[Swprograms] Changes to Sirius BBC Stream?

[John Figliozzi <jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It appears that the BBC World Service has made some changes to the 
stream it provides to Sirius Satellite Radio, which is carried on 
channel 114.  Up to now, the World Service has provided the "full 
service" Americas stream over XM Satellite Radio and a modified version 
of the "all news" stream to Sirius.  This weekend, I noted that the BBC 
World Service on Sirius contained some programs heretofore not carried 
there.  These included "Outlook", "The Ticket" and a program that is 
part of a six installment documentary series on European cities.  I 
also noted that at least one regular program heretorfore carried was 
not. "Sportsworld", unfortunately, appears to be a casualty of this 
apparent modification.

On the half-hour today, I also heard an underwriting announcement used 
by and specifically identifiying PRI (Public Radio International) as 
the provider of BBC World Service in the U.S.  However, the apparently 
new schedule I'm observing does not track the proprietary PRI schedule 
either.

The BBC has willingly tailored World Service schedules for various 
clients, in addition to its eight international streams and two 
internet streams.  This past weekend on "Write On", a listener who 
tunes in via Worldspace complained of a unannounced change in schedule 
for the satellite service's "in the clear" World Service channel that 
adds 90 minutes of non-English programming.  The reply stated that 
World Service was now providing two channels--a "full service" 24 hour 
English channel that was now available only by subscription and a 24 
hour modified "all news" channel (including the new 90 minute 
non-English segment) that would remain "in the clear" and not require 
extra payment.  Dilly Barlow, at the end of her reply to the letter 
writer, stated that the BBC had "no current plans" to add further 
non-English programming to the "in the clear" channel.

I am surmising that the described adjustments to the Sirius stream are 
part of an overall reassessment of the various schedules that the BBC 
tailors for specific requests or needs of its clients.  I've used the 
word "apparent" in my descriptions just in case the noted changes are 
anomalies resulting from an inadvertent mistake or other cause.  I have 
contacted the BBC Press Office and the World Service directly 
requesting an explanation.  If and when I receive one, I will pass it 
along on these forums.

John Figliozzi
Halfmoon, NY 

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