“Man of vision” steps down as President of the ABU

Dr Kim In-Kyu, described by the United Nation’s General Secretary as “a man of vision”, has completed his term as President and CEO of KBS and has stepped down as President of the ABU.

Dr Kim was elected of a Vice-President of the ABU in 2010 then President a year later.

Speaking after Dr Kim received the 2012 International Emmy Directorate Award in New York on 11 November, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Dr Kim was “a man of vision committed to deepening global understanding within Korea and sharing Korea’s diverse stories across Asia and around the world.

“He has done it for 40 years through quality programming, distinctive broadcasting and leadership, not only at KBS but at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union,” Mr Ban said.

ABU Secretary General Dr Javad Mottaghi praised Dr Kim for his “invaluable contribution, support and impressive achievements that will long be remembered”.

He said Dr Kim had contributed vastly to the development of the organisation and broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific. He numbered among these KBS’s hosting of the 49^th ABU General Assembly, supporting the successful launches of the ABU Radio and TV Song Festivals and the Asia- Pacific View content exchange platform, as well as supporting the ABU@2020 reform process and many other initiatives that “will bring added value to the Union and its members in the years to come”. 

In a farewell letter to ABU members, Dr Kim said together they had “ushered in landmark events that are sure to have a lasting impact on the ABU and the Asia-Pacific Region as a whole”. 

These had included negotiating broadcasting rights to the London Olympics in Pyongyang, facilitating access for North Korean journalists and coverage for North Korean viewers. 

“We also saw the debut of two incredible tributes to the power of music in building Asia-Pacific solidarity, the ABU Radio Song Festival and the ABU TV Song Festival, at the ABU 2012 Seoul General Assembly,” he said. 

“Thanks to all of our achievements, it is with a sense of proud accomplishment that I shall depart from the Presidency of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union this month, as my term as President and CEO at the Korean Broadcasting System has come to an end. Thank you once again for your hard work and dedication. I wish you and the ABU only the best in future endeavours.

Dr Kim added: “Though my official duties at the service of the ABU have now concluded, I will watch your strides into the future with great interest and fondness in my heart.” 

 

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Australian government announces more radio for rural and remote communities

Australia’s Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy, announced that people in rural and remote Australia can now listen to an expanded range of ABC radio services.

“This is great news for people living outside our major cities, who from today can listen to a wider range of ABC radio stations via the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) platform,” Senator Conroy said.

“For the first time, people living outside our capital cities will be able to listen to the ABC’s digital-only radio channels: Dig, ABC Country, ABC Jazz, ABC Digital Extra, ABC Grandstand and triple J Unearthed.” 

“The new ABC services, along with the existing SBS radio services, mean people will have access to more radio stations. This is another step that the Government is taking to close the gap in radio and TV services that has long existed between the cities and the bush.” he added.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

SkyNet wins Premier League broadcasting rights in Myanmar

Myanmar’s SkyNet has been awarded the live broadcast rights for all 380 Barclays Premier League matches per season from seasons 2013/14 to 2015/16, RapidTVNews reports.

Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, said: "We are extremely pleased that SkyNet has chosen to invest in the Premier League and welcome them as a new broadcast partner.

"We look forward to developing a strong working relationship with them as they showcase the Barclays Premier League to our fans in Myanmar."

SkyNet’s managing director, Daw Myint Myint Win, said: "Football is the key driver for SkyNet and the acquisition of the BPL rights is the culmination of SkyNet’s comprehensive football offering.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity of working with the BPL to develop its popularity in Myanmar. This was the first time the BPL rights were offered to the territory of Myanmar on a standalone basis and, despite intense competition from international companies, SkyNet is delighted to be able to offer the world’s most followed football league to its viewers."

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

RTI English Service Has an Opening For a Program Host/Reporter

Responsibilities include: translating, writing, broadcasting, interviewing, producing programs and maintaining web page. Applicants must:

-- have graduated from university

-- have a good speaking voice

-- be fluent in spoken and written English

-- be proficient in speaking and reading Chinese

-- have a strong interest in the broadcasting profession

-- have basic computer skills

-- have basic Internet skills

Those interested should download an application form from our web page (http://www.rti.org.tw/big5/checked/resume/index.aspx ) and send it to RTI-English@rti.org.tw by December 3rd, 2012. Written and mic. tests will be administered for this position from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on December 8th, 2012.

Address: RTI Personnel Department, No. 55, Bei-An Road, Taipei, Taiwan

Fax: (02)2885-0403 Tel: (02) 2885-6168 #516

(Applicants must provide a phone number; qualified applicants will be notified before the test date. Resumes will not be returned.)

(Source: Radio Taiwan International)

KBS World Radio English Service will hold its year-end special program “Adieu 2012” on December 31st

KBS World Radio English Service will hold its year-end special program “Adieu 2012” on December 31st.

As part of the program, we are running a survey among our listeners to find out:
1) Who is your favorite host of KBS World Radio English Service?
2) What is your favorite program?
3) What program would you launch if you became a producer for KBS World Radio?

Please send your answers to english@kbs.co.kr by the first week of December. We will collect your answers and announce them on “Adieu 2012”! Ten randomly-selected participants will receive KBS World Radio souvenirs.

