On Thursday 7th May 1981, the first edition of Media Network was broadcast by Radio Netherlands. This weekly show ran for almost 20 years and over 1000 editions. It was hosted by Jonathan Marks, who was to become Head of English, then Director of Programmes and finally Creative Director at Radio Netherlands.
Jonathan left the organisation a few years ago to set up a media consultancy, Critical Distance, but continues to do some work for us, and is frequently to be seen in the building.
The Web presence of Media Network began about a decade ago, when some of the booklets sent out to listeners on request, such as the Receiver Shopping List and the Booklist, were made available to download. When Andy Sennitt, who had been a contributor to Media Network in his role as editor of the World Radio TV Handbook, came to work full time at Radio Netherlands, the Internet site was expanded into what we called a Webzine. The radio show ended in October 2000, and in spring 2003, as war broke out in Iraq, we needed a way to post the latest media developments. So the Media Network Weblog was established, and it expanded into a general newsfeed of media developments around the world.
In January of this year, Andy Sennitt moved to the new department of Strategy and Business Development, and Andy now divides his time between research for the department and maintaining the Weblog. But what about some of the other people who used to be regulars on the radio show? Jonathan Marks has been to visit Diana Janssen, who co-hosted the show for about six years. He has also been on safari to visit Mike Bird who presented the weekly shortwave propagation report, Jim Cutler who voiced most of the jingles and drop-ins, and Victor Goonetilleke who reported on media developments from Sri Lanka. Finally, he dropped in on Andy to reminisce and look forward.
Technical note: The video has been encoded at high quality in Windows Media and QuickTime format. Because of the large file size, it has been split into six parts, each of which is self-contained. We recommend that you download each file to your Hard Disk (e.g. in Internet Explorer, right click and select "save target as"). Unless you have a very fast broadband connection, trying to stream the video on the Web is not recommended.
If you have problems downloading or viewing the video, let us know. This is something of an experiment, and we are open to constructive criticism. Please send all comments to media@rnw.nl.
Please note that these videos are for your personal enjoyment only. All material is copyright Critical Distance b.v.
Tags:
25th anniversary,
Media Network,
Radio Netherlands,
video,
vodcast
Dong Jun,
surftheair@gmail.com,
28-12-2007
- China
Thanks for your hard work
Mr. Mizanur Rahman,
ssksclub2006@yahoo.com,
28-08-2007
- BAngladesh
Dear Sir,
We are very happy to listener your nice broadcast regularly. We are highly benefited from your valued programs. To us, broadcast is an exceptional shortwave station because its programs are well presented and life related. The other members of our club also express their satisfaction about your hearty programs. So, we hope that its listeners will be increase in our locality day by day.
We are ready to co-operate with you by forwarding our club activity reports, articles and reception reports.
I would like to request you to send us some prize/gift.
Best of luck,
MD. MIZANUR RAHMAN
President
SUCHONA SUMAZ KULYAN SUNGO
MOSHIPUR-6770
SHAHZADPUR, SIRAJGANJ
BANGLADESH
Raúl Saavedra,
24-03-2007
- Costa Rica
I had the pleasure to meet Andy as well as Jonathan (with hair by then) who made a live transmission during the ANARCOM '89 in St. Petersburg, Fla. So congratulations, gentlemeen! As a member of DXLD I frequently get in touch with Andy's postings.
But all this began for me back in 1965 when I was upset with that nearly FM sound RN used to carry from by then new Philips transmitters in Bonaire. That's why I became a regular from DX Juke Box, most of all for the technical articles read by Jerry Cowan, for which reason I suscribed to SW Antenna Course and thanks to your pamphlets build my own SW antenna tuner.
