VOA drops shortwave to Asian sub continent

Farewell VOA shortwave from June 30. Just announced cuts remove english language programs for Asia, many foreign language programs, and also affect Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty shortwave services. Services continue to Africa in English.

(Radio Heritage Foundation on facebook)

According to reports  :

- All shortwave frequencies will be eliminated for Voice of America English radio broadcasts to Asia, VOA English teaching programs, and VOA programs to Bangladesh by 30th June (Monday)

- All shortwave frequencies for the following services will also be eliminated: Azerbaijani, Bangla, English (Learning), Khmer, Kurdish, Lao and Uzbek. 

- Shortwave being used by services at RFE/RL and RFA are also being cut.

- BBG's proposed shortwave cuts for FY2014 have been approved by Congress.

Related :

Bureaucrats gave listeners little time to learn about shortwave cuts by VOA, RFA, and RFE/RL

http://bbgwatch.com/bbgwatch/bureaucrats-gave-listeners-little-time-to-learn-about-shortwave-cuts-by-voa-rfa-and-rferl/


USA   Voice of America to end shortwave broadcasts in English and several language services. From Mon June 30 all shortwave frequencies for English News programs to Asia will be eliminated. We will no longer be heard via shortwave in the morning 2200-0200 UTC and in the evening 1200-1600 UTC.

Shortwave frequencies for the following services will also be eliminated:

 

Azerbaijani

 

1730-1800 on  7435 KWT 250 kW / 058 deg to CeAs

1730-1800 on  9490 BIB 100 kW / 080 deg to CeAs

1730-1800 on 11985 SMG 250 kW / 073 deg to CeAs

 

Bangla

 

1600-1700 on  7475 UDO 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs

1600-1700 on 11850 UDO 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs

 

English

 

2200-2300 on  5895 IRA 250 kW / 065 deg to SEAs Sun-Thu

2200-2300 on  5915 UDO 250 kW / 018 deg to EaAs Sun-Thu

2200-2300 on  7480 KWT 250 kW / 058 deg to SoAs Sun-Thu

2200-2300 on  7575 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs Sun-Thu

2200-2300 on 12150 TIN 250 kW / 313 deg to EaAs Sun-Thu

2300-2400 on  5895 PHT 250 kW / 275 deg to SEAs

2300-2400 on  7480 UDO 250 kW / 018 deg to EaAs

2300-2400 on  7575 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

2300-2400 on 12150 TIN 250 kW / 313 deg to EaAs

0100-0200 on  7425 KWT 250 kW / 082 deg to SoAs

0100-0200 on  9780 IRA 250 kW / 356 deg to SoAs

0100-0200 on 15205 UDO 250 kW / 292 deg to SoAs

1200-1300 on  7575 UDO 250 kW / 018 deg to EaAs

1200-1300 on  9510 PHT 250 kW / 283 deg to SEAs

1200-1300 on 12075 PHT 250 kW / 349 deg to SEAs

1200-1300 on 12150 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to EaAs

1300-1400 on  7575 UDO 250 kW / 018 deg to EaAs Sat/Sun

1300-1400 on  9510 PHT 250 kW / 283 deg to SEAs Sat/Sun

1300-1400 on 12075 TIN 250 kW / 305 deg to EaAs Sat/Sun

1300-1400 on 12150 PHT 250 kW / 349 deg to SEAs Sat/Sun

1400-1500 on  7575 UDO 250 kW / 268 deg to SoAs Mon-Fri

1400-1500 on 12110 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SoAs Mon-Fri

1400-1500 on 15490 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs Mon-Fri

1500-1600 on  7575 UDO 250 kW / 268 deg to SoAs

1500-1600 on 12110 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SoAs

1500-1600 on 15490 UDO 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs 

 

English Learning

 

