were re-elected for a three-year term. 

The ABU appointed as Honorary Councillor Yoshinori Imai, who was ABU President from late 2008 to early 2011. Also appointed as Honorary Councillor was Manuel Gonçalves, who was ABU Vice-President from 2007 to 2010.

The 48th ABU General Assembly saw a week of discussions between broadcasters from 126 organisations. The event, hosted by India's largest public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, assembled almost 500 people from 46 countries. 

The General Assembly served as a platform for members to network and share knowledge in a wide range of issues. The ABU is a unique platform for members to work together in programming, technology, sports, news, copyright and other areas.

The General Assembly concluded with a reception hosted by NHK-Japan. The two-day conference which ended today was preceded by five days of meetings of the ABU Programme Committee, Technical Committee and Sports Group, among others.

South Korea's leading broadcaster, KBS, will host the 49th ABU General Assembly in Seoul in October 2012.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Voice of Turkey Monthly Quiz (November) 2011

QUESTION OF THE MONTH  11/11

This month's question is about an international sports event.

Which city hosted the 18th International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament?

A) Kiev
B) İzmir
C) Milan

Three of our listeners to be determined in a draw from among those with the correct answer will receive a present each from the Voice of Turkey.

We expect your answers by 30 November 2011, either by e-mail to englishdesk@trt.net.tr, or by fax for which the number is 00 90 312 463 34 54 .

Our mailing address is TRT, Voice of Turkey, English Desk PO Box 333, 06443 Yenişehir, Ankara, Turkey.

We wish you the best of luck.

(Source : Voice of Turkey)