2008 DIARY ARCHIVE - DATES GO IN DESCENDING ORDER

2008 DIARY ARCHIVE - DATES GO IN DESCENDING ORDER

Text format here - to simplify display


27th December 2008
Waffler
Sorry that I did not come on line to tell you about the superb programmes from the Mighty KBC on 9770 Khz. They put our programmes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 10am up until 5pm (I heard them close down at 3.30 on Boxing Day if my memory serves me well.
Other than listening to the Mighty KBC I have not really done any shortwave listening for around 6 weeks. I find that every now and gain it pays to take a rest. I have also taken a rest from listening to my wi fi radio. This has given me time to do many more things, and listen to domestic radio. Radio 4 and LBC are a delight, as is BBC 3 Counties Radio.
News from other sources
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The BBC has announced that Andy Parfitt is expanding his responsibilities, taking on the role of Controller of BBC Popular Music in addition to his existing portfolio that includes Radio 1, 1Xtra, Asian Network and BBC Switch.

As part of his responsibilities, the Radio 1 controller will also oversee the pan-BBC music event The Electric Proms. Parfitt had been caretaking the role since Lesley Douglas resigned from the post two months ago, consequently, he’ll take up the permanent position with immediate effect.

Though he was considered an industry favourite for the post of controller of Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, the BBC have said that he had not applied for the role.

Tim Davie, Director, BBC Audio & Music, said: "Andy's work leading the younger focused networks has been outstanding – and I'm confident that he'll develop our popular music content with the same energy and focus that he has brought to BBC Radio and Switch."

Parfitt added: "I'm really pleased to expand my role. This is a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge of driving our popular music strategy forward on all platforms."
Lorna Clarke is relinquishing her role as Head of Programmes at BBC 1Xtra to focus solely on the Electric Proms. Clarke currently combines her 1Xtra role with the position of the Proms’ Festival Director.

1Xtra Controller Andy Parfitt, who recently expanded his own role within the BBC said: "Lorna has delivered a much stronger 1Xtra, successfully introducing a new schedule alongside a number of significant events. She is a surefooted leader and I wish her every success for the future."

Clarke added: "I'm proud of what has been achieved in my time at 1Xtra. The network is in good health, and is achieving a new record reach of 600,000 listeners a week."

As Festival Director, BBC Electric Proms, she is responsible for the delivery of the multi-platform live music event which broadcasts across a number of networks including, BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, BBC Asian Network and BBC Local Radio.

She will leave 1Xtra in March 2009.
The switchover from analogue to digital radio could begin as early as 2017, and be complete by 2020, a report by the Digital Radio Working Group has suggested.

Between now and then, the working group suggest certain trigger points should be reached before the next stage is initiated. At least 50 per cent of the hours spent listening to radio should be on digital radio sets - and that figure is expected to be reached by 2015. It currently stands at 18.7 per cent.

Barry Cox, chairman of the DRWG and former Channel 4 deputy chairman, said: "Most importantly we need to see overall coverage for DAB improve, along with more focus to get motorists to adopt DAB so that it can be a real alternative to FM services."

“We have always believed in the future of digital radio and now urge the industry, along with Government and Ofcom to address the barriers to successful migration.”

The radio industry has welcomed the news, with RadioCentre, digital transmission provider MUxCo and the BBC all releasing statements to that effect.

RadioCentre chief executive, Andrew Harrison: “RadioCentre is fully committed to working with the industry to make that plan happen. The DRWG has done excellent work over the last 12 months in finding the best way to achieve this. We hope the recommendations in the report will be accepted by Government and will be reflected in their Digital Britain report next year.”

MuxCo agrees with the DRWG that a radio-specific broadcast platform is an essential part of radio’s future and that “DAB, unlike both DTT and the internet, is the most effective and financially viable way of delivering digital radio, particularly large local radio services, for the foreseeable future”.

Gregory Watson, managing director at MuxCo, says “Today’s announcement gives us even more comfort with the development of DAB. We look forward to the publication of the Government’s Digital Britain Report in early 2009, and urge Government and Ofcom to consider the recommendations set out in the DRWG report”.

Tim Davie, Director of BBC Audio and Music, said: "The BBC is committed to supporting DAB through distinctive digital services and extensive coverage, and will continue to work with the rest of the radio industry in driving digital listening."


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The president of Bulgaria’s Focus News Agency, Krasimir Uzunov, gave an in interview to Radio Focus–Smolyan on the occasion of radio station’s 5th anniversary. During ther interview he revealed that next year the Focus National Radio Network will increase with several new radio stations.
Asked whether it was easy to run a news radio in Bulgaria, Krasimir Uzunov said that the easiest thing to do is to install an antenna and start airing a music programme. “Instead, we try to find people, who want to be taught how to make news. We believe that this is harder – it requires higher expenses and less profit, but it is lasting – that’s why we buy offices”Krasimir Uzunov also announced that soon there would be Radio Focus–Plovdiv.
(Source: Focus News Agency)
Hong Kong’s Office of the Telecommunications Authority has mounted an enforcement operation against the Citizens’ Radio which is suspected of using illegal radio transmitters for broadcasting.
“Under the authority of court warrant, OFTA officers entered the premises in Chai Wan and seized one set of radio transmitter. During the operation, three persons were also requested for assisting further investigation,” a spokesperson for OFTA stated in a press release about the action last week.
“It is unlawful for any person to establish or maintain any means of telecommunications without an appropriate licence under the Telecommunications Ordinance. The judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal on 12 December upheld that the relevant offence provisions are constitutional. Any person who engages in such illegal activity would contravene section 8(1) of the TO and is liable to prosecution. The offender is liable to a maximum penalty of HKD100,000 fine and five years’ imprisonment upon conviction,” the spokesperson concluded.
OFTA says illegal radio broadcasting is liable to cause harmful interference to other legitimate service providers and users. OFTA will continue to enforce the law to ensure proper management of radio spectrum which is a valuable public resource.
(Source: China Tech News)

Voice of Ho Chi Minh City People radio (VOH) will launch some foreign language channels next year, including in English, French and Chinese, its director Nguyen Chau Ky said. Speaking at a press conference, he said the launch follows suggestions by foreign diplomats interested in knowing more about Vietnam’s economy, law, culture and other aspects. VOH also plans to broadcast in Korean, Japanese, and Khmer, he said, promising existing channels would improve quality and broadcast longer.
Starting 1 January 1, AM 610 KHz news channel would be on the air 20 hours a day compared to 18 ½ now, while FM 99.9 MHz entertainment trade information channel would become 24×7, up from 19 hours a day now, he announced. VOH would set up a station in Soc Trang Province to broadcast FM 99.9 MHz channel to the Mekong Delta, he said.
Bui Van Quoc, former sales manager of TNS Media Vietnam, revealed the results of a survey on the habits of VOH’s listeners: “Despite the increasing popularity of the Internet and cable television, many Vietnamese are still keen on popular radio programmes.”(Source: SGGP English edition)

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A Chicago radio icon, Spike O'Dell, did his last broadcast on WGN-AM 720 this past Friday morning (12/​15).
From The Sunday Times


December 14, 2008
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Secret deal secures BBC cash until 2033
The corporation’s grandiose plan for a new £813m HQ forced ministers to give an assurance on its future





Steven Swinford







The BBC is shrugging off the recession by spending more than £800m on a magnificent new headquarters in central London of glass and Portland stone.
Now Greg Dyke, the former director-general who masterminded the deal, has disclosed that the project was so large it forced ministers to give a secret assurance that the corporation’s future was secure until at least 2033.
The disclosure has angered politicians who say the assurance — made by Tessa Jowell, the former culture secretary — may have bounced future governments into endorsing the future funding and survival of the BBC.
Philip Davies, a Tory MP and member of the Commons select committee for culture, media and sport, said: “We have always worked on the principle in this country that no government can bind a successive one, but that’s in effect what Tessa Jowell was doing.

“She was giving an assurance that she was not entitled to make. It’s a constitutional outrage. The BBC has forced the government’s hand by spending so much money at a time when the future of the licence fee is uncertain.”The licence fee, which is due to be reviewed again in 2012, the year work is scheduled to finish on Broadcasting House, the BBC’s art deco headquarters. Its royal charter expires at the end of 2016. The rise of satellite television and limitless choice on the internet have undermined the rationale for the existence of the BBC.
Dyke was forced to resign as director-general after a clash with No 10 over the Hutton report on the death of the weapons expert Dr David Kelly. He said this weekend he extracted written assurances from the government that the BBC would be “properly funded” until 2033 to help secure an £813m bond needed to finance the redevelopment of Broadcasting House.
He embarked on a massive building programme, commissioning Pacific Quay, the BBC’s £190m Scottish headquarters in Glasgow, and new studio complexes in Hull and Birmingham. His real obsession, however, was the redevelopment of the grade II* Broadcasting House, which was built in 1932.
“Broadcasting House is important in terms of the long-term solidarity and security of the BBC for the next 40 years. We wanted to make something special, something wonderful that would stand the test of time,” Dyke said.
To fund the redevelopment, the BBC decided in 2003 to tap the bond market for the first time. Although the £813m 30- year bond was not guaranteed by the government, the BBC was given an AA credit rating.
According to Dyke, Jowell’s written assurances over the future of the BBC helped secure the deal. “When we were getting the bond we had to get an assurance from the secretary of state that the BBC will still be around,” he said.
“We had to agree a wording to make sure it looked like the BBC will still be properly funded. It basically said that it is our [the government's] belief that the BBC will still be there and still be funded by 2030.”The redevelopment is already two years behind schedule and £20m over budget. Work is now under way on a nine-storey extension that will host BBC News and BBC Global News — including the World Service — alongside the national radio stations.
When completed, the centre will have more than 4,500 staff, 36 radio studios, six TV studios, two control rooms and 60 graphics and editing suites. It will also include the world’s largest newsroom, a 43,000 sq ft open-plan office equivalent to half the size of a football pitch.
In Britain, no other media organisation comes close, meaning that any minister who decided to slash the BBC licence fee would turn the building into a white elephant, wasting public money. ITN’s newsroom is a quarter of the size, while Sky’s is a fifth.
“We’ve got to the situation now when commercial broadcasters are on their uppers trying to survive, cutting costs here, there and everywhere, whereas the BBC has got so much money that they don’t know what to do with it,” said Davies.
A spokesman for the culture department insisted that ministers had not acted “unconstitutionally”, but declined to comment further. The BBC declined to comment.
Poor credit
Kenneth Branagh, now starring as a Swedish detective in the much-praised BBC1 drama Wallander, has criticised the corporation for “zooming through” cast and crew credits.
“The BBC thinks it must move on very fast to the next programme or promo or it will lose viewers,” Branagh said. “It’s insulting.”In Wallander, watched by more than 6m viewers, 99 names flash past in 14 seconds.
Equity, the actors’ union, has recently raised the issue with Mark Thompson, the BBC director-general. Many viewers have also complained.
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Two DJs at Birmingham University's radio station have been sacked after claiming that Des O'Connor's daughter works as a porn actress.
20-year-old Lewis Grewock and 22-year-old Sam Foster made the accusation about Kristina O'Connor during their show on Burn FM.
A friend of Kristina revealed that the DJs may have been influenced by the Manuelgate affair, saying: "They thought they were being really funny and producing cutting-edge comedy.
"I think they might have been inspired by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand's infamous remarks on their show, but all they were doing was upsetting people and making outrageous comments for shock value."
Des O'Connor has called the incident "puerile nonsense".
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New Group Aims For Web Radio Standards; Intel Follows Apple’s Pure Investment
By Robert Andrews - Sat 27 Dec 2008 03:33 AM PST
2009 could be the year internet-streamed audio and video could really become a reality on radios and TVs in the UK. On top of the BBC’s Project Canvas initiative, Auntie and a collection of other broadcasters and device-makers have formed the Internet Media Device Alliance to develop standards and best practice for web-enabled media gadgets. As well as the BBC, the steering committee comprises members from vTuner, Frontier Silicon, Reciva, Pure Global Radio, AwoX, Orange, TerraTec and Audiovox, so IP-enabled radio is clearly the focus. Inaugural meeting is January 9 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Speaking of internet radios - probably the biggest manufacturer, Pure parent Imagination Technologies, looks like becoming the kingmaker not only in DAB and IP radio but also in other chipsets. After Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) bought a stake last week, Intel (NSDQ: INTC) Capital has now added 934,422 shares to the six million it already owned, increasing its stake in e Hertfordshire chip licensing firm to 3.04 percent (RNS announcement).
Nine media companies were disciplined, twice as many as last year, ranging from public service broadcasters BBC and ITV to radio stations GCAP, now part of Global, and UTV's Talksport.
The biggest fine was incurred by ITV, which was handed a record £5.67m penalty for competition offences – 3pc of its last full-year profits.
GCAP radio was fined £1.1m for misleading viewers over competitions on 30 of its stations and obstructing an Ofcom investigation. It was hit with the penalty just three months after it was bought by Global Radio in a deal worth £375m.
The fines handed to commercial stations were higher than those given to the BBC, which contravened Ofcom rules on ten different programmes, ranging from Comic Relief to Russell Brand on BBC6 Music. The public broadcaster was given penalties totalling £450,000.
"This year there have been more fines related to breaches of competition rules than usual," said Ofcom spokesman Ed Knight. "But Ofcom doesn't try to beat any targets, it just depends on what comes to light."
Broadcasters will be hoping that next year does not herald another batch of fines, eating into the profits of commercial stations when advertising has fallen to 1992 figures.
James MacLeod, ITV spokesman, said the broadcaster had gone further than any other in putting an end to competition scandals, commissioning an independent report looking at the incidents.
"Since the publication of the Deloitte report, ITV has put in place a range of new compliance and training procedures to safeguard against any recurrence of such breaches in trust," he said.
The final penalty of the year was given to the BBC for two misleading radio competitions, prompting Ofcom to stress the need for particular care around the issue of competitions.
Ofcom said many of theses incidents were dealt with severely "because any such deception goes to the heart of the issue of trust between a broadcaster and its audience".
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Wave goodbye to DAB – give me FM
Published: December 27 2008 02:00 | Last updated: December 27 2008 02:00

From Mr J. Rice.
Sir, With reference to your report “Switchover to digital radio could get under way in 2017” (December 20/21), I have had three DAB radios inflicted on me as presents. I hate them all.
I found no advantages to DAB. Complex unnecessary menus, very slow response to commands. Absurd alarm menus on one. No, I am clinging on to my easy-to-use FM sets.
J. Rice,
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK
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After 15 years in the North East, and a decade in the North West of England, Century Radio is to be re-branded as Real Radio, to match sister stations in Yorkshire, Wales and Scotland.

The two remaining Century stations are part of the same regional GMG network as Real, and the stations are currently alike in everything but name. Programmes are shared each weekday from 8pm till 6am and more at weekends.

Century Radio North East was launched by GMG CEO John Myers and Group PD John Simons on behalf of Border Television in September 1994, followed by Century Radio North West in 1998. After the pair left and went their separate ways, they were re-united in Wales to launch the first of three Real Radio stations, working for the Guardian Media Group.

GMG Radio’s Deputy Chief Executive Stuart Taylor said: “As strong brands become increasingly important in the media market GMG Radio will house two of the most powerful networks in the UK .Real Radio and Smooth Radio complement each other perfectly. Listeners will continue to enjoy the same great presenters and music, and advertisers will benefit from bigger and better opportunities.”

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The media regulator Ofcom has today fined St Albans and Watford Broadcasting Limited £20,000 in respect of its service, Hertfordshire Mercury FM. The station was fined for unfair conduct in regard to its on air quiz, Secret Sound.

The competition consisted of playing a mysterious sound on air and inviting the audience to guess what it was either by phone call or text message. Mercury FM was found to be in breach of two rules of the Broadcasting Code with the competition, including deliberately choosing entrants with wrong answers to participate to prevent the prize from being won.

The media regulator also found that the Licensee had failed to put in place any effective or sufficient compliance procedures, processes or checks to ensure that the content in question was compliant with the Code.

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12th December 2008
Waffler
I have not listened into my wi fi radio for a week or so now. This afternoon I listened to WRJQ Goodtime Radio from Appleton in the USA. They had on old time dance, most in the format of dutch instrumentals played by Farmers From Holland. WSOM 660 Ohio and WJPCT 106.3 were all playing back to back Christmas music. The best listening today was RNI which plays a variety of music from five decades. It plays RNI jingles, some cheeky adverts and jingles at times, and some good internation music, not just English, Try them out http://radionorthsea.hopto.org:9068/index.html
A review of the Revo Pico internet receiver has been added to our magazine section.
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News from other sources
GrootNieuwsRadio, the Dutch Christian station broadcasting on 1008
kHz, stopped its regular programmes at 1100 UTC today due to financial
problems. A press release on the station's website says that non-stop
music will be broadcast for the next few days, and it will then go
silent unless new financial support is found.
Full Media Network report:
http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/grootnieuwsradio-stops-its-programmes-for-finan\
cial-reasons

Press release (Dutch):
http://www.grootnieuwsradio.nl/nieuws/479/persbericht-12-december-2008
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Media Network reports [10 December]:

The BBC and Deutsche Welle (DW) today launched the new Digital Radio
Mondiale (DRM) digital radio channel for Europe that was scheduled to begin
early next year. The channel is an 18-hour daily broadcast of the best
international programmes in English from BBC World Service and DW. It also
brings to the audience all the advantages of the DRM digital radio including
near-FM quality audio, text messages, Journaline and an Electronic Programme
Guide (EPG).

This first ever joint BBC-DW DRM radio channel has been launched using six
transmitters, which are used in pairs, to cover much of Western Europe. The
signal covers France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and other
neighbouring countries.

The broadcast can be heard from 0500-2300 UTC on shortwave and on 1296
mediumwave [at 0500-0700 and 1700-2100].

Full Media Network report and comments at:
http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/bbcdws-new-drm-service-launches-ahead-of-schedu\
le

Full info including a press release, flyer & coverage map on the drm.org web
site:
http://www.drm.org/news/detail/news/launch-bbc-deutsche-welle-in-europe-on-drm-d\
igital-radio/
48 UTC by Andy Sennitt 
The China-Cambodia Friendship Radio (CCFR), a joint FM radio service between China Radio International (CRI) and Radio National of Kampuchea (RNK), was formally launched on Thursday in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
The launch of the radio service is part of the activities that have been designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia, Zhang Jinfeng, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, said at the launching ceremony. With the new radio service in place, its programmes will help transmit information and further promote exchanges between the two nations, she added.
Listeners in Phnom Penh and surrounding areas will easily enjoy CCFR programs ranging from news on China and the world to Chinese and Cambodian music programs, according to a press release from CRI. CCFR, on FM 96.5 MHz, broadcasts from 2300-1700 UTC daily. The programs are in Cambodian, Chinese and English.
(Source: Xinhua)

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After months of blood, sweat and tears, BMRB’s modern take on a Christmas classic is finally complete. Using the streets of Birmingham to update Raymond Briggs’ story of a boy who befriends a magical snowman.
Justin Webb BBCs North America Editor is to join BBC Radio 4s flagship current affairs programme Today as a presenter from next October
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30th November 2008

Waffler
Howard Hughes has sadly done his last show on BBC 3 Counties today - he was reminiscining about his days interview singers like Paul Carrak at Capital Radio. A great broadcaster with a lovely deep brown voice. Lets hope he turns up somewhere else very soon. Reminds me that Tank Montana is on the breakfast show on 96.6 which I can pick up here. Pity Planet Rock dropped him.
I have not seen many poems about radio, so I did a google search and found these gems - enjoy!
http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/016.html
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/radio-poem/
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-radio-with-guts/
http://allpoetry.com/poem/1846323
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2008/jul/25/radiopoetrycommunalsolitude (lovely picture of a radio on this site)
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/Ben-Doyle/7804
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200811/poem-keillor
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=178681
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-125229104.html
If you are into serious poetry you can download podcasts here - they are not about the medium of radio though!
http://www.wglt.org/podcasts/poetry_radio/

News from other sources
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The Absolut vodka company is suing the U.K.'s recently-rebranded
Absolute Radio for trademark infringement because of possible
consumer confusion over the similar names.
 
Absolute Radio International was formerly Virgin Radio.
The name change happened after Virgin Radio was sold to a
division of the Times of India.
 
A spokesperson for Absolute Radio said: "We absolutely believe
that the two brands can exist alongside each other and that
our five million listeners can distinguish between a vodka
brand and a radio station. We hope for a swift resolution
to this situation and remain 100% committed to our exciting
plans for Absolute Radio."
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Ex-BBC DJ jailed for kid porn
-----------------------------------------------------------
The former BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Denning has been jailed for
five years in Slovakia for distributing child pornography.
 
The 67-year-old was arrested in February after being charged
with immoral behaviour and producing and possessing child
pornography
 
Denning, who has already been jailed on similar charges in
the Czech Republic and Britain, agreed to his extradition
to Slovakia.
 
A European warrant had been issued in December 2007 in
connection with offences involving four boys, aged 16 and
17, dating from 2002 and 2003.
 
A police search of his house in Bratislava in April 2004
uncovered child pornography tapes.
 
He was then taken into custody by a Bratislava court but
fled the country on release.
 
Chris Denning was one of the original disc jockeys at
Radio Luxembourg and later joined BBC Radio 1 and worked
with The Beatles and Gary Glitter.
 
Say no more.
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Easy Radio was replaced by Kismat on the London 3 Multiplex on October 28.