All through the week
News Anchors – Bruce Harrison, Sydney Langford
& June Chang
K POP Connection with DJ Young & Angie Park

Monday
Seoul Calling with Mark Broome & Karen Choi
Business Watch with Yooree Kim

Tuesday
Seoul Calling with Mark Broome & Sydney Langford
Trend Korea with Karen Choi

Wednesday
Seoul Calling with Daniel Choi & Karen Choi
Sounds of Korea with Chieun Kim

Thursday
Seoul Calling with Mark Broome & Sydney
Korea, Today and Tomorrow with Yoon-jung Kim

Friday
Seoul Calling with Daniel Choi & Yooree Kim
Current Affairs in Focus with Dr. Kim Byung-joo

Saturday
Seoul Report with Mark Broome, or with Yooree Kim
Worldwide Friendship with Sophia Hong and Sydney Langford

Sunday
Korean POP Interactive with Karen Choi

 

(Source : KBS English Facebook Page)

Experts meet in Myanmar to develop broadcasting

More than 100 broadcasters and technical professionals from Myanmar and across the region attended a three-day gathering in Yangon co-hosted by the ABU to promote broadcasting development.

Myanmar’s Forever Group helped organise and host the Digital Broadcasting Conference for Asian Broadcasters, an annual event comprising two days of workshops and a conference. 

The Conference was inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Information in Myanmar, U Paik Htway, who expressed hope the broadcasting industry in Myanmar would develop rapidly and meet the needs of the growing audiences. 

 “This gathering of experts is certainly fruitful and will benefit broadcasters locally and in the region,” he said.

After outlining current developments in the media industry of Myanmar, he thanked the organisers for bringing together such a productive broadcasting technology event. 

Earlier, in welcoming participants, Mr Sharad Sadhu of the ABU said the conference would expose delegates to new developments in broadcasting technology and in the rest of the industry.

Forever Group Director Mr Khin Maung Htay surveyed the media landscape in Myanmar and developments envisaged in the near term.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

BBC appoints ‘safe pair of hands’ as it new Director-General

The BBC Trust has today appointed Tony Hall - Lord Hall of Birkenhead - as the Director-General of the BBC, following the departure of George Entwistle.

Lord Hall is currently Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, was Chairman of the board for the Cultural Olympiad and was head of BBC News and Current Affairs from 1996 to 2001. While at the BBC, he launched BBC News Online, as well as Radio 5 Live, BBC News 24 and BBC Parliament. At present he is Deputy Chairman of Channel 4.

Lord Hall is expected to start in early March and in the interim period Tim Davie will remain as Acting Director-General.

Announcing the appointment, BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten said the appointment is a first step in rebuilding the corporations reputation and trust:

"While there are still very serious questions to be answered by the on-going inquiries, it is in the interests of licence fee payers that the BBC now starts to refocus on its main purpose – making great programmes that audiences love and trust.

"In doing this it will need to take a long, hard look at the way it operates and put in place the changes required to ensure it lives up to the standards that the public expects. Tony Hall is the right person to lead this and I am delighted that he is taking on this role. For its part I want to make sure that the Trust gives Tony Hall whatever help and support he needs to re-build the BBC's management around him.

"Tony Hall has been an insider and is a currently an outsider. As an ex-BBC man he understands how the Corporation's culture and behaviour make it, at its best, the greatest broadcaster in the world. And from his vantage point outside the BBC, he understands the sometimes justified criticisms of the Corporation – that it can be inward looking and on occasions too institutional.

"But perhaps most importantly, given where we now find ourselves, his background in news will prove invaluable as the BBC looks to rebuild both its reputation in this area and the trust of audiences." 

Lord Hall said he believes in the BBC and is passionate about its services: "This organisation is an incredibly important part of what makes the United Kingdom what it is. And of course it matters not just to people in this country – but to tens of millions around the world too.

"I'm committed to ensuring our news services are the best in the world.

"I'm committed to making this a place where creative people, the best and the brightest, want to work.

The appointment was made following a direct approach from the BBC Trust to Lord Hall. The Trust did not approach any other candidates. Lord Hall did not apply for the job when it last became vacant as a result of Mark Thompson's departure. 

 

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Deutsche Welle accuses Voice of Russia of manipulating Romanian parliament

The Voice of Russia radio, one of the largest and oldest foreign-language broadcasters in the world, has once again experienced attacks coming from Europe. This time it was Germany’s state-run Deutsche Welle radio that accused the Voice of Russia of making Romania a “banana republic” and disintegrating the basics of a legal state in the country, as well as attempting to distance Romania from Berlin and Brussels.

The German radio claims that the Voice of Russia is manipulating Romanian MPs and is turning the country into a Russian colony. The Russian broadcaster is also accused of masterminding a strategy to affect the Romanian parliament to change the country’s Constitution “in line with the Voice of Russia wishes”.

Earlier, Romania’s’ President Traian Basescu stated that the country’s opposition, media and analysts are carrying out orders transmitted via the Voice of Russia instead of listening to the Western media.

DW accusations are another link in a series of attacks on the Russian radio which broadcasts on air and online in 37 languages. According to the Voice of Russia it has recently suffered a series of attacks –beginning from diplomatic and administrative pressure to hacking attacks on its partners’ sites in Europe.

