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Anger, answers and a question

Feedback 29 September 2008

By Mindy Ran

30-09-2008

Last week's announcement that RNW English Service would be ending their shortwave broadcasts to North America sparked quite a few angry responses. Head of the English Service Andy Clark responds, and we answer more of your questions.

"RNW distribution changes to North America", by Andy Clark, outlines the way Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English broadcasts are available in North America in an increasing variety of ways, while also informing shortwave listeners that shortwave broadcasts (only) are to end to North America at the end of October.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide relay station in the Netherlands Antilles, which will terminate RNW English-language shortwave broadcasts to North America at the end of October.

There were many angry responses to this, such as this one from Mark AuBuchon of the USA:

"I have heard that RNW plans to end English shortwave broadcasts to North America. Please don't!!! RNW is one of the historic major broadcasters one can listen to on shortwave in English. I live in a remote area in Washington state (North Central Okanogan Highlands) and can't stream over the Internet, and most AM/FM stations barely reach this area. Shortwave still matters!!!"

And Steven Burrows, also from the USA, who wrote:

"I just learned of your plans to halt NA broadcasting on shortwave. I have been a Radio Netherlands listener since my childhood introduction to shortwave in the early 197's. I believe that all major SW outlets (BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Radio Netherlands) who believe that Americans listen to radio via high-speed internet are very mistaken. Now, one more means of contact with Europe for Americans of average to meagre means has been removed. Sad. Very Sad."

Some, such as George Duncan from the USA, were accepting:

"Very sorry you are stopping short wave to North America. I have listened for years and years and love it. Thanks again for all of your wonderful broadcasts down thru the years."

Whereas, some, such as Pete Schermerhorn of the USA, got creative in solving the problem:

"Since your announcement, I have been experimenting with your West Africa frequencies of 11.660 and 17.810. The first one is iffy, but 17.810 seems strong and consistent. The time conflicts with BBC Newshour to West Africa on 15.400, but I tape one and listen live to the other. I think it will be okay." [Sadly, this will not work in all of North America].

Head of RNW English Service Andy Clark

Head of the English Service, Andy Clark wanted to respond to our SW listeners in North America:

"The decision to stop shortwave to North America was not taken lightly.

We ran surveys into listening habits for the region both via Internet and also ran promos via the broadcasts themselves asking listeners what they thought of the timing and length of broadcasts. Response to the survey was limited and confirmed the general trend we have been witnessing of dwindling feedback to the shortwave broadcasts to North America.

At the same time we've been actively working to build up alternatives to SW for the region by trying to place our programmes with as many partner stations as possible. There are now also more satellite options and the various means of delivery available via Internet, live-streams, on-demand and podcast.

Lots of people were upset by the news, but in a fast-changing media world we are forced to make choices and the way we distribute and, of course, the costs of that distribution form a major part of the equation. Like any other organisation our budgets are limited and we have to set priorities.

We will continue to work hard to broaden even further the alternative platforms via which we can be heard in North America.

Shortwave broadcasts will now be concentrated on the South Asia and Africa regions, where the alternatives available in North America are far less developed."

Some of the other questions we have been able to answer this week have to do with problems downloading Network Europe, and what is that catchy tune at the end of The State We're In?

Behzad Payandeh of Iran wrote in to ask for a bit of help:

"Each Sunday, Network Europe has a special edition (Network Europe Extra), which is uploaded every Sunday on Radio Netherlands website. But, this week's programme was not uploaded. I want to download Network Europe programme of 15 September, and would be happy to know where I can do this?"

Our Web Editor, Theo Tamis, responded to Behzad:

"You're absolutely right. Network Europe Extra hasn't been updated in recent weeks due to a technical problem. We'll make sure the updates will have appeared on the web when you read this."

Another listener was very much taken with one of our catchy tunes, but couldn't place it. Erich Mueller [of no country cited], wrote to ask:

"I would like to know the artist and song that concludes each week's "The State We're In." Great show and great song!"

Editor of The State We're In, Michele Ernsting, responded to Erich:

"We also love that music. It was composed for us by Gary Shepherd. It doesn't really have a name - we call it the montage music.