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Radio Caroline will be the official radio station at this year's Sail, Power
and Watersports Show aka 'The Boat Show' taking place at Earls Court Exhibition
Centre, London between 26th 30th November.
There will be a radio studio plus a stand selling books, and DVDs etc.
Further information on www.radiocaroline.co.uk

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Easy Radio had been broadcasting without presenters since June 6, two
of their former presenters, Paul Owens and Ron Brown, are doing
mornings and afternoons respectively on Time 106.6, another station
owned by the London Media Company. It's thought they are using the
former Easy Radio studios in Southall.
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Chris Forrester reports on Rapid TV News: Worldspace (UK) Ltd called in
the liquidators on Friday 14 November. The action means an immediate
suspension of the Afristar channels that were being transmitted from
London by WRN. The move also means that Worldspace UK's few remaining
staff have been let go, according to informed sources. London employees
have received no salaries since September. Telemetry, care and control
of Afristar are still being carried out. Insiders suggest that Afristar
is still carrying some radio channels beamed up from South Africa.
WorldSpace UK is a separate operation to WorldSpace Inc, which is
currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Our sources suggest that
WorldsSpace's London assets (transmission equipment and so forth) had
already been formally seized ahead of the liquidation because
WorldSpace is in default on payments. A Creditors Meeting will be held
later in November.

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17th November 2008
Waffler
First, I hope that the Admral Robbie Dale is ok. I had a heart attack in May 2007 and was looked after welll in Harefield and Watford hosptitals. I am on medication for life but had no need for any surgical intervention. If anyone has any tingles in the chin, or pains in the chest, go to the doctors or A & E without delay. My symptoms were quite mild at first, and they told me if I had not come in when I did I would not be alive today. Heart care is very well advanced - please visit http://www.bhf.org.uk/ for more, and reliable information
Have been listening to Radio North Sea International on wi fi radio, it is worth a listen. Visit the Receiva site to hear it,https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=56, it plays Man of Action at the top of the hour and jingles, plus music from the past 5 decades. I heard some Dutch songs as well from the 60s and 70s!
I will be putting some listening notes into the dairy soon, I am compiling this update on a different pc and the editor here is displaying differently
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News from other sources

On Saturday at this year's Radio Day, Hans Knot announced that Robbie Dale isn't well and scheduled for a heart op - I e-mailed Robbie today and got a reply from his bedside mobile saying his op is scheduled for . Positive vibes to the Admiral!
 
I'm sure he'd appreciate e-mail greetings through his business website www.sanfranciscopark.com.
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Dutch classical music channel threatened with closure because it’s too popular!November 16th, 2008 - 11:59 UTC by Andy Sennitt 
David de Jong writes: A bizarre situation has developed in the Netherlands. Everywhere in the world, classical broadcasters are shutting down, because of falling listening figures. In the Netherlands however, the Concertzender, which many of you might know because of its splendid Internet channels, has to shut down because it has become too popular!
Dutch Public radio hosts the Concertzender, and working with 150 volunteers and a handful of paid staff members, it operates on a budget of 500.000 euro a year. Cable companies in the Netherlands are now opting to carry the Concertzender, instead of the non-classical Radio 6 (operating on a budget many times of the Concertzender!!). Instead of looking for a good solution, the co-ordinator of Radio 6 just wants to pull the plug from the Concertzender.
Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills has landed in hot water with Ofcom for broadcasting a game that appeared to air censored swear words.

The Press Association reports that the regulator has objected to the game 'Badly Bleeped TV' as it featured words such as 'fated' and 'fantastic' that were censored to sound "for all intents and purposes" like 'f**k'.

Ofcom said that the feature, which aired at 4pm during the school holidays, had breached regulations by purposefully editing the audio clips to sound like expletives.

Radio 1 claimed that the feature was not meant to cause offence and intended to represent "the saucy seaside postcard tradition of comedy".

BBC sitcom After You've Gone has also faced criticism from Ofcom for showing Nicholas Lyndhurst's character overdose on painkillers because he believed they contained sugar.
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Test transmissions for BBC Gaelic have commenced on digital satellite in advance of the channel's launch on September 19.

The channel is testing at 11.953 H with the label 6736, and is showing now-and-next electronic programme guide data for ALBA An Diugh, Scotland Today.

It forms part of the Gaelic Digital Service, which was approved by the BBC Trust in January, and will initially be available nationally on digital satellite and cable. A launch on digital terrestrial will be subject to a further BBC Trust public value test in 2010.

Yesterday, SMG chief executive Rob Woodward suggested that his company work with the BBC to launch a "Scottish Gold" channel based on a similar funding model.
WorldSpace reported to have closed UK uplink centre

Someone identified as 'Wilson 500' has posted the following message on
Digital Spy: "WorldSpace yesterday switched off their UK uplink centre to
Afristar. Sadly jobs have been lost. " Juan Carlos Ara, who has a WorldSpace
receiver, says "So that means some stations have ceased on WorldSpace West
Beam. These are the only stations that remain or are on air, all FTA : BBC
World Service, Marine, RFI - 1, Radio Esperance, BFM, RMC Info."

Thanks to Ray Woodward for passing on the links to those posts. Ray adds
that "I can confirm that at least one WorldSpace licence has now been
dropped from the OFCOM list of UK satellite licences". So it appears that
WorldSpace has now ended all its activities in the UK. Thus far I have not
seen any official statement from WorldSpace.

 
Norman Tomalin's 1998 book Daventry Calling the World has now been
made available on the BBCeng.info site as a pdf download:

http://www.bbceng.info/Books/ dx-world/dx-world.htm
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Generous BBC Radio 2 listeners have raised £2million for this year's BBC Children in Need Appeal – with a little help from presenter Chris Evans who contributed £16,039 to bring the total to exactly £2million. 
Sir Terry Wogan's auction of Things Money Can't Buy on his breakfast show, Chris Evans' Drivetime Dine and Disco auction – this year with added Drive and Dine – and a Music Marathon all formed part of the network's week-long round of fundraising activities. 
Listeners to Wake up to Wogan raised half-a-million pounds in the Things Money Can't Buy auction, with this year's record bid fetching £100,000 for Children In Need when an anonymous caller bid for a guitar master class with Mark Knopfler, the guitar legend behind hits such as Walk Of Life and Money For Nothing.
 
Sir Terry says of the amount raised by Radio 2 listeners for the charity: "Everybody has been telling me this is a tough year.
 
"But, in my experience, the British public always react best in stressful times and I know they won't forget the children. Well done Radio 2 listeners!"
 
Other auction packages included the opportunity to have Raymond Blanc cook a three-course meal for the highest bidder and 11 friends which raised £50,000; two VIP passes to all three days of the British Grand Prix which fetched £35,000, as did a day at Wimbledon with Aled Jones.
 
An exciting day for two with the Blades Aerobatic Team went for £24,000, and a day's adventuring in Canada with Ray Mears raised £22,000 for the charity.
 
Chris Evans also held an auction in his Radio 2 Drivetime show on Thursday afternoon, raising more than £450,000.
 
Chris auctioned places in seven Ferrari sports-cars to drive in convoy from Radio 2 in London to the New Forest for an evening of relaxation before a two-day extravaganza, where the seven highest bidders – joined by 30 other bidders and a friend each – enjoy a round of golf before going to Chris' pub to enjoy food cooked by Giorgio Locatelli, followed by a live performance by Ocean Colour Scene. They all then head off to Goodwood the following day to watch The Festival of Speed. 
Friday's Music Marathon fetched more than £365,000 and over £670,000 was raised by sales of Janet & John CDs.
 
Full information on Radio 2's Children in Need fundraising activities can be found at bbc.co.uk/radio2.
 
Radio 2 Publicity
VT Communications have advised us that BBC World Service transmissions via Madagascar will be required over the weekend and into next week, until further notice.
 


Jonathan Ross is set to make his comeback from suspension by returning to his weekly Saturday morning BBC Radio 2 show on January 24.
 
Return to Top
9th November 2008
Waffler
It is amazing how in a way radio has become less regulated when it comes to language and content that Russell Brands remarks on his Radio 2 show, which are normally over the top, has resulted in so many resignations at the BBC. Kenny Everett was sacked on many occasions but nobody within the BBC suffered as a result.
A new article about wi fi radio appears in our magazine section I added it today.
Sad to read that Mojo is soon due to close down. It is an excellent radio station, with mainly back to back music. Q is nowhere near as good in my opinion. Mojo was also the magazine I used to publicise the Wireless Waffle in 1999 when it was an A5 magazine/newsletter.
News from other sources

Ofcom press release 7 November:

Ofcom has today announced the award of two new community radio licences in
Manchester.

Community radio services typically cover a small geographical area and are
provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific
social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community
of interest.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences to Gaydio and Unity Radio.
Details of these two new community radio licensees in Manchester are as
follows:

Gaydio
Contact: Ian Wallace
Box 108, 3rd Floor Princess House, 105-107 Princess Street,
Manchester M1 6DD.
Phone: 07961 126373
E-mail: ian@...
Website: www.gaydio.co.uk

Gaydio will target and promote the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) communities of central Manchester, creating awareness and challenging
homophobia and homophobic practices. Gaydio will provide training
opportunities, a platform for expression, and become a focal point and vital
source of lively information and entertainment for the LGBT community.

Unity Radio
Contact: Tom Clarke
Unit 4E, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6JG.
Phone: 0161 923 4800
Email: Info@...
Website: www.unityradio.fm

Unity Radio is a youth-focused social enterprise that aims to improve the
quality of life of young people in the city of Manchester. It will provide
young local broadcasters with mentors from the local music and media
industry, build partnerships with education, training and employment
services, and through a network of links with young people in the city it
will aim to tackle taboo and difficult social issues, such as gang culture,
sexual health and substance misuse. Unity Radio will feature black dance
music such as garage and dubstep.

Licences are awarded for a five-year period.

Archive Hour – Here's Kenny
Saturday 22 November
8.00-9.00pm BBC RADIO 4Return to Top


On the 40th anniversary of Kenny Everett's first BBC Radio 1 show,
music journalist Mark Paytress reassesses the pioneering audio work of
the DJ and looks at his place in broadcasting history.

Through interviews and an unprecedented collection of extremely rare
archive material, Here's Kenny explores Everett's colourful presenting
style and lifts the lid on the broadcaster's true private passion.

Everyone remembers Kenny Everett as a funny-man of the airwaves and
television, whose confused private life took a tragic turn when he was
diagnosed with Aids in 1993. He died two years later. Few know him as
the extraordinary radio pioneer who would spend days at home creating
wonderfully original jingles and trailers using techniques that were
familiar only to avant-garde musicians and, much later, sampler fiends
and hip-hop producers. His extraordinary approach to his work also
came to the attention of The Beatles, who later invited him to
"produce" two of the most avant-garde (and little heard) records in
their catalogue.

Interviewees featured in the programme include Tony Blackburn, Keith
Skues, pirate radio fans Chris Dannatt, Chris Baird, Stuart Russell
and Jon Myer, and Beatles expert Richard Porter.

Presenter/Mark Paytress, Producer/Sian Price
BBC Radio 4 Publicity


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New posters have been released for Richard Curtis's offshore radio-themed
comedy 'The Boat That Rocked', due to premiere on May 1st 2009.

In 2007, Richard attended the Radio Academy Celebration of Offshore Radio,
accompanied by the film's associate producer, his wife, Emma Freud and its
producer Hilary Bevan Jones, to get a feel for what life was really like
aboard the radio ships. However, the producers stress that the film is
fictions and the story is not based on any specific Sixties station or
vessel.

The ship Sealink Challenger is starring as the floating radio station -
although she is a little young for the job, having been built in 1964.
Co-starring alongside the likes of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys
Ifans, Nick Frost and Kenneth Branagh is Light Vessel LV18. Not content to
playing home to various RSLs and twice being the home of Pirate BBC Essex,
the ship then took a role in Grey Pierson's TV documentary, 'Swinging Radio
England - A Tale of Pirates, Texans and Teenagers'. Next, the Harwich-based
LV18 starred in full yellow make-up as the fictional station Radio Sunshine,
in 'The Boat That Rocked'. [nice photo via same link]

Tony O'Neil. Tony, Project Manager and Trustee of the Pharos Trust, the
charity that owns and operates the LV18, is delighted with the publicity
that the film is attracting for the historic ship.

Links: LV18 site http://www.lv18.co.uk/

Working Title Films article
http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/newsArticle.php?newsID=202

Swinging Radio England - A Tale of Pirates, Texans and Teenagers
http://www.radiolondon.co.uk/otherwaves/radioengland/forthworth/docindex.html

Pirate BBC Essex
http://www.radiolondon.co.uk/otherwaves/piratebbc/2007/index07.html

Click on the poster to see a large version. More posters here
http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=23531

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Digital radio has suffered another blow with Bauer deciding to close its national digital music station, Mojo.
The spin-off from the 15-year-old music magazine was launched in 2003 and had 279,000 listeners in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest official Rajar audience figures.
Bauer blamed its closure on the economic slump and said it was prioritising resources for three of its other digital stations - Q, Heat and Smash Hits.
Mojo will broadcast for the last time on November 30. There are not expected to be any redundancies as a result.
"We are very proud of the station," said the Bauer Radio managing director of national brands, Mark Story.
"We had to make a very difficult choice where the resources should go and decided they were best going into building the other parts of the portfolio.
"We are still by far the most dominant provider of digital-only music radio in the UK and the stations had record results in the last [Rajar figures]. We look forward to better times commercially."
Some of Mojo's output may be transferred to a new strand within sister digital music station Q, another spin-off of a Bauer music magazine, which was relaunched in June.
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One to make an advance note of:

Archive Hour – Here's Kenny
Saturday 22 November
8.00-9.00pm BBC RADIO 4

On the 40th anniversary of Kenny Everett's first BBC Radio 1 show,
music journalist Mark Paytress reassesses the pioneering audio work of
the DJ and looks at his place in broadcasting history.

Through interviews and an unprecedented collection of extremely rare
archive material, Here's Kenny explores Everett's colourful presenting
style and lifts the lid on the broadcaster's true private passion.

Everyone remembers Kenny Everett as a funny-man of the airwaves and
television, whose confused private life took a tragic turn when he was
diagnosed with Aids in 1993. He died two years later. Few know him as
the extraordinary radio pioneer who would spend days at home creating
wonderfully original jingles and trailers using techniques that were
familiar only to avant-garde musicians and, much later, sampler fiends
and hip-hop producers. His extraordinary approach to his work also
came to the attention of The Beatles, who later invited him to
"produce" two of the most avant-garde (and little heard) records in
their catalogue.

Interviewees featured in the programme include Tony Blackburn, Keith
Skues, pirate radio fans Chris Dannatt, Chris Baird, Stuart Russell
and Jon Myer, and Beatles expert Richard Porter.

Presenter/Mark Paytress, Producer/Sian Price
BBC Radio 4 Publicity

Radio Today
November 3 2008

A community radio station in East London which has been off air for two
years has lost its licence, according to Ofcom.

The latest Radio Broadcast Update published by the regulator lists the
station under the section "Services which have ceased to be licensed (handed
back or revoked)".

Sound Radio, which broadcast from Hackney on 1503 AM, was one of the
original Access Radio pilot stations, launching in July 2002. It left the
air in 2006 pending a move to new premises but has not returned after almost
two years. The station's website has not been updated since March.

This latest licence loss takes the number of defunct community radio
stations to four, with the station joining Chelmsford Calling, TGR Sound and
Radio Cardiff in the ranks of closed stations.
Return to TopThe Radio Academy is proud to announce the 2008 PRS Radio Academy Hall
of Fame lunch to be held at the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square,
London on December 8th.

Inductees announced so far are Simon Bates, James Naughtie and Emperor
Rosko.

Their press release says this about Rosko:

The American DJ who made "`your back crack" and your "liver quiver"
introduced British audiences to US Top 40 DJ patter on the pirate ship
Radio Caroline and then as one of the founding voices of BBC Radio 1.
He became known as El Presidente in Spain and South America, Le
President in France and Kaiser Rosko in Germany and is still in
demand all over the world with weekly programmes from his LA studio.

Mike
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22nd August 2008
Waffler
I was surfing recently in a public library and was checking up to see how this site displayed on a very large screen. I discovered that three of my pages had some "malware" content in them. I have edited this spurious code out, and changed my virus checker to one that recognised that. Apologies to anyone that has experienced this problem when viewing the site. I viewed Richard Womersley, G1JAJ, Wireless Waffle blog, and it would not display, it merely informed me that I was trying to view a sex site and refused to display it. Richard's site is not pornographic at all of course, but very technical.
I was pleased to meet up with some colleagues recently in the Portland Place area, and get some up to date shots of BBC Broadcasting House. These are displayed in our on line magazine section. Also I have put on some slide shows of old radios in museums which I hope you will find interesting. This site continues to be a celebration of the medium which is Radio.
Return to Top
Recently it has become painfully aware that an interest in radio is seen to be eccentric to others. I am not able to build expensive circuitry, but as you may know am interested in nostalgia, new innovations, and broadcasting styles and staff. This is not discouraging me from producing this site which I know is appreciated by many. How many of you are confused by the fact that there are now two Wireless Waffle sites? Well 3 with my mirror site,which also houses part of the main blueyonder site. I do get feedback from time to time, but would be grateful for your views and ideas about radio stations, presenters, past and present.
I looked at the Morphy Richard's internet radio yesterday in Maplins at Wembley Park. It is an impressive looking radio, which unfortunately they cannot demonstrate to you. They also do not put is out on display, just the empty box, due to the high pilfering rate in that branch. I was almost convinced to buy it until I read the following review on the internet http://www.frankjordans.com/morphyrichard_internet_radio.htm. I do however know someone who has one and is very happy with it too. I will never forget the Which Report in the 80s which recommended a particular Ferguson video, which was nothing but trouble when I bought it, and had to be refunded!  
Radio 4 Today programme continues to be excellent. Recently John Humphries sounds like he has hayfever or a cold with a blocked nose. Edward Stourton was on air with him this morning. I heard John really probing officials regarding the power company increases. He has superb timing and asks questions that I think I would ask if I had the opportunity.
Brill Oldies is an excellent station, I have been listening in on the internet. We are not close enough to the RSL broadcast to receive on FM. It has become a regular event like Hastings Rock, and Suzy Radio. If you can take an opportunity to listen to them before they close down http://www.brilloldies.com/
Until the next update - happy listening!
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News from other sources
Bauer Radio is axing local evening programming across its Scottish FM stations from 15th September. Radio Forth, West Sound, Radio Borders, Moray Firth, Radio Clyde, Radio Tay and Northsound will be networked from 7pm til 1am.
 Planet Rock has produced an hour long special on one of music's most epic albums. "Building the Wall" will broadcast on Bank Holiday Monday at 7pm. Veteran broadcaster and journalist Martin Kelner has made a return to national radio. The presenter can currently be heard on national AM station talkSPORT between 12 and 2pm on Sunday lunchtimes.
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An MD of a national newspaper has been announced as the new chief executive of the UK's largest radio group. Stephen Miron, currently managing director of the Mail on Sunday and Mail Online is to be chief executive of Global Radio and run the day to day operations of the business. He will report to the Global Group's chief executive Ashley Tabor. He will work alongside Richard Park, who becomes group executive director, with the additional role of director of broadcasting. Ashley Tabor said: "I am delighted that Stephen has agreed to join the company. He is highly regarded within the media sector and I have been impressed with his achievements within the newspaper industry over many years and in particular the innovative and exciting developments he has brought to the Mail on Sunday. "I have no doubt that his drive, along with his commercial and management experience will enhance our business and I look forward to him joining the company.” Reported on Tuesday 19 August 2008 The XFM network is spearheading a new art and music festival, to be held in Manchester next month. When Lanarkshire's L107 ended its programming on Monday morning, many industry observers believed it to be the end for a service that had had more than its fair share of problems.As the station prepares to relaunch as a new music and entertainment brand, Return to Top
Virgin Radio have partnered with Garmin Satellite Navigation for an on-air and online sponsorship of the Rock ‘n’ Roll football show presented by Russ Williams. The campaign will be supported online at www.virginradio.co.uk by a new online tool designed to let fans discover how to get to and from a football game of their choice, and will include giveaways of Garmin Satellite Navigation systems. Nick Hewat, sales director at Virgin Radio said: “This partnership will be a prime example of how effective targeted sponsorship can be for brands. This show is a dream come true for brands looking to interact with a male audience – football and males are the perfect match.” With the station recently acquired by TIML, the team at Golden Square are shortly to reveal a new multi-platform music and entertainment radio brand that will exploit high potential areas such as mobile, TV and internet channels, music download subscription, social networks, branded ticketing and personalised radio. LBC 97.3 presenter Nick Ferrari is to broadcast live from the USA to cover the results and reaction of the US presidential elections in November.Mark Goodier's production company Wise Buddah has hired former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 interactive editor Helen Pendlebury as head of digital and business development.
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According to reports online, the Revolution in Oldham has been sold to an unknown buyer. The station, which was last reported to be owned by the Oldham Evening Chronicle and UKRD Group has flipped format in the past 24 hours, from playing rock and alternative music to an AC format.decision by the Federal Broadcasting Committee (COMFER), 
Argentina’s broadcast media regulator, to strip Buenos Aires-based Radio Continental of its FM frequency is “absurd...Central FM's Chairman John Quinn has gained full control of the station after purchasing The Local Radio Company's 64 per cent shareholding.Quinn bought the extra shares in the Falkirk station for £575,000
Text of report by Radio Australia text website on 21 August Radio Kiribati is facing an acute shortage of daily earnings, and had to cut its staffing to remain on air. Pacific Magazine reports the national radio station’s acting manager, Tibwere Bobo, says the problem began two weeks ago, when Radio Kiribati’s AM transmission was off-airReturn to Top


14th August 2008
Waffler:
Pirate Radio Night on Red TV tonight - a real first for the anorak world. Mainly videos made for sale by Ray Anderson of EAP. The interviews with Emperor Rosko and Charlie Wolf, and John Ross Barnard were new and made on the beach at Frinton. The levels of the shows were quite low and occasionally up and down, the adverts were very loud indeed. Is Red TV owned by Ray Anderson or the backers of Radio London Big L? I can still just about remember the sad day of August 14th 1967. Pirate radio in the sixties came to and end................... my parents took me on holiday to Devon and I could not receive the stations very well at all there. Thankfully radio did not stop in 1967 and has come quite a way since. I think Ray Anderson had got a good plug for his products on Radiofab.com. Good as Charlie Wolf was, the C Wolf video that was shot was very corny and not the best advertisement for offshore radio. Good shots of him on air at the end, so not all bad.
BBC 3 Counties still remains the jewel in the BBC Local Radio crown in my estimation. I can only hear BBC London, Kent, Berkshire, and Southern Counties on my FM radio though. Ronnie Barbour does a really good show in the mid mornings. It is the home of Ern and Vern on Fridays.
Platinum Fm have a good revival reggae show in London on a Sunday Morning. The presenter is not as good as Bashment FM used to be, but all the same it is good to hear reggae on the radio. Beat FM and Roots FM also do their bit for Reggae Music. I would love to have some recordings of the old Dread Broadcasting. I have the Trojan cd of music played on the station but do remember their am broadcasts when they came out. The Ranking Miss P came out of that station!
London Greek Radio comes in weakly here, and makes a refreshing change from pop and asian music programmes. Their transmitter is at Alexandra Palace, where BBC London has its FM transmitter so it is a pity they cannot boost their power to be heard widely over London.
The Azanorak site now has an extra server full of radio programmes for download. http://www.azanorak2.com/new/ they have a tribute programme to Radio Luxembourg on their from a station in Hull, also Kid Jensen's show on Planet Rock (Jensen's Dimensions as per Luxembourg days!)
A reminder that you can access all the older diary entries for at least three or more years, off our main index page.
Return to Top
News from other sources
BBC Radio 1 DJ Dave Pearce is to leave the station, it has been announced.
Pearce, who has been with Radio 1 since 1995, said it was "time to move on" and was working on some new radio projects.
"It's been an incredible 13 years at Radio 1 - I would like to thank the teams who have worked with me for making it such fun," he said.
Pearce will be leaving the station along with Eddie Halliwell in October as part of a series of changes to the station's evening schedule. 
"Of all the shows I've presented Dance Anthems is the one I'm most proud of creating and I am delighted that even in our recent late night slot we increased our audience," Pearce added.
Ben Cooper, Radio 1's head of programmes said: "I'd like to thank both Dave and Eddie for their commitment to Radio 1 and wish them all the very best for the future."
The changes come as part of Radio 1's new evening line-up, which sees new shows for dance DJs Kissy Sell Out and Kutski, amongst others.
Global Radio is to sell five stations including Birmingham's BRMB in order to permit its merger with GCap Media to proceed.
Return to Top


The Office of Fair Trading said it would not refer the deal, which was announced in March, to the Competition Commission provided "certain remedies" were met to avoid lessening of competition issues arising in the Midlands.

