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CX2SA > SWL 17.03.05 06:19l 127 Lines 5401 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Read: DK5RAS GUEST
Subj: DX LISTENING DIG. 5-046 07/18
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CX2SA
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SWL@WW
** SWITZERLAND. SRI programs ``return`` -- There's this little "P.S."
at the end of the greeting that accompanies the weekly e-mail from
swissinfo.org
"P.S. This week, swissinfo launches its revamped MP3 website,
containing a selection of programmes, reports and interviews from the
archives of Swiss Radio International, including SRI's final
broadcasts. Click on the banner to take a trip down memory lane."
It occurs to me that the only thing wrong with this is that it
shouldn't be a trip down memory lane. If you never were fortunate to
hear SRI in its heyday, after listening to these archives you'll
understand what I'm saying (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, March 15,
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U K [and non]. BBC WS TO FURTHER REDUCE FREQUENCIES TO THE AMERICAS
WITH A-05 SCHEDULE
I was aware this was forthcoming; thanks to Kim Elliott for flagging
the specific link. Remarkable that the BBC somehow can't fund a
transmitter for an hour (0100-0200) somewhere that could reach Eastern
North America...such as WYFR (which they already use) or WHRI (the old
WSHB). Even at $100/transmitter-hour this would cost $36,500 for the
year. See
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/frequencies/index.shtml
for the notice; here are the new frequencies as of the A-05
changeover:
[with site comments by gh; 6195, 15190, 5975, Antigua mainstays until
now will presumably be Guiana French, Bonaire?]
To the Caribbean:
6195 1000-1100 UT
11865 1100-1300
15190 1300-1400
11675 2100-2130
15390 2100-2200 [with Carib Report 2115; Greenville?]
5975 2200-0100
To Central America:
5975 0300-0400
9605 1200-1300 [WYFR]
To South America:
5975 0200-0300
9825 0200-0300 [Ascension?]
11720 2130-2145 [to Falklands Tue & Fri]
12095 0200-0300 [Ascension]
15190 1200-1300
We'll have to rely on broadcasts targeting Europe, Africa and the
Pacific (for our left coast friends) (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA,
Swprograms mailing list, March 14, via DXLD)
The link cited under Central American & Caribbean, South America, as
well as links to frequency charts still show longer hours, e.g. 15190
at 1100-1700. Where exactly did you get this version? Glenn Hauser,
ibid.)
A sympathetic source provided this information and advised it could be
shared with others --- since it will become public in two weeks
anyway. The charts at the page in question are the existing
frequencies and times (Richard Cuff, ibid.)
The text of the message says that BBCWS will only be broadcasting for
1 hour on 15190 from 1300-1400 but the web page says that frequency
will be on from 1000-1700. Which is correct? (Sandy Finlayson, PA,
ibid.)
[Later:] Sorry Richard, I didn't read your reply to Glen[n] carefully
enough. Given the BBC's unsympathetic response to previous complaints
there is probably no point even writing but if people want to protest
where do we write? Where the loss will be really felt will be for
Sportworld on the weekend which is not streamed online (Sandy
Finlayson, PA, ibid.)
Unfortunately, Sandy, it's a done deal. This decision was made a month
ago, perhaps even in late 2004 when 2005 budgets were being drawn up.
One outlet would be the "Write On" program -- I believe their e-mail
address is write.on @ bbc.co.uk but that may be wrong. There's a
web-based e-mail form for Write On at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/write_on.shtml
The director of the WS and Global News division is Richard Sambrook;
the #2 person is Nigel Chapman, Director, World Service.
You could also communicate with the generic Audience Relations folks
-- who are very diligent in forwarding messages to higher-ups --
web-based e-mail form is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/us/contact/index.shtml
This development is particularly unfortunate for Canadians, as they
don't have the listening alternatives we have Stateside -- there is
minimal carriage of the BBC via local rebroadcasters, unlike the
gradually improving state of this in the USA. Officially, there is no
subscription-based satellite radio, either, though the gray market
("grey market" up North) is increasingly robust.
There is heavy emphasis for 2005 in reducing distribution costs for
radio -- with the resulting savings likely to be plowed into more
radio and TV services for the Arab world. Shortwave is a relatively
expensive method of distributing programming for the BBC -- after all,
the BBC pays all the costs, the listener, none; by comparison, there
is zero transmission cost for them for the PRI or the XM/Sirius feeds.
There isn't zero marketing cost, though.
Ironic story: about 10-12 years ago John Figliozzi and I put out a
survey at the SWL Fest (Shame on you, Sandy, BTW, for missing the Fest
--- you're so close) regarding whether or not listeners would pay to
hear their favorite international broadcaster if funding issues
cropped up. The majority of folks surveyed at the Fest said yes. What
do you know, that's what has happened now, though indirectly: We users
pay for satellite radio, and public radio in the USA is funded in part
by direct listener contributions (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, ibid.)
I'm sure the folks in the Caribbean will be thrilled at no longer
being able to hear Saturday Sportsworld. Any idea on the best
reception from 1400 to 1700 UT? (Ted Schuerzinger, ibid.)
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