Global Brief
The latest news from the international broadcasting industry
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RTI under financial pressure
The president of Taiwan’s Central Broadcasting System (CBS), Cheryl Lai, has set
out in a report the difficulties he has had trying to implement some of his ideas for
the external service, Radio Taiwan International (RTI), due to a budget shortfall.
Lai says the money CBS receives annually from the Government Information Office
is nowhere near that of France’s RFI or Japan’s NHK. “We have so much to do but
not enough money,” said Lai. “Since we are a state-run organization, we cannot sell
our programmes to other interested parties. We can only get a little revenue from
rebroadcasting the transmissions of other international radio stations. But this
represents only one tenth of our annual budget.” Lai expects a further budget cut for
CBS in the near future. It has been suggested that CBS could either become part of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a radio broadcast committee.
Lai says that 60 per cent of the station’s listeners are in China, and that the Chinese
authorities are constantly jamming CBS’s signals. He says the station has been
considering working with Chinese-language radio stations in the US. CBS hopes to
provide them with free radio programmes that would help increase the station’s
profile, as well as having those stations exchange some programmes with CBS.
“We also hope to do human resources exchanges with Radio Canada International,
Voice of America and Radio Free Asia,” added Lai. Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)
broadcasts on shortwave, and the adoption of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
for domestic services could provide substantial savings for the station.
Taiwanese cabinet debates privatising TV stations
The Taiwan cabinet has announced its intention to sell the government’s shares in the
two terrestrial TV stations, Taiwan Television (TTV) and Chinese Television System
(CTS). However, the Government Information Office (GIO) has not yet decided whether
to sell the stock to conglomerates or convert one or both stations into a public television
channel, GIO Director-General Huang Hui-chen told lawmakers during a legislative
committee meeting. The GIO plans to hold public hearings to solicit opinions from
media activists, academics and experts. The government owns 25.64 per cent of TTV
and 36.25 per cent of CTS. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) owns a 35.6 per cent
share of Chinese Television Company (CTV) and has a majority of shares in the
Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC). To free the media from political influence,
the legislature passed draft amendments to the Broadcasting and Television Law last
December, banning certain civil servants and political party members from owning,
funding or assuming certain key positions in the media.
Korean opposition party wants to privatise KBS
South Korea’s opposition Grand National Party (GNP) has demanded the resignation
of Jung Yun-joo, president of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) for what it
terms “poor management.” Kim Hyong-o, GNP secretary general, said that the GNP
will seek ways to privatise KBS by revising the broadcasting laws. Six months ago,
the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) began an investigation into the financial
management of KBS at the request of the outgoing National Assembly. Its findings
were that the KBS has lax financial policies, and it recommended the merger or
closure of 16 regional outlets.
Singapore pumps another US$37m intomedia industry
The Singapore government has set aside a further US$37.8 million for a media
development fund over the next five years, the Straits Times reported. This will add to
the US$58.1 million that the Media Development Authority (MDA) has already
earmarked for its Media 21 plan to develop the local media industry. The plan aims to
increase the sector’s contribution to the country’s gross
domestic product from the current 1.56 percent to 3 percent
by 2012. The US$37.8 million will be used mainly to boost
content, capability, and market and digital media development.
In addition, the MDA is also looking into new initiatives,
including setting up a media investment fund and providing
more overseas attachment and training opportunities. The Media 21 plan was unveiled
last July, but only US$4.8 million has been invested since then. So far, the MDA has
financed 25 projects in television, film and digital media. It has also funded training
for more than 3,000 media professionals and students.
VT Merlin expands digital horizons;
success in Hong Kong trials
VT Merlin has launched two new weekly
digital radio streams.
Vtdigital
features
programming from broadcasters compiled
into a stream, interspersed with continuity
announcements. The broadcasts are carried
from VT Merlin’s Rampisham site in the UK
on digital short wave into Central Europe in
near-FM quality on 9770 kHz. Broadcasters
include Radio New Zealand International,
Radio Australia, Radio Japan (NHK), Radio
Taiwan International and Radio France
International. The new streams complement
the successful Sunday stream of religious
programming which began in February.
Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK)
commissioned VT Merlin to undertake a
feasibility study into setting up DRM
broadcasts in the Hong Kong territory.
RTHK has analogue medium wave and FM
radio services, but no digital radio service.
VT Merlin engineers conducted a pilot study
during March 2004 utilising RTHK’s existing
analogue transmitter on 783 kHz. A total
of 47 RTHK sites located throughout the
territory were included in the study, with
measurements taken at each location. VT
Merlin also proved the possibilities for data
transmission by sending electronic images
during the regular audio service. Peter
Gordon, VT Merlin’s Head of Digitalisation
commented: “The results of this study are
very encouraging and show RTHK how the
DRM platform could be constructed using
existing broadcast infrastructure.”
Australia to merge media and
communications regulators
The Australian government is to merge the
Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA)
and the Australian Communications
Authority (ACA) next year to establish a
new-look media and communications
regulator. The Australian Communications
and Media Authority will regulate
telecommunications, broadcasting, radio
and online content from 1 July 2005.
Hellas Sat celebrates first birthday
Hellas Sat has attracted significant
customers to its multi-region geostationary
satellite system with a total space capacity
of 30 x 36Mhz active high power Ku-band
transponders since its launch in May 2003.
Hellas-Sat 2, located at 39
o
East, is ideal
for DTH markets as well as VSAT, internet
direct access and video/radio contribution
services. Hellas Sat is looking to put special
emphasis on HDTV services in the future.
As the official satellite for the 2004 Olympic
Games Hellas-Sat 2 is able to provide high
power connection for occasional use
services for SNG and Sports reporting.