Global has confirmed that it will sell BRMB, Beacon Radio, Mercia FM and Wyvern to resolve competition issues. It will also change the way in which Heart 106 in the East Midlands operates to allay competition concerns in that region; the station will either be sold or operated as a franchise, marking the first occasion where the Office of Fair Trading has accepted franchising as a remedy in the sector.

"We are pleased that the OFT has made the final decision in this case and that there will be no referral to the CC," said GCap CEO Ashley Tabor. "Global Radio will now be able to lead the industry to the consolidation it needs. We will be able to offer real value and quality to advertisers and listeners by operating the Heart and Capital brands alongside one another and today’s decision represents the beginning of a very exciting radio company where we can now set about the task of integrating the 2 businesses, creating Global Radio in its new form."Return to Top
Commercial radio increased its total revenue last year, despite local stations losing almost 5 per cent of their total hours.
Former talkSPORT presenter James Whale has begun legal proceedings against the station following his dismissal three months ago.
Return to Top
Oxford Mail

From August 12th - 25th, Brill Oldies will be on 87.9 FM "playing those golden
oldies from the 50s, 60s,70s and 80s 24 hours a day, along with local
interviews. Easy to find close to radio 2,
call or text this Community Radio Station for a dedication or request on 07941
155272. You also can listen online at www.brilloldies.com.

When
00:00 - 00:00
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Where ( Address for correspondence):
Brill
Thame
HP18 9RT

(Thanks to Paul Ewers)

http://events.oxfordmail.net:80/disp.asp?i=154181
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BBC Radio Jerseys breakfast presenter John Uphoff has died in hospital at the age of 46.
Dutch Cable television operators will be forced to open their networks to rivals who want to sell analogue cable TV to their customers, under a draft decision from the telecoms...
Popular television presenter Andi Peters is returning to radio to host a weekly celebrity programme on Heat Radio.
Ofcom has produced a fact sheet on its work in tackling illegal broadcasting – aiming to help people suffering from pirate radio interference.Soldiers of the Mauritanian presidential guard have occupied the presidential palace and seized buildings of the state-owned radio and television stations in the capital...
Sky Radio Hessen, the German version of the Dutch commercial station Sky Radio, has been relaunched with a new format as Radio Bob!
Radio Tatras International
RTI is on; Sky Digital 0195 (UK & Ireland), Eurobird 12.532H (Europe), 94,2 & 94,8FM Slovakia. Working to Unite citizens from Slovakia, Great Britain, Europe and beyond.
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Radio London (Big L)As you may have noticed, 1395KHz is currently off air at present but rest
assured, it will be returning as soon as it can. During this period of it
being off, we hope to improve the signal to reach more of the United Kingdom
and make your favourite station even bigger than before.

Don't forget of course, that you can still tune in via Sky Digital Channel
0190 and via our website using the 'Listen Live Now' feature.

Many thanks for all of your messages of support and keep checking the Big L
website for details of when we'll be back on 1395 medium wave.


Return to Top

Big L ceased transmissions on 1395 at midday UK time today (lst August)

This was announced by Mike Read at 1155 as being done "for
environmental reasons".

One of their longest serving presenters, Steve Garlick, left the
station yesterday.

The station is still on the air online and via Sky.
Reports on digitalspy confirm that Fen Radio closed at 6pm yesterday (31
July). The transmitter was turned off at around 7pm and the station's
website has also now been removed.

I've just tried to access the Fen FM website at www.fenradio.co.uk but it
opens instead the website of King's Lynn based KLFM 96.7 (another UKRD
station). But nothing is mentioned about Fen Radio closing....
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31st July 2008
Waffler:
Thanks to a local freecycle group I have had the pleasure of obtaining three radios. One of them is from the 70s and in reasonable condition for its age. The others displayed faults not worth repairing. I will feature all to these in the magazine section in due course. Thanks to George's neighbour for donating them.  
It has been very hot today, well at least I have felt warmer than I did yesterday, probably the humidity. I managed to do a shortwave listen for the first time in a few weeks. My brother word processor used for logging radio listening, had a display fault - the lcd screen does not display properly in extreme heat or cold. I managed to hear CVC international with a Hindi music programme on 13635 at 11:40 GMT. The ubiquitous China Radio International was on 13630 Khz at 11:45 GMT. I got an unidentified station on 15150 KHz. Then Radio Exterior D'Espania on 17395 Khz.
Don't forget either to visit the BBC Iplayer to hear the pick of programmes on Radios 1-4 all the digital and local radio stations. It is a pity that they have not put a version of the radio one on cable and freeview. It seems as usual that television has the priority over radio. I also recommend Xstream which works on Xp, not so well on Vista. This can be used to listen to other radio stations, but has an excellent recording applet which enables you to record streamed programmes off the BBC and elsewhere. Obviously copyright restrictions exist but as long as you do not pass them on to anyone else and use them for personal listening I do not think anyone will complain.
Radio is a very personal medium, often people listen on their own, in the bathroom, kitchen, or car. The lucky one's have a partner who does not mind them listening on earphones in bed. My hearing for my age is quite acute, so it would be unfair for me to do this and then if my wife did to complain.
I was astounded to find out how much we owed to our power supplier yesterday. Was it that radio I left on the mains all night long? No it is the product of the ridiculous increase in power costs. I wonder if an offshore station would be a viable thing any more, they had large generators on board to power up to 50Kw of output. We can only pray that Government will cap the power increases. No such chance! As far as I can see all the parties have not got any idea of how to arrest the current inflation rate. 
I was listening to a Roger Day show on Radio Caroline, just prior to the marine offences bill. This was on an mp3 from Azanorak. It was excellent with many adverts for Nescafe, International DJs and Transmitter engineers. Roger was peppering the programme with Major Minor Radios. Irish Ballads and other eccentric non pop tunes. We know that Phillip Solomon of Major Minor put money into the station then, and they had to use the music in programmes. Roger seemed to make a professional job of it all the same. Johnnie Walker mentions in his autobiography that he hated this music, and often left the music out, and claims he threw some overboard at times! Roger Day has worked on Radio England, Caroline, RNI and many land stations - top marks to you Rog!
2ip pip pip - our mirror site has gone "bottoms up" and sunk. The owners let webmasters send in queries to the forum when the pages reverted to 2ip adverts, but recently have revealed that they are only taking paid sites now. I hope that I have kept all the visitors to that site. I need a mirror, because I can also put some extra material on that which blends in the main one. Blueyonder or Virgin as they should call it give only 55mb of space. The 2ip people gave 100mb, and the new suppliers give me 250mb. I used to have www.wireless waffle.co.uk but this is only a personal non profit site and I need a sponsor if I take a domain over again.
It appears that ArrowRock seems to have left DAB in London and is on Satellite only now. The Groove did the same thing. As far as I can hear ArrowRock is back to back music now. One jewel in the crown of back to back music is Chill, with no djs or adverts - lets hope that stays on DAB in London for a long time.
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News from other sources
Danny Baker, the original host of BBC Radio 5 Live' s 606 football phone-in, is to get his own weekly programme throughout the football season.
James Whale is returning to mainstream radio next month to present a week of late-night programmes for LBC 97.3.
Denise Van Outen is currently in discussions with GCap Media about her Capital Radio show because she is finding it difficult to manage her radio and TV commitments.
LBC News 1152 will axe its overnight rolling news service and will instead simulcast sister station LBC 97.3, starting on August 1.
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Ofcom has fined the BBC a record £400,000 for a series of occasions on which it "deceived its audience by faking winners of competitions and deliberately conducting competitions unfairly".

The regulator said that on eight occasions spanning from July 2005 to March 2007, the BBC "deliberately" conducted viewer and listener competitions "unfairly" on BBC One, BBC Two, CBBC, Radio 1, and 6 Music.

Its content sanctions committee fined the BBC: £115,000 for 17 incidents of fakery on 6 Music's Liz Kershaw Show; £75,000 for 2 incidents during Jo Whiley's Radio 1 programme; £50,000 for an incident on children's TV show TMi in September 2006; £45,000 for fakery in Sport Relief 2006 and another penalty of the same amount for Comic Relief 2007; £35,000 for a faked winner in the Scottish national opt-out of Children in Need in November 2005; and £17,500 each for separate incidents during Russell Brand and Clare McDonnell's shows on 6 Music.

"The investigations found that in some cases, the production team had taken pre-mediated decisions to broadcast competitions and encourage listeners to enter in the full knowledge that the audience stood no chance of winning," said Ofcom. "In other cases, programmes faced with technical problems made up the names of winners."

In response, the BBC Trust said: "Ofcom's decisions today relate to cases considered by the BBC Trust in 2007 which led to remedial action by the BBC and significant changes in the way the BBC complies competitions and programmes. The Trust regrets that these serious breaches by the BBC have led to a financial penalty being applied by Ofcom and the loss of licence fee payers' money as a result.

"Ofcom requires compliance with its Broadcasting Code and can impose sanctions when a broadcaster breaches that code. We recognise that the penalty in these cases reflects that the breaches were serious, deliberate and in some cases repeated."

"These editorial failures were serious and, through our work, we are confident they have been taken seriously by those involved. Our concern now is ensuring that the highest editorial standards are maintained to safeguard the public's trust."

A subsequent statement from BBC management added: "We accept Ofcom's findings. We have taken these issues extremely seriously from the outset, apologising to our audiences and putting in place an unprecedented action plan to tackle the issues raised. This includes a comprehensive programme of training for over 19,000 staff, rigorous new technical protections, new guidance to programme-makers on the running of competitions and a strict new Code of Conduct.

"Ofcom has recognised that neither the BBC nor any member of staff made any money from these serious editorial lapses. Whilst we must never be complacent and must remain constantly vigilant, audience research suggests the comprehensive action we have taken is rebuilding the trust of viewers and listeners."
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17th July 2008
Waffler:
Overall a splendid programme from Red Sands Radio. A variety of music and not just sixties or seventies tunes. I admit I did not find the country music show very appealing, but was quite happy dipping in and out of the output. I did this online and on the radio, 1278 was coming in quite well here as described in my last posting. I will spend some time in the next few weeks listening to the other station on 1278 - namely Crush AM from Hertfordshire College. Ofcom have calculated potential interference well for my part of London. A turn of the set when Red Sands was on, and up popped Crush. This was on a Sony 7600 receiver, not a normal household set.
Chill is still going strong on DAB in London, and other parts of the country. It has an output on Sky as well. My wife and I enjoy having the station on in the background. It is amazing also that some of the music pops up on television programmes as backing tracks. Lord Hanson orginally launched Melody to provide Muzak that he liked. This did have announcers but was relaxing, then it became Melody Radio, then finally Magic so different from the original station.
BBC 3 Counties still shines as a beacon to me in the field of local radio. They changed all their presenters round some time ago, which was a bold idea. Stephen Rhodes now does the breakfast phone in. Ronnie Barbour does a mid morning phone in, and Jonathan Vernon Smith does one at 11am. Coupled with other phone ins, and the excellent Ern and Vern show on a Friday, which is hilarious and entertaining, this station is a gem. It is a pity that BBC London does not do as well, in my estimation. Great to hear Vanessa Feltz, Danny Baker and Robert Elms, but surely they could give some good "non celebrity" broadcasters a chance to speak to the Captial? Maybe I like BBC 3 Counties because it is not my local station, and although it comes in well is partially dx! Fear not that is not the case, I rate good radio by presentation styles and professionalism, that is evident with a distant crackly station or a good FM or DAB broadcast.
It is amazing, given that Ebay said that they were going to cut out people are still selling copyright re-recordings, that under "pirate radio" and "old time radio" there. I have seen cases of recordings which appear to be copies of Jumbo records and other commerically available recordings. The old time radio recordings are clearly downloaded from the radio lovers or the Internet Archive Site. Azanorak also have a variety of offshore recording which seem to be "pirated" and sold on Ebay. 
I added a guest book to the site and would like to see some visitors there. I admit that I added two "fake" entriest to the guest book a few days ago. Please feel free to share your radio views, and views about the site here. This site needs some online feedback, I get it by email from time to time but hope you will want to put your views on line for everyone to look at.
I am also interested to see if there is a demand for a radio club of people interested in broadcast radio and personalties, to meet up in a pub or coffee bar in the North West London area, say monthly. If you would be interested then please email me at wirewaffle@hotmail.com and I will try to coordinate an inaugral meet up.
I have also filed a report on a visit I made to Southall recently in the magazine section. It was a most interesting trip, and although I was unable to visit the studios I managed to get what I feel were interesting pictures and information which I hope you will enjoy. On the subject of me using moving slide shows on the site - I decided to do this on occasions and apologise if you cannot see these. You can remedy this by downloading flash player http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=shockwaveFlash
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News from other sources
The BBC World Service will join the majority of other BBC radio stations on Multiplex B next month. (freeview) If you listen to BBC World Service via Freeview, you'll need to re-tune your set-top box from August 4th as the international radio service is on the move to a different...
Michael Jackson has come out on top of a music survey, voted for by listeners to BBC Radio 2. Billie Jean has been voted the greatest dance record of all time.
Dutch Christian broadcaster GrootNieuwsRadio is to convert from a limited company (BV) to a foundation (stichting
WorldSpace, which has been in serious financial difficulties, has relaunced as 1worldspace.?? The company is rolling out a new website, though some of the links are still to...
Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) has closed a deal with two prominent new partner stations to broadcast its Spanish language programmes in the United States.
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A team of reporters has spent months in Southall, West London, living and working as "faujis" – the Punjabi term used to describe the hidden community of young, mostly male, poor farmers from the Punjab working in this country illegally.Recording hours of footage in this hidden, illicit world, the team found a thriving trade in fake documents, widespread illegal job practices, and squalid housing – in just one square mile, more than 40 houses packed with faujis were identified. Many faujis choose to come here knowing the risks and knowing they are commiting a crime; arriving on the backs of lorries or outstaying their visit visas and buying fake documents to work here. 
Their invisible status also means they are locked out of the system, with no rights and no protection, surrounded by forgers, criminals and ruthless employers. 
One man says he has lived in the UK as an illegal immigrant for a number of years. He was open about the fake documents he could obtain and boasting about customers in Sheffield, Bradford and Coventry. 
He told the BBC team he could get people into the country with a fake "original" passport, that it could be "checked" at City Airport by paying someone working there £250 to scan it through the passport machines. 
Another supplier of fake documents boasted of his thousands of pounds of business and shows his stash of forged and real ID documents kept hidden inside a loudspeaker in his house. He said he could supply "any form of Home Office ID, any NI [National Insurance] number, any Health and Safety, any [driving] licence, any European licence, and any bill, BT, gas, electricity. And if anybody needs an original provisional or original licence that is also available – but very expensive… And any passport."Later, talking about the lower quality, fake driving licences he can supply for £250, he said: "Believe you me, people are driving buses with this." 
The BBC also recorded him offering to open bank accounts, and on the phone to his forger, casually "ordering" a genuine passport for the next morning. 
He claimed that, armed with the right documents, he could get our man employed in a warehouse "or if you want catering work, I can get you a job at the airport". 
One of the faujis laughs and says: "The whole of Southall came on the back of the lorries, not only us. Ask anybody, but no-one tells the truth around here." 
The same men said they had come to the UK illegally through Russia. The journey took a year and they survived on a diet of bread and eggs. 
Documents are important because they provide a sort of legitimacy. What the Faujis fear is simple: being caught and sent home. But with the documents they can get a bank account and do better paid work. 
The undercover team found a chip shop where a fauji said they had been employed for 12-hour days, six-days a week at £150 – or about £2 an hour. The BBC undercover reporter told the owner that he had no paperwork. The owner told him "do not mention this, otherwise you may be nicked". 
After working hard for a 14-hour day without any break the owner then refuses to pay the man because he said he left before two weeks of being employed. 
Our man then says he arrived with other faujis at a building site in North London and was put to work at height with no interview, training, safety advice or equipment. 
He earnt £35 for a 12-hour day, that's less than £3 an hour. 
The BBC confronted the men who had sold us fake documents – they both denied it and said we had the wrong person. One even tried to show the BBC his original driving licence, confident that would reassure us of his innocence – yet on secret camera he had previously revealed it to be an expensive fake. The owner of the fish and chip shop in Southall has told the BBC that he does not employ illegal immigrants and that all his staff have the correct paperwork and permission to reside and work in the UK and that he did not pay our man because it was a training day. 
BBC News Publicity
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 BBC World Service will broadcast a series of documentaries in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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YouTube accounts for more than twice the UK video streaming traffic of iPlayer, analysis suggests.
The trade body that represents Britain's commercial radio industry has pledged to "aggressively oppose" BBC plans to launch 65 new online local video services, arguing that the...
Capital breakfast presenter Johnny Vaughan will be the first in the barber's chair, having all his head hair shaved off during a live outside broadcast from Canary Wharf.
Plymouth volunteer Bob Smith, a man who devoted a significant amount of his adult life to furthering the cause of hospital radio in the city, has died.
London talk station LBC 97.3 has agreed a four week deal with The Times newspaper to sponsor the stations Saturday morning programmes
The Ofcom broadcast licence held by TLRC's 107.5 Sovereign Radio is being advertised to third parties in time for its expiry in November 2009.
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4th July 2008