The Voice of Russia has forwarded a letter to DW offering a thorough discussion on the matter to exchange opinions and information.

Earlier, Romanian President was given an opportunity to speak out on the VoR air and website.

(Source : Voice of Russia)

Tanzania: Airtel, UNESCO set to introduce community radio in Ngorongoro

Airtel Tanzania in collaboration with UNESCO is expected to launch a formal community radio tomorrow in the Ololosokwami village in Ngorongoro, Arusha.

Airtel Director for Communications, Beatrice Singano said that the celebration of the launch of the community radio will be attended and officiated by Minister for Communications, Science and Technology Professor Makame Mbarawa.

She explained that, “Airtel and UNESCO has fulfilled its commitment to reach more people especial in rural areas through communication as well as helping women in communities particularly marginalized mothers who have been left behind without having their roles and contribution to the community recognized.

“This project will help eliminate the current challenges and wrong practices including outdated traditions, poor education, superstitious beliefs, poverty, sexual abuse and rapid growth of HIV and AIDS and so many other problems,” said Singano.

She added that, “preparations for the opening ceremony have been completed, radio broadcasting is expected to cover Ololosokwani and 14 neighboring villages; also through various Airtel products and services including Airtel money service resident of Ololosokwani and neighboring villages will conveniently and easily get access to financial services she added Singano.

Commenting on the installation of radio equipments, the UNESCO Project Officer for information and communication Yusuph Al Amin said, “Our social project has been completed; we thank Airtel and all stakeholders for their cooperation and support in completing this goal.

He added that, “this plant will provide communication to all residents in Ololosokwani and neighboring villages; we have also developed a multimedia center for residents to visit and integrate with a sophisticated network of Airtel internet.”
Other beneficiaries of Community Radio projects includes; Sengerema Mwanza, Karagwe Kagera, Chake Chake Pemba, Makunduchi Unguja, Pangani Tanga, Kyela Mbeya and Kalama Shinyanga.

(Source : The Guardian via IPP Media)

India: AIR FM channels undergo changes to increase listenership

Both the FM Radio channels of All India Radio – FM Gold and FM Rainbow – have been given a completely new face this month with several new programmes and other changes.

These changes came into effect from 12 November, which is observed as the Public Service Broadcasting Day in India to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s maiden and only visit to AIR studio. In a broadcast on 12 November 1947, Gandhi had addressed refugees from Pakistan stationed at the camp at Kurukshetra. 

AIR sources told Radioandmusic.com that the most major change in AIR Rainbow has been the rationalization of western music vis-à-vis Indian music. 

On FM Gold, five new shows have been introduced without touching the main programmes that are already popular with listeners. 

Realising that long news bulletins were irritants to viewers who were keen to listen to golden melodies for which the channel is known, the sources added that English and Hindi bulletins will be broadcast for five minutes alternately every hour instead of both being broadcast together. However, the bulletins will be broadcast together four times a day. 

Thus, the sources said the time for music had been increased substantially. 

Long discussions on economic subjects have been reduced to a maximum of fifteen minutes once a day. The 'Sports Scan' programme which is broadcast at 8 pm will now be a 15-minute programme that will be broadcast from 8.30 pm to 8.45 pm in place 

Greater attention will be paid to interviews with personalities, and to listeners’ requests, the sources said.

(Source : Radioandmusic.com)

The RFI Listeners' Club is going strong!

The RFI Listeners' Club is going strong! As a member of the RFI Listeners' Club, you’ll receive extra goodies when you win a quiz – so join today! All you have to do to become a member of the RFI Listeners' Club is to send us two identity photographs, your full name, your postal mailing address and if you have one, your email address.

Your official RFI Listeners' Club membership card and number will be sent to you by my good colleague Sébastien Bonijol in the Listener Relations department. Every time you enter a quiz, include your membership number - and if you win, you’ll find an extra special present in your mailbox. So don’t put it off – send your photos and mailing address to Sébastien today!

Sébastien Bonijol
RFI – Relations Auditeurs
80, rue Camille Desmoulins
92130, Issy-les-Moulineaux
France

(Source : Sound Kitchen, RFI)

Radio Sweden quiz: Imperialism - Swedish Greatness

Radio Sweden quiz: Imperialism - Swedish Greatness

With gifts from the radio-Sweden-box surprise

There are Swedish historians who believe that the Greatness of their country, imperialism would, too little attention. This Swedish imperialism was mainly in the 16th and 17 Century instead.

The Swedish king wanted to make their own values ​​and interests in areas that were not part of Sweden, submitted. Here Sweden worked with military subjugation, political and economic influence.

What area did not belong to the Swedish sphere of influence?

a) parts from the Baltics, Pomerania, northern Germany and Denmark

b) The enclave Città Gotenburga at Argentina's west coast

c) Finland and the small Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy

 

Your response should be sent to:

radioschweden@sverigesradio.se

Deadline is Monday, the 19th November 2012. In our pod broadcast on the same day, you will learn who won.

