Radio Polonia has ceased analogue transmissions on Hotbird 13E. Satellite listeners are requested to switch over to digital DVB receivers (12360 MHz, FEC 3/4, SR 27500, Horizontal, PID audio 773). Listeners using POLSAT CYFROWY receivers will automatically find the channel listed in their EPG.
CNBC Europe, a joint venture of NBC Universal and Dow Jones & Company and the leading pan-European financial and business television network, has appointed Mick Buckley President and Managing Director. Effective immediately, Buckley will be responsible for all aspects of operations and strategic initiatives including increasing distribution, expanding locally produced European programming, extending live coverage from the leading European financial centers and developing additional local-language affiliates. Buckley replaces Rick Cotton, who recently was named Executive Vice President and General Counsel of NBC Universal.
“As one of the most experienced executives in pan-European television, Mick brings proven leadership skills to the helm and I’m delighted that he is taking on this role,” said Pamela Thomas-Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer, CNBC. “Through Mick’s contributions, we have made significant progress commercially over the past year, and I look forward to him taking the channel to greater heights going forward.”
Thomas-Graham added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rick Cotton for his tremendous contribution to CNBC Europe. Under his leadership, the network has dramatically upgraded its on-air presentation, expanded its reach across Europe to 85 million homes, developed programming partnerships with TV channels in Germany, Italy, Turkey, Russia and the Middle East, and built CNBC Europe’s brand recognition throughout the European business and financial communities.”
In this new capacity, Buckley will report to the CNBC International board, which is made up of its 50/50 joint-venture partners, NBC Universal and Dow Jones. Buckley has been with CNBC Europe since March 2003, serving as the network’s Executive Vice President and Commercial Director. During this time, the network has increased its revenue by 30%. In addition, Buckley has worked to increase brand awareness and has been successful in bringing many international brands to the channel for the first time. He also has put in place a strong commercial team across both advertising sales and distribution.
Before joining CNBC Europe, Buckley worked at Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe, where he held a number of senior distribution and sales roles, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of News Networks and UK Managing Director. Buckley started his career in television working for ITV, where he worked for both Carlton Television and Television South West.
SRI ended its news and current affairs programmes in April, but broadcasts are continuing on shortwave and satellite until the end of October. SRI is to cease all radio broadcasts at the end of October to concentrate exclusively on its Internet platform (www.swissinfo.org).
To mark the end of its broadcasts a special series of radio programmes looks back at key events that have shaped SRI and Switzerland over the past seven decades, since SRI first hit the airwaves in 1935.
Encoda Systems has appointed John Sorensen as its new CEO. Sorensen was previously President of its Media Management division and he succeeds Don Doctor who will remain with the company but take on a less operational, more high-level strategic role as chairman of the board. This move provides continuity and additional strength to the leadership of Encoda, as it expands across EMEA.
John Sorensen is a widely regarded industry expert who has previously held posts with Unisys and Hewlett-Packard. He joined CCMS, Inc. 17 years ago as the principal designer and developer of the company’s traffic management and billing software systems for the cable/MSO industry. CCMS became part of Encoda Systems in 1999.
Citing the “promising initiatives” of U.S. international broadcasting in the Arab world, Iran and Afghanistan, the bi-partisan panel investigating the September 11, 2001 attacks called for increased funding for those efforts. “The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) has asked for much larger resources,” the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States said in its report. “It should get them.”
On page 377 of its report, the 9/11 commission made the following recommendation: “Recognizing that Arab and Muslim audiences rely on satellite television and radio, the government has begun some promising initiatives in television and radio broadcasting to the Arab world, Iran, and Afghanistan. These efforts are beginning to reach large audiences.”
Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, chairman of the BBG, the independent federal agency that oversees all U.S. international broadcasting, said of the report’s recommendations, “We believe that the people of the Middle East and elsewhere are best served by providing them the truth. That’s what our broadcasting does.”
Currently, the BBG’s annual budget of more than $550 million goes to broadcasts around the world through various entities, including the Voice of America (VOA); Alhurra television and Radio Sawa, Arabic-language broadcasts; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA.)
Since 9/11, the BBG has taken steps to dramatically increase its broadcasting to key areas.
The Middle East: Alhurra, a new satellite television channel launched in February 2004, is aimed at Arabic-speaking viewers in 22 countries across the Middle East. Radio Sawa, a 24/7 station, has garnered large audiences of young people in the region with its mix of news, information and Western and Arabic music.
Iran: Radio Farda, a youth-oriented, 24/7 radio, covers news about Iran, along with entertainment and features. It is a joint project of VOA and RFE/RL. VOA-TV launched a successful, daily, Persian-language show, News and Views, broadcast to audiences by satellite. Additionally, VOA has a Persian service and two other weekly television shows.
Afghanistan: Audiences in that country are able to listen to a 24-hour stream of news, information and other programs in Dari and Pashto. These are run by the VOA and Radio Free Afghanistan, which is part of RFE/RL. Additionally, the BBG arranged for two medium-wave transmitters to be installed in Kabul – one for the BBG, the other for Afghanistan to help bolster its media.
Pakistan: The VOA recently expanded its Urdu service to 12 hours daily to reach more Urdu-speaking listeners in Pakistan and parts of India.