2230-2300 on  7460 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

2230-2300 on  9570 UDO 250 kW / 018 deg to EaAs

2230-2300 on 11840 PHT 250 kW / 349 deg to EaAs

2300-2400 on  7460 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

2300-2400 on  9570 UDO 250 kW / 018 deg to EaAs

2300-2400 on 11840 PHT 250 kW / 349 deg to EaAs

0030-0100 on  7425 KWT 250 kW / 082 deg to SoAs

0030-0100 on  9790 KWT 250 kW / 078 deg to SEAs

0030-0100 on 12015 UDO 250 kW / 030 deg to EaAs

0030-0100 on 12150 UDO 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

0030-0100 on 15290 PHT 250 kW / 349 deg to EaAs

0030-0100 on 17820 PHT 250 kW / 021 deg to EaAs

1500-1600 on  6140 UDO 250 kW / 284 deg to SoAs

1500-1600 on  7540 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SoAs

1500-1600 on  9400 PHT 250 kW / 349 deg to EaAs

  

Khmer

 

2200-2230 on  5905 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

2200-2230 on  9320 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

1330-1430 on 11695 IRA 250 kW / 073 deg to SEAs 

Kurdish

 

0500-0600 on 11995 SMG 250 kW / 114 deg to WeAs

0500-0600 on 15560 IRA 250 kW / 310 deg to WeAs

0500-0600 on 17870 BIB 100 kW / 085 deg to WeAs

1400-1500 on 15470 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to WeAs

1400-1500 on 17870 IRA 250 kW / 299 deg to WeAs

1700-1800 on  7365 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs

1700-1800 on  9850 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs

1700-1800 on 11995 IRA 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs

  

Lao

 

1230-1300 on 11965 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

  

Uzbek

 

1500-1530 on 11810 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg to CeAs

1500-1530 on 11920 SMG 250 kW / 073 deg to CeAs

1500-1530 on 13650 UDO 250 kW / 316 deg to CeAs

1500-1530 on 17600 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg to CeAs

  

USA(non)   More and more cancelled broadcasts of IBB from July 1:

 

Radio Free Asia Lao, eliminated completely

 

0000-0100 on 15690 TIN 250 kW / 289 deg to SEAs

1100-1200 on  9325 SAI 100 kW / 285 deg to SEAs

1100-1200 on 15120 TIN 250 kW / 279 deg to SEAs

 

Radio Free Asia Vietnamese, eliminated completely

 

1400-1500 on  9760 TIN 250 kW / 270 deg to SEAs

1400-1500 on 12130 TIN 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

1400-1500 on 13825 SAI 100 kW / 285 deg to SEAs

2330-0030 on  9585 KWT 250 kW / 078 deg to SEAs

2330-0030 on 13835 SAI 100 kW / 285 deg to SEAs

2330-0030 on 15675 TIN 250 kW / 279 deg to SEAs

 

Radio Farda Persian

 

0030-0400 on  7280 NAU 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs

0930-1100 on 13860 LAM 100 kW / 108 deg to WeAs

1600-1700 on 15690 NAU 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs

 

Voice of America Learning English, eliminated completely

 

0130-0200 on  9825 GB  250 kW / 172 deg to SoAm

1600-1700 on 11915 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to CeAf

1600-1700 on 13570 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to CeAf

1600-1700 on 17895 IRA 250 kW / 275 deg to CSAf

 

And some transmitter changes:

 

Radio Liberty Russian

 

1300-1400 on 13745 LAM 100 kW / 055 deg to EaEu, ex WOF

 

Radio Liberty Belorussian

 

1600-1800 on  6105 LAM 100 kW / 055 deg to EaEu, ex NAU

 

Voice of America Portuguese

 

1630-1700 on 15720 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to CSAf Fri, ex ISS

1800-1830 on 15720 IRA 250 kW / 255 deg to CSAf Mon-Fri, ex ISS

 

(Ivo Ivanov,Bulgaria)

Radio Australia next on the chopping block ?

Text of Press Release by ABC on budget cuts .....

The ABC's budget will be cut by $120m over the next four years as a result of decisions made by the Federal Government in tonight's budget. Operational funding cuts of close to $40m over four years will come on top of the termination of the $220 million contract to deliver the international broadcasting service, Australia Network. The 2014-15 budget also foreshadows further significant funding cuts in the wake of the Lewis review into the operations of the ABC and SBS.