(Translated via Google Translator)

[ Original Text in German]

Radio Schweden Quiz: Imperialismus - Schwedische Großmachtzeit

Mit Geschenken aus der Radio-Schweden-Überraschungskiste

Es gibt schwedische Geschichtswissenschaftler, die meinen, die Großmachtzeit ihres Landes, der Imperialismus, werde zu wenig beachtet. Dieser schwedische Imperialismus fand hauptsächlich im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert statt.
Der schwedische König wollte eigene Wertvorstellungen und Interessen in Gebieten, die nicht zu Schweden gehörten, geltend machen. Dabei arbeitete Schweden mit militärischer Unterwerfung, politischer und wirtschaftliche Einflussnahme.
Welches Gebiet gehörte nicht zum schwedischen Einflussbereich?

a) Teile vom Baltikum, Pommern, Norddeutschland und Dänemark

b) Die Enklave Città Gotenburga an der argentinischen Westküste

c) Finnland und die kleine karibische Insel Saint-Barthélemy

Ihre Antwort schicken Sie bitte an:

radioschweden@sverigesradio.se

Einsendeschluss ist Montag, der 19. November 2012. In unserer Pod-Sendung am selben Tag erfahren Sie, wer gewonnen hat.

(Source : Radio Sweden German Service)

BMW to include DAB radio in all new cars

All new BMW models launched in the UK will have DAB digital radios fitted as standard across the entire range from January 2013.

DAB is currently an option on new models and as standard in some high-end models, including the 7 Series, and follows the decision of the BMW Group to fit new Minis with digital radio as standard from September 2010.

BMW say the move sees the marque establish a marked lead in the switch over to digital radio, and comes soon after it offered owners of older BMWs the chance to upgrade their vehicles with a retrofit solution. In July 2012 BMW announced that they would provide a digital radio aftermarket adapter solution in their UK franchise dealers that would enable any BMW model to be converted to receive digital radio.

BMW sells over 116,000 cars annually in the UK and their 3 Series is the 8th best-selling new model in the UK.

The BMW digital radio announcement follows the recent Drive 2 Digital Conference which heard from the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey, that Government plan to make a radio switchover announcement in 2013 and that the BBC is actively building DAB coverage out towards 97%.

Over 300 automotive industry and broadcaster attendees heard from the Minister about progress being made on fitting digital radios in cars. Minister Ed Vaizey announced that digital listening had increased to nearly one third of all listening and that a quarter of new cars were now fitted with digital radio as standard. He said that this great progress demonstrated that listeners love digital radio and that the car industry was fully engaged with the transition to digital.

The BBC’s acting Director General, Tim Davie, confirmed the BBC’s commitment to digital radio at the conference, and said increases in digital listening meant that the road to a future digital radio switchover was now clear and inevitable. He said this was due to listeners loving the expanded choice on digital radio. Davie announced that specific plans for BBC national DAB coverage build-out to 97% would be confirmed in spring 2013, with a focus on ensuring that all motorways and major road networks were covered.

Ford, Vauxhall and VW have already announced plans to accelerate their transition to providing digital radio as standard in new models. According to SMMT, in September 2012 26% of all new cars had digital radio as standard and Ford of Britain confirmed that over 50% of their new cars in the UK now came with digital radio as standard.

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, welcomed the BMW announcement saying that this is a real tipping point on the transition to offering digital radio in all new cars. He said that it is good news for drivers as research conducted by Digital Radio UK and Auto Trader shows high satisfaction levels among drivers with digital radio in their car, and high willingness to recommend to others. Ennals said that the new industry communications campaign, which launches on BBC TV on 17 November, followed by heavyweight commercial and BBC radio, would carry a strong message about the benefits of digital radio in-car.

Tim Davie, the BBC’s acting Director General, says: “While it is encouraging to see record numbers for BBC digital stations, the real breakthrough will come when DAB radio is in all cars. Therefore, it is excellent news that while the BBC builds out coverage, more and more car manufacturers are now announcing that DAB will be standard fit in all their models.”

(Source : Radio World, UK)

Media freedom also a challenge to EU States

The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in Brussels heard on November 6 that "media freedom is not a done deal – even in the European Union."

Cyprus Press and Information office director, Eleonora Gavrielides, who was speaking on behalf of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU, told the hearing on Media Freedom: "More concerted and concentrated effort is needed to safeguard media freedom and pluralism in the Member States.”

The observation was shared by Anthony Whelan, Head of Cabinet of Commission Vice-president Neelie Kroes : "Most EU citizens enjoy a relatively high level of media freedom and pluralism, " he said, "but in a Union of 27, there are constant challenges to a completely open and plural environment."

Mr Whelan added: “Issues such as media concentration and diversity restrictions on the media, both online and offline, controlled pressure and interference by the State, and also in some cases failures of self regulation, constantly appear on the agenda.”

Another speaker at the hearing, Senior Manager of the Mapping Digital Media project Marius Dragomir, identified issues such as increasing the deregulation of ownership rules, and the negative impact of business restructuring on investigative journalism. “The situation is getting worse for media freedom as a result of the economic crisis”, he said.

European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Head of European Affairs Nicola Frank said that public service media (PSM) have a specific commitment to media freedom and pluralism, but require the right conditions to fulfil their mission. Ms Frank said: “The editorial independence of PSM must be scrupulously respected by governments and ensured by regular reviews by independently-operated bodies. There is also a need for adequate, sustainable funding."

University of Leuven Professor Peggy Valcke questioned why EU regulations required the establishment of independent regulatory bodies in the telecom, but not the media sector.

