Category Archives: International Broadcasting

FCC Audio Programming Inquiry: Implications for HF Broadcasting

Many thanks to Bennett Z. Kobb, Kim Andrew Elliott, and Christopher Rumbaugh for authoring “Comments of the High Frequency Parties” that is now filed with the FCC.

Update: please also check out this FAQ.

Here’s the introduction:

The Public Notice in MB Docket 18-227 requests comment on “whether laws, regulations,
regulatory practices or demonstrated marketplace practices pose a barrier to competitive
entry into the marketplace for the delivery of audio programming … [and] concerning the
extent to which any such laws, regulations or marketplace practices affect entry barriers for
entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the marketplace for the delivery of audio
programming.”

The Commission’s Rules do pose barriers to entry and unnecessarily restrict the licensing
and delivery of programming by International Broadcast Stations.

These rules originated in a period when the government utilized or countenanced privately owned, high-frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) broadcasters as voices against foreign adversaries.
The rules prohibit stations directed primarily to U.S. audiences. They impose detailed
language, announcement, advertising and record keeping practices, require monitoring of
foreign market particulars, and mandate a minimum DSB transmission power level that is
excessive for domestic service and textual and image content.

These and certain other obsolete restrictions are overdue for review and revision or deletion.[…]

Click here to download and read the full document as a PDF.

Click here to check out the FAQ regarding the HF Broadcasting Filing.

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New Zealand invests in free-to-air broadcasts to Pacific

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(Source: RadioInfo via William Lee)

NZ gives $10 million for Pacific Broadcasting

While Australia’s ABC is cutting shortwave Radio Australia broadcasts to the Pacific, the New Zealand government has just announced a NZ$10 million grant for an enhanced free-to-air Pasifika TV service across the region.

NZ foreign minister Winston Peters announced the plans at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru, with the money to be spent over the next three years to improve both quality and access for free-to-air broadcasters.

The expansion of the Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Ltd service will also include a comprehensive training programme to support broadcasting and journalism across the Pacific, including equipment, internships and cross-regional training.[…]

Click here to read full story.

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Skelton, Penrith and the World 1943-1993

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Barraclough, who notes the following update to BBCeng.info:

Skelton, Penrith and the World 1943-1993

A personal account by the author Ken Davies.

Following my request I have been notified that Cumbria County Council, the publishers of this book, would have no objection to it being on bbceng. Unfortunately I have not been able to contact Ken Davies but, given the nature of the publication, I think it is likely that he would approve. He clearly wanted to celebrate the achievements of everyone involved with Skelton transmitting station and his efforts in compiling this record are gratefully acknowledged.

68 pages with many photos.

Click here to download [PDF].

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this, Mike. I’ve just downloaded a copy to my (rooted) Nook e-reader.

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Encompass Digital Media has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Babcock’s Media Services

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Many thanks to an SWLing Post contributor who shares this item which was originally posted by Kai Ludwig on the Shortwave Sites email group. Kai writes:

There is a new name to get familiar with:

Encompass to Acquire Babcock’s Media Services

ENCOMPASS TO ACQUIRE BABCOCK’S MEDIA SERVICES

Note the statement from Encompass about their reasons for purchasing Babcock’s Media Services. It does not mention the word “radio” at all. Seems to me that radio distribution will in future be just a legacy service, kept in the same way Babcock already keeps the traditional stuff of World Radio Network after they likewise took over this company three years ago. Just consistent with the observation quoted at https://twitter.com/ChrisGreenwayUK/status/1022963699374596099

“Shortwave is on its last legs” a BBC colleague told us yesterday. OK, but the Chinese government still feels it necessary to jam many SW channels with their “Firedrake” music, as they were doing this evening on 9355 kHz, to stop their own people from hearing voices from abroad pic.twitter.com/bM9oenliOx

— Chris Greenway (@ChrisGreenwayUK) July 27, 2018

The sports stuff mentioned in the statement is this:
http://babcock.media/latest/001017/

And a picture is worth thousand worths, so just compare the photos from 2004
http://travelseries.de/trav2004/trav04_4.htm

Click to access 04-23-18-20.pdf

with the current ones of what has in the meantime developed into a TV/video NOC:
http://babcock.media/virtual-tour/

I would be surprised if Encompass keeps the former WRN HQ, because they already have a facility in London:
https://www.encompass.tv/encompass-london/

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Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) rebranded as U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)

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(Source: BBG/USAGM Press Release)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2018

John Lansing (Source: BBG)

Effective immediately, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent U.S. government agency that employs thousands of talented journalists, storytellers, and media professionals, is now the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

The U.S. Agency for Global Media is a modern media organization, operating far beyond the traditional broadcast mediums of television and radio to include digital and mobile platforms. The term “broadcasting” does not accurately describe what we do. The new name reflects our modernization and forward momentum while honoring our enduring mission to inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.

We recognize the overdue need to communicate the evolving, global scope of our work as well as our renewed, urgent focus on the agency’s global priorities, which reflect U.S. national security and public diplomacy interests. USAGM is an independent federal agency that provides accurate, professional, and objective news and information around-the-globe in a time of shifting politics, challenging media landscapes, and weaponized information. Our identity and name will now address these realities.

The decision to change our name was a result of thorough research and extensive consultation with numerous internal and external stakeholders, including the BBG Board of Governors, agency staff and leadership at all levels, the five networks, Congress, the Administration, and interagency colleagues.

As with the BBG, the U.S. Agency for Global Media encompasses five networks: the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Television and Radio Martí), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). These networks collectively reach an unduplicated weekly audience of 278 million people in 59 languages and in more than 100 countries. Insulated by a firewall from political influence, these networks will continue to deliver truth and professional journalism to people living in some of the world’s most closed societies.

Now more than ever, people around the world need access to the truth. USAGM continues to tell the truth, and illuminate the world like no other news organization in the world.

Video: Lansing On USAGM

Click here to view on YouTube.

Learn more about U.S. Agency for Global Media

For more information

Nasserie Carew

US Agency for Global Media Public Affairs

202-203-4400

[email protected]

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Saudi’s broadcasting company changes name

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(Source: Saudi Press Agency via Paul Walker)

Riyadh, Shawwal 24, 1439, July 08, 2018, SPA — The Saudi Broadcasting Corporation has changed its English title into Saudi Broadcasting Authority, according to an announcement by its board of directors which reached the decision at a meeting held recently under the chairmanship of its chairman Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, Minister of the Media.

In remarks today, Dawood bin Abdulaziz Al-Shiryan, Executive President of the authority, said that the abbreviation of the new name SBA is designed to remove confusion with the recently-launched Saudi Broadcasting Channel (SBC).
–SPA
17:50 LOCAL TIME 14:50 GMT
0019

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