{"id":17922,"date":"2016-03-25T09:19:28","date_gmt":"2016-03-25T13:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=17922"},"modified":"2016-03-25T09:19:28","modified_gmt":"2016-03-25T13:19:28","slug":"bbgs-fiscal-year-2016-congressional-budget-request","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/bbgs-fiscal-year-2016-congressional-budget-request\/","title":{"rendered":"BBG’s Fiscal Year 2016 Congressional Budget Request"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BBG-Budget-Request\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Richard Langley, who shares a link to the Broadcasting Board of Governor’s\u00a0Fiscal Year 2016\u00a0Congressional Budget Request.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Click here to download as a PDF<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’ve read key portions of the request.<\/p>\n

Regarding shortwave, the BBG are asking for budget reductions in almost all of the BBG shortwave broadcasting arms, with a few exceptions. \u00a0 They acknowledge, in each case, that shortwave broadcasting is not as cost-effective as other means of distribution (including FM, Internet and satellite). The\u00a0do acknowledge that shortwave broadcasting is still needed in some strategic markets. Here is, perhaps, the most telling quote I found:<\/p>\n

\n

“To serve audiences in less developed\u00a0areas of the world, BBG must continue\u00a0to broadcast via traditional technologies\u00a0such as shortwave and maintain\u00a0capability on these platforms by\u00a0replacing antiquated equipment. But to\u00a0stay relevant in competitive news\u00a0markets and serve current and future\u00a0audiences, BBG must invest in new\u00a0cutting-edge technology. In areas\u00a0where ownership and usage of\u00a0shortwave radio has declined\u00a0significantly, the Agency has evolved\u00a0away from broadcasting in shortwave.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A few specific highlights from the request:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Page 19<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

4) ENHANCE HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION CAPABILITY ($2.8M)<\/em>
\nBBG will continue the shortwave\u00a0realignment project that began in FY\u00a02014, which increases shortwave\u00a0transmission capability at its Kuwait\u00a0Transmitting Station. This enhancement\u00a0provides improved coverage to\u00a0underserved areas of the world and<\/em>
\nreduces operating costs by decreasing\u00a0reliance on external leases. All aspects of<\/em>
\nthis proposal focus on improving\u00a0transmission capability, while continuing<\/em>
\nto reach audiences in Africa,\u00a0Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Tibet and<\/em>
\nWestern China. The added capacity will\u00a0support broadcasts for RFE\/RL, RFA and<\/em>
\nVOA.<\/em><\/p>\n

At $2.00 per broadcast hour, Kuwait\u00a0provides the highest return on\u00a0investment in the BBG transmitting\u00a0station portfolio. Thus, BBG began\u00a0expansion of the facility in FY 2014 with<\/em>
\nthe construction of a new high\u00a0frequency antenna and design of the\u00a0transmitter building expansion. The\u00a0proposed investment, extending\u00a0through FY 2018, will bring the Kuwait<\/em>
\nTransmitting Station up to the maximum\u00a0capability allowed by the country\u00a0agreement and will enable the Agency\u00a0to decrease overall operating costs for\u00a0the foreseeable future. When the\u00a0realignment project is completed, the\u00a0Kuwait station will have ten shortwave\u00a0transmitters with associated antennas.[…]<\/em><\/p>\n

Page 22:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Reduce Shortwave Costs [-$2.90M]\u00a0The Office of Technology, Services, and\u00a0Innovation (TSI) will eliminate less\u00a0effective transmission frequencies and\u00a0realign transmissions to end high cost\u00a0leases. TSI will realize additional\u00a0reductions to antiquated technologies\u00a0by reducing transmissions to\u00a0Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burma, and\u00a0Kurdish-speaking regions and\u00a0eliminating shortwave to Russia, the\u00a0Caucasus, Belarus, Laos, Cambodia,\u00a0Rwanda, and Burundi. Audiences in\u00a0these countries access news and\u00a0information on more efficient,[…]<\/em><\/p>\n

Page 69<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

STRATEGY BASED ON AUDIENCE<\/strong><\/em>
\nMEDIA HABITS<\/strong><\/em>
\nUsing research on audience media\u00a0habits, TSI will continue to move away\u00a0from less effective legacy shortwave and\u00a0medium wave transmissions toward\u00a0other technologies, where appropriate,\u00a0to reach larger and younger audiences.\u00a0Where shortwave remains important,\u00a0TSI is building a more cost-effective\u00a0transmission infrastructure to support\u00a0broadcast requirements. Of particular\u00a0note are efforts at the Kuwait\u00a0Transmitting Station. Because of the\u00a0station\u2019s strategic importance and low\u00a0operating costs, TSI is installing a new\u00a0shortwave antenna that is expected to\u00a0be operational in FY 2015 and will\u00a0expand the station\u2019s transmitter building\u00a0in FY 2016 to accommodate future\u00a0transmitter build-outs.[…]<\/em><\/p>\n