Not to make this very long, but I guess you are aware of a constant pleading from visitors here. MN got to be back on the air. Just before the program ended, was the only reason that moved me to tune RNW, despite the fact that you set a standard to make all your other shows at the stars level proffesionalism. As MN folded its wings on the air, I seldom hear RNW.
khalid,
kmizan2@yahoo.com,
15-03-2007
- Bangladesh
i am radio listener
David Ward,
23-01-2007
- England
Just watched all the 25th anniversary videos "live", and had no trouble with a 2Meg Broadband connection. They have brought back many happy memories and I must contact Jonathon and Mike Bird, who I've both had the pleasure to meet in the past. Modern technology may have shrunk the world but there is no longer the "magic" that I remember when finding a new station in those days. There was also the frustration of variable reception and jamming, but then computers have problems of their own as well... It would be great to have MN back, even if only on an occasional basis, and even better if Jonathon did all the editing on open reel tape-decks as I've seen him do whilst visiting RN! I particularly agreed with Jim Cutlers views on the quality of programming today- it is no good having access to thousands of stations via the web if none of them are worth listening to. Best Wishes, David Ward.
Noothan Krishnan,
16-01-2007
- India
At Last I can watch Jonathan Marks. Fantastic!!!!!!!!!! I am a Radio enthusiast from the state of Kerala, India and a great great fan
of the "Radio Wise Man"(noted by BBC) Jonathan Marks.
Just downloaded his video on his great 25 years of MN@RNW.
When I was around 14 years old, I was attracted by the radio and I found that
I can receive broadcast from countries across the globe.
To add my excitement I received the Voice Of America on 41mb, broadcast
from the other side of the globe!!.
Then I found they have a beautiful programme called "Special English". I became
a regular listener to VOA Special English.
Then while trying out for other radio stations, I found "Radio Netherlands"!!!!.
It was very exciting, because normally VOA, BBC and Radio Moscow are the most popular stations
in those days, and esp. a small and rich Europian country in the northern part of Europe really
attracted me. By then my hobby was DXing.. and also very much interested to hear any programmes
on the same.
Then I found this great show of the planet, "Media Network", the voice of the host was
fantastic, it attracted me a lot. It was none other than the great Jonathan Marks.
Then I became a great fan of JM and MN.
No doubt Jonathan Marks is a Great Radio Personality.
=>World's Best Radio Voice!
=>World's Best Accent, Style and Language use!
=>World's Best Presentation!
Receiver review is one of my greatest segments in MN.
It was a great pleasure and I have longed for Thursdays. Because this day I can listen to
Media Network by Jonathan Marks.
Another interesting thing was collecting pamphlets and goodies from Radio Netherlands.
Once I received a piggy bank and a gramaphone record.
Some of the shows I cannot forget are the ones Jonathan Marks made during a train travel.
and another from the United States. (Las Vegas shows it seems, not sure)
I cannot forget Mike Bird, Victor Gunetilake and others.
It was really really really disappointing to find that you have closed down the "Media Network".
Actually there are no other radio stations in this world broadcasting such a great show.
After a long gap of 10 years or so, I recently visited your website and very much
excited to find that you have a video on Jonathan Marks.
Hey Jonathan Marks, is it possible to do shows on video and put it on the Net?
I love to watch your receiver reviews.
Thanks a lot for this video Jonathan.
I have downloaded your video, then converted to 3gp format and transferred to my Nokia 6230i mobile
phone. Now my favorite Jonathan Marks is in my hands and no struggle tuning in.
I am excited, this is great. I can view this video another 100 times!!
Hope you will put some interesting MN like videos on RN website.
When I first listen to your voice I was only 14 (1983) and studying in School.
Now I am 39 and working as Senior Software Engineer in an Multinational Company in
Bangalore. I am into web development.
Keep up the great work.
