30 November 2003
It seems that Radio Netherlands were expecting to have to make government-imposed cuts of 4.5 to 6.5 million euros over the next five years, plus the 2.5 million euros that RNW had been planning for. Accustomed as all state-funded international stations are to having savage cuts imposed, this seemed to be breaking all bounds.
So there was some relief, when it all turned out to be a misunderstanding. But even so, a cut of 4.5 to 6.5 million euros is no small burden for a relatively small station. Maybe negotiation can bring this huge demand down a little.
30 November 2003
Serhiy Sholokh, the general director of Radio Kontynent, which relays international stations, believes that he is being intimidated. He thinks that the state authorities are out to close his station down, and he feels no easier as he is a witness in the case of the murder of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze, who formerly headed the information service at Radio Kontynent.
Sholokh said that he is under surveillance. He said that for this reason he has decided “not to return home and, given the question of my personal safety and the fatal outcome for my colleague Heorhiy Gongadze, to go into hiding for some time.”
30 November 2003
The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) consortium has unveiled a new, 100 US dollar participation option called DRM Supporter. Created to foster rapid DRM adoption and implementation in markets worldwide, the DRM Supporter label is designed for companies and individuals interested in any aspect of digital radio, from broadcasting to manufacturing, publicity and sales.
It offers broadcasters, publishers, content providers and others a novel way to showcase their DRM involvement. DRM Supporters will receive implementation information and the rights to display a DRM Supporter logo, and will be listed on DRM’s web site.
27 November 2003
Reports in London today (27 November) suggest that the BBC may be planning to sell off its Technology division in the run up to renewal of the Corporation’s Royal Charter. The current charter expires at the end of 2006.
BBC Technology’s 1,500 or so staff may be told about the sale on Friday 28 November. Any sale would require the approval of the UK government (through its Culture, Media and Sport department which has responsibility for the BBC’s domestic operations).
It is suggested that a number of companies – including giant computer firms IBM and EDS – are interested in bidding for the business that last year moved into profit.
BBC Technology supplies infrastructure to the BBC and to other broadcasting and media companies worldwide, ranging from sports broadcaster ESPN to mobile phone operators such as Hutchison Telecom.
25 November 2003
A three-step strategy has been announced by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) for the digitisation of China’s TV and radio service.
In the first step, China would make great efforts to develop digital cable TV in 2003.
The second step will begin in 2005 when live digital TV transmission service through satellites and the experiment of land-based digital TV will be carried out. It is estimated that by then China’s digital cable TV users will be up to 30m.
In 2008, as the last step of the strategy, China will take advantage of the opportunity to transmit the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing to spread land-based digital TVs and high definition televisions.
When the three steps are completed, China’s digital radio and TV service will cover the whole country. So far, 27 pay digital TV channels and seven pay digital radio channels have been authorized by SARFT in China.