Page 109<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

To serve audiences in less developed\u00a0areas of the world, BBG must continue\u00a0to broadcast via traditional technologies\u00a0such as shortwave and maintain\u00a0capability on these platforms by\u00a0replacing antiquated equipment. But to\u00a0stay relevant in competitive news\u00a0markets and serve current and future\u00a0audiences, BBG must invest in new\u00a0cutting-edge technology. In areas\u00a0where ownership and usage of\u00a0shortwave radio has declined\u00a0significantly, the Agency has evolved\u00a0away from broadcasting in shortwave.<\/em>
\nBBG has closed transmission stations,\u00a0repurposed equipment and invested\u00a0these savings in platforms that the\u00a0audience has shifted to, primarily in\u00a0digital media technology and other\u00a0high-priority programming.<\/em><\/p>\n

Click here to download the full request as a PDF<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who shares a link to the Broadcasting Board of Governor’s\u00a0Fiscal Year 2016\u00a0Congressional Budget Request. Click here to download as a PDF. I’ve read key portions of the request. Regarding shortwave, the BBG are asking for budget reductions in almost all of the BBG shortwave broadcasting arms, with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[406,4889,936,2658,1106,1531,1529,1160,1093,1094,10,182],"class_list":["post-17922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-bbg","tag-broadcasting-board-of-governors-fiscal-year-2016-congressional-budget-request","tag-broadcasting-board-of-governors","tag-edward-r-murrow-transmitting-station","tag-ibb","tag-international-broadcasting-bureau","tag-radio-free-asia","tag-radio-free-europe","tag-rfa","tag-rfe","tag-voa","tag-voice-of-america"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-4F4","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6264,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/heritage-foundation-bbg-isnt-listening\/","url_meta":{"origin":17922,"position":0},"title":"Heritage Foundation: BBG isn’t listening","author":"Thomas","date":"April 19, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Heritage Foundation) U.S. international broadcasting strategy again landed under congressional scrutiny in Wednesday\u2019s House Foreign Affairs Committee\u00a0hearing. Representative Brad Sherman (D\u2013CA) wanted to know why the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) ignored the congressional mandate to keep broadcasting to Pakistan in several local languages. In spite of a specific\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"BBG-Logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/BBG-Logo-300x207.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":26040,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/shifting-away-from-shortwave-significant-reductions-for-bbg-under-fy-2018-budget\/","url_meta":{"origin":17922,"position":1},"title":"“Shifting away from shortwave”: Significant reductions for BBG under FY 2018 budget","author":"Thomas","date":"May 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: BBG Press Release\u00a0via Dan Robinson) FY 2018 budget request reflects key BBG priorities amid spending constraints WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Broadcasting Board of Governors today released the FY 2018 budget request to support key U.S. foreign policy goals by providing news and information around the world while accommodating the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1024x640.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31329,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/bbg-budget-includes-plans-for-shortwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":17922,"position":2},"title":"BBG budget includes plans for shortwave","author":"Thomas","date":"March 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley who shares the following item from Kim Elliott. Note that this news is dated February 22, 2018 (yes, it was lost in my drafts folder!): Broadcasting Board of Governors budget request includes plans for shortwave Kim Andrew Elliott 22 February 2018 The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6151,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/heritage-foundation-bbg-is-cutting-the-most-cost-effective-part-of-its-organization\/","url_meta":{"origin":17922,"position":3},"title":"Heritage Foundation: BBG is cutting “the most cost-effective part of its organization”","author":"Thomas","date":"April 9, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"For those of you not familiar, note that the\u00a0The Heritage Foundation\u00a0is a US\u00a0conservative\u00a0think tank\u00a0based in\u00a0Washington, D.C. whose mission is to \"formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.\" (Source: Heritage Foundation) The Broadcasting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"One of the 19 curtain antennas on the campus of the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Site (Click to enlarge)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_0129-200x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6940,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/bbg-watch-edward-r-murrow-site-appears-safe-in-fiscal-year-2014\/","url_meta":{"origin":17922,"position":4},"title":"BBG Watch: Edward R. Murrow site appears safe in fiscal year 2014","author":"Thomas","date":"July 27, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"This is good news for our friends at the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station (click to read tour): (Source: BBG Watch) Thanks to efforts by Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) member Victor Ashe, support of his board colleagues Susan McCue and Michael Meehan, and intervention from North Carolina congressmen\u00a0G.K. Butterfield\u00a0(D-NC)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station campus as seen by Google Earth (Click to enlarge)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/VOAfromGoogleEarth-300x264.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8869,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/03\/bbg-seeking-comments-on-relevancy-of-shortwave-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":17922,"position":5},"title":"BBG seeks comments on relevancy of shortwave radio","author":"Thomas","date":"March 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The United States' Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)--the governing body responsible for all US international broadcasting--is asking for your comments on the relevancy of shortwave radio broadcasting today. In short, simply send the BBG an email (limited to 1,200 words or less) with your comments by March 14th, 2014. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Teacher in rural South Sudan with an ETOW radio. 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