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
Russkiy Berlin is a private radio station operating in the German capital. This being the Year of Russian culture in Berlin, it seems appropriate, and this will also be the first FM station in Russian to be heard in Western Europe.
The frequency was obtained against strong competition, and offers a Russian audience in Berlin of more than 200,000, many of them aged 30 to 50.
25 November 2003
Autocue, the leading supplier of newsroom and automation systems and household name in prompting, has become the first AIB Platinum Member.
Autocue has been a Member of the Association since July 2002 and has now elected to elevate its membership status to the top tier – Platinum – to take advantage of an increased range of benefits.
The AIB introduced a new three-tier membership structure at the beginning of September. The three categories are Corporate, Gold and Platinum. All membership packages have the same core benefits such as the market intelligence briefing and discounts on a range of specialised AIB services, with the Gold and Platinum tiers providing a wider range of benefits.
Full information about the AIB and its membership packages are available from Anver Anderson, Business Development Director. E-mail Anver using the link below.