Waffler:
A lovely sunny day today, the English Summer can sometimes surprise us all. Red Sands radio started its first day of transmission on 1278 Khz, from the North Sea. So far an excellent station, which is audible in the afternoon in my part of North West London. Crush Radio, Hemel Hempstead University is also coming through on the same frequency but can be nulled out by rotating the receiver. Thankfully they both come from separate locations at different angles. I suppose Ofcom have calculated that the two stations will not cause interference to each other. Redsands and Hemel are actually low power stations only intended for local reception, so it is a premium to us DX'ers that we can receive it on slightly more sophisticated radios. i will try on one of my inexpensive radios soon to see if they can "hear it". The station has a wider playlist than an oldies station and the chat between the people on the fort is reminiscent of that on the offshore stations in the sixties. Top marks as ever to Bob Le Roi for getting the whole package together. There are now people on board broadcasting, quite a few of the shows last time were pre-recorded. I am listening to the stream on line now, and it has a light whistle on it, so it must be monitored from land - quite an authentic sound to it! The news story about Red Sands Radio is in the news below.
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On Monday I took a ride on the bus to visit the radio town of Southall in Middlesex, and will be filing a report on the site in due course. Most impressed with all that I saw there, I was not able to get into see the studios but got some interesting photos and have some observations to make as well.  
I had a Sainsbury delivery this week, and the delivery chap said in a jovial fashion "oh my days!". I remarked I had not heard that expression said so well since Bashment Radio on a Sunday Morning. The chap said that it was his brother that did the Sunday morning show on that station. I warned him not to leave his van on the double line outside or else it would be a dilemma. I remember the presenter there using the expression dilemma when he did his problem chat spot when he asked people to phone in with their views. I have also since been trying out some of the London stations to see if any play Reggae. I knew that Roots Fm and Unique FM play it, and have also found Beat FM with some. Vibes FM played a bit today. I am told that Point Blank FM have a reggae show on a Sunday as well so I may try to see if it is on.
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I have also just seen the Neil Diamond performance at Glastonbury. I had written Neil off some years ago, but was most impressed by his music and energy on that show. Not Radio but worth a comment.
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I also thought that my portable mini disc recorder had gone wrong when I listened back to some recordings made on holiday a while back. I had made the mistake of recording off a mono output radio into a stereo lead. It gives a shocking tinny distorted recording. This is overcome by using a mono adapter in the radio output then plugging the stereo lead in. I normally use a radio which has a stereo output, but the place where I was had poor reception and I cannot switch the radio to mono. I used an old Superdrug portable and forgot it had a different output! I made a bid for a mini disc on eBay and thankfully it failed. I also emailed a seller on Amazon and never got an answer to my question, funny I also did that a while back on another item form a private seller there and that was ignored. Overall though I find Amazon excellent for buying and selling second hand books and cds.
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On a few days recently the short wave has been rather "dead". That I know is due to tropospheric lows. In the 80s I bought a new radio and the second day it was "deaf" to most signals, and I imagined it was not working. The next day it was ok again and I could not understand why, until a radio enthusiast explained it to me.  
I have put some cds for sale on the site, and they are quite inexpensive, please give them a look and email if you are interested. If you do not want to pay by paypal I can come to an arrangement, also I can reduce postage costs by sending only the cd in a plastic sleeve with the inlays etc so you can put it in a case on arrival. cd_library_sale.htm
News from other sourcesFrom July 1, 
Polish Radio External Service has started broadcasting on 198 kHz longwave.
BBC Director-General Mark Thompson led the tributes to Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC’s most renowned correspondents, who died today aged 85.Throughout July and August BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra will be celebrating the summer with a series of very special shows both from the UK and abroad.
The famous Listen in Colour strapline and chameleon-based logo for Jazz FM is returning to promote the relaunch of the digital only station later this year.
It’s becoming increasingly likely that GrootNieuws Radio, the Dutch Christian radio station on 1008 kHz, will be forced to close down on 1 August.BBC Radio 3 returns to the WOMAD festival for the eighth year as exclusive media partner broadcasting live from the festival site at Charlton Park throughout the weekend 25th -27th June

RED SANDS RADIO 2008 - PROMOTING:
Whitstable Oyster Festival
Kent’s Art & MusicProject Redsand & The Maunsell Sea Forts
Europe’s Unsigned MusiciansLive music from the Fort
If you are an unsigned musician or live performer and reside in Kent, we need you to get in contact with us. This years broadcast will put the spotlight on some of Kent’s best creative talent. To be assured of a spot on Whitstable’s Red Sands Radio we’d like to hear from you as soon as possible. contact usRed Sands Radio 2008 from July 4th to July 13th on AM & Online
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------------------
Flying the Flag
Broadcasting from the Thames Estuary Red Sands Radio might be all at sea but its HQ is in Whitstable & it’s serviced from the harbour there. In the mid 1960’s Radio Sutch, the first station to use a Fort later Radio City settled on Shivering Sands. Meanwhile Radio Invicta later KING then Radio 390, took over the Red Sands. They too were supplied from Whitstable Harbour; Fred Downs owner skipper of the ‘Harvesters’ looked after the needs on Shivering Sands whilst Vic Davies served Red Sands with his ‘Mallard’Operating outside then British Territorial waters both stations kept a low profile, the Forts were unlit as shown on the Admiralty charts, & no flag ever flew from their radio towers. Now in 2008 broadcasting & operating within British law Red Sands Radio has commissioned its own flag to fly from the Fort topSaid media designer ‘Kathia’ “Initially the idea was to use the overall layout plan of the Forts, but artistically I created a design based on a red background that encompassed the Fort’s elevation in yellow surrounded by the distinctive well know life ring”Radio Red Sands launches on 4th July 2008. For more information contact Red Sands Radio, PO Box 299, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2YA or telephone 07961 601 893Return to Top


Premier Radio have spent all week doing a Radiothon, and have so far been
pledged over 425,000 pounds from Listener's, to purchase new MW transmitters,
and to pay their DAB bills on the London multiplex.

http://www.premier.org.uk/?gclid=CIr9mvnSlZQCFQunQwoddw7ruA
The yearly RAJAR podcasting and internet radio listening survey shows
that 14.5 million people (up from 12m last year) have claimed to
listen to radio via the Internet, thats 28.9% of the population,
including 10.9 million listening live (up from 9m) and 9.3 million who
have used Listen Again services (up from 7.6m). In addition, 6 million
have downloaded a Podcast (up from 4.3m) and 2.1 million have used a
Personalised Online Radio (up from 1.6m).

9.4 million people, 18.8% of the population, claim to listen to radio
via the Internet at least once a week, either live or through a Listen
Again service (up from 8.1m), and 3.7 million to listen to a Podcast
(up from 1.9m).

5% listen to radio via the internet every day or most days, 2.5
million people.

The average user of Listen Again services listens to 1.8 programmes
each week. Three quarters of Listen Again listeners say the service
has no impact on the amount of live radio that they listen to;
however, 13% claim to now listen to more live radio while 7% say they
listen to less. Almost half of Listen Again listeners said they are
now listening to radio programmes that they didn't previously listen
to as a result of the Listen Again service.

The typical Podcast user subscribes to 3.59 Podcasts (up from 3.16)
and spends just over an hour in the last week listening to them.
Comedy and music are the two favourite genres.

The vast majority of Internet radio listeners (89.2%) listen at home;
almost 1 in 4 listen at work (24.4%) while 6.4% listen elsewhere.

Asked when they listen, 36.3% (5.3 million) said their listening was
always in real time. A further 24.7% (3.6 million) said they listened
at a later time than the original broadcast, while 39% (5.7 million)
used a combination of real time and Listen Again, meaning that 9.3
million people use Listen Again facilities.

The full 22 page survey is available for download at:
http://www.rajar.co.uk/content.php?page=news


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The BBC has unveiled a new-look BBC iPlayer which fully integrates
radio and TV in one interface, as the service records over 100 million
requests to view programmes in the six months since its launch.

The new-look service, which launched in beta June 25, will 'dual run'
alongside the existing iPlayer for the next few weeks.

Erik Huggers, the BBC's Group Controller for Future Media and
Technology, says: "The next generation of BBC iPlayer allows UK
licence fee payers to catch up on their favourite BBC TV and radio
programmes in one place – a completely unique on-demand service.
Audiences are now able to experience the full range of BBC content
–some 250 TV programmes currently available each week as well as all
the BBC radio networks – in a new and more accessible way, and all for
free.

On-demand radio from the BBC has been a phenomenal success since it
was first launched in 2002, with around 600 million hours listened to
via streaming or the 'listen again' function. The full integration
with iPlayer is a natural evolution for the audio service and an
exciting step for audiences."

Audiences can choose to either listen again to BBC Radio from the last
seven days with even better sound quality, or listen live – while the
option of a pop-out player allows users to continue listening as they
browse other web pages. 'Listen again' users can now also rewind and
fast forward in the same way that they can for TV programmes.

The new-look BBC iPlayer offers a more rewarding user experience,
allowing smoother and easier navigation between TV and Radio
programmes, while features such as 'Last Played' – which allows users
to resume watching programmes at the point they have left off – mark
the beginning of a shift towards personalisation.Other key
enhancements include combined TV and radio categories such as comedy
and drama, a larger playback screen to watch TV programmes and a TV
schedule that allows users to plan their viewing over the coming days.

These will sit alongside the existing 'More Like This' function, which
recommends other programmes users might like. There have been over 100
million requests to view programmes since BBC iPlayer launched. In May
alone, there were 21.8 million requests to view, some 700,000 per day
on average.

Digital Spy reports that Mark Friend, the BBC's controller of
multiplatform at audio and music interactive, described the
integration of radio into iPlayer as "a really big moment" building on
the existing BBC Radio Player, which has served half a billion hours
of content since its 2002 debut.

Bitrates for some networks will be increased to 128kbps, and the
services will be available in formats other than the existing Real
streams. Those streams, however, will continue to be available to
ensure that consumers using devices such as Real-only internet radios
are still able to listen to the BBC's radio services online.
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Friend added that the BBC has "worked hard with rights holders" to be
able to offer iPlayer users the same rewind and fast forward
opportunities across television and radio programming. Currently,
users are permitted to jump by 5 or 15 minute chunks through
programmes; with the new version of iPlayer users will have full
playback control over all radio content.

The url for the new BBC IPlayer is www.bbc.co.uk/iplayerbeta or go
directly to the radio section at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayerbeta/radio
From http://www.tgrsound.co.uk/

Join us Sunday 11am - 1pm for the Goodbye Show

It is with much regret we have to announce, that as of Sunday 22nd of
June, your local Community Radio Station, 103.7 FM TGR Sound will cease
broadcasting.

Since its launch in 2004, the station has provided over 300 community
groups with support and free publicity for their events and services,
trained in excess of 5,000 people and forged partnerships with 200
organisations. This has all been achieved by the hard work and dedication of
a team of mainly volunteers.

103.7FM TGR Sound was well regarded by OFCOM and had become as one
of the foremost community radio stations and possibly one of the only
stations that would have been in a position to offer 'Live' broadcasting
from 6.00am to Midnight, seven days a week had it been able to continue.

However despite the efforts of our members to bring in advertising and
sponsorship from the local councils and both local and national companies,
it has proved an impossible task in an increasingly difficult and
competitive environment.

Although regular revenue from training and hosting festivals existed,
it is not sufficient to cover the total costs of running an FM Radio Station
and therefore we became increasingly dependant on grants and funding to
survive and pay for the cost of rent, electricity and other essential
services. These forms of funding by their very nature cannot be guaranteed
and a succession of rejected applications have left 103.7 FM TGR Sound
with no major source of income for the remainder of this year.

We would like to thank everyone for all their hard-work and
involvement - not only the volunteers but the community groups,
organisations and individuals who helped to make 103.7 FM TGR Sound the
number one listened to local radio station across Bexley, Dartford,
Thamesmead and Woolwich.





Ofcom has today fined 30 local radio stations, which form part of GCap
Media's One Network, a total of £1,110,000 for the unfair conduct in a
listener competition; Secret Sound.

Taken together, the fines amount to the highest total financial penalty to
be imposed for the broadcast of radio content which has been found in breach
of the Broadcasting Code.

The radio stations were found in breach of the following rules:

Rule 2.11 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code "Competitions should be conducted
fairly..."; and
Rule 10.10 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code "Any use of premium rate numbers
must comply with the Code of Practice issued by ICSTIS" (now re-named as
PhonepayPlus).

Ofcom's investigation found that on a number of occasions programme makers
deliberately put to air text entrants with incorrect answers in order to
prevent the prize from being won too soon. As a result, those listeners who
had paid to enter the competition on these occasions had no chance of
winning.

The seriousness of the compliance failures was compounded by some of the
actions taken by GCap after the incidents had come to light.

Ofcom has also directed each of the 30 licensees to broadcast a summary of
Ofcom's finding on two separate occasions.

The full Adjudication is available at:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/30GCapRadioStations.pdf


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21st June 2008
Wireless Waffler
The Norman Barrington website is looking very good, it always was but I congratulate him on an attactive informative site dedicated to jingles both offshore and inland. I also was lucky enough to be able to relive some of his programmes thanks to the azanorak website.
BBC Three Counties still puts out some excellent shows. Ronnie Barbour (spelling?) has a spoof soap opera in his phone in programme at 9pm. I really must listen to Ern and Vern's whacky Friday show. Jonathan Vernon Smith now does a phone in programme daily and is very entertaining as well. Still not taken with BBC London my so called local BBC station. I like Danny Baker, Robert Elms and a few others, but why do the BBC have to use top celebrities on this station. Local radio should be about local people surely?  
I was horrified a few weeks ago to find that when I was back in Madeira that reception in my apartment was very poor. Last time we went we were at the top of the hill in a hotel and reception was superb. I only managed to get two recordings of stations, and ones I had heard before.
For the first time ever I have not had the chance to do any shortwave listening for around 4 weeks, largely due to having the house re-decorated. Well that is my excuse!
I wish Bob Le Roi all the best with his second Red Sands Radio broadcasts. I was chuffed last year to be able to receive them in the suburbs of London on a portable radio.
Andy Peebles is sounding good on the Soul Show on Smooth Radio, but we miss the excellent Peter Young - PT the Pork Pie come back to the radio very soon!
Interesting to see that the last edition of Dr Who was essential driven by sound effects rather than monsters and visual effects. Dr Who is great entertainment, I believe there may have been radio versions of this in the past?
News from other sources
The BBC have erected a memorial on top of Broadcasting House to reporters who have been killed on war reporting duties etc. There is a web page which gives a picture and full details at 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/broadcastinghouse/memorial/index.shtml

SMG, which owns the ITV franchise in Scotland, had its sale of Virgin Radio approved by shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting in Glasgow yesterday.
A London community radio station is to become the first in the capital to cease broadcasting. TGR Sound, which broadcast to the Bexley, Dartford, Thamesmead and Woolwich areas...
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An additional frequency has been added for RNW’s coverage in Dutch of tomorrow’s Euro 2008 quarter-final between the Netherlands and Russia: Sackville 1800-2200 UTC - 11640 kHz...Return to Top
Capital 95.8 have re-started a competition worth 155,000 pounds, despite the prize been won a fortnight ago.The original winner has been deemed ineligible by the station.
Hospital station Radio Chelsea and Westminster has moved into brand new purpose built designer studios, whilst Roch Valley Radio officially launches in Greater Manchester.
Starting on Monday 23 June, the frequency of the VOA Studio 7 broadcast to Zimbabwe via the RNW Madagascar relay station at 1700-1800 UTC will change from 13755 to 11605 kHz.
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9 June 2008
Statement by the BBC Trust


The BBC Trust held its monthly meeting today and reached agreement on the BBC's submission to the Ofcom PSB review.
The Trust's decision today is the conclusion of a series of discussions since the review was first launched about the BBC's role in the future of PSB and the wider issues of partnership, collaboration and how to ensure that audiences are central to this important debate. The BBC's response to the consultation is now being finalised and will be submitted to Ofcom early next week.
The Trust has decided that the BBC should submit a single response to the consultation about public service broadcasting, reflecting the Trust's earlier decisions on the BBC's six year strategy and the Trust's and Executive's shared thinking on the challenges beyond that timeframe and practical responses to the issues raised by Ofcom.
BBC Chairman Sir Michael Lyons said:
"This is an important time for public service broadcasting in the UK, both in terms of changes in the industry and in the audiences we serve. The Trust has called for an open and wide-ranging debate. That debate must include the role the BBC can play in the future of PSB. In developing our response, the Trust has challenged the Director-General and the BBC Executive to develop proposals as to how the BBC can continue to be the cornerstone of the British broadcasting system and work in partnership with the broadcasting and wider media sector."
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Research bureau Intomart GfK has today published the Dutch radio market share figures for April/May 2008. The big winner is market leader Radio 538, which has increased its lead over second placed Radio 2 to almost two percentage points. Radio 538 gained 0.6 percent, while Radio 2 lost 0.5 percent.
The next biggest winner was 100%NL, whose share jumped from 1.5 to 1.9 percent. This is all the more remarkable as 100%NL is in transition, and playing continuous music. The plan was to recruit some new DJ’s, but as the continuous music format is doing so well with the listeners, the plan may well be revised. One thing we do know is that rumours of a name change for the station are untrue. Station boss Herbert Visser has confirmed to us that the station will remain 100%NL.The market shares in percent (March/April shares in brackets) were as follows:
Radio 538 11.8 (11.2)
Radio 2* 9.9 (10.4)
Sky Radio 9.1 (9.0)
Radio 3FM* 7.6 (7.5)
Q-Music 7.6 (7.4)
Radio 1* 6.8 (7.0)
Veronica 6.1 (6.2)
Radio 10 Gold 3.2 (3.1)
Arrow Classic Rock 2.6 (2.7)
Radio 5* 2.4 (2.7)
Classic FM 2.2 (2.3)
Slam! FM 2.1 (2.0)
Radio 4* 1.9 (unchanged)
100%NL 1.9 (1.5)
BNR nieuwsradio 0.8 (0.7)
Arrow Jazz FM 0.7 (0.8)
Caz 0.4 (0.5)
Kink FM 0.3 (0.3)
TMF radio 0.2 (0.3)
Radio 6* 0.1 (0.2)
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Superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold is to returning to his roots in radio broadcasting with a series of shows for London dance network Kiss.
In an exclusive BBC Radio 4 interview Linford Christie says it was his right to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of London.
Southern FM Breakfast Presenter Nicky Keig-Shevlin this morning announced her decision to quit after two decades at the station.
Authorities in Zimbabwe have banned wind-up receivers, a favourite among nongovernmental organisations seeking to promote access to information in rural areas.
Former radio announcers of the Voice of Free Indonesia (VOFI) have criticized contemporary announcers for their low proficiencies in foreign languages, especially English.
STMicroelectronics, has recently signed an agreement with WorldSpace® Satellite Radio to develop, manufacture and distribute chips for European Satellite Digital Radio (ESDR)...
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5th June 2008
Wireless Waffler:
A lot of interesting news and radio going on as usual. I was able to get some shots of BBC Broadcasting House recently and have put them in the waffle on line magazine for you to view. No longer any demolition going on but some real building work. The demolition of Egton House and rebuilding there is complete. What exists now is a similar shaped building to Broadcasting House, which at a distance frames All Souls Church.  
News from other sources
Andy Shier has left The Local Radio Company to join Wave 105 as programme controller. Andy replaces Dave Shearer who left three months ago to join GMG Radio in Manchester.
Channel 4 is giving us a taster of what's to come on their new national multiplex with the launch of Big Brother's Big Ears - an online radio show hosted by Iain Lee and Gemma...
Radio 4 has promised to focus on fewer but longer-running drama series for the next year. By Ben Dowell
Digital radio station Planet Rock has been sold to the millionaire boss of a visa and passport applications business.
Eric Chilvers of Radio Tatras International writes: RTI will no longer be airing English language programmes on the FM service of RTI-SK (Slovak Republic) starting from 05 June...
Radio DJ Kevin Greening died from a drug overdose after taking part in a gay bondage session, an inquest has heard.
Sensational Tony Blackburn is set to be networked across five of GMG's Smooth Radio stations.His weekend breakfast show, which originates from London each Saturday and Sunday...
A Radio Scilly presenter has begun a challenge of a lifetime by aiming to row the 3100 miles across the Atlantic from New York to the Isles of Scilly in 55 days or less.
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TalkSport has signed Danny Baker's former sparring partner Danny Kelly to co-host a new evening show.
IRN has launched a 24/​7 breaking news video service to provide the countries biggest radio groups with news, entertainment and sports content for their websitesRTI: The RTI PROGRAM WINNER 2008 is Nicola Serfelova! The Runner Up is Johnny Reece, Album Zone. Full results can be viewed at www.rti.
The much anticipated sale of Virgin Radio by SMG has taken place. TIML Golden Square Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Times of India Group, have bought the station. The publisher of the Times of India has bought Virgin Radio from SMG for ??53.2m, in its first international acquisition and its first step towards an ambitious...
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Positive tests results using the DRM+ standard for a radio station broadcasting on FM were unveiled at an international symposium yesterday.
BBC Radio 1 announces today that a host of Radio 1 DJs will present Edith Bowmans show weekdays 14pm during her maternity leave.
Ofcom has approved a request by Bauer Radio to flip the formats of 21 local digital services, to Magic.
Southport's 107.9 Dune FM has been sold by The Local Radio Company, RadioToday.co.uk has learnt.Although TLRC were unable to confirm the disposal the station, RadioToday.co.
GCap have sold XFM South Wales to Town and Country Broadcasting for an unspecified fee.The station, which was only launched six months ago, will be rebranded Nation Radio 
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Media companies in New Zealand are resisting calls for a combined telecommunications and broadcasting commissioner to regulate the converging industries, reports the New Zealand...
RadioCentre has united 14 commercial radio stations across the south east to sponsor this year's GuilFest festival in Surrey, taking the deal away from BBC Radio 2.
Community radio group Brooklands FM are back, offering a live stream of local programming until June 15th.
Radio Netherlands Worldwide and Radio 1, the Dutch news and information network, are cooperating to deliver a special radio service called EKfm for Dutch football supporters in...
High Peak Radio is extending their coverage of Derbyshire with the launch of Ashbourne Radio, a dedicated service broadcasting on 96.7FM
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has suspended all broadcasts by private radio stations in Malawi as riots and protests erupted in parts of the country
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Ofcom has awarded five new community radio licences for Staffordshire and the Midlands.The regulators also considered three further applications from across Staffordshire and...

National pop and rock station Virgin Radio is going commercial free on bank holiday Monday, in a deal with Magners Irish Cider.
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In the BBC Radio Wales documentary Boxing Is Fighting Back on Saturday 31 May 1.30 and 6.30pm Sarah Dickins learns how one of Wales upandcoming boxers the Commonwealth Bronze...
Legendary TV couple Anne Diamond and Nick Owen are reunited as they host BBC London 94.9s breakfast show next week.
Ofcom have turned down a request by UTV to relocate Imagine 104.9 FM. UTV wanted to move the Stockport station to their hub at Warrington, where it already houses three
The latest digital radio sales figures are in – and they show that after 10 years there are now seven million DAB sets sold in the UKDespite losing market share in the latest set of audience results, figures released today by the RadioCentre show that radio advertising revenue is increasing.
Gemma Dee, one half of Rock FM's breakfast show and currently living in a shop window in Preston for the station's latest charity event, has said yes to her partner who proposed...
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13th May 2008
Wireless Waffler 
No updates for a while but I have been listening in on the shortwaves and really must put some more up to date logs on this site. Not enough hours in the day! I have heard PMR today from Moldovia on 12135 KHz in English. Not the most inspiring of broadcasts but a man explaining how difficult it was to form the new region. There is a recording of this station on You tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6fn3rMB9VY
Good to hear Hastings Rock back on the air again for the whole of May. It can be heard on line at http://www.hastingsrock.co.uk/ I was alerted to this by my contact John in Hastings and thank him as ever. He used to do me some recordings from the transmitter but it is good to be able to hear this station on air. It has a format similar to Radio Caroline, or maybe it is between Caroline and Planet Rock?
The British DX Club have just issued their excellent broadcasts in English booklet 
Not strictly radio, but well done to Virgin Media for putting BBC iplayer on Cable. It works very well, and Iplayer Icon appears on BBC 1 and you push the red button on the handset and a menu appears. You and stop it, scan through the programme and stop it, as you can do on their excellent Catch Up TV service.
A recommended website, courtesy of the British DX club is http://theradiokitchen.net/ visit it for a free download of a fascinating LP in MP3 format celebrating radio.
Good to learn that Gordon Brown has raised the tax threshold, but he will grab it back with another tax soon!
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News from other sources
Bauer Radio's digital station Q Radio will relaunch next month with an exclusive show from REM.
BBC 6Music has issued a warning to presenter George Lamb, after he appeared to pledge his support on air for Boris Johnson
The BBC has urged Ofcom to broaden its investigation into the pay television market to include the power of platform operators such as Sky.

