FTIOM & UBMP To Cease Broadcasts From Germany & Bulgaria

The following message is from “Uncle Bill” Tilford, producer and host of From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot:

I began From The Isle of Music six years ago and Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot five years ago, starting small on WBCQ and eventually expanding to Europe and beyond with Channel 292 for both programs and Space Line for FTIOM.  I am not a wealthy man,  and my programs have been literally 99.9% self-funded during that period.  The very small handful of contributors has been appreciated but has never been large enough to put a dent in costs. 

Over the past two years, my living expenses have increased precipitously while my income and contributions have not.  With great reluctance, I must make some difficult financial decisions.  One of them is that broadcasts on Space Line have already ceased,  and broadcasts on Channel 292 will cease March 5.  This is a purely financial decision, I have very much enjoyed working with both stations and will deeply miss the audiences that I will probably lose.  While the financial support from listeners was minimal, the emotional support has been huge, many of those listeners feel like family now.  

Broadcasts will continue on WBCQ The Planet where these programs began.  FTIOM will continue on 7490 kHz, currently Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC, and UBMP will continue on 7490 kHz Sundays, currently 2300-0000 UTC.  Both of these livestream on WBCQ.com, so listeners unable to catch the terrestrial broadcast (or who are asleep at those hours) may be able to record live for later listening.  Both programs will also be part of the new special  lineup on 4790 kHz which is being fully sponsored by Angela and Allan Weiner.  More details about that will be forthcoming, that frequency may reach parts of Europe terrestrially as an early morning show at a tolerable hour.  Note however that both broadcasts on 7490 can be “breakfast listening” using the WBCQ.com website or some remote WebSDRs in Eastern Europe, a key target area for the broadcasts from Europe. 

I regret the necessity for these changes and hope listeners will find the remaining options on WBCQ usable.

William “Bill” Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC

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About Bill Tilford

Bill has been a shortwave listener since the 1960s, a program host and producer for the past several years, and he currently produces and hosts From the Isle of Music, Uncle Bill's Melting Pot and WBCQ Concert Hall in addition to curating the Radio Angela block of entertainment programs on that station and periodic collaborative specials with other stations. He also writes about Cuban music including on the website TIMBA.com and is active in the music industry as a producer and liner notes writer.

One thought on “FTIOM & UBMP To Cease Broadcasts From Germany & Bulgaria

  1. jb

    Another SW source bites the dust
    sorry to read about it

    Given the possible “turmoil” that may occur in the Ukraine in the near future, I would think an extensive article on where to specifically find English language alternative news broadcasts from world sources would be interesting to your readers.
    If it gets “very intense”, there’s the likelihood of internet (and the like) to get shut down (in selected areas), so only the airwaves may have the information.
    When I lived in Japan a couple decades ago, I used to listen to BBC out of Hong Kong, and an Armed Forces Radio station from some Pacific Island for the news. But BBC isn’t anymore.
    This info is probably available in the WRTH handbook, but that’s not real user friendly in a time constrained situation

    just a thought — thanks for listening and the great blog

    Reply

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