Many participants, including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), said that the European Parliament should be courageous and make strong demands to counter the negative trends impeding media freedom in Europe and elsewhere.

Opinion expressed at the hearing will be included in the European Parliament’s upcoming report on Media Freedom Standard Setting by Romanian Liberal MEP Renate Weber, as well as the final report of the European Commission’s High Level Group on Media Freedom and Pluralism, expected this December.

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

The broadcaster's dilemma: how to do more with less

Delegates at this week's EBU FORECAST'12 seminar heard plenty of evidence pointing to the dilemma facing broadcasters today: while the are increasing pressures to deliver more content and more services, the essential real-estate that drives broadcasting - spectrum - is continually being squeezed by the demands of the mobile sector.

Live TV audiences are growing and there is an ever increasing demand for higher quality as sets get bigger. FORECAST'12 attendees heard about the techniques broadcasters are exploring to help them meet these demands through more efficient spectrum use. Mobile industry people were also in attendance to present their efforts to develop networks that would cooperate more effectively, but the demands from that industry for bigger slices of the spectrum currently used for broadcasting are plain to see.

On day two of FORECAST'12, Prof. Reimers of TUBS spoke about his dynamic broadcasting and LTE overlay projects: both designed to merge the key assets of mobile, broadcast and fixed broadband networks. His message was to point towards the  network architectures, rather than operating in the silos that are mobile telecommunications and broadcasting. Some delegates voiced concern that the necessary cooperation between the two sectors would not happen.

A key prsentation on day two looked at the environmental impact of broadcasting. Simon Tuff (BBC) pointed to the fact that 60% of the TV industry's impact is due to domestic installations (TV sets, antenna amplifiers, etc.). He cautioned that proposals to move broadcasting to low-tower, low-power topologies could increase the energy consumption of a typical network by 100%. He highlighted the EBU's programme on Green Broadcasting as an important first step towards finding realistic ways to address these issues.

FORECAST'12 attracted more than 110 participants and speakers drawn from public and private broadcasters, network operators, regulators, academia and the telecoms industry. The presentations from the event are available to EBU Members from the event webpage.

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

MBC Korea seeks active involvement in ABU activities

In a high-level visit to the ABU headquarters, Korea’s Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) confirmed its commitment to play a bigger role in current and future projects of the Union.

MBC Executive Vice-President Ahn Kwang-Han, admitted that despite being a Full Member of the ABU since 1966, MBC has yet to be actively involved in the Union. “However, now we are here to look at ways to develop partnerships with ABU”, he said.

Ms Lee Jin-Sook, MBC Executive Managing Director, Planning and Public Relations, added that the General Assembly in Seoul in October demonstrated ABU’s capabilities as a modern and dynamic organisation and that MBC wants to strengthen its connections with the Union.

ABU Secretary-General Dr Javad Mottaghi welcomed MBC’s commitment to the Union and outlined several possible partnerships between the two organisations in areas such as content exchange, expert secondments and annual forums showcasing best practices in broadcasting and technology in the region. “MBC is one of the most developed members of the Union and it is important that the corporation shares its knowledge and expertise with our less developed members, especially as they are moving to multimedia formats”, Dr Mottaghi said.

MBC is one of three public service broadcasters in Korea. It was among the first broadcasters in Asia to introduce Digital Multimedia Broadcasting service (launched in 2005) which allows for free transmission of video, audio and data files via mobile receivers such as cellular phones and DMB terminals.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

ABU Digital Broadcasting Conference to take place in Myanmar

The ABU-organised conference on digital broadcasting for Asian broadcasters will be held in Yangon, Myanmar from 19 – 21 Nov 2012.

The event is being hosted by one of ABU’s Myanmar members, The Forever Group, and comprises two days of workshops and a one day conference. 

The workshops will address digital implementation strategies, new transmitter technologies as well as other topical and current issues such as Early Warning Broadcast Systems, frequency planning and related TV and radio broadcast technological developments.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

China to hold its CBIT2012 & DOF in Chongquing

The fifth China Broadcasting Industrial Trend (CBIT) and the first ever DVB+OTT Integration & Innovation Forum (DOF) Annual Conference will take place December 6-7 in southeast of Chongqing, the most competitive capital city of China's vast southwest hinterland.

For the first time, the CBIT is held out of Beijing, and organised in conjunction with the Chongqing CATV Network Company. During the two-day conference, this year's top ten China broadcasting industrial news as well as the next year's top ten industrial development trends will be announced.

This year’s CBIT theme is innovation and the meeting will focus on the evolution from traditional media to new media and its effect on the Chinese radio and television industry.  Issues such as cross-platform development, business innovation, promotion and development of China's TV industry will feature prominently in the discussions. The DVB + OTT fusion Innovation Forum will hold its first annual meeting on 7 December. Part of the event will consist of an open forum bringing together developers and other industry stakeholders to explore the integration of DVB + OTT.  The Forum will culminate with the unveiling of the Enhanced TV project, as well as its work on cross-device interconnection standards and the Wired Smart One Machine project which aims to integrate digital TV, cable and smart TV to optimise B2B functionality and cooperation.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

DRM to Celebrate Indian Platform Activity with Workshop in New Delhi

India is one of the leading countries in introducing DRM through an ambitious roll-out plan spearheaded by the public broadcaster, All India Radio (AIR). The progress has been good but the successful take-up of Digital Radio for the millions of radio listening Indians will depend on: affordable receivers, sufficient digital broadcasts, effective marketing and good content.