Gary has made a lot of other music that you might also enjoy. I'll forward your comments to him. He also has a website: www.shepherdspie.nl."

Several of you wrote in after last week's mention of the Happy Station from a yahoo discussion group apparently set-up just to worship that award winning programme, to let us know that long-term host, Tom Meijer had done a TV advert voice-over that could be found on youtube:

Thanks for that, all of you who wrote in to share this great piece of history. And, thanks to all of you who have entered the "Curious Orange Mystery Sound" Competition so far.

If you would like to give it a try, listen to the sound and make a guess, hints are supplied. Some of the suggestions so far:

Jen from New York in the USA suggested: "Sewing machine!" And there were many who wrote in to suggest a blender or juicer. But my favourite suggestion, based on the clues, came from Bob in the USA, who wrote:

"It is the sound of track grinders that smooth the rails in the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART). Get it? BART not Simpson. And the Bay Area is certainly fruity."

 

 

Tags: Andy Clark, feedback, frequencies, Network Europe, North America, shortwave, The State We're In, Tom Meijer

Reaction(s):

lester ness, 07-11-2008 - China

Since RNW appears to be abandoning shortwave in N. America (and soon world wide, I suspect), what happens to DRM? Trashcan as well?

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Paul Rehm, 25-10-2008 - USA

It was 30 years ago this month that I first became a RNW listener. Happy Station, His & Hers, and Media Network were all faves. As the programming changed I tried to stay with it but by the mid '90's the interest was pretty much gone. Recently started to listen again only to find out English to N. Am is being canceled. I don't own a computer so I must depend on the public library for my web access limiting my time online, and the local PBS affilliate doesn't run your programs. The survey responses may have been limited, but I think you underestimated the number of shortwave listeners you still have in North America, judging by a lot of responses I've read here. This is truly the sad end of an era.

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J. Harper, 24-10-2008 - USA

On the new winter schedule RNW found the money and resources to open up services for the Benelux countries on the AM spectrum, but they shut down their largest audience in North America. Go figure.

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Colleen Moore, 08-10-2008 -

I am very disappointed to read this. I have a cottage in a remote area of N. Wisconsin in the US. The reception is great there, but there is no internet.

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Hal C, 06-10-2008 - usa

I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. With no more shortwave what station do you recommend I tune up here ?

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P. Israel, israel8977@hotmail.com, 05-10-2008 - India

If you try to stop broadcast to South Asia on SW, well you can do it. But it will be like Radio Australia. Mr Howard has made in the dark for the past 10 years. As some one said we are yet to reach a level with US and Aus.. in using internet radio.

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Nick Maas, 04-10-2008 - USA

So how do I listen on the net? All I do for VOR is click on a link and my Window Media Player on my Vista machine does the job. I don't get it with your site. Please help. This is the eve. newscast in my home.

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David Coursey, 03-10-2008 - USA

I have been a shortwave listening since age 12 and am 49 now. As much as I loved listening to the BBC on 9510, 15070, etc., the reception is much better on the XM Radios in my car and next to my bed. Likewise, I can listen to RNW programming over the Internet, though I wish I had access to a good composite of international broadcasting such as what WRN offers. Like everyone else, I will miss the RNW interval signal, the huge signal from Bonaire, the Madagascar QSL, the SWL handouts, stickers, etc. And, oh yes, the Happy Station. I am sad about this change, but I understand and thank RNW and the Dutch people for their continued friendship. Some things will change, but the warm relationship between Red, White and Blue and Orange will go on forever.

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Chuck Zabriskie, 30-09-2008 - USA

It was very disappointing to hear that RNW will cease English broadcasts to North America. I have been a listener, fan and correspondent with RNW since the 1970s and consider RNW along with BBC the top two international broadasters. SW is a unique medium and your departure is a great loss. I don't expect to listen to RNW on the internet any more than I do the BBC, which is seldom indeed. Your advantage is the SW medium even more than the fine programming. There are hundreds of good "broadcasters" on the internet, but only a handful worth listening to regularly on the SW bands. Do reconsider.

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