DX TIPS BBC Hindi's audience in India rises: BBC World Service has stemmed its declining radio audience in India, according to an independent audience survey. BBC Hindi has grown by 4.3 million, taking the BBC's weekly Hindi audience up to 14.5 million. The survey, conducted in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jharkand and Rajastan, revealed that weekly listenership to the BBC confirms the BBC as India's number one international radio provider. The BBC captures 40% of all those listening to the radio in Bihar, and a third of radio listeners in Jharkand. In the remaining three states, just under one in five of radio listeners turn to the BBC Hindi Service every week.
Head of BBC Hindi, Achala Sharma, said that the increase in audience this year is likely to be the result of a combination of factors: "We have developed our programming so it connects directly with our audiences in the 'Hindi belt'. "I am also sure that our road show marketing initiative in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh last year has contributed to this success." According to the survey, which was undertaken almost a year after the BBC Hindi road show ended, 16% of weekly listeners across the states said they were aware of the BBC Hindi events. This amounts to over 2 million people. The Hindi road show visited over 40 locations in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, giving local people direct contact with the BBC. Controller of BBC World Service Marketing Communications & Audiences, Alan Booth, added: "India is a key market for the BBC. The rapid growth of TV viewing across India over the last 10 years, combined with India's broadcasting legislation which prevents news and current affairs on FM radio stations, has changed the media landscape. "However, we are pleased to see that BBC Hindi is growing in popularity in the towns and villages of Northern India. This survey proves that, with new programme formats and astute marketing, we are able to build on what had been a declining audience." The survey was commissioned by BBC World Service and was conducted by AC Nielsen between December 2004 and January 2005. (Source: BBC Press release 8 April, 2005) Digital KBS Attracts World Broadcasters : KBS has recently been designated as a service provider of terrestrial DMB along with MBC, SBS major terrestrial television stations to launch the world�s first DMB service in Korea later this year. In conjunction with this, many of overseas broadcasters are visiting KBS to learn and experience the advanced broadcast technology. A delegation from Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) (US) and Bouygues Group (France) visited KBS on March 22 and April 4 respectively. Delegates from ATSC had a meeting with Mr. Jung Yun-Joo, President & CEO of KBS and participated in a facility tour and a seminar on KBS digital broadcasting. Visitors from Bouygues Group, headed by Mr. Martin Bouygues, Chairman & CEO, were briefed on Korean T-DMB and KBS� related plans. Meanwhile, Mr. Ahn Dong-Su, Executive Vice President of KBS gave a presentation on KBS T-DMB technology & business vision at �Chinese DMB Founding Ceremony� held in Beijing, China on 28-30 of March. (Source: What�s on KBS, March 2005, Vol.15) Zimbabwe to launch 24-hour news radio station : HARARE, April 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Zimbabwe will soon launch the New Ziana 24-hour News Radio Station, an official said here on Thursday. The New Ziana head of the Electronic Services Business Unit, Happison Muchechetere, said everything was ready for the launch of the Radio Station with the equipment having been procured and installed in the studios in Gweru. He said recruitment of staff had been completed and rehearsals for broadcasting were in progress. The Radio Station would also rely on synergies with its sister companies, the news agency and the community newspapers, which have an abundance of news gatherers, he said. On the choice of frequency for the Radio Station, Muchechetere said short wave was the best, as it had the longest reach. "On short wave we will be accessible to people within Zimbabwe and those abroad where our signal will reach," he said. Muchechetere said the station would provide news of a Pan-African perspective 24 hours a day and seven days a week, targeting everyone in Africa. On the justification for another radio station on top of the four that the country already has, Muchechetere said the format was different from the existing ones, which provided news after every hour. "At the moment one has to wait for an hour to hear updates of events," he said, citing the example of the just ended elections, which were punctuated with musical programs as people waited for the announcement of more results. "With Radio 24-7, within an hour we would have given a lot," said Muchechetere. He said the radio station would provide news, analyses, live reports from the region and the continent as well as many other news related programs. There was a niche for providing news 24 hours of the day as people wanted to keep abreast of events instead of having to wait for hours, he said. Plans are underway to open up the airwaves to other players