"The funding cuts will be disappointing for audiences. The government gave repeated commitments before and after the election that funding for the Corporation would be maintained," the ABC's Managing Director, Mark Scott said.

Mr Scott said while the ABC would look to make its operations more efficient, the funding cuts would regrettably and inevitably result in redundancies and a reduction in services. The ABC Board and Executive would need time to work out the full impact and to review strategies and internal budgets.

Mr Scott said the decision to cut the funding for Australia Network was very disappointing, given the ABC was only one year into a 10-year contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"Countries around the world are expanding their international broadcasting services as key instruments of public diplomacy. The ABC had negotiated a detailed strategy with DFAT to develop relationships with major broadcasters in the region and to target locals likely to trade, study in or travel to Australia. This partnership had resulted in expanded audiences in key markets and was on track to deliver all agreed targets.

"This decision runs counter to the approach adopted by the vast majority of G-20 countries who are putting media at the centre of public diplomacy strategies to engage citizens in other countries.

"It sends a strange message to the region that the government does not want to use the most powerful communication tools available to it to talk to our regional neighbours about Australia.

"The agreed strategy with DFAT based on broadcasting, online partnerships and social media was proving successful. This decision cannot be justified in terms of performance against agreed priorities."

Mr Scott said the ABC Board would now have to examine how the ABC delivers its international Charter obligation, which requires it to broadcast programs that, among other things, "encourage awareness of Australia and an international understanding of Australian attitudes on world affairs".

In addition to the funding cuts, the ABC will also have to manage the cessation of funding for the online disability website,ABC Ramp Up at the end of this financial year.

Mr Scott said the ABC was aware of the tight fiscal environment and constantly reviewed its strategy and performance to find better work practices and greater efficiencies.

"The ABC is very tightly geared. We have been diligent in reducing backroom costs over recent years to ensure the ABC can deliver better and more varied content to our audiences. That strategy has enabled the ABC to self-fund important new initiatives like iview, ABC News24, triple j Unearthed online and a range of other new digital services."

Mr Scott said the budget made it clear the Lewis efficiency exercise would impose additional demands on ABC budgets over the next few years. The Department of Communications has been conducting a study into ABC and SBS efficiency with the assistance of ex-Channel 7 CFO and recently appointed CFO of Southern Cross Austereo, Peter Lewis.

"The task ahead will be extremely challenging for ABC management and staff," Mr Scott said.

"We will need to make funding cuts, while trying to also save money to invest in new priorities to ensure the ABC remains a compelling feature of the Australian media landscape – a public broadcaster in the digital era."

(Press Release)

And here are few tweets on the budget cuts :

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

Karen Barlow ‏@KJBar  2h

The ABC contract to run Australia Network is to be terminated. The measure is expected to save almost $197m over nine years #budget2014

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

Simon Cullen ‏@Simon_Cullen  1h

ABC & SBS will have their budgets cut by 1%. ABC also loses the contract for the Australia Network TV channel.

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

DEBORAH STEELE ‏@debsteele123  1h

The Australian government to pay the ABC $10.6m in 2014-15 to wind down Australia Network @ausnetwork

Retweeted by Radio Australia News

Simon Cullen ‏@Simon_Cullen  1h

ABC boss Mark Scott says the #budget cut will result in redundancies and a reduction in services. Full statement: http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/abc-budget-response/ …

Voice of Russia to close down shortwave broadcasts by 1st April, 2014

After several online stories & predictions about closure of shortwave services by Voice of Russia received this official response today....

Quote....

Dear Mr Gupta,

This is just a short message to thank you for your letter and let you know that the Voice of Russia is closing shortwave broadcasts as of April 1^st. Our programs will be available online at http://voiceofrussia.com/play/

We hope you will stay with the Voice of Russia and hope to hear from you soon again.

Sincerely yours,

Elena Osipova

Letters Department

World Service

Voice of Russia

RIP - Voice of Russia, Bengali Service

Voice of Russia will shut down its Bengali service website from January 1, 2014 due to lack of funding......RIP Voice of Russia Bengali Service, earlier on SW and now online.

 

Voice of Russia dropped their bengali transmission on shortwave on 29th March, 2009.