Richard's comment "at some point, you reach the point where the SW audience doesn't justify the SW service. I just don't think we're there yet, at least not in the USA." is spot on. It is even more true for people in Canada where the BBC has virtually no presence on local radio. While I understand that BBC is business and that is what guides their decisions I feel let down by them. I have been a loyal listener for 30 years and clearly my loyalty to them does not matter in the least. Sandy -----Original Message----- From: swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Richard Cuff Sent: Sun 3/20/2005 7:49 PM To: Shortwave programming discussion Cc: Subject: [Swprograms] Re: Why is BBC World Service reducing its shortaveprovision Somewhat frustratingly, it appears that Arabic TV is the budgetary beneficiary from the reduction in shortwave utilization. While the BBC could have a retainer agreement in place with VT Merlin (or whatever they're called nowadays) to have backup SW capacity available in case of international crisis, will people have retained their shortwave radios? Will subsequent generations have a clue as to how shortwave works? As I think Mr. Bowen said, when a crisis occurs will people then have this backup technology available precisely at a time it's needed? Would a government, in time of crisis, potentially ban the purchase of new SW radios? John commented earlier on the fact that the BBCWS appears to apply a fair amount of "spin" to their audience research process. It's entirely within their prerogative to do so, but it's entirely within our prerogative to read between the lines and call out the missing logic. This is why I'd personally rather see stations maintain at least one frequency up & running to a target area -- even DW. For example with the BBC, take 5975 kHz. For most of eastern North America, that frequency works reasonably well most evenings. Not all, for sure, but most. Better to work reasonably well most nights than not at all on all nights. Put differently, I agree that, at some point, you reach the point where the SW audience doesn't justify the SW service. I just don't think we're there yet, at least not in the USA. Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:46:01 +0000, Mike Barraclough <mikewb@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > There has to be a point when the > audience is too low to justify retaining a service particularly when the > target audience has access to alternatives. > > If they can get local FM relays on fine, scale the shortwave back but I > would argue retain the capability in case the host government decides to > turn the FM relays off in times of crisis. > > Mike > > _______________________________________________ > Swprograms mailing list > Swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms > > To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swprograms-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. > > _______________________________________________ Swprograms mailing list