With the endorsement of AIR, the DRM Consortium launched an “Indian DRM Chapter” (Platform) in February 2011. Its focus is to support the digital roll-out in India. The Platform, which meets virtually every month in order to exchange information and share in the latest development, is to hold a DRM Workshop at the LaLit Hotel in New Delhi on November 22nd. This event will offer an opportunity to all interested parties and stakeholders to hear how the DRM transmissions in India have been progressing, to get the latest DRM news from all over the world and receive an update on the All India Radio digital roll-out.

Mr Yogendra Pal, the Honorary Chair of the India Platform is looking forward to this meeting of the India
Platform: “The meeting of the Indian Platform members is long overdue. Though we share information virtually all the time there is no better way to get the latest information and contribute to the successful introduction of DRM in India, than meeting face to face.”

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chair, is keen that this event should be open and welcoming to anyone
interested: “DRM needs to go beyond the transmission sites and excite radio manufacturers, content-makers
and listeners now. As you know, the DRM India Platform is open to membership from other broadcasters, digital chip, module and receiver manufacturers, transmission companies, distributors and retailers. On the 22nd we will all meet and take the project forward.”

For more information on the event on November 22nd please write to: projectoffice@drm.org

(Source : DRM Consortium)

KeyStone is Launching New High-Performance & Low-Cost FM/DAB Single-Chip to Realize Digital Radio at £19.9

KeyStone Semiconductor Corp. (KeyStone), a fabless semiconductor developer of advanced digital radio technology announces today that it enters mass production of its third-generation series of single-chip FM/DAB/DAB+ receiver ICs. The new digital radio chips employ advanced semiconductor process not only to reduce the chip manufacturing cost but also to cut power consumption. The new generation FM/DAB/DAB+ single-chip achieves DAB/DAB+ sensitivity better than -102 dBm with a super low-power consumption at 120 mW, which saves more than twice of the power consumption than its competitors. New on-chip RF tuners further improve adjacent-channel rejection exceeding DRUK's automotive ACS requirements. 

KSW8088CS is an improved new design that supports both analogue FM and digital audio broadcasting (DAB) reception. Like its prior two generations, KSW8088CS also fully integrates triple-band RF tuner, demodulators, audio decoders, micro controller, flash memory, etc. onto a single-chip leaving no expensive components on the modules. Thanks to the employment of advanced semiconductor process and novel RF tuner design, KSW8088CS is able to reduce its manufacturing cost to meet low-entry-price digital radio market demands. At USD 4.0 per chip, factories will be able to produce digital radios priced under £19.9 to facilitate the population of DAB in the UK market.

KeyStone is WorldDMB and Bluetooth SIG members. Its FM/DAB/DAB+ modules are certified by Apple MFi programs. Products employing KeyStone DAB/DAB+ modules and Bluetooth Radio Wizard (BRW) technology are available at Apple Store. Samples and demo units are available for ordering. For more information on KeyStone’s digital radio single-chip modules and BRW technology, please contact KeyStone at contact@keystonesemi.com. 

(Source : PR Web via WorldDMB)

Harris aids DB Digital Broadcasting in first DAB Digital Radio trials

DB Digital Broadcasting, Ireland's national independent multiplex and network transmission provider, is using Harris transmitters in its Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) digital radio trials, currently taking place in and around Dublin.

Launched earlier this summer, the DAB digital radio trial currently broadcasts three radio services in the Dublin area: All 80s, UCB, and Raidió Rí-Rá, which to this point was an internet-only service. Each service broadcasts on traditional DAB and the new DAB+ standard. The DAB+ service includes slideshows displaying images as well as the station's audio broadcasts. In particular, All 80s is working with All-In-Media's Rapid software, delivering rich dynamically updated information from "now playing" to weather/traffic info plus listener requests, all displayed on-screen and delivered via Harris DAB transmitters.

DB Digital Broadcasting has standardized on Harris DAB transmitters after wide testing that included other manufacturers. The project employs high- and low-power Platinum VAX VHF air-cooled transmitter and Harris PowerSmart technologies for maximum space- and power-efficiency, while providing a solid foundation for network expansion as desired. The DAB transmitters are configured differently from Ireland national broadcaster RTÉ's analog mux to allow direct A/B comparisons of both services. The differences in distance and building penetration between systems will be investigated to help with planning of the forthcoming SFN (Single Frequency Network) part of the DAB trial.

"We selected Harris as our transmission partner since the company has an exceedingly good track record stretching over many years and is a recognized world leader in DAB technology." explained Dusty Rhodes, managing director of DB Digital Broadcasting. "Harris' involvement in projects such as Norkring's creation of the world's largest DAB radio network in Norway will enable it to manufacture DAB transmission solutions on a far greater scale and create economies of scale. The company's transmission track record, married with its direct experience in DAB radio, makes Harris an attractive proposition for us."

