BBC Radio 4 begins information campaign to transition listeners from Long Wave

BBC Radio 4 begins information campaign to transition listeners from Long Wave

The BBC has begun an information campaign to help transition listeners of Radio 4 Long Wave (LW) to alternative BBC platforms.

This follows the announcement in May 2022 that the BBC is to stop scheduling separate content for Radio 4 LW in anticipation of the closure of the LW platform, owned and operated by a third party, which is coming to the end of its life as a technology.

Radio 4 LW is starting to run targeted on air trails from today, giving listeners plenty of advance notice of the coming changes.  

All programmes on Radio 4 LW -  Shipping Forecast, Daily Service, Yesterday in Parliament and Test Match Special – will continue to be available on other BBC platforms.

Digital listening has grown significantly over the past decade as the range of alternatives has become easier to switch to, and listeners are increasingly accessing content elsewhere on the BBC. The audiences for Radio 4 LW are small, but we know there are some who still tune in on LW for their favourite programmes.

The BBC is working with key organisations so that specific audiences will be notified how they can switch to other BBC platforms to hear programmes between now and the end of Radio 4 LW separate scheduling in March 2024.

The Shipping Forecast will cease to be broadcast four times a day, and will instead be available via the Radio 4 FM simulcast twice a day (weekdays) and three times a day (weekends) as well as on DAB and BBC Sounds.

It will also continue to be broadcast via HM Coastguard's channels. Whilst modern technology and new methods means the Shipping Forecast is no longer integral to mariners, the BBC has been working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Met Office to ensure seafarers have adequate advance notice of the changes taking place next year and can prepare accordingly.

The Daily Service and the longer version of Yesterday in Parliament will also continue on LW until March 2024 and will then be available on BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Sounds.

Yesterday in Parliament will still be broadcast on the Today programme on Radio 4 FM/DAB.  

Test Match Special is already available uninterrupted on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds where listeners will continue to be able to access it digitally. All scheduled cricket matches on Radio 4 LW will still be broadcast this summer, for the final time. Radio 4 LW listeners will be reminded where they can hear the cricket across the BBC going forward.

Helpful links:

BBC Weather: Coast and Sea

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea

Maritime safety: weather and navigation

https://www.gov.uk/maritime-safety-weather-and-navigation

(BBC Press Release)

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) to close down all FM regional services

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) will close down all FM regional services with effect from 31st May '23 as they were loss making.

More info at :

https://island.lk/sajith-urges-govt-not-to-close-down-regional-radio-services/

SLBC has its FM services categorised as below :

Sinhala National Service 

Commercial Service

City FM Service

Tamil Service

Muslim Service

Thendral Service

English Service

Regional Services

Celebrate 100 years of Czech Radio by telling us where you listen to us !

Celebrate 100 years of Czech Radio by telling us where you listen to us!

To mark Czech Radio's centenary, Radio Prague International is preparing a special show for you on Thursday 18 May. Listen to it and write to let us know where you heard it to receive a special Czech Radio QSL card made especially for the anniversary!

Write to us at: international@czechradio.cz

In return, we'll send you a special QSL card issued to mark the centenary, which comes from a 1933 radio exhibition and shows where the first international radio transmissions from Czechoslovakia were received.

Those of you who are interested in receiving a physical QSL card can send us a postal address. Otherwise, we will send you a digital copy by email.

More at : 

https://english.radio.cz/celebrate-100-years-czech-radio-telling-us-where-you-listen-us-8783070

Radio Taiwan International 95th Anniversary postcard collection drive

RTI hosts international postcard collection drive

RTI is celebrating its 95th anniversary by hosting a postcard collection drive. Rti is asking listeners to send in postcards which represent an interesting aspect of their local culture, and include a message that promotes world peace. The activity also reflects the theme for this year's World Radio Day, "Radio and Peace."

Postcards received by RTI may be displayed in various locations around Taiwan, at RTI events, or read aloud on RTI broadcasts. The activity provides an opportunity for listeners to share their voice with the world.

The collection drive is accepting postcards from now until June 18. The written messages should be written in one of the 19 languages represented by Rti's radio services. Every qualifying participant will receive Rti's limited edition 95th anniversary postcard and the chance to win other exclusive gifts.

More details about the postcard collection are available at  :  https://event.rti.org.tw/dearrti/en/

(Source : RTI)

Radio Dechovka to celebrate 100 years of Czech broadcasting with special txn on May 18th '23

On Thursday, May 18th, 2023, it will have been exactly 100 years since the start of regular radio broadcasting from Czechoslovakia. 

Radio Dechovka will celebrate this anniversary with a symbolic 24-hour broadcast from the Prague Zbraslav transmitter on the frequency of 1233kHz, as the only radio station. 

Don't forget to tune in on May 18th 10:00 UTC for the special broadcast on the medium wave frequency of 1233kHz and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of regular radio broadcasting in the Czech Republic with Radio Dechovka. 

To commemorate this anniversary, Radio Dechovka will be sending a special QSL card to listeners.