and end the monopoly that Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings has enjoyed over the years, he said. (Source : Xinhua News Agency) Radio Netherlands launches service for foreign media: (12 April 05) Radio Netherlands has launched a new Media Desk in a bid to provide foreign news organisations with more information about current developments in Holland. The initiative offers background information on international and national issues, contacts, interviews with RNW experts and tailor-made clips. When foreign journalists have questions, they usually turn to RNW� And since we broadcast in eight languages, our journalists can address questions in several foreign languages,� said Editor-in-chief Joop Daalmeijer. RNW�s website at www.rnmediadesk.nl offers current and in-depth information on a variety of topics, a database of experts working at RNW and useful links to sites dealing with the Netherlands. The Dutch international public broadcaster is an ABU member. (Source : ABU Website) PanAmSat Signs Global Distribution Deal With CRI: Radio Network�s 36 Channels Will Reach Listeners Around the World. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, April 11, 2005 -- PanAmSat Corporation announced today that it entered into a multi-year agreement with China Radio International (CRI), China�s sole overseas radio network. Under the terms of the agreement, CRI will leverage the power of three of PanAmSat�s satellites the PAS-8 Pacific Ocean Region satellite, the PAS-9 Atlantic Ocean Region satellite and the PAS-10 Indian Ocean Region satellite. Through PanAmSat, China Radio International will reach listeners around the world in eight different languages via its 36 audio channels. �PanAmSat will now serve as the global platform for the worldwide delivery of China Radio International�s programming bouquet, enabling the network to reach listeners on every corner of the earth,� said David Ball, vice president, Asia-Pacific, PanAmSat. �This significant agreement offers CRI the versatility, reliability and comprehensive coverage that they need as they expand their service offering.� PanAmSat will provide C-band capacity on PAS-8, PAS-9 and PAS-10 and turn-around service at its Napa, California teleport to facilitate the global distribution of CRI�s programming. The network will initially broadcast in eight languages and plans to expand to 39 over time. Its programming fare includes 200 hours of daily airtime comprised of news, music, commentary and entertainment. PAS-8, an FS 1300 model satellite employing 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, is located at 166 degrees east longitude. The satellite provides comprehensive coverage of the Asia-Pacific region, including high-power Ku-band spot beams that cover Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Australia. PAS-9, a Boeing 601 HP model satellite employing 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, is located at 58 degrees west longitude and offers comprehensive coverage of the Americas and the Caribbean. The satellite serves more than a dozen of the world�s most prominent international broadcasters and programmers who deliver their content throughout the Americas. The PAS-10 satellite, a Boeing 601 HP model satellite, employing 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, is located at 68.5 degrees east longitude and offers comprehensive coverage of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Many of the beams can be switched between the various regions, offering flexibility in the creation of new platforms for the delivery of video, data and IP-based services. About China Radio International Founded on December 3, 1941, China Radio International (CRI) is the only overseas broadcaster in the People�s Republic of China. Owned and operated by the state, its mission is to enhance friendship and understanding between the Chinese people and people in other countries. In addition to its broadcasts in 43 languages, CRI also runs multimedia websites, TV programs and publishing houses. About PanAmSat Through its owned and operated fleet of 23 satellites, PanAmSat (NYSE: PA) is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. In total, the Company's in-orbit fleet is capable of reaching over 98 percent of the world's population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.panamsat.com. (Source: Press release, PanAmSat) Best Regards, MD. AZIZUL ALAM AL-AMIN GOURHANGA, GHORAMARA RAJSHAHI-6100 BANGLADESH ---[Start Commercial]--------------------- World Radio TV Handbook 2005 is coming out. Preorder yours and support open communications for DXers: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0823077942/hardcoredxcom ---[End Commercial]----------------------- ________________________________________ Hard-Core-DX mailing list [email protected] http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/hard-core-dx http://www.hard-core-dx.com/ _______________________________________________ THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS FREE. It may be copied, distributed and/or modified under the conditions set down in the Design Science License published by Michael Stutz at http://dsl.org/copyleft/dsl.txt