Sky's rival pay TV operators, meanwhile, used their submissions to the regulator to restate their case that Sky is narrowing consumer choice and keeping prices high. They want a full market investigation by the Competition Commission.

The BBC accused Sky of using "technical standards to limit the editorial and commercial freedoms of its channel customers".

Among its complaints were that Sky has prevented it from developing interactive services for the Sky feeds of its radio stations.

"As pay TV platforms are a significant potential source of market power, it is vital for Ofcom to undertake its analysis from the perspective of intermediate customers (including channel providers and other platform operators) as well as final customers," the corporation said in its statement, which was published today by Ofcom.
Due to interference in the target area, the frequency of the RNW transmission in Dutch to SE Asia at 1159-1257 UTC via Madagascar has been changed from 17745 to 17740 kHz.
Planet Rock, the radio station that GCap Media, Britain's largest commercial radio group, announced it would axe, was last night named digital station of the year at the Sony Awards.
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The Opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party has reportedly complained that the All Peoples Congress-led Government has shut down Unity Radio FM 98.4 of the SLPP.
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Russell Brand and Dermot O'Leary both picked up their first ever Sony Radio Academy Awards last night.

The pair - both on BBC Radio 2 - won the entertainment award and music programme award respectively.

BBC Radio 4 was named UK station of the year while BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles beat Johnny Vaughan of Virgin Radio to the breakfast show title.

The Sonys were presented at a ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Digital-only station Planet Rock, which is under threat of closure, won the award for digital station of the year. Fish, a host on the station, came second in the music broadcaster category, while it also took the multiplatform radio award.

BBC 6 Music DJ George Lamb was voted winner of the Sony DAB rising star award, ahead of BBC Radio 1's Kelly Osbourne.

Jenny Abramsky, the BBC's outgoing director of audio and music, was given a special award in recognition of her 40 years in the industry. Judges said she had "stamped her very distinctive imprint on our industry... she’s been a mighty champion".Return to Top
According to Radcom (who seem to be less broadcast DX antagonistic these
days) and http//www.redsandonline.co.uk the RSL radio station is due to
return to 1278kHz this summer:

It is planned to be on air from July 4th to July 13th on 1278kHz and will be
available online for those out of range of the broadcasts.

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by John Plunkett
guardian.co.uk,
April 24 2008

GCap Media is to ramp up the number of networked shows across its 42-strong
stable of mainstream local radio stations, including Capital 95.8, BRMB and
Red Dragon.

A new three-hour weekday show is to be launched across GCap's entire One
Network, as well as the introduction of a number of new syndicated shows to
its weekend schedule.
The One Network includes London's Capital 95.8 FM, BRMB in Birmingham and
Cardiff station Red Dragon.

These changes follow a networking drive at the Heart and Galaxy stations
owned by Global Radio, which is in the process of buying GCap.

They mean the One Network stations may have as little as 10 hours of locally
produced programmes on weekdays, and four hours per day at weekends.

The One Network already has five flagship networked shows, including the
Sunday afternoon chart show, Hit 40UK.

Another eight hours of networked programmes are set to be introduced on
Saturdays, and an extra four hours on Sundays. The breakfast and drivetime
programmes will not be affected.

The latest changes, which are due to come into effect at the end of June,
follow a relaxation of Ofcom's rules on the amount of local programming that
must be broadcast by radio stations.

Global's £375m takeover of GCap is not likely not be completed until June,
but may be delayed further by an intervention from the competition
authorities.

GCap relaunched the One Network last year with a single on-air and online
strapline - "Haven't you heard?" - for the first time across all 42
stations. It also introduced network shows fronted by Myleene Klass and
Jeremy Kyle.

It is more complicated networking shows across a stable of stations such as
the One Network, rather than a uniformly branded group of stations such as
Heart or Galaxy, because all the stations have different names.

The One Network includes Invicta FM in Kent and Power FM in Hampshire. The
network had a combined average weekly reach of just over 7 million listeners
in the second half of last year.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/24/gcapmedia.radio?gusrc=rss&feed=media

By John Plunkett
guardian.co.uk,
April 23 2008

Media regulator Ofcom has rejected a bid by GMG Radio to drop jazz
programming from its Smooth Radio stations in London and the north-west.

GMG Radio had wanted to ditch its obligation to play 45 hours of jazz music
a week in exchange for relaunching a dedicated service, Jazz FM, on digital
audio broadcasting (DAB) radio.

But following a four-week public consultation, the regulator said jazz was
an important part of the Smooth Radio offering which made a "real point of
difference" with its rivals.

Bauer Radio, which owns Smooth rival Magic 105.4 in London, was among those
objecting to the change, arguing that it amounted to "format creep".

GMG Radio said it was disappointed with Ofcom's decision but said it would
go ahead with its decision to relaunch Jazz FM in London and the north-west,
as well as on DAB in the West Midlands.

Ofcom said under current legislation it was unable to link a change to
analogue radio services to a proposed change in DAB services.

GMG Radio group programme director John Simons said: "We're disappointed at
the decision which is a frustration as it's clear to see that this genre of
music no longer sits comfortably alongside Smooth Radio's new sound, which
the listeners love.

"We will encourage Ofcom to continue lobbying the DCMS to change the
existing legislation which cannot link the consideration of changes to
analogue radio to that of proposed changes to DAB services. If this is
successful we will reapply for the format change."

The original Jazz FM launched in London in 1990 but became an internet-only
station three years ago after its new owner, GMG Radio, relaunched its
London licence as Smooth Radio.

The new licence required that Smooth broadcast 45 hours of jazz music a
week, which is played through the night. GMG Radio now has six Smooth Radio
stations around the UK.
Ofcom said it had 42 responses to the proposed change, 14 in favour and 28
against. Bauer was the only rival company to respond.

"The tone of many of the 'no' responses was that GMG knew what they were
buying when they bought Jazz FM, and that they have already been allowed
enough change," said Ofcom.
It said the support for more easy listening on the stations "could not
outweigh the effect of the removal of jazz in its entirety from the station,
which had been retained by Ofcom in order to ensure some original specialist
music remained on offer".

GMG Radio is part of the Guardian Media Group which publishes
MediaGuardian.co.uk.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/23/commercialradio.radio?gusrc=rss&feed\
=media

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21st April 2008
Waffler
I managed to do something I have not done for ages today! I managed to totally erase a whole mini disc of radio recordings made recently. I think I have clips from them on a cassette I did for my radio club though, so all is not lost. If you have a lot of recordings on your pc hard drive be sure to burn them to cdr or transfer them on to another form of digital media - be warned!
Hope you are enjoying sight of the original wireless waffle newsletters on this site. I noticed that the third and fourth pdf file were only downloading by a right click yesterday from mediafire. Clicking on the mediafire link was merely sending out a blank window. I will try to sort that out but think it is a fault beyond my control.
News from other sources

The spring series of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is cancelled as Humphrey Lyttelton awaits surgery.
Redhill and Reigate's local radio station, Susy Radio, has returned to the airwaves for another RSL broadcast. It returned last night just after midnight on 87.7FM after an absence of around 2 years. The
signal comes from Reigate Hill in Surrey and the studio is located
near Redhill.
Susy are one of a small group of stations attempting to gain a
community radio licence for the area. They have been broadcasting
since 1996 on various AM and FM frequencies and have been popular with local people and radio enthusiasts alike.
The broadcasts, which are due to end on May 5th, are also relayed on
the internet via their web site at http://www.susyradio.com

BBC Radio 1 announced today (Monday 21 April) that the station will kick off the 2008 festival season with the biggest female artist on the planet headlining Radio 1's Big Weekend – Madonna. 
The event takes place at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May. Chris Moyles announced the big news and the full main stage line-up on his show this morning. The line-ups for the rest of the stages will be announced throughout the day on Radio 1.
 
Across the weekend and over four stages, over 30,000 lucky music fans will enjoy a stellar line-up of over 50 UK and international artists alongside world-class DJs. Radio 1's Big Weekend is the station's free flagship event and the UK's biggest free ticketed music festival.
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Monday 21 April 2008: Adrian van Klaveren has began his role as controller of BBC Radio 5 Live today by signing Blue Peter presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Gethin Jones.

The Gethin Jones show will begin on 5 July running for two months between 9am and midday.

The programme is likely to cover sport, music and culture throughout the summer, and reflect Gethin's own interests in entertainment and sport as a former Rugby player for Lancashire.

Adrian Van Klaveren said: "I'm really excited that Gethin is joining the 5 Live team. He'll be a fresh new voice to capture the spirit of summer and his show will fit in perfectly with the rest of our special programmes during July and August."

Gethin Jones said: "Joining Radio 5 live with my own show is fantastic and I can't wait to get started. I relish a challenge and my first venture into radio will be just that. I've always loved the station and look forward to bringing my own flavour to Saturday mornings."

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Digital Spy
April 10 2008
By Dave West, Media Correspondent

The contract to run the national Traffic Radio station has been awarded to
Global Traffic Network UK.

The 24-hour service carries spoken-word traffic information on DAB and the
internet and has been operated by Trafficlink since its launch last year.

GTN already runs traffic services in Canada and Australia and this week
announced it would be taking over Traffic Radio from July 1.

The company is working with digital radio specialists Folder Media and
technology experts All In Media on the publicly-funded project. As well as
the existing broadcasts on DAB and the internet, the firm will make use of
short-term FM and AM broadcasting in some areas.

Managing director Paul Hutton said: "Traffic Radio is a significant service
for travellers across England and something which is very important to the
Highways Agency. We are thrilled to have been chosen to run this service
having proved ourselves in a tough tender process to be the best option when
considering quality, expertise and cost.

"We have put together the best possible team for this ground-breaking
project. Matt Deegan at Folder and Chris Gould at AIM have not only both
worked on very similar projects before, but are also known across the
industry for being great innovators and I know they have some fantastic
ideas for the project throughout the contract period."

Deegan said: "We're very excited to be managing the broadcast of Traffic
Radio, this is a truly cross-platform radio station that will reach
listeners on DAB Digital Radio, Online and on FM and AM at traffic hotspots.
It's a pleasure to be working with GTN, who, like us, are true radio
people."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a93557/traffic-radio-to-get-new-operato\
rs.html?rss




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Chris Moyles and Russell Brand have been nominated in this year's Sony radio industry awards.
Radio 1 star Moyles is up against Johnny Vaughan from Capital 95.8 for best breakfast show, in the Sony Radio Academy Awards.
Comedian Russell Brand, who launched his Saturday night Radio 2 show in 2006, is also competing with Vaughan, in the entertainment category.
BBC Radio 2, Radio 4 and 5 Live are all up for the UK station of the year. 
The 26th Sony awards take place on 12 May at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The nominations, announced by Chris Evans, include:
Breakfast show award
5 Live Breakfast - BBC Radio 5 Live
Bowie@Breakfast - Radio Clyde
Capital Breakfast with Johnny Vaughan - Capital 95.8
Jo & Twiggy Breakfast Show - Trent FM
The Chris Moyles Show - BBC Radio 1

Music programme award
Marc Riley's Brain Surgery - BBC 6 Music
Mellow Magic - Magic 105.4
The Dermot O'Leary Show - BBC Radio 2
The Johnnie Walker Show - BBC Radio 2
Zane Lowe - BBC Radio 1

Entertainment award
Capital Breakfast with Johnny Vaughan - Capital 95.8
Jo & Twiggy Breakfast Show - Trent FM
Scott Mills - BBC Radio 1
The Russell Brand Show - BBC Radio 2
Toolan in the Morning - Key 103

Music broadcaster of the year
Andi Durrant - The Galaxy Network
Fish on Friday - Planet Rock
Paul Gambaccini - Classic FM, BBC Radio 2 & Radio 4
Sean Rafferty - BBC Radio 3
Steve Lamacq - BBC 6 Music

Music radio personality of the year
Adam @ Breakfast - 97.4 Rock FM
Geoff Lloyd - Virgin Radio
Jamie Theakston - Heart 106.2
Jonathan Ross - BBC Radio 2
Zane Lowe - BBC Radio 1

Speech broadcaster of the year
Edi Stark - BBC Radio Scotland
James Naughtie - BBC Radio 4
John Humphrys - BBC Radio 4
Owen Bennett-Jones - BBC Radio World Service
Simon Mayo- BBC Radio 5 Live

Station of the year: Under 300,000
BBC Guernsey
BBC Radio Foyle
Silk FM

Station of the year: 300,000 - 1 million
BBC Radio Nottingham
GWR Bristol
TFM Radio

Station of the year: 1 million plus
Key 103 Manchester
Radio City 96.7
Real Radio Scotland

Digital station of the year
BBC Asian Network
Gaydar Radio
Planet Rock

UK station of the year
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 5 Live

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10th April 2008

Waffler
I haven't listened to Terry Wogan on Radio 2 for a while now. This morning he was sparkling as ever. I first heard him on Radio Telefis Eireann on the medium wave 576, which has recently closed for ever. Then he joined the BBC and has stayed there ever since. I remember going to see a friend on the way to school in the late sixties and his voice was on the morning radio then. He has since progresses to the "zoo" style of broadcasting. That is when the presenter is joined by others on air. This morning it was Lynn Bowles and John Marsh, traffic and news presenters. Tony gets away with no end of innuendo, by reading his listener's email and letters. Very clever this morning were the remarks about Kate Humble!
I had a bit of luck today and managed to find Johnnie Walker's Autobiography in a charity shop for a mere £1.75 in hardback. I have already bought and listened to his 5 cd set talking book. The illustrations in the book are good. It is also the full autobiography and I look forward to reading it in the days ahead.   
Westside Radio, in Southall, continue to put in a reasonable signal here on 89.6. I listened to part of their breakfast show today. The music is not to my taste but the young presenters have a lot of enthusiasm. They run a DJ school and that gives people a chance to work on air. The station is one of the new community stations, and has been on air for some time now. Hayes Fm should be our nearest but it does not come in as well as Westside.
I have recently got a copy of Nexus Radio from PC Plus magazine and enjoying listening to some of the internet stations on it. There are a surprising amount that play back to back oldies, blues, drum and bass. Gold Fm from Tenerife is one of the genuine broadcast stations on there, and quite good. It broadcasts from Preston in the UK and has an studio in Tenerife which can be controlled from the UK for interviews etc. I have yet to be tempted to buy an internet radio, not too keen on wi fi for security reasons. Does anyone know of an internet radio that you can plug into a cable or adsl modem?

News from other sources
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An email was sent to BBC staff today from Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, to inform them that Jenny Abramsky has decided to step down as Director of Audio & Music.
 
The text of the email follows:
 
"Dear All,
 
"I wanted to let you know that Jenny Abramsky has decided to step down as Director of Audio & Music and to leave the BBC at the end of September. Downing Street is announcing later this morning that Jenny will go on to chair the Heritage Lottery Fund when she leaves the BBC.
 
"She steps down from her present role after 39 years here in the BBC. It is a remarkable career – she edited the World At One, PM and the Today programme before becoming Editor of all Radio News and Current Affairs. She set up a continuous news service (Gulf FM) during the first Gulf War which was the forerunner to Radio 5 Live, where she was launch controller. 
"As Director of the BBC Continuous News department she launched News 24 and BBC News online. As Director of Radio she launched the five digital radio services. More recently, as Director of Audio & Music she has been responsible for all BBC Music output and commissioned the Electric Proms.
 
"Her contribution to the BBC has been immense and she will leave a precious and lasting legacy. Everything she has done has been characterised by her legendary passion for the medium of radio and the BBC as a public service broadcaster, as well as her devotion to BBC audiences. She leaves BBC Radio in remarkable health with record audience figures and an exciting digital future already in place.
 
"We will shortly begin the process of appointing Jenny's successor.
 
"All the best, Mark Thompson, Director-General"
 
Jenny Abramsky sent the following email to staff in BBC Audio & Music:
 
"Dear all,
 
"In a few minutes, the announcement will be made that I will be leaving the BBC at the end of the summer, to take up a new role as Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
 
"Whilst this is a wonderful opportunity, it will be a great wrench for me to leave the BBC. I have spent my working life here, the vast majority of it in Radio, and I am as passionate about it now as when I joined as a Programme Operations Assistant 39 years ago.
 
"I have always believed that the BBC is the most important cultural institution in the UK. Its willingness to take risks, its ambition that permeates through its programmes and schedules, and the unsurpassed quality of its news output demonstrates every day that it can and does make a difference. I feel privileged to have been involved for so many years, and it's been amazing fun.
 
"There is never a good time to leave, but I think now is the right time for me to take on a new challenge and I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to lead the HLF in its work of safeguarding and sustaining our wonderful heritage.
 
"I won't be leaving for some months, so I hope I will have the chance to say goodbye to most of you in person. There are many strong candidates to take over as Director of Audio & Music, and I have no doubt that, when I finally do leave, A&M will be in as strong a position as it has ever been.
 
"Best wishes, Jenny"
 
BBC Press Office
 
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Radio Slovakia International is now carried via the Astra 3 satellite at 23.5° East: Frequency 12.565 GHz Pol H Symbol rate: 27500 FEC: 2/3

An unusual view of the quality station BBC Radio 4 from the Financial Times!

Optimists always have the last laugh
By Luke Johnson
Published: April 9 2008 03:00 | Last updated: April 9 2008 03:00

If you want to get depressed every morning, tune in to Today on BBC Radio 4. There you will hear an unremittingly grim view of the world - a diet of political wickedness, terrorism, global warming, looming recession and other catastrophes. Sadly, John Humphries and fellow presenters tend to set the day's agenda and tone for much of Britain's media industry. According to them it seems as if everything in the modern world is terrible, and getting steadily worse.
Journalists like to see themselves as questioning and sceptical. A colleague of mine says the correct words are "cynical and negative". While editors get defensive if you ask them why they principally broadcast or print bad news, they can give precious few examples of uplifting, cheerful or generous leading items. No doubt the rise of digital rivals means the traditional news media are under much more competitive pressure to land scoops - which encourages hype about financial disasters, food scares, crime and all the rest. And the explosion of media means there is a feeding frenzy when any new row, scandal or crisis erupts. But is this a healthy state of affairs?
There has been a deluge of books recently that highlight the exaggeration and scare-mongering by vested interests and the media, including Panicology by Simon Briscoe, Financial Times statistics editor, and Hugh AlderseyWilliams; Scared to Death by Christopher Brooker and Richard North; and Risk: the Science and Politics of Fear by Dan Gardner.
All three offer coherent arguments that show such gloommongering promotes irrational anxiety and disproportionate responses. But in spite of the facts, this story isn't selling. The mass media - and the internet - appear to prefer pessimism, false science and bogus reasoning.
I do not believe the media have a national duty to tell only good news. And, of course, they should not be slavish cheerleaders for the government or the authorities in general. But what is wrong with more celebration of success - be it in medicine, science, architecture, business or public life? Why is the slant so often doubting, the style so ominous, the approach one of doom? What purpose does it serve to publish and transmit ever more sensational warnings about health threats, bankruptcies and falling house prices? The media argue they have a mission to inform, but more often it just makes audiences feel unhappy. Where is the satisfaction in communicating such remorselessly dismal stuff? Lobbyists, think-tanks, quangos, bent scientists and other publicity seekers feed the media with gloom-laden surveys, research and biased press releases because that way they get funding and attention. Many of them are far worse than PR agencies paid to tout their clients' wares. The news media say they just report the truth - yet they amplify drama and emotion to boost ratings and circulations.
Humankind makes progress because some people believe in a great future. Inventors, entrepreneurs and optimists initiate advances that create jobs and improve our welfare. They do not just talk about problems - they find practical solutions without letting the media discourage them. To start an enterprise or turn round an ailing one takes courage and a belief that anything is possible. After all, thanks to technology and capitalism, it is undeniable that we live longer, healthier and safer lives - but where does that get reported? In nations such as China, Brazil and India, most people have much worse living standards than us but they often seem happier and more confident about tomorrow. Too many in the west are obsessed with decline and misery, and this is fuelled by an über-critical media that will rarely run something inspiring if there is knocking copy available instead. Neither the Financial Times nor Channel 4, the television company I chair, is entirely immune from this negativity.
From the apocalyptic coverage of Heathrow's Terminal 5 to prospects for the economy, one senses from some in the media a mood of schadenfraude. Where is the proportion? Overall, there has never been a better time to be alive - yet you would not know it from television or the papers.
But optimists have the last laugh - history shows they are always the long-run winners.
lukej@riskcapitalpartners.co.uk The writer is chairman of Channel 4 and runs Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm
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Manx National Heritage is seeking the public’s help for a new exhibition, planned for this summer at the House of Manannan. 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the demise of Radio Caroline North, the offshore radio station which operated out of Ramsey Bay between 1964 and 1968. An exhibition, ‘Pirates of the Irish Sea’, will celebrate the phenomenon at the House of Manannan later this summer.If you can remember Radio Caroline and have any special memories of the station and its DJs then Manx National Heritage would like to hear from you.
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Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has begun talks with the preferred bidder of SMG-owned Virgin Radio as concerns mount over whether Absolute Radio should be allowed to use the Virgin Radio brand.As part of its agreement with SMG, Virgin Group has the right not to allow the brand to fall into the hands of anyone who competes with Virgin businesses anywhere in the world.
However, a competition issue has already emerged. Virgin Group has a joint radio venture with the Hindustan Times, where it uses the Virgin Radio brand. One of Absolute’s backers is The Times of India’s owner Bennett Coleman, which owns radio stations in India.Virgin Group is understood to be concerned whether it is too confusing for two Indian businesses to have a relationship with Virgin Radio.
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Tuesday 25th March 2008

As I’m sure you are all aware, Planet Rock has been under the shadow of closure since GCap announced their strategy statement on Feb 11. We were given the deadline of March 28th to find a buyer or be switched off permanently.Since that time, several parties have come forward and expressed an interest in buying the station, and negotiations are under way. Because of this development GCap have extended the deadline until the end of April to allow these talks to continue.
We’re not out of the woods yet, nor will we be until someone completes the purchase of the station. The good news is that there is hope, and at the very least, an extra month of Planet rock.Thanks to each and every one of you who have sent messages of support, they have meant a great deal to all of us here at Planet Rock. When we have some more news you will be the first to know.
If you would like to leave your feedback, please leave your comments below:
Keep rockin'
With immediate effect, the frequency of the VOA French broadcast to West Africa at 1830-2030 UTC via the RNW Bonaire relay station has been changed from 17895 to 17550 kHz.

