24 February 2004
The BBC has won a major international award in recognition of its commitment to environmental issues around the world the biennial Zayed International Prize for the Environment. It is considered to be the largest and most valuable award of its kind. In its citation, the jury says it considers that the BBC stands apart for its commitment, breadth of coverage, and dedication to addressing global, regional and national environmental concerns.
It singles out Earth Report, which has been broadcast on BBC World since 1997, as a television programme that has not only shocked and entertained but brought about real change by inspiring businesses, NGOs [non-governmental organisations] and governments to adopt more environmentally friendly technologies, lifestyles and policies.
The jury also recognises the work of BBC World Service radio, which broadcasts to at least 150 million regular listeners in 43 languages, and BBC News Online, which receives more than 206 million page impressions per month at www.bbcnews.com.
BBC Worlds Editorial Director, Sian Kevill, attended the award ceremony in Dubai on 23 February to collect the prize on behalf of the BBC. The prize money (US$500,000) will be donated to the BBC World Service Trust, a registered charity. BBC World Service Trust Director Stephen King says: The Trust is an important part of the BBCs work. This prize will make a big contribution to helping us continue our work, bringing benefit to communities in the developing world.
BBC Global News, incorporating BBC World and BBC World Service, is a member of the AIB.
23 February 2004
Asia’s leading satellite operator AsiaSat and the Peoples Republic of Bangladeshs national broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) announced on 23 February the signing of a lease agreement for the use of C-band capacity on AsiaSat 3S to broadcast BTV World, a television channel for overseas service across the Asia Pacific region.
This Bangla-language satellite channel will commence broadcasting on AsiaSat 3S from early March, providing daily broadcasts of news and current affairs, drama, entertainment, cultural and educational programs from Bangladesh that serve overseas audiences in the region.
“We are excited to announce the launch of our overseas television services on AsiaSat 3S. We chose AsiaSat 3S because of its excellent channel neighbourhood and strong audience penetration. AsiaSat 3S offers the regions most attractive platform for South Asian channels, as well as numerous other regional and international channels. In addition, the region-wide coverage of AsiaSat 3S enables us to extend our reach to whole of Asia and Australasia with the latest news from our country, to introduce our culture and economy, trade and tourism to the rest of the world, said Mostafizur Rahman, Director General of BTV.
BTV World is available on AsiaSat 3S in C-band with the following reception parameters: Transponder: 3V, Frequency: 3725 MHz, Polarisation: Vertical, Modulation: QPSK, Symbol Rate: 4.45 Msym/sec, FEC: 3/4
23 February 2004
Al-Hurra, a new Arabic-language satellite television network, began broadcasting to millions of viewers in 22 countries across the Middle East on 14 February 2004.
Al-Hurra (Arabic for “The Free One”) is devoted primarily to news and information. In addition to reporting on regional and international events, the channel broadcasts discussion programmes, current affairs magazines and features on a variety of subjects including health and personal fitness, entertainment, sports, fashion, and science and technology.
Al-Hurra is operated by The Middle East Television Network Inc., a non-profit corporation funded by the US Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors BBG (a federal agency that supervises all US non-military international broadcasting). The channel broadcasts from studios in Springfield, Virginia and bureaux throughout the Middle East.
Norman J. Pattiz, chairman of the BBG’s Middle East committee who spearheaded development of Al-Hurra, said, “Al-Hurra will present fresh perspectives for viewers in the Middle East that we believe will create more cultural understanding and respect.”
Al-Hurra is available to viewers in the Middle East on the region’s two major satellite systems, Arabsat and Nilesat. The broadcast schedule is posted on the channels web site.
The Broadcasting Board of Governors is a member of the AIB.
23 February 2004
Kingston inmedia has launched a new point-to-point satellite service between Jerusalem/Tel Aviv and London, in conjunction with RR Satellite Communications of Israel. Kingston can now provide broadcasters with solutions built on end-to-end connectivity from all major studios and facilities companies in Israel, through the hub of RR Sat’s Reem Teleport, then via satellite to Kingston inmedia’s Gerrard’s Cross Teleport. From Gerrard’s Cross, the route extends onward either to London’s Telecom Tower and other UK premises using Kingston’s national fibre network, or to further destinations such as North and South America, via Kingston’s transatlantic fibre and satellite infrastructure.
RR Satellite Communications Limited provides uplink, downlink and turnaround services, and dishes for C-Band and Ku-Band (2.4m to 12m) that are authorised by Intelsat, Eutelsat, Panamsat, Arabsat, Nilesat, Thaicom, LMI, Loral and Amos.
19 February 2004
The BBC’s acting director general has named a six-member team to investigate the editorial lessons of the Hutton report. Mark Byford said ex-BBC news chief Ron Neil would chair the group which also includes ex-ITN chief Richard Tait. The review’s remit is to look at the editorial issues raised by Lord Hutton and to identify any lessons and make any appropriate recommendations.
Mr Byford is leading the review and says he expects to be able to take forward recommendations to the BBC’s executive committee and then board of governors in June. The other members of the review group are Glenwyn Benson, controller factual television; Helen Boaden, controller Radio 4; Adrian Van Klaveren, head of BBC newsgathering and Stephen Whittle, controller editorial policy.
19 February 2004
Telepace, the first and longest running full-time Catholic channel, has chosen GlobeCast to deliver its programming to Europe via its HOT BIRD platform and to North America on GlobeCast WorldTV on Telstar 5.
Telepace is broadcast in Italian, English and Spanish. The channel, which has close ties to the Vatican, features programming primarily dedicated to promoting Christian family values and morals. GlobeCast is providing transmission, uplink and space capacity on HOT BIRD and Telstar 5 for Telepace.
GlobeCast is a member of the AIB.