Best Regards,
Noothan Krishnan
SIVARAMAPRASAD KAPPAGANTU,
29-11-2006
- India
I became an avid Dxer only because of DX Juke Box of Radio Nederlands and could send Reception Reports to hundreds of stations around the world. I underwent many of the courses offered by DX Juke Box (later known as Media Network). I would love to see the programme come back again on to our beloved Radio Nederlands. If anybody is sincerely seeing all these messages and sincere about the reacting to the feedback, such people would definitely bring back Dx Juke Box onto Radio Nederlands.
abdi kani,
binuxasan90@gmail.com,
03-09-2006
- somalia
thanks i am senior somali journalist iam greettin you all of you tghanks
H.Hanemaaijer,
27-07-2006
- Australia
Interesting article
Anthony,
anth3050@netscape.net,
03-07-2006
- UK
I would love to see Media Network return as a weekly show with all its original bits and the occasional documentary about various radio stations past and present from time to time. I liked the documentary about Radio Luxembourg-and for R. Lux fans in the UK (and sadly only in the UK as that is where it's radio signal beam is targeted at, at present), NOW it's back on the air for a few hours a day beamed to the UK on 7295kHz SW using digital DRM(digital radio mondiale) technology, and will hopefully go 24h at the end of the year BUT the radios aren't available here YET with some internal wrangling going on with Roberts Radio and morphy richards the DRM radio set producers in the UK! It's also a shame that RNW has discontinued english on analogue SW to Europe in English on 5955kHz and 9715 kHz SW because during thursdays that's where I caught Media Network. YES it's in DRM but I can't get one in this country YET! If I want to listen to RN english programme I have to listen to the North Africa and SW Europe relay of RNW in english in the evenings at 20:00BST(19:00UK in winter) on 17810kHz SW with varying degrees of success due to reception conditions. Last night it came in quite well and tailed off at 21:40 BST before coming in loud for press review and english signoff at 22:00BST to the Dutch Service. Please Jonathan get MN back on the air!
marco barssotti,
mbarsot@mac.com,
25-06-2006
- italy
Me too, I used to listen to mw over sw every week, and reception (at the time I lived in downtown Milan) was not bad, even with cheap sw radio. Well, MW left a hole...that no one filled. The MN blog helps a bit, but is nothing compared to MW "show". I think we need somoene that pushes for availability of DRM radios, that gives us hints of what is interesting on the web, on what happens behind the scenes. Everything that MW could have developed into. It could be a Podcast, it could be a DRM broadcast...I cannot believe there's no one that wants to carry on Jonathan work in a "radio style" product..
Anyway..thanks!
Marco
LAWRENCE KELYANEH,
15-06-2006
- U.S.A.
Dear all my friends in Media Network: Hello, I am sending, all my best wishes to all of you, that some times ago I could heard you from my Short wave radio in Iran, I hope every where you are, to have a good times. Some times ago I was your very serious listener ( for RN and sepecially for Media Network), and it was a very sad time that you announce will discontinue your presentation via Short Wave radio, at those days every Thursday every where that I was, I had my radio for listening to your education program and also I recorded the reports of Mike Bird, I have learned a lot of things about Short wave radio from your program, but now that I am living in United States, the receiving of Short Wave is very difficult and some times impossible, and I do not know how I should or can solve this problem, I suppose the digital and short wave radios, are two different things and each one has its place, so it will be a very good time and if you dicide to have your program on Short wave once again (and also so many thanks for your presentation on web). Finally, I am sending all my best wishes to all of you once again in RN and also to: Mr. Mike Bird, Mrs. Diana Janssen, Mr. Victor Gonnetilleke, Mr. Jim Cutler, Mr. Jonathan Marks, Mr. Andy Sennitt, and so long and God Bless.
Sincerely yours
Lawrence Kelyaneh
mizan,
13-06-2006
- Bangladesh
This programme is very good.
Saad,
31-05-2006
- Netherlands/Pakistan
Very informative. I liked hearing from you all and thanks for sharing your expertise. Please do more vodcasts.
Steve coombs,
25-05-2006
- UK
Excellent interviews, good to watch and provoked memories of Media Network(wish it were still on). No problems with downloading via broadband. Many Thanks both.
Windows Media (37 Mb)
QuickTime (71 Mb)