The introduction of digital radio in New Zealand will likely be delayed until analogue TV transmission is switched off.
Clive Anderson is to be the permanent replacement for the late Ned Sherrin on the long-running BBC Radio 4 entertainment magazine show Loose Ends
The international service of RTI began broadcasting on 09 April 2005 at 8.00pm CET.
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4th April 2008
Waffler:
Sad to see so many stations closed down on dab digital radio. BFBS, the Jazz and Capital Life. The first station was only an experiment but quite lively and successful.
I have just listened to a programme I missed on GLR in 1989. It featured Johnnie Walker, Tommy Vance and Mike Ahearn recreating an imaginary offshore station in 1964. They were broadcasting on the Tattershall Castle paddle steamer anchored alongside the Thames. Also a great little pub and restaurant. We once had an office party on board and it was a great atmosphere. They even had Ronan O'Rahilly on board and he spoke to Johnnie during the programme - very interesting indeed. They carried archival news items, read as if it was happening, all from 1964! I have put the links to the current place these file reside on - if you are interested download or listen to them on line. Thanks as ever to the marvellous caroline fans who feed the azanorak site!
http://azanorak.com/pub/Pirates_Ashore/Johnnie_Walker/1989 03 27 Mon 1200-1300 BBC GLR - Johnnie Walker - Flashback 64.mp3
 http://azanorak.com/pub/Pirates_Ashore/Johnnie_Walker/1989 03 27 Mon 1300-1400 BBC GLR - Johnnie Walker - Flashback 64.mp3
http://azanorak.com/pub/Pirates_Ashore/Johnnie_Walker/1989 03 27 Mon 1400-1500 BBC GLR - Johnnie Walker - Flashback 64.mp3
Nicky Horne now seem to do his Rock Shows on both Plant Rock and the dire new Gold station. Gold has Nicky and Mike Sweeney on it so all is not lost!
News from other sources

The Radio Aire and Magic 828 charity Kids Count is bringing back pop band Go West to perform an exclusive gig at a special bash in Leeds.
The broadcasting rights to the recent West End hit production of Othello starring Ewan McGregor and Chiwetel Ejiofor have been snapped up by Radio 3
Thursday 03 April 2008: BBC Three Counties Radio is to have its biggest schedule revamp in 13 years from next Monday, including changes to the breakfast show with Stephen Rhodes.

Jonathan Vernon-Smith is returning to the station to host a lunch-time show. Plus, in a move likely to upset some listeners, all sports programming will be moved to AM which the station believes will "give the best coverage of all types of sport in the area".

Station editor Mark Norman said: "Over the last eight months, I've been grateful for the feedback which we've received from listeners.

"That feedback has proved there is a demand for a wider choice of listening both at weekends and during the evenings and that schedule changes will reflect the views of the majority of people who have contacted the station with their thoughts and ideas about what we should be doing in the future."

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is in line to replace Sir Terry Wogan on his morning radio show, The Sun reports.

BBC Radio 2 bosses think Hammond, who has already filled in for Wogan on the morning show, would be the ideal breakfast host once the Irish broadcaster retires.

"They are excited about Hammond taking over. But they don’t want anyone to know as it may offend Terry or look like they want him to go by planning a replacement," a source said.

Wogan's current contract with Radio 2 expires in 2009. His Wake Up With Wogan show is Britain's most popular radio programme ahead of Radio 1's The Chris Moyles Show.

Hammond has also been rumoured as a possible replacement for Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on Channel 4. BFBS has ended its digital radio trial after three months.

BFBS Radio, one of many British Forces Broadcasting Service offerings, joined national digital radio multiplex Digital One back in January. At the time, Digital One chief executive Quentin Howard said that if the trial proved "popular and successful" he "would hope to be able to make the service permanent".

Today, BFBS Radio called the trial "a huge success" but said that it, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, had decided "that making the service permanent is not an option at this point".

Research undertaken during the trial indicated that it had achieved listening figures of 863,000 people per week. 62% of people in BFBS' "core target" group, defined as service personnel and their families, "said they were extremely or very likely to listen in the future".

BFBS added that the decision not to put a permanent service on DAB was not a reflection on the platform's wider popularity. In a statement, the service said: "We proved during the trial that DAB Digital Radio is accessible and popular and provides a route to air for radio stations that provide unique content and can’t get onto FM nationally."

It is not known at this stage what the slot on Digital One will be used for. 


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22nd March 2008
Waffler:
We turned on BBC London this afternoon to find Gary Crowley doing his usual Saturday show, and the variety of music he was playing was excellent. Gary is a very distinctive broadcaster with good knowledge of the music world.
Radio Caroline have been putting out some excellent programmes from the studios on board the Ross Revenge, in Tilbury Docks this weekend. I heard them go off air for a while yesterday around 6pm and today around 3.15pm. It must be something to do with the link to the Maidstone studios or uplift to Sky. The weather and winds have been incredible this Easter, threatening fences, aerials and everything. At least the Ross Revenge was in harbour. If it was in the days of offshore operations, it no doubt would have lost the mast or drifted. No, that is not a kind remark because over the years the staff and engineers on Radio Caroline have conquered storm, damage and Government interventions. They are asking now for a minimum donation of £30 to the Ross Revenge Support Club. Inevitably it is this band of supporters that have enabled the station to be legal, and stay on air with fantastic world coverage on the Sky platform. I was tempted to say this was subscription radio, but generously and thankfully the output is free to air, and also available on the world wide web. They have also included shows by Dutch and English speaking DJs on the Mi Amigo in the 70s this Easter, including Mark Jacobs. Happy 44th Birthday Radio Caroline, you are still there putting out good music with an affable competent happy group of presenters. Caroline has made and maintained a stable of its own "celebrities" but allow new people to come on air. BBC Radio 2 who hang on to people like Terry Wogan and only hire known names could take a lesson from this. Innovative and new radio must come always from trying out new people and filtering out those that are no good.
I wish all my the site visitors a very happy Easter, perhaps in the UK we should be swapping tips on how to keep warm!
News from other sources

As previously reported the RTE Tullamore medium wave transmitter on
567 will close on 24 March. The details of exact times are given below:

This weekend will see sport on mediumwave and VHF output on longwave
during opt-outs from the main service.

From closedown on 567, longwave will then carry the sport opt-outs
currently on mediumwave. RTE Europe on Sky will become the longwave
service from then.

On 24 March, RTE Radio 1 will be on 567 kHz until 1330.

At this point, there will be a "countdown to the end" so they describe,
with a final goodbye to medium wave, until 1500 hrs when the transmitter
will be switched off.

(RTE via James Robinson, uk radio listeners)

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Easter 2008 live from Ross Revenge

The entire weekend will be hosted by presenters from our second ship, Mi
Amigo who all served on board between 1977 and 1980.

Some of the team are shown on the left - then and now! This special birthday
broadcast starts at 6 a.m. on Good Friday and runs until midnight on Easter
Monday. You'll be able to watch some of the action via on-board webcams.

There'll be some additional ways to listen this Easter too. You'll be able
to tune in via our friends at Radio Mi Amigo where a special stream will be
dedicated entirely to Caroline. They will also be replacing some their
regular programmes with ours. Just go to www.radiomiamigo.eu Caroline will
also be available on 9290khz shortwave from Latvia between 15:00-18:00 on
Easter Sunday afternoon.

Please do not attempt to visit Ross Revenge this Easter. We hope to move the
ship to a more accessible location soon and look forward to seeing you then.

http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk

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Re: RTE 567 closedown details


Details of the Medium Wave Goodbye programme:

MEDIUM WAVE GOODBYE, Monday 24th March, 1.30 p.m. to 3 p.m
Presenter: Brendan Balfe

RTE's broadcasts began life on the MW service as 2RN, later known as
Radio Athlone and Raidió Éireann, and in more recent times as RTÉ
Radio 1. RTÉ introduced the superior sound of the FM service in 1966
to counteract interference and poor reception on the medium wave band.

For Medium Wave Goodbye, which will be broadcast on all wavelengths,
on the internet and on RTE's digital radio trial service, Brendan has
assembled a nostalgic programme highlighting some of his favourite
moments on Irish radio. Brendan promises an entertaining and
fascinating 90 minutes of memories of a service which has brought the
world into homes all over the country since 1926, capturing moments of
history and life through decades of news, sport, features and
entertainment. The programme includes archive audio of request
programmes, pop and trad music, features, documentaries and commentaries.

Further information on the switch-off:
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/specials/1193939.html



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BBC Radio 1 are negligent. We've got the proof, it's a Radio Today exclusive. Pete Tong deliberately mentioned there was a house party. In a house. Somewhere. And at some time.

As you can imagine, over 2,000 people, probably all drug addicts or teenage mothers we imagine, turned up and wrecked the 21-bedroom manor house in Devon on Friday night. And according to one eye-witness statement we've just made up, Tong himself urinated in a wardrobe while naked.

It was the birthday party of 18 year old Sarah Ruscoe. According to the Telegraph, her mother is considering legal action against the BBC: "I think it's totally negligent of the BBC to allow a statement like that to be broadcast."

The power of radio, eh?

Sales executives would kill for a testimonial from Sarah Ruscoe's mother, if the outcome had been slightly more positive. And not entirely irrelevant. Imagine it: a live read on a radio station with average reach of just 21% in any one part of the country, somehow convinced 2,000 people to appear at the same time in the same location, without mentioning either.

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The BBCWS website carries the following announcement: BBC World Service shortwave transmissions to the Caribbean will close on March 23rd 2008.
Susan Morrison, the breakfast show host of Scotland's Talk 107, has become the second high-profile DJ to quit the station.
Red Sands Radio plans to return in July. Icom UK will be sponsoring
the RSL and in conjunction with this there will be a radio amateur
special event station GB0RSR. Full story:
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2008/icom_red_sands_radio.htm

Former Kiss 100 and Capital DJ Bam Bam has re-surfaced on BBC London. His first show was covering for Danny Baker on Friday and is scheduled to re-appear next week.

Kim Wilde is joining national AM station Virgin Radio to host programmes across the Easter weekend schedule.
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Julia Moore will take over the evening show on 96.4 Eagle Radio from Easter Monday. She currently works in an accountants in Egham and Woking.
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BBC Southern Counties Radio (SCR) launches its new spring weekend line-up on 5 April with a big dose of showbiz as two new presenters join the station. Television presenter and radio personality Paul Ross (Saturdays 9.00am-noon) will be bringing his own brand of fun and amusement to Saturday mornings across Sussex and Surrey. And listeners will certainly be in for a treat as he goes head-to-head with his brother Jonathan's BBC Radio 2 show.
 Plus parents and carers from across the region will also be familiar with SCR's other new boy, Sid Sloane (Saturdays noon-2.00pm). The actor and presenter is a regular favourite on CBeebies and taking on the Saturday lunch-time show will mark his first foray into radio.
 Talking about his new show, Paul said: "Having lived in Surrey and West Sussex for ten years I know a bit about what I am in for with the SCR audience and I am really looking forward to it. I started out in radio and I think it is a fantastic way of entertaining people.
"If there's serious issues, of course we will deal with them but I am very keen to help people put the week to bed with a comedy twist. We'll be doing features like Weekly Weird News and Keep Taking The Tabloids as well as raiding my celebrity contacts book. Plus we also want to give people an idea of what to do with their weekends, and get them involved in the show.
 "I started my radio career doing a Sunday morning show and I really enjoy doing this kind of slot. You can have everything you have in a weekday breakfast show just a bit later and people have a bit more time to listen. And the great thing is that for the last two hours of the show I'll be up against my brother. I am not nervous, but I think he's a bit worried!"
 Paul's new show will be taking over SCR from 9.00am-noon every Saturday and then hot on his heels, filling the noon-2.00pm slot is new voice Sid Sloane.
BBC Radio 1 weekend and former breakfast DJ Sara Cox has given birth to her second child, and named him Isaac
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11th March 2008

Waffler
Hello - hope you are all ok, in the UK there is some very windy weather at present, claiming fences and numerous tv and radio aerials.  
I have been enjoying listening to the short waves again recently. I confess I rarely update my logs on the site and will soon try to rectify this situation. More and more stations seem to be closing but I hope to enjoy the world radio programmes on shortwave for some years to come.
Top marks to Jonathan Hall for an excellent tribute page on his Pirate Hall of Fame for the late great Chris Cary (Alias Spangles Muldoon etc) http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/spangles.htm
News from other sources
Former professional jazz trumpet player Humphrey Lyttelton is to retire from presenting The Best of Jazz on BBC Radio 2 on March 17th.
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In the process of digitizing the tapes we are planning at this time to
put more material online as a kind of extra broadcast. Most tapes of
Happy Station are part of the regular archive and on the way to being
heard again. Around the World in 20 days will have more episodes soon,
but because those episodes are only the editing tapes they contain no
music. Probably Eddy slotted the music in his text. That way
programmes like A Listeners' Salute (1959?) will be much more
interesting to listen to: people sent their own tapes and added the
music of their country. The tapes are already digitised but the
administration process is not finished yet.

I am very pleased that Jonathan's material is also noticed. Hopefully
Jonathan's first DX-show (when it was still called DX Jukebox) will be
online in a few weeks time. (already done see below)

For DX-ers who can understand Bahasa Indonesia the blog contains a lot
of material of 1997-1999 from Dx-Komunikasi. It is a very interesting
period because the radio stations in Indonesia became more free and
Asbari Krishna followed this process. If people want to hear MP3-files
of those entries I'm happy to please them, hopefully in return for a
short description of the programme in English :-)

Martien Sleutjes
Radio Netherlands Worldwide

(Andy Sennitt, DX Listening Digest Yahoo group)

First DX Juke Box already online, acc. to msg rcvd from Martien Sleutjes.

"B471945 DX Juke Box : [main item:]
Sovjet Union & Radio Afghanistan / 1980-08-14" is waiting for your
approval
http://blogs.rnw.nl/haa/b471945-dx-juke-box-main-item-sovjet-union-radio-afghani\
stan-1980-08-14



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Edited version of original story from The Guardian by Mark Sweney

The proposed merger of the UK's two biggest transmitter operators could lead to
some local radio stations closing,said the Chief Executive of the Radio Centre
yesterday.


Andrew Harrison believes a Competition Commission referral will clear the buyout
of National Grid Wireless by Australia's Maquarie bank this week, although
agreement has yet to be reached over reducing transmission fees which could
particularly hit smaller local stations. Maquarie already own Arqiva.


The commercial radio industry currently pays about £60m in annual
transmission fees to the two transmission companies, but are lobbying for a 25
per cent reduction in this. Arqiva and NGW have only so far offered a 17 per
cent reduction.

A number of 12-year transmission contracts are up for renewal over the next few
years and a merged NGW/Arqiva would be a monopolist transmission provider.
Harrison pointed out that while a £5m per year reduction seemed a small sum,
such an amount could be critical when parcelled out to small radio operators.


The Office of Fair Trading referred Macquarie's takeover of NGW - a major
Freeview shareholder that also operates the BBC's transmitters and a network of
14,500 TV and radio masts across the UK - to the Competition Commission last
August.

The OFT concluded that the acquisition of NGW would result in a "substantial
lessening of competition".

Full story at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/10/commercialradio.radio?gusrc=rss&feed\
=media


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Dave Berry has been announced as the new host of Drivetime on XFM London from Tuesday 25th March. Current Drivetime host Rick Shaw will take over the mid-morning show 9am until...

Israel Broadcasting Authority
REKA Network
4 March, 2008

"On March 31, 2008, Kol Yisrael will cease all shortwave broadcasts abroad.
From April 1, 2008, listeners can continue to hear our programs on the Web
at: www.intkolisrael.com.

In addition to real-time listening, previously broadcast programs will be
accessible over a 24-hour period.

Kol Yisrael's broadcasts can also be heard on the Web site:
www.iba.org.il/reka "

http://www.iba.org.il/reka

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Industry News reported on Wednesday 05 March 2008.

Crisis talks regarding the future of DAB Digital Radio in the UK have been
taking place at RadioCentre - with senior figures in the industry all
debating what measures should be taken to ensure the survival of the medium.

Proposed solutions, according to a report this morning in the FT, could
include the possibility that Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and Five Live would gradually
switch to DAB only, albeit over a long time period.

"Without these kinds of measures, if you leave it to the market, then the
switchover to digital radio is going to take a long time," one senior figure
told the FT, adding that talks were shrouded in secrecy. And it is certainly
going to be too long from a commercial radio point of view."

The talks, still at an early stage, started as GCap Media announced their
plans at the beginning of February to close Planet Rock and theJazz.

The report goes on to talk about the possibility of using the £250 million
left over from the £800m digital television switch-over budget provided by
the government.

http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3127

Thanks to Mike Barroclough from the British DX Club for this information
Filming has now started, full press release and casting, including
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kenneth Branagh and Bill Nighy, at:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/industrials/article/universal-pict\
ures-working-title-films-announce-start-production-boat-rocked_504715_6.html

The ship they are using is here:
http://www.marinefilm.co.uk/news/index.php

Now if you scroll down to February 17 here there's a picture of her as
a hospital ship as well as a recent video:

http://www.ais-live.co.uk/News/shippingnews.html

Her first role in 1964 was as the Hospital Church Ship De Hoop
anchored in international waters, among other duties she broadcast
church services to Dutch fishermen Sundays and Wednesdays. I can
remember hearing those broadcasts, they did reply to reports sent to
them as well though I never got round to writing to them.

If anyone's got Gerry Bishops Offshore Radio Book there's a photo and
some information about the ship and its broadcasts on Page 118, also
featured on the Offshore Radio Fleet site here:

http://www.offshore-radio.de/fleet/hoop.htm
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And for this information - thanks to Mike Barraclough of the British DX Club
BBC4 is featuring Eddie Shoestring in its Cult of Sunday season this
Sunday:

1910 Shoestring, Mocking Bird

Episode from the second series, first broadcast in 1980 of the popular
series starring Trevor Eve as Eddie Shoestring, a private detective
working at a radio station. In this episode, a boastful caller wages a
sinister war of nerves with Radio West and Eddie in particular.

2000 The Cult of Shoestring

Eddie Shoestring was an unlikely private eye, a former computer
analyst, recovering from a nervous breakdown and working for a Bristol
radio station, but the series drew audiences of nearly 20 million. In
this programme Trevor Eve reveals why he decided to stop playing the part.

With contributions from Trevor Eve, Doran Godwin, Michael Medwin, Liz
Crowther, Robert Banks Stewart, Bob Baker and Martin Campbell.


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from Media Network blog http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/

VRT plans to close all but one of its mediumwave transmitters
March 2nd, 2008 - 14:55 UTC by Andy

The Flemish Government has accepted the proposal of the Flemish Radio and
Television (VRT) to close its analogue mediumwave broadcasts on 540,
1188kHz and 1512 kHz. That will leave VRT with just one mediumwave
frequency, 927 kHz. The decision has been forwarded to the Council of State.

(Source: Flemish Government press release via David de Jong)

Andy Sennitt comments: The decision to discontinue 1512 kHz will affect
Belgian expats in neighbouring countries who use this frequency to listen to
Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal. RNW listeners will recall that we also used
this transmitter for our English service in the late evening for a number of
years.
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Media Network
by Andy Sennitt
February 27, 2008

Dutch regional commercial station Radio Waddenzee is planning to become a
real offshore broadcaster for three days on 1-3 May 2008. The station will
be anchoring its lightship Jenni Baynton close to the uninhabited island of
Griend, off the coast between Harlingen and Terschelling. The anchorage is
on the route of a boat race that takes place on 2 May, and the event will be
covered live on Radio Waddenzee.

The station broadcasts on 1602 kHz with a power of 1 kW, and has two
transmitters - one on the ship, and the other on land. For the special
three-day broadcast, the shipborne transmitter will be used.