Expanding coverage and services planned

The DAB trials are on-going and DB Digital Broadcasting has ambitious network expansion plans. By Christmas, it intends to double the number of DAB radio services offered on the Dublin network to six, and in 2013 it plans to expand network coverage to the cities of Cork and Limerick.

"Public reaction to new trial services has been very positive." reports Rhodes. "We are constantly surprised by the amount of people who find our trial 'by accident' when playing with a new radio and wondering what the DAB button does!"

"Some disappointment has been expressed by members of the public that more commercial services are not available. Interestingly they view us, the mux provider, as being responsible for how many and which stations are broadcast. The reality is our trial is open to all but it is up to stations/content providers to acquire the appropriate licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to enable broadcasting on DAB."

(Source : Media Mughals)

New Radio-Canada app for iPad and iPad mini

On October 29, Radio-Canada released its free app for iPad and iPad mini.

The app’s front page refreshes daily to keep you up to speed on the latest news, plus it hand-picks content for you from Radio-Canada’s top stories, based on your preferences.

Providing full access to Radio-Canada news, Première Chaîne and Espace musique live radio (geotargeted), top audio and video picks, plus weather reports and current affairs programming, the Radio-Canada iPad app is packed with unparalleled content.

Following are the app’s main features:

• Personalized menu options
• Geotargeted local news and weather
• Breaking news alerts
• Share news items on social media, or by text/email
• Live Radio de Radio-Canada streams

Stay connected anytime, anywhere!

(Source : CBC Radio Canada Blog)

Digital text via analog shortwave radio broadcast this weekend on KBC Radio

At The Mighty KBC, we have been experimenting with digital text modes during our Sunday 0000-0200 UTC broadcast on 9450 kHz. Text via shortwave can be a useful substitute if the Internet is disrupted or blocked. To decode the digital text transmissions, we suggest that you download FLDIGI from www.w1hkj.com. Please also download FLMSG, because we will use it on our 25 November broadcast. On 18 November, the first text transmission at about 0130 UTC will be in three modes simultaneously. On the 'waterfall,' PSKR125 will be centered at 1000 Hz, DominoEX 16 at 1500 Hz, and MFSK32 at 2000 Hz. Decode one of the modes from your radio, then decode the others from your recording. Just before 0200 UTC, The Mighty KBC program schedule will be sent as a web page. Two modes will be available: PSKR250 on the left, and MFSK64 on the right. Decode one from the radio, and the other from your recording.

(Source : The Mighty KBC via kimandrewelliott.com

TRT Documentary Awards open for entries

Turkey’s public broadcaster the Turkish Radio Television Corporation (TRT) has called for entries in its TRT Documentary Awards in both national and international cagegories.  The Awards are designed to support amateur and professional documentary film-makers and to foster the development and production of the documentary film genre.

The TRT Documentary Awards is open to all documentary film-makers who are eligible to enter the competition and there is no participation fee.

Deadline for entries for the pre-selection round is 25 January 2013.

The winners of the TRT Documentary Awards will be announced on 13 May 2013 in a special Gala event programme which will be broadcast on TRT TV channels in the presence of the members of the Selection Committees, the Directors of the winning documentaries, members of the press and other guests.

Detailed information regarding the conditions of entry, deadlines, and prizes can be found at www.trtdoc.com.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

EURO-CHIP WILL MOBILIZE DIGITAL RADIO'S FUTURE

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has launched a campaign for all new radios and mobile devices to be fitted with a ‘Euro-Chip’, which will give Digital Radio vital impetus and a surer future in Europe. 

Euro-Chip integrates the main radio standards, such as digital (DAB/DAB+/DMB) and analogue (FM), into one universal radio receiver, overcoming incompatibilities and bringing important benefits to broadcasters, manufacturers and consumers.

Owners of any device containing a live Euro-Chip – including smartphones and tablets – can enjoy cost-free broadcast reception, even as they cross international borders or pass between digital and analogue signals.

Crucially, Euro-Chipped smartphones will draw younger people to radio; EBU research consistently confirms that it is the device, and not the delivery system, that matters most to them.

The technology will also enhance radio’s role as the optimum communications medium in the event of networks failure, during for instance, natural disasters; at these pressured times, broadcast networks usually continue to work.

The EBU wants action on several levels:

• Although many devices have been fitted with a radio chip, dormant chips must be activated.
• Radio chip tools should be open and accessible for creative minds to develop new applications.
• Any future radios and smart devices must contain active Euro-Chips when they reach the shelves.  

To this end, the EBU will talk to key stakeholders, such as carmakers, legislators and electronics manufacturers, to spread universal awareness of the huge opportunity that Euro-Chip represents.

EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot said: “Radio is extremely popular in Europe, but it has not enjoyed the same momentum as television, notably in the consumer electronics sphere. We want to send a clear signal that the EBU is determined to make radio a key part of Europe’s digital future.”

The EBU Executive Board has agreed a declaration in support of Euro-Chip, which lists the reasons why Euro-Chip is essential:

• Efficient network use: Euro-Chip eases pressure on mobile broadband networks while making full use of spectrum allocations for digital and analogue radio.
• Cost-free listening: In mobile phones, Euro-Chip enables audiences to receive broadcast services everywhere at no incremental cost. Consumers will not need to pay for broadband reception of free-to-air radio services.
• An Internal Market-friendly device: future-proof and interoperable, Euro-Chip enables radio reception in dozens of countries.
• Huge potential for innovative radio services: access to radio chips and hybrid radio services will engender new business models, creative opportunities and audience interaction.
• Enhanced public safety: Radio is the most resilient communications medium in natural disasters and national emergencies, a feature that Euro-Chip will enhance by increasing radio’s reach. Euro-Chip will also boost road safety in Europe by simplifying the delivery of real-time, language-independent traffic information about local and cross-border conditions.

