Prolongation de date de clôture de l’inscription pour les “AIBs” 2011

Suite aux demandes des diffuseurs et des indépendants dans le monde, l’AIB a décidé de prolonger la date de clôture de l’inscription pour les trophées recompensant l’excellence des medias internationaux, les “AIBs”.

La nouvelle date de clôture est le 15 Juillet 2011.

Des informations complètes sur la façon de s’inscrire est disponible en format PDF dans la brochure 2011 téléchargeable concernant les inscriptions.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide: budget slashed

Radio Netherlands Worldwide has said the Dutch cabinet’s plan to reduce its budget by 70 percent is inconceivable. General Director Jan Hoek and Editor-in-Chief Rik Rensen say the cutback is unprecedented: “In today’s international world, each self-respecting country has to live up to its responsibilities. The Education and Culture Ministry (OCW) is making it impossible for us to do this. Without any preliminary research, nor any consultations, a decision has been taken that will leave a global audience of millions out in the cold, and will cost 250 jobs.”

Former foreign minister and RNW Board of Supervisors Chairman Bernhard Bot says he is worried: “I find this cabinet plan incomprehensible, coming from a reliable administration which should be implementing long-term foreign policies serving the interests of the Netherlands and the Dutch people.”

The figures announced today show that from 2013 Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s budget will be reduced by 70 percent, from 46 million euros to 14 million euros a year. General Director Jan Hoek says: “This radical reduction is both unnecessary and not part of the agreed government coalition programme. The Culture Ministry is opting for the cheapest solution. This is too easy a way of achieving economies in public broadcasting.”

Editor-in-Chief Rik Rensen adds, “Our country wants to be known as an important and reliable trading nation. Radio Netherlands Worldwide is contributing to this, in ten languages, around the clock. Tens of millions of people all over the world consider RNW an important source of information, and the Netherlands’ journalistic calling card. Is our country really retreating behind the dykes?”

Coalition agreement

Announcing a decision which was planned in the government coalition accord, the cabinet announced last week that Radio Netherlands Worldwide should focus exclusively on bringing reliable and independent information to people in countries without press freedom. Two of Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s core tasks – providing information for Dutch people living abroad and presenting a realistic image of the Netherlands to the rest of the world – are to be scrapped. It is still unclear how much of the output in the remaining nine languages can be continued.

RNW’s own plan

On 7 June Radio Netherlands Worldwide indicated it was prepared to deliver a proportional amount of the planned government economies in public broadcasting, that proportion being 22 percent of its budget and a loss of 100 jobs. General Director Jan Hoek said, “We put forward a plan outlining our new direction to the Education and Culture Ministry, but they never even responded. It is unbelievably slapdash of the minister to take such far-reaching decisions without any consultation.”

Thai Channel 7 Rolls Out Second Phase of Upgrades with Vizrt

Vizrt Ltd., a leading provider of content production tools for the digital media industry, today announced a deal with Channel 7 from Thailand, worth approximately THB 61 million (approximately USD 1.9 million). The significant follow up sale provides the Thai public television channel with a faster Virtual Studio Engine performance, enabling an even more dynamic and visually enhanced viewer experience.

Notably, Channel 7 is now the first major network customer in Thailand using Viz Reporter and Viz Media Engine, allowing the company to target new audiences on all the latest handhelds and other online content access devices.

“Michael Namatinia, President of Vizrt APAC, stated, “Vizrt is thrilled with Channel 7’s vote of confidence as the network moves into the second phase of its upgrades. We’re especially happy to see Channel 7 moving into the mobile arena, with solutions employing the range of products from our Mobile division. This is a substantial purchase that will deepen the partnership between Channel 7 and Vizrt.”

The system was sold, delivered and Installed in Q2 and will go on-air for the up coming Thai elections on July 3rd.

About Channel 7:

Established in 1967, Bangkok National Radio and Television Broadcasting Corporation Channel 7 is a Thai television channel. The headquarters are located in Bangkok.

Latest AIB news briefing available

The latest of the AIB’s industry briefings has been published and is available online – follow the link below to see the 24 June edition.

To subscribe, e-mail your name, job title, organisation and e-mail details to register @ aib.org.uk (please remove the spaces).

MBC Group appoints Ali Jaber as Group TV Director

Following decades of accomplishments, Tim Riordan decides to retire at the pinnacle of his career from his current position as Group TV Director at MBC, at the beginning of October, while remaining as a special advisor to MBC Chairman and Board. Having helped drive MBC channel launches over the years and successfully negotiated output deals with all the major studios, Riordan has been instrumental in shaping the unique TV viewing experience that millions in the Middle East and North Africa region have enjoyed.

In parallel, MBC Group announces the appointment of Ali Jaber as Group TV Director. Jaber will be joining the team of Group Directors that manage the Group’s activities across many different media and platforms.

Commenting on this, Ali Al-Hedeithy, MBC’s Group Director General said: “Tim Riordan has been a pillar of the MBC Group for many years. He made his mark particularly in the launch of MBC’s western content channels. However, we have also benefitted from his wide ranging experience across all areas of the Group. Tim’s leadership, his ability to make things happen from studio deals to channel launches, and his readiness to innovate – have been a big asset for MBC. We’re delighted that Tim has agreed to stay in an advisory capacity to MBC Chairman and Board.”

As far as the appointment of Ali Jaber is concerned, Ali Al-Hedeithy commented: “I’m pleased to welcome Ali Jaber to the MBC family, ahead of his joining date in September. Ali’s background, his wide ranging achievements in the industry and his years of experience will bring added value to the Group and will further enrich our team of Group Directors.”