(Source: RadioWaddenzee http://www.radiowaddenzee.nl/ via
http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/radio-waddenzee-to-become-offshore-broadcaster-\
for-three-days )

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1st March 2008
News from other sources
Chris Cary has passed away and we salute his excellent work as presenter on Caroline and RNI, also as a manager later on of Nova. For a moving letter from his wife and messages of condolence visit 1204307001.html With condolences to his wife and family.
From Radio Today
Legendary radio presenter Chris Cary has died whilst on holiday in Tenerife at the age of 61. Chris, better know on-air as Spangles Muldoon launched Radio Nova and spent many years at Radio Caroline and Radio Luxembourg. Chris was taken ill whilst on holiday and suffered a second stroke on Feb 3rd whilst in hospital. He was involved in many radio stations over the past 40 years, including Sunshine Radio, Radio Northsea and Birmingham's Buzz FM, which he famously bought for £1. His own website has now become a messageboard for words of condolences, and can be found at chriscary.com
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Global Radio's second attempt at buying GCap Media has been rejected today. The price of 202 pence per share, although an improvement on the initial 190 pence per share offer, was deemed too low and significantly undervalues the Company, GCap said this morning.
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A radio name known to many in West Yorkshire is set to return this weekend as TLRC's Home 107.9 in Huddersfield re-brands as The New Pennine FM. Pennine was the former name of The Pulse, based a few miles away in Bradford and was last heard on the local airwaves in the early 1990's

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Waveguide
February 28 2008

Plans have been submitted to Ofcom by GMG Radio to launch a digital DAB
station broadcasting to London and the North West. If approved, it would see
the return of Jazz FM that first launched in London in 1990.

Jazz FM turned into an online-only station after Smooth FM took over the two
frequencies in 2004 (North West) and 2005 (London). However, GMG thinks a 24
hour digital station will better serve jazz fans rather than including 45
hours per week on FM via Smooth Radio.

Chief Executive John Myers is confident Jazz FM on DAB will have a promising
future: "We have always carried on with Jazz FM on-line but we now hope that
the gap left by theJazz will enable us to win an increased audience to this
new service."

waveguide.co.uk

SAN FRANCISCO (Thomson Financial) - Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. said Friday they have agreed not to exercise their rights to end the merger agreement until May 1. Sirius's proposed $4.3 billion acquisition of XM was originally expected to close by the end of 2007. The closing of the deal remains subject to approval by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, among other conditions. Earlier Friday, XM said it looks forward to regulatory approval of merger with Sirius in the 'near future.' Shares of XM were down 23 cents, or 1.9%, at $11.85. Sirius's stock was down about 1.4% at $2.87.


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28th February 2008
Waffler
I have today started off a new web page on this site called diversions, which will update itself daily as long as technology obliges. I have put some BBC and journalist news sources to the site which means even when I do not get time to update the diary or site you will be able to get some fresh daily information. It has been made possible through the magic of RSS. There is a link at the top of this page
News from other sources
Radio Today
27 February 2008.

Live radio stations across England enjoyed extra listening overnight as
thousands of people tuned in to gain essential information about an
earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3. BBC Radio Five Live's up all night
programme took phone calls from listeners reporting that the quake took
place at 12:56am.

Five Live presenter Russell Fuller read texts from listeners and spoke to
BBC reporters around the country. Janice Long on BBC Radio 2 also invited
reports from listeners who experienced the quake, which had an epicentre
near Lincoln.

Pete Price, who was on-air at the time 450ft above Liverpool on City Talk
105.9 told RadioToday.co.uk: "The last quake was very scary but this one was
much worse. It's a windy night anyway and when the tremor started everyone
just looked at each other wondering what the hell was going on.

"The phone lines went mad with people calling in from Merseyside and all
over the UK, with the calls continuing on the subject into the early hours."

There are currently no reports of any radio transmissions being affected.

http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.3100.2

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Zee Radio noted on dab in London with Asian Music. Sister Station for Zee TV on SKY. On 558 also 7 days a week 7am to 1300 GMT. Spectrum 558 still on DAB on Switch as well.
Dutch regional commercial station Radio Waddenzee is planning to become a real offshore broadcaster for three days on 1-3 May 2008. The station will be anchoring its lightship Jenni Baynton close to the uninhabited island of Griend, off the coast between Harlingen and Terschelling. The anchorage is on the route of a boat race that takes place on 2 May, and the event will be covered live on Radio Waddenzee.
The station broadcasts on 1602 kHz with a power of 1 kW, and has two transmitters - one on the ship, and the other on land. For the special three-day broadcast, the
Podcasting and the ubiquity of MP3 players have doomed digital radio before it even launches in Australia, one of the country’s leading broadcasting academics says. Existing radio broadcasters are relying on the upcoming digital services - set to launch on 1 January next year - to help them stay modern and continue attracting younger audiences. Digital radio will initially launch only in the capital cities and requires listeners to buy new digital radio receivers. Radios already installed in devices such as cars and mobile phones will need to be upgraded as they are now analogue only. But Jock Given, a professor of media and communications at Swinburne University, who specialises in digital broadcasting, predicts the industry will have difficulty convincing people to upgradeReturn to Top 
Changes likely in Polish broadcasts to Belarus
February 17th, 2008 - 12:04 UTC by Andy 
Poland is the major funder of two stations broadcasting into Belarus. But the country faces the ire of other donors and governments after its failure to assist in broadening the reach of an international project also based within its borders: the European Radio for Belarus (ERB).
The previous Polish government was more interested in supporting the two other projects, but there are signs that the new government, which is more internationalist, pro-Euro-Atlantic, and conciliatory than its predecessor, sees the value of compromise and the need to share the bulk of their initiatives’ funding with others. There is already talk of cutting the budgets of Radio Racja and BelSat by half. So what are the future scenarios for broadcasting to Belarus?Return to Top 

15th February 2008
Waffler:
Much debate as to whether DAB is the betamax of radio. It definitely does not deliver top quality sound as promised, but has always provided me with a better selection of radio stations to listen to. I like the rapid turn over of stations, although I pray that Chill remains there. Initially I was reticent to listen to any station that was on FM, but my Pure Dab Radio was one of the first batch made, and only receives DAB. We are fortunate to have a local dab transmitter which covers Smooth and other stations which makes reception very good. The reason why DAB has not taken up is that outside of London and big cities the signal and choice of programmes is very poor as is reception. Living in the London suburbs I have a great choice of stations, and also hope that I may get the Hertfordshire complex when it comes on, and get BBC Three Counties on DAB, it is ok on Fm but a bit hissy at times, because it is not the local station. Talksport, Premier Radio and Gold all benefit from being on DAB even though some are in mono the quality is better that AM transmission quality. As far as commercial radio is concerned they are losing a lot of money, that is sad but perhaps they need to put out better programmes and attact more listeners. I disagree that more people listen to radio on the internet. The PC is great but you do not want to leave it on all day to listen to a radio station. Also if you listen too long will it take up some of your web download allowance?News from other sources:
I recommend you to look at at a rather splendid article about plans for super stations in the 1930s off the USA coast from a Practical Mechnics magazine. The entire site is fascinating and well worth a browse http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/02/04/outlaws-may-use-super-stations-at-sea/
Thank you for staying with the wireless waffle. It would be good to hear from some of you about your favourite DAB and local stations. There must be a few gems to be heard outside the London area?
Listened in to Big L 1395 on Sky today and enjoyed part of the David Hamilton show. He was covering for Mike Read. He sounded far more relaxed than his Million Sellers show, which he seems to approach in a formal fashion. I wonder if it is just a mass of recordings he has done for Primetime/Saga and continues to re-use. Steve Gerlick (spelling?) came on next and did a credible show. The newsreader ? Oppenheimer was also very good. Top marks to Big L for carrying on in spite of losing vast sums of money, according to the Channel 4 show a while back. The station has to be admired for keeping the radio station on air. IOMBC has not come to fruition - yet, or will it ever do so? Additionally they come out well in my area of London from about 5pm onwards on 1395 Khz, this makes it a real radio station.  
Listened in to Caroline on Sky today but was not that impressed with the output, mind you it was a different presenter than Pat Edison who used to be on air in the morning when I used to listen on a Friday. With Caroline I will tune in another time an be rivetted by the quality of music and presenter.  
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News from other sources
Evening Courier
By Elaine Jinks
Halifax and Calderdale
12 February 2008

Stephen Hudson, 56, of Rishworthian Court, Copley, Halifax, surrounded
himself with the radios - putting his favourite one in the middle - and
often had them all on at the same time, a court heard.

Hudson forged his 71-year-old partner Elizabeth Whitehead's signature on
cheques made out to himself. A total of £14,916 was taken from her account
between 2004 and 2007, while she was a resident in Woodfield Grange Nursing
Home, Woodfield Drive, Greet-land.

John Bull, prosecuting, said Hudson had admitted to Mrs Whitehead's son he
had taken the money and spent it all on radios.

Police found about 50 wireless sets in his home.

Mr Bull said: "He used the money to buy radios - two black bin liners with
radios in them were produced." Hudson admitted three offences of forgery,
three of using a false instrument and asked for a further 93 similar
offences to be taken into consideration. Bradford Crown Court heard Hudson
had suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder for 30 years. It
manifested itself in him buying radios.

Mr Bull said the couple met nine years ago when Hudson worked for a taxi
company and she was a customer.

Mr Bull said Mrs Whitehead would initially sign the cheques but Hudson began
to fill in greater amounts and started forging her signature.

Jonathan Gibson, for Hudson, said it was an "unusual and exceptional" case.

He said Hudson had suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder for many
years and often surrounded himself with radios, putting them all on at the
same time.

"There is a history of hiding radios and disposing of them," said Mr Gibson.

Recorder Peter Babb said: "In the ordinary course of events that sort of
breach of trust would result in a prison sentence for obvious reasons."

He said Hudson had taken advantage of the situation but said he could draw
back from custody in his case.

"It was not frittered away - it was spent on radios which you had a
compulsion to purchase," Recorder Babb said. Hudson was given an 18-month
community order with supervision.

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk:80/news/Obsessive-compulsive-sufferer-stole-1500\
0.3767383.jp



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Radio audience measurement body Rajar is to reissue its latest listening figures after it discovered that data it had published for nearly 300 stations was wrong. (13th February!)
GCap, the parent company of Classic FM and Capital Radio in theUK, has announced it is to close both Planet Rock and The Jazz.It will also sell its stake in the national digital operator Digital One, and its XFm analogue licences in Scotland, Manchester andSouth> Wales. It will however retain the music station's London licence. The disposals and closures will save the company around £9
million.GCap Chief Executive Fru Hazzlit says it aims to become a leaner, more dynamic company focussing on its five key brands on FM and > broadband. It believes these are the platforms consumers want, and that DAB is not an economically viable platform for the company. GCap recently turned down a takeover offer from private group GlobalRadio.
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Bauer to bring more mag titles to radio
Monday, February 11 2008, 13:59 GMT
By Dave West, Media Correspondent Digital Spy
Bauer Radio is planning a relaunch of Q Radio and wants to bring more of its magazine titles to the airwaves, it announced today.

Ric Blaxill, former head of programmes for BBC 6Music, has been hired to work on Q and look at other possible male music channels.

Bauer bought Emap's commercial radio stations and consumer magazines last month.

Andria Vidler, managing director of Magic 105.4 and its national radio network, said: "We want to launch where we feel we can provide content-rich, exciting formats which serve an untapped demand from both audiences and advertisers alike.

"We are in the fortunate position of owning a cupboard full of brands which will translate into exciting new stations."

Blaxill is working to create an "all new Q Radio" likely to take on Heat Radio's advertising policy of using lots of sponsorship and promotion for a small number of close partners.

"It’s good to look at the potential for translating strong magazine brands into strong radio formats. To translate Q magazine's reputation, content and credibility into an all-new radio format would be very exciting not only for music fans but for digital radio," he said.

“Working closely with Q editor Paul Rees we are exploring how we could offer artists a multi-media platform to support their music with live programming, live performance, a new playlist, themed programming to support the magazine, specialist music strands and a mix of music and comedy." Return to Top 
Trevor Baylis OBE, who invented the first wind-up radio 16 years ago, has launched the Eco-Media Player. One minute of winding the eco-power dynamo provides up to 40 minutes play time, without the need for external power or expensive and environmentally harmful batteries. It incorporates a video player, FM radio, LED torch, phone charger, photo viewer, text file viewer, hi-fi recorder, memo recorder and data storage capability. A full specification, and details of other eco-friendly products, are available on Trevor’s website.The product is available in the UK at a recommended price of £170, though widely discounted to as low as under £100. If you’re interested, do a Google search on “Eco Media Player”.Digital Spy
February 8 2008
By Beth Hilton, Entertainment Reporter

"Love Actually" director Richard Curtis is planning to make a film about a
pirate radio station, a report claims.

According to The Sun, the filmmaker is bringing the story of Radio Caroline
to the big screen.

The station started life on a boat off the coast of Felixstowe, Suffolk in
1964 and is believed by many to have been the precursor of BBC Radio 1. It
transmitted on-and-off until 1991, but a legal, onshore version remains in
operation.

Welsh actor Rhys Ifans is in line to take the lead role after starring in
Curtis' 1999 movie Notting Hill.

A source said: "Richard and Rhys loved working together and have remained
friends ever since. Rhys is the perfect man for the job and he will be
hilarious."

The movie - entitled "The Boat That Rocked" - will be a change of direction
for Curtis, who is known for romantic comedies such as Four Weddings and a
Funeral.

The insider added: "Hugh Grant isn't in it and there will be no cheesy
soundtrack. It's rock 'n' roll all the way. The film is set during an
exciting time for music and showbiz. DJs became friends of the stars and the
story will be brilliant on the big screen."


5th February 2008
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News from other sources
LONDON - Five of GCap Media’s core stations lost listeners in the latest Rajars, with its flagship Capital 95.8 breakfast show shedding 11 per cent of its listeners in the last three months of 2007.The number of listeners tuning in to Classic FM during the period was 3 per cent down from Q4 2006 and 4.3 per cent down from the prior quarter. Meanwhile,...
LONDON - Global Radio has revealed plans to submit a second takeover offer for GCap Media, although sources warned it will have to bid well above 200p per share to acquire the company.
Gary Hoogvliet has been appointed as the new Broadcasting Director of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB
Real Radio in Scotland are known for producing some memorable competitions like the Real Radio Fugitive.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is Eamonn Holmes guest on his BBC Radio 5 Live show this Saturday 9 February
I’m pleased to announce that the Media Network Weblog has been relaunched with its new look. Our designer Joeri Rodenburg has been redesigning all the blogs of Radio Netherlands...We are sorry to report that well-known broadcaster and radio entrepreneur Chris Carey suffered another brain haemorrhage while working in Tenerife. He suffered the same fate a few years ago, which caused paralysis on one side of his body, and unfortunately the latest brain haemorrhage affects the other side. Chris is currently in hospital in Tenerife
Legendary broadcaster Tony Blackburn has joined Smooth Radio in London to present the weekend breakfast show. Blackburn will present his first programme on February 16. .
Radio Sweden has announced that its German service, which has been on the air for 69 years, will close at the end of March.
96.4 Eagle Radio has announced the 5 contestants that are in the Runaway Bride Competition on Monday morning with one of them winning a £10,000 dream wedding at Preston Cross
WRTH is pleased to announce that a file containing updates to the winter
schedules of international broadcasters is now available to download from
the WRTH website at: http://www.wrth.com

The file is in pdf format and runs to 9 pages with a file size of 81kB. You
will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader (version 5 or above) in order to
view the file.

We hope you find this file a useful accompaniment to the printed WRTH.

Regards
WRTH Editorial Team.

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1st February 2008
Waffler:
A new month ahead and something concrete in the Dutch Radio Scene, the unfortunate end of Arrow Classic Rock on AM and the start of a religious station. Some rumours about Caroline Classic Rock coming on air from a ship off Frinton On Sea , so far seem to be fantasy. A contact of mine in Ipswich reports test tones around 1600 Khz, and the Anorak Nation website says on 945 KHz with a power of 150 kw. If anyone does not the true facts, if any exist, please email wirewaffle@hotmail.com . Please also remember that from time to time these diary entries are transferred into the diary archive section of the site. Thanks as ever for your interest.
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News from other sources
From Media Network Weblog 1st Feb 2008:

Radio Maria begins transmissions on 675 kHz
February 1st, 2008 - 11:57 UTC by Andy

As previously reported, the new Dutch Catholic station Radio Maria has
commenced broadcasts on 675 kHz, which it has taken over from Arrow Classic
Rock. On its website [ http://www.radiomaria.nl/ ], you can find MP3 audio
fragments [ http://www.radiomaria.nl/pers.php ] of the opening of
Radio Maria (2'25") beginning with a short statement (in Dutch) by Arrow
boss Ad Ossendrijver. Radio Maria will be broadcasting 24 hours a day on 675
kHz, initially with religious music programmes, but will gradually develop a
full programme schedule. Radio Maria is non-commercial, and will depend
entirely on voluntary donations.

http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/


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DAB radio the next Betamax? - new UK report
Digital audio broadcasting (DAB) may end up to radio what Betamax was to video, warns a report published in the UK today. The report, by media and telecoms specialist Enders Analysis, said the launch of the second national commercial digital radio multiplex, headed by Channel 4, might exacerbate the problems rather than solve them, and warned that media regulator Ofcom would face a public outcry if DAB failed.
Enders Analysis added that the high cost of DAB transmission and slow growth in revenue had combined to undermine confidence in the new medium and led to the closure of a string of national digital stations.
Read the report in Media Guardian
Media Guardian is also covering this story in its organgrinder blog. Click here to read.




24th January 2008
Waffler 
A lot of news for you this time. I am also working on a page of newer book reviews, mostly of standard radio works.  
I have been listening in to KBC on 6256 Khz from Holland with a transmitter in Lithuania, according to their website http://www.kbcradio.eu/. It is on at 22:00 most weekdays and plays a wolfman jack show. I have recorded a 20 minute section and have put it on the site in for download or a listen. http://www.mediafire.com/?8jknz3ndgh. I also note that Korean Broadcasting Service has a programme on at 22:00 hours GMT on 3955 Khz.
I was very sad to learn that one of my favourite new Caroline presenters, who never sailed the high seas with the lady, has passed away. A link to the obituary programme for Rob Leighton http://azanorak.com/new/2008 01 17 Thu 2100-2400 R Caroline - Obituary Show for Rob Leighton.mp3 on the rest of the azanorak site you will find many programmes that Rob did, to listen to or download.
News from other sources
Thursday, January 24 2008, 09:17 GMT
By James Welsh, International Editor
The BBC has reached an agreement in principle with BECTU, the National Union of Journalists and Unite over 1,800 job cuts to be implemented as part of director general Mark Thompson's efforts to cut costs.

The three unions had balloted before and during Christmas regarding strike action and it is understood that a majority voted for strike action in the event that talks broke down. The provisional agreement makes such a stoppage less likely.

In a joint statement, the BBC and the joint unions said: "After extensive overnight talks, the BBC and the Joint Unions (BECTU, the NUJ and Unite) have reached agreement in principle in the current dispute.

"The agreement is subject to acceptance by a consultative ballot of the joint unions’ membership.

"All the parties welcome the progress made so far on jobs, allowances and pensions and will continue to work together to achieve an acceptable final settlement."

BBC People director Stephen Kelly said: "The negotiations with the trade unions have been very constructive given the complexity of the issues and the BBC’s financial position. We are hopeful that the proposed agreement will settle the dispute and enable the BBC to make the necessary changes required for the benefit of our audiences."

BECTU general secretary Gerry Morrissey characterised the negotiations as "particularly difficult" but added that he hopes the agreement "will pave the way for a final settlement of the dispute". 
Ofcom news release 24 Jan 2008:

Ofcom awards three new community radio licences

Ofcom today announces the award of three new community radio licences.

Community radio services typically cover a small geographical area and are
provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific
social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community
of interest.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences in the following areas:

a.. Llandudno, North Wales
b.. Rhyl, North Wales
c.. Preston, Lancashire
The new community radio licensees in each of these areas are:

Tudno FM, Llandudno
Contact: Gary Wyn Carr, 44, Deganwy Road, Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9DG.
Telephone: 01492 581403, or mobile: 07962 422058.
E-mail: gary.carr@... Website: www.tudno.com

Tudno FM will aim to appeal to the whole Llandudno community, with a
particular focus on the Tudno and Mostyn wards of the town. It will provide
education and training facilities in radio production and encourage people
from the community, including local schools and colleges, community groups
and charities to get involved with the station.


Radio Elwy/Point FM, Rhyl
Contact: Daniel Graham, Point FM, 29 East Parade, Rhyl, Denbighshire LL18
3AL.
Telephone: 0845 473 8626, or mobile: 07830 114792.
E-mail: enquiries@... Website: www.pointfm.co.uk

Radio Elwy/Point FM aims to serve Rhyl, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and the
surrounding area. It will be community owned and resourced, and will welcome
the participation and involvement of all members of the community it intends
to serve in a service including local news, views and information.


Preston FM
Contact: Richard Lace, Community Radio Project Manager, Prescap Ltd, 2 nd
Floor, Buckingham House, Glovers Court, Preston PR1 3LS.
Telephone: 01772 880791.
E-mail: radio@... Website: www.preston.fm

Serving the geographical community of Preston, and many communities of
interest within this population, Preston FM will operate a station which
will, through creativity, enable people to explore, realise and value their
full potential.

Licences are awarded for a five-year period.
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Media Network
23 January 2008

The repeats of old programmes from Dutch commercial broadcaster Arrow
Classic Rock on 675 kHz will cease at the end of January, to be replaced
from 1 February by test transmissions from religious station, Radio Maria,
based in Italy but now active in various parts of the world. An official
start date for Radio Maria, which will be based in Den Bosch, has not yet
been announced.

(Source: DutchMedia Weblog)

Radio Maria website http://www.radiomaria.org/
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Alan Johnston to host BBC's 'From Our Own Correspondent'

Alan Johnston, the BBC reporter who was kidnapped in Gaza last year,
is the new presenter of From Our Own Correspondent for BBC World
Service. His first programme airs this weekend on Saturday 26 January
and Sunday 27 January.