(Source: European Broadcasting Union)

Deutsche Welle launches its first open online course for journalists in Arab countries

The Open Media Summit is DW Akademie's first open online course. Live video discussions, online resources and social media create a shared learning environment for citizen journalists and bloggers from the Arab world. 

From now until December 16, participants in the Open Media Summit can take part in interactive online training sessions on topics such as the responsible use of online information sources, the potential of data-driven journalism and Internet censorship. The main language of the course is Arabic and there is also an English website. Participation in the Open Media Summit (#OMS 2012) is free and it is open to anyone interested from North Africa and other Arab countries.

"Aside from on-site workshops," says Gerda Meuer, Managing Director of DW Akademie, "the Internet - especially Facebook and Twitter - lends itself to training opportunities for bloggers and citizen journalists." DW Akademie is testing how e-learning and social media outlets can successfully be combined for shared learning and teaching based on the massive open online course (MOOC) concept. MOOCs are a new educational format currently being widely discussed, especially in higher education circles.

DW Akademie's Open Media Summit has involved experts from the region and developed the course based on their expertise. "We expect the Internet activists to actively contribute to the educational progress of the participants with their input," says Meuer, describing the idea behind the project. "Our intention is to bring together the knowledge from the region and pass it on."

The OMS 2012 is part of a larger project to provide support and training to social media activists from the region and is conducted jointly with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) with funding by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is the first project of its kind inmedia development activities for the Arab world and ties into Deutsche Welle's longstanding commitment to online activists and citizen journalists. In 2004, Deutsche Welle initiated the annual Deutsche Welle Blog Awards - The BOBs - and was the first broadcaster in the country to launch its own YouTube channels and Facebook pages.

The virtual OMS campus is online at dw-akademie.de/oms2012. In addition, there is a dedicated Facebook group as well as Twitter feed. Reporters Without Borders supports the online event on topics related to Internet censorship.

Join the Open Media Summit on Twitter: #oms2012

(Source : Deutsche Welle)

India starts Phase II of digitisation

India has started the countdown for the second phase of digitisation in 38 cities in 15 states, the deadline for which is 31 March 2013, RapidTVNews reports.

Following the successful switchover in Mumbai and Delhi, Information & Broadcasting Secretary Uday Kumar Varma recently held a meeting to review Phase II. Digitisation in Kolkata is most likely to happen after Diwali and in Chennai, the fourth metro covered in the first phase, and this will be decided by the Madras High Court on 19 November.

The ministry has planned a one-day workshop this month to prepare an integrated plan of action for a smooth transition to digital cable TV in Phase II cities.

It has asked the multi-system operators (MSOs) to make a thorough assessment of the number of set-top boxes (STBs). “MSOs have also been asked to provide information about the estimated number of STBs and their plans for procurement of STBs to ensure that the deadline of 31 March 2013 is met in these Phase II cities,” the ministry said.

(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Kenya: Rural Kenya Tunes in Community Radio for Weather Alerts

The tea and coffee bushes growing on the hillsides around Isaac Kinyua's home have long provided him and many of his kin with a livelihood, giving Central Kenya an economic edge over other parts of the country.

But the hillsides are also periodically hit by landslides - one reason Kinyua is now taking the precaution of building a concrete wall on the eastern side of his house, where the land falls steeply to the valley below.

Why now? Because lately, when Kinyua tunes in his portable radio, he receives weather alerts from the nearby community radio station. One recent warning advised that heavy rains are expected in November and December.

"Disaster preparedness is very important here because of unexpected changes in the weather and mudslides," says Kinya.

Just three years ago, when Kangema had no such early warning system, tragedy struck in the form of a landslide that killed a 13-year-old girl and forced hundreds of people to leave their homes.

Kangema RANET 106.5 FM, Kangema's local station, pulls in listeners with plenty of local music. When Kinyua goes shopping, he is happy to find the radio blaring in the rows of shops that line Kangema's shopping area.

What grabs the attention of Winfred Chege, one of the stallholders, however, is not music but the occasional interruption for weather forecasts.

When the presenter has finished, Chege knows she has to find a way to shelter the food she has been selling all morning at her makeshift grocery shed, because there is likely to be some drizzle a few minutes after midday.

She pulls out a soiled plastic cover tucked into one edge of the stall and begins to roll it over the fruit and vegetables stacked in rows on the ground as the skies above begin to darken. She then puts on a heavy sweater and waits for the rain to pass.

"Since the community radio station was established it has been helping us to know what is around us in terms of short and longer term weather patterns," says the 63-year-old grandmother. "Now I know what to do."

That would have been difficult a few years ago, according to the officer in charge of the radio station, Josphat Kang'ethe, who grew up in this area, one of the rainiest parts of the country.

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(Source: AlertNet via allAfrica.com)