Reception report to :  studio @ radiodechovka.cz

Web: radiodechovka.cz

(Michal Hons via DRM FB Group)

C. M. Obrecht - Swiss short wave program

Swiss short wave program:

"C. M. Obrecht shortwave radio", a private short wave radio registered in Switzerland, broadcasts for once mostly in Swiss German.

C. M. Obrecht usually broadcasts his own music in AM and also digital DRM around the world, although most of the broadcasts are not received in CH, as well as approximately one monthly program via Channel 292 via the station in Rohrbach, between Munich and Ingolstadt, which are audible at certain times of the day in Switzerland and presents a mixed music program.

This program in analog AM is now mostly moderated in Swiss German and there are also Swiss titles, which are not known as such. This time he has also consciously selected frequencies and times of day that are acceptable in Switzerland:

5th May (Fri) at 23.00 CEST on 3955 kHz

6th May (Sat) night at 0000 CEST on 3955 kHz

6th May (Sat) 14:00 CEST on 6070 and 9670 kHz

7th May (Sun) at 12.00 CEST on 6070 and 9670

The replays are all received in Switzerland, at night 3955 kHz and during the day especially 6070 kHz, depending on the conditions but also 9670 kHz - try which frequency offers the best reception !

(Via Claudius Obrecht )

Europarl Radio on shortwave

Dear radio friends,

Europarl Radio will be on shortwave with its multilingual Europe Day Show from Brussels and Strasbourg, according to the following schedule:

Saturday 6 May 09:00-10:00 UTC
Tuesday 9 May 17:00-18:00 UTC
Saturday 13 May 09:00-10:00 UTC
on 6070 and 9670 kHz, via 10 kW transmitter of Channel 292 in Waal (Rohrbach), Germany.

The multilingual programmes are produced by the staff of the Directorate-General for Translation at the European Parliament.

The station will issue separate eQSLs for each programme. Qualifying reception reports should contain a description of at least 15 minutes of the programme, as well as of signal quality. Web SDRs are accepted. The reports should be sent to QSL@europarl.europa.eu

As this is a pilot project, listener feedback will facilitate its repetition in the future. So please tune in and send your reports, comments and suggestions to the above address!

Best regards,
Robertas POGORELIS
Lecturer and administrator
European Parliament
Directorate-General for Communication
Directorate for Visitors
Visits and Seminars Unit, Office 01 K 036
Rue Wiertz 60, B-1047 Brussels, Belgium
robertas.pogorelis@ep.europa.eu
www.europarl.europa.eu

(Via Hard-Core-DX mailing list)

MIB announces change from All India Radio To Akashvani

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has announced that All India Radio (AIR) will now be known as Akashvani, as per a provision of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990.

The next radio bulletin in English on the government-run service will begin with the announcement, "This is Akashvani," instead of the current announcement, "This is All India Radio."

Full story at :

https://www.outlookindia.com/national/ministry-of-information-and-broadcasting-announces-change-from-all-india-radio-to-news-283549

BBC World Service launches emergency shortwave radio service for Sudan

The programme, which will be broadcast live in London with input from teams in Amman and Cairo, will air on short wave in Sudan and be available on radio, online and across social media

The BBC World Service has launched an emergency pop-up radio service on BBC News Arabic for Sudan to provide vital access to news and information for those in the country.

Broadcast twice daily, and complementing our enhanced digital content, the service will feature eye witness accounts, news on diplomatic efforts and serve to counter disinformation in the country. Listeners will also hear information on how to access essential supplies and services as well as analysis from voices inside and outside Sudan.

The programme, which will be broadcast live in London with input from teams in Amman and Cairo, will air on short wave in Sudan and be available on radio, online and across social media.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, says: "The World Service provides an essential lifeline to many around the world where access to accurate news and information is scarce. The enhanced emergency service for Sudan will be crucial at a time of great uncertainty in the country."

Liliane Landor, Director, World Service, says: "The situation in Sudan has escalated quickly with its citizens seeking clear, independent information and advice at a time of critical need. BBC Arabic's Emergency Radio Service for Sudan will bring vital live updates of the situation on the ground and inform listeners of life-saving resources."

The programme will broadcast twice daily for three months at 0700 UTC (8am BST, 9am local time) on 21510 kHz and 1500 UTC (4pm BST, 5pm local time) on 15310 kHz. The first programme will be available on Tuesday 2 May at 1500 UTC.

The BBC World Service has a history of responding to emergency situations globally. Most recently, in February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service began extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Source : BBC Media Center

The Overcomer Ministry on new frequency 15400 kHz

As of 1 May 2023, The Overcomer Ministry moved to a new frequency 15400 kHz via Space Line Ltd. Bulgaria, every day, 1500-1800 UTC.

Reception reports at lastime@overcomerministry.org

(Georgi Ivanov on FB)

RNEIxtra #8 – A Japanese Party Music Special today !

Radio Northern Europe International Extra #8 – A Japanese Party Music Special !

4th May 2023 - 1300 UTC on 15770 kHz

Reception reports to : qsl [@] rnei.org