During his career, Alan has written a series of dispatches for the
long-running BBC Radio programme from the Middle East as well as
CentraI Asia and Afghanistan.

In one of the pieces he wrote in Gaza before he was kidnapped, he
admitted that the possibility of being taken hostage terrified him.

During the 114 days he was kept prisoner by the Army of Islam he
spent hours working out how, once free, he would tell his story on
the programme regular listeners know as FOOC. And in October last
year an entire edition of the programme, some 27 minutes, was given
over to Alan's story.

Commenting on his new job, Alan said, "I hope that the show might
benefit from having a regular presenter, and one who has both
contributed to it and been a fan for many years. The structure of the
programme will stay the same however �C the extraordinarily
successful FOOC formula would be very hard to improve."

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Dublin
By Laura Noonan
January 19 2008

It's being billed as "goodbye to an old friend". RTE is to axe Radio 1's
medium-wave services, in a move which has drawn political criticism and
which is set to provoke outrage among churchgoers.

Since 1926, the much-loved service has been a mainstay for people living in
rural areas where FM reception is poor and a vital tool to broadcast church
services.

But station executives believe that modern technology, has signed medium
wave's death warrant, and it will switch off on March 24.

RTE also believes the transmission costs of supplying the service no longer
justifies its existence, since the content is now available elsewhere.

Medium-wave shares almost all its content with the FM version of Radio 1,
except for Sunday religious services and a mid-week soccer game.

There is to be a public information campaign ahead of the switch-off date.
This will highlight the fact that the full Radio 1 MW services will remain
available on long-wave radio.

The broadcaster is also talking to charities about providing subsidised
radios for those who don't have sets with FM or long-wave frequencies.

The station's research shows that one in 10 radio listeners use the
medium-wave version of Radio 1, with the service particularly popular with
the elderly and those living in remote areas.

Fine Gael communications spokesman Simon Coveney said shutting down medium
wave transmissions has implications for people in rural parts of the country
and at sea.

"This is a public service broadcaster and this shouldn't be abandoned," he
said.

Labour communications and marine spokesman Michael McCarthy said the
decision would have the biggest implications for fishermen working 50 or 100
miles off the coast and relying on the broadcasts for weather reports and
for farmers.

http://www.independent.ie:80/national-news/anger-as-rte-to-switch-off-medium-wav\
e-band-1269254.html


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Rob Leighton

It is with shock and deep sadness that I announce the death in the early
minutes of Jan 17th of my good friend and Caroline broadcaster Rob
Leighton.

Aside from the fact that he was from time to time absent from his weekly
programmes, his audience will not have known that Rob was continually
suffering from and battling with a wretched illness called Chrohn’s
disease, a chronic and progressive condition that caused him much
suffering, The nature of the illness meant, among other things, that his
diet had to be precisely controlled. Any deviation caused severe
reactions.

Returning from one of his many and ever more frequent spells in
hospital, I asked him what had gone wrong this time and he replied, with
just the slightest tinge of annoyance ‘ you know, I just really wanted
to eat an orange ‘.

The archetypal stoic Englishman, if he ever discussed his health, he
just stated that it was ‘ a bit of a nuisance ‘ although I knew that he
structured the recording of his programmes within a window of time when
he was not either in too much pain to make the programme or so sedated
by pain killing medication that he could not do a proper job. He did not
want his audience to think that he might be drunk.

Typically, he worried more about my dubious health than his own. When he
detected that I was under excessive stress he would warn, using the
precise pronunciation that was his on air trademark ‘ Be careful, you
are a thoroughly good chap you know and we don’t want to lose you ‘.

Again it will not have been known that Rob was a brilliant technician.
Some broadcast equipment is at his home, while he waited for his health
to rally sufficiently to take it and install it overseas as a Caroline
relay. He was also hoping that in the spring he might be able to go to
Ireland top recover more equipment that he had built, which was then
destined for Italy to set up a relay there.

I know that he was frustrated in having to hand in for a time his
driving licence, but that he was waiting for the moment when he could
again drive his much loved vintage Wolseley car.

Musically, he embraced the genre of progressive folk and rock, within
which areas he was highly regarded. Rob’s wife Sharon who called me with
the sad news, mentioned that an album by the band Blue Horses had just
arrived at their home in Staffordshire and that the band had thanked Rob
and Radio Caroline personally for helping their career.

The gentlest of men, Rob never abandoned his ideals of tolerance,
freedom, love and liberty. He was genuinely perplexed when some were
unpleasant, cruel and even offensive in their criticisms of Radio
Caroline. Certainly this news makes me understand that the petty
squabbles I am presently involved in are supremely irrelevant.

I salute Rob, mourn his passing and am devastated and diminished by his
loss.

We will post further information concerning funeral and other
arrangement when and if Sharon feels this is appropriate.



Peter Moore.
6.30am
Jan 17th 2008.
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Radio Today
16 January 2008

Now Digital is advertising available space on the third London DAB
multiplex. London 3 already provides 13 sound services, including
GaydarRadio, Rainbow Radio, Smash Hits and The Arrow to over eight million
people in the capital.

Capacity could be used for audio and/or data services 24 hours a day.

Digital Radio Group is a consortium of GCap Media, UTV Radio, Virgin Radio
and Carphone Warehouse. NOW Digital manage this multiplex on behalf of DRg.

http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.2925.5



From teletext to HD, BBC inventors made 60 years of breakthroughs at
the country house. Now they're leaving. Simon Usborne watches them bow
out on a high.

Long article in yesterdays Independent:

http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3342108.ece

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Cox Radio, already owners and operators of a strong portfolio in the southeast, strengthened that presence Wednesday, exercising an option to buy five radio stations in Athens, Ga. for $60 million.
Capital 95.8 has today launched a fresh new website which is far easier for users to find written, audio and video content as well as other functions. The new website is the first phase of a long-term strategy to redevelop Capital 95.8's online offering. .
Wish FM's Wigan and St Helens licence is next on the Ofcom agenda for re-advertisment. The regulator is inviting anyone interested in appliying for the licence to submit a declaration of intent before 3pm on Thursday 7th February 2008, along with an application fee of £10,000.
Polish Radio is opening a new multi-media channel, Polish Radio Euro, especially for the occasion of the European Football Championships organized jointly by Poland and Ukraine in 2012. The channel will focus predominantly on sport and education and it will replace Polish Radio Bis, or Channel Four.
Korean content will be available in Singapore from the beginning of next month on MediaCorp’s radio station, FM96.3 The International Channel. The programme was officially launched at a signing ceremony between Briyo Media and MediaCorp Radio. The Korean segment will air between 9pm and 11pm on weekdays.Ofcom has received 32 applications for community radio licences in West Midlands, East Midlands and Lincolnshire. One of the applications for a station in the Birmingham area is being considering by the regulator as to whether it is valid under the published guidelines.
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14th January 2008
Waffler
I was not correct in my comments about BFBS - there appears to be yet another version of the station for worldwide broadcast. Details below from their website - http://www.ssvc.com/bfbs/index.htm
BFBS Radio
Our main channel, with coverage in 23 countries, 12 of which have local stations. We play a mixture of contemporary hit music and classics from the eighties and nineties, with lots of requests and messages for the British Forces around the world and news on the hour.
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13th January 2008
Waffler
Mystery over, the station which has replaced Core on air is BFBS. One site reports that it is for a trial period. I remember hearing it first in Spain, and then in both sections of Cyprus on two separate holidays. A very professional station but with music for the younger pop end of the market. The news service is also very good. Probably a filler until a paying customer can be found? I think it is BFBS Radio One, BFBS Radio 2 would give BBC Radio Two a run for it's money. Guess the output is nearer to Core which closed on Friday. Ever since I have had a dab radio, there has been a rapid turnover of stations. I had the Psion PC based receiver in my other house and some of the output recorded off that is quite archival now. The best receiver I have ever owned, and still going strong after its faulty design switch was replaced by Pure, is the Pure Evoke. It was in the first few batched manufactured.  
News of the death of Rod Allen from the Fortunes was announced on Friday. Where would we be without Caroline from the Fortunes I ask? One of my favourite Fortune tunes is "This Golden Ring" Beware there are some terrible re-recordings around of this group!
News from other sources
Veteran television news executive Steve Redisch joined the Voice of America (VOA) this week as Executive Editor. He supervises the daily operations and activities of VOA’s news, programs, language services, broadcast operations, and Internet departments. Redisch joins VOA after a 20-year career with CNN, where he earned two Emmy Awards and a National Headliner Award.Return to Top 

Digital One press release:

DAB digital radio listeners are again going to be treated to a
relaxing rural soundtrack. Following the closure of Oneword, at
midnight tonight, listeners tuning into Oneword will find the Birdsong
channel has been reinstated for a limited period.

The audio was originally recorded for the test transmission of Classic
FM prior to its launch in 1992. It was last used three years ago for
the imaginatively named station "D1_temp" and won plaudits from
listeners who complained when it was taken off air in June 2005.

Listeners and Birdsong enthusiasts should note the transmission could
cease at any time and that the recording is not commercially available.

Birdsong will be broadcast between 0600 and midnight each day.

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10th January 2008
Waffler
More regular updates than usual at the moment, largely due to some developments on national dab radio in the UK. I also note that Rainbow Radio has launched on dab in London - amazing foreign language broadcasting but duplication of output elsewhere. A rumour that Colourful Radio on SKY will take over from Core - pity we cannot have something else, but the station is ok.
Mercury 96.6 is audible at my location. Has a special part talk and music programme in the evening about love and sex. The breakfast show is quite interesting and has a good news section at the top of the hour.
News from other sources
From The Guardian
Digital radio will suffer a double blow this weekend with the closure of two national digital stations, Oneword and Core.
GCap Media's music station Core is expected to close tomorrow, while UBC's spoken word outfit Oneword, whose future has long been in doubt, will cease broadcasting on Saturday.
Both stations were broadcast via digital audio broadcasting (DAB) on Digital One, the national digital radio multiplex majority-owned by GCap.
In a dramatic scaling back of GCap's digital offerings, its digital music station Life is also set to close while its chillout station, Chill, has been removed from the Sky Digital platform. It continues to broadcast on regional DAB multiplexes and online.
GCap's other digital-only stations are TheJazz and Planet Rock, which both remain on Digital One. TheJazz, which has just celebrated its first birthday, has upped its capacity on Digital One and now broadcasts in stereo.
Oneword, which was launched by UBC in 2000, was part-owned with Channel 4 until the broadcaster sold its 51% stake, bought for £1 million in 2005, back to UBC for £1 in the run-up to Christmas.
UBC, as the sole shareholder, will close the station, which plays a mixture of books, comedy, drama and reviews, on Saturday.
Oneword had 151,000 listeners in the third quarter of last year, according to the latest Rajar figures, but its prospects suffered a serious blow after the BBC launched its own spoken word digital station, BBC7.
"Unfortunately Oneword will no longer be broadcasting from Saturday 12th January," said a statement on the Oneword website.
"We are genuinely grateful to all our listeners for their loyal and continued support over the last eight years. We wish you a very happy 2008."
GCap's Core, which launched in 1999, became a jukebox music station in March last year when it took its presenters off air. It had 122,000 listeners in the third quarter of last year.
Digital One is in negotiation with a number of potential operators about filling the vacant berths on the national multiplex.

Old Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation archives raided
The police have been called in to investigate the disappearance of thousands of vinyl records and compact discs from the archives of the defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, JBC. Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange said the discovery was made by senior staff of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) during a tour of the facility last week.The music library which was under the watch of the National Archives appears to have been stripped of 80 per cent of its content. It is suspected that the items were removed over the period 2004 to 2007. Between November 2005 and November 2007 the premises fell under the control of Belgian firm Besix which was contracted to work on the nearby transport centre.
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9th January 2008
News from other sources
Digital radio station Core, which broadcasts recent pop music on the national Digital One network, is to close this Friday. According to an email sent to listeners by programme manager Bern Leckie, the GCap service is to finish "to make way for a new national station from this Saturday.
From core site
We're sorry to announce that Core will be coming off-air at the end of Friday 11 January. We are making way for a new national station on DAB from this Saturday, and we will stop broadcasting online at the same time.

We've had a great time bringing you fresh hits since the launch of DAB digital radio in November 1999, and putting you, the listener, in control of what you wanted to hear. Whether you took part on air, by text, or online, we want to thank you for making Core great fun to be part of over the last eight years.

If you're a fan of Ryan Seacrest's American Top 40, you can keep in touch with him and his showbiz mates by listening to The Entertainment Edge, Saturday 5-7pm on Capital 95.8 (www.capitalradio.co.uk) or Sunday 2-4pm on some of the greatest local stations in the land, like BRMB (www.brmb.co.uk) And if you want to keep up with the music we've enjoyed on Core, we would recommend joining our friends at Music Control, with former Core presenter Kevin Hughes. It's on Monday to Friday 7-10pm on the best local radio stations. You can read more at www.musiccontrolradio.co
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BBC Radio Lancashire has announced a new line-up across its schedules. 
New for lunchtimes from Monday 21 January is Ladies Do Lunch with Sally Naden and Carole Turner. With a live studio audience and a different panel of lively Lancashire ladies each day the programme promises to pack a punch.  
The ever popular John 'Gilly' Gillmore will move to a new afternoon slot between 1pm and 4pm each day while Brett Davison will be spinning the wheel for drive time daily between 4pm and 6pm. 
As part of the new schedules there will also be changes to weekend programmes. New to Sundays is Unmissable with Joe Wilson – reliving some of the great moments from the week – between 10pm and midnight. And Sunday Night Soul with Keith Fletcher will move to evenings between 6pm and 8pm. Sport is being given extra time at various points during the week. A key element will include the re-introduction of the phone-in on Saturday evenings between 6pm and 7pm due to audience demand. 
Joe Fish Country moved from Saturday lunchtimes to Sunday evenings a few months ago, doubling his audience, and he will now seek an even bigger audience when he moves to lunchtimes on a Sunday. 
For gardening enthusiasts Gerald Jackson will continue to host a gardening phone-in with music on a Sunday between the new time of 2pm and 3pm and John Gillmore – in the new afternoon sequence – will also "get down and dirty" in gardens across Lancashire. Indus and The Drift will swap around on a Thursday to give a more fluid feel to the evening schedules. 
Managing Editor of the station, John Clayton, says: "The team here at BBC Radio Lancashire already make excellent programming which is reflected in the loyalty of our listeners. 
"These schedule changes put us in the best position possible to not only retain our regular listeners but also add new ones with lively, well-placed and engaging programmes that sound fresh and are relevant to our audience." 
Details of the new schedule can be found on the Radio Lancashire website at bbc.co.uk/lancashire.
 


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7th January 2008
Waffler 
Some time back I installed the beta BBC iplayer on my pc and could not get it to work. In true BBC style they now have it up and running for both Radio and Television programmes. I can get the TV programmes up to 7 days later on Virgin Cable, but am impressed on how well they play full screen on my 2mb connection. The radio programmes have always worked well. If you would like to try it out for yourself click on this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/ and have at least an hour to spend at searching and viewing or listening. It is possible to spool through the TV programmes without watching the entire show. I have not tried the radio player section yet (shame on me!)
I did some listening to Radio London on Sky on Friday last and found the programmes entertaining. I also heard a comedy play featuring Richard Wilson called the Clan, this was on BBC Radio Scotland on Sky. Also well worth an occasional listen on Sky is Gerry Anderson on BBC Radio Ulster.
Dave Dennis from Radio London in the sixties is reported to have passed away.
Rumours suggest that the bosses of Arrow Rock on 675Khz am in Holland may be considering selling the frequency they have left to got to FM, to a Religious Group 1008 Khz is already transmitting a religious programme from Holland, that was vacated by the splendid Radio 10 Gold.  
News from other sources
Former Great Food Live host Jeni Barnett is to host LBC's afternoon show as the station shakes up its schedule.
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Former Radio 1 DJ Kevin Greening suffered a heart attack after taking Class A drugs, tests have reportedly revealed.

Greening, who hosted the station's breakfast show with Zoe Ball between 1997 and 1998, died on Saturday on the eve of his 45th birthday.

Metropolitan Police initially treated the death as "unexplained" after a post-mortem examination failed to establish a cause.

However, further tests are believed to show that he died after taking large quantities of ecstasy, cocaine and GHB.

A man in his 50s was arrested at the address in Wandsworth, South London, where Greening's body was found. He was questioned on suspicion of possessing and intending to supply Class A drugs, and bailed without charge until March.

Greening recently worked at Smooth Radio and BBC Radio 5 Live. It is understood that he was at his partner's home when he died. 
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Six years after they last presented the Big Breakfast together, Denise van Outen is set to be reunited with Johnny Vaughan on his Capital Radio breakfast show. By John Plunkett
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Digital UK chairman Barry Cox has indicated that the BBC is considering spending licence fee proceeds only on a "core" of public service programming.

Speaking as part of a round table discussion on the future of public service broadcasting in the UK for the Royal Television Society's Television magazine, Cox said:

"There is a big question for the BBC. Indeed, the BBC knows that and is preparing for it. There are signs that it is beginning to think it may have to, as it were, withdraw the licence fee-funded programming to a core and do something else with the other stuff."

Cox welcomed such a move on the basis that "it is finally addressing the point that public service broadcasting is shrinking".

He said that "senior people at the BBC" are considering such a plan, and added:

"They haven't settled it but they are beginning to ask questions like, 'What is the proper role of a licence fee-funded BBC?' And by implication, it is a lot smaller than it currently is. It doesn't mean they can't have lots of other stuff that is funded commercially, whether it's pay or advertising or whatever."

A sign that senior BBC executives are considering various ways of moving to different funding models in the next decade was most recently delivered by BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith - a member of the BBC executive board and the corporation's former finance director - who said that increased profits from the BBC's commercial arm would bolster the BBC's UK finances. 
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2nd January 2008
Waffler:  
Yesterday I caught a programme on Radio 4 which was covering the history of additives to beer. In the 1700s apparently a poison was added to beer to disguise the lack of hops in the brew. Nowadays much can be added to your pint in the way of preservatives and also to add sparkle and colour. Radio 4 is a great treasure house of programmes. I often dip into its programmes when in the bathroom, and am never disappointed. I do also listen in at other times and in other rooms!
Also two people I know have recently started new programmes on the radio. Tony Ryan is doing the Soul Cellar on Sundays on Time 106.6, which serves Berkshire, Maidenhead and surrounding areas. Mark Punter, who has worked on Sovereign Radio, is now doing the early programme at 5am on BBC Essex. I wish them both success in their broadcasting.
Sad to hear that Kevin Greening has died. Their is a full story in the news stories below.
Make sure that you visit the old site, via the link on our index page, very soon. I put it online especially for Christmas, I will be deleting it, and eventually adding new pages to this site.
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News from other sources:
(From Radio Today site)
Police are set to investigate the death of Kevin Greening after arresting a man at the scene of his death on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. He has subsequently been bailed to return on a date in March on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

Last night Scotland Yard confirmed to the Telegraph that it was investigating circumstances surrounding the Smooth Radio afternoon presenter over the weekend.

A postmortem examination carried out yesterday failed to establish the cause of death and officers are now waiting for the results of further tests the newspaper reported.

A Scotland Yard spokesman told the paper: "Officers attended a residential address in Wandsworth at 20:49 on Saturday following a call from the London Ambulance Service regarding a deceased male in his 40s found at the address. A man in his 50s was arrested at the scene in connection with the death and has subsequently been bailed to return on a date in March on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs pending further enquiries."

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of all Kevin’s friends and colleagues at Smooth Radio, boss John Myers said: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the sudden death of Kevin Greening. He was a talented broadcaster and we were privileged to have him as our afternoon presenter at Smooth Radio in London. He was passionate about radio and all kinds of music and will be sadly missed not only by his colleagues at Smooth but by millions of listeners. It’s a terrible loss to broadcasting. Our sympathies are with Kevin’s family and friends at this time.”

BBC Radio 1 Controller Andy Parfitt has also paid tribute: "I was very sad and shocked to hear the news of Kevin's death and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

"Kevin was a warm and lovely person, who was widely respected in the radio industry. He combined a sharp creative mind with a rare ability to understand the needs of an entire radio station – he was a selfless team member.

"Personally I have much to thank Kevin for, in moments of crisis Kevin would always be there, dependable and mature, anchoring the schedule. Kevin worked hard at his craft, creating some great radio and enjoyed many successful years at Radio 1 – I respected him enormously."Return to Top
The Voice of America (VOA) has just updated its list of words used in its Special English broadcasts, something it does only once every ten years. The following words have been added: abuse, advertise, attention, available, behavior, career, class, collapse, contact, corruption, detain, disaster, discrimination, donate, double, embryo, extraordinary, fan, favorite, generation, genocide, ignore, Internet, justice, militia, neighbor, partner, persuade,...
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Effective 1st January 2008 Radio Veritas Asia has made the following frequency changes : 9510 kHz 0030-0057 Bengali (ex-9670) 9670 kHz 0030-0057 Hindi (ex-11895) 9520 kHz 1430-1457 Telugu (ex-9800) (Source: DXAsia)
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ABC radio station 774 in Melbourne, Australia, began the new year in inauspicious fashion when it ran a Sydney news bulletin, prompting complaints from locals. ABC state editor Marco Bass blamed colleagues in Sydney and Adelaide.
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BBC Radio 5 Live is celebrating 60 years of Sports Report in January by bringing back a host of previous presenters.
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Dave Berry is joining XFM London to present Saturday afternoons 2pm to 6pm from Saturday 5th January 2008. Another change to the schedule will be Martin Bate taking over as the host of the networked XFM Rock Show. .
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Dutch commercial radio station 100%NL will reduce the number of DJ’s it uses from 1 January 2008 in a format change based on listener research. 100%NL boss Herbert Visser says that the station is still evolving, and??has found that it currently attracts the most listeners in the hours when there is the lowest amount of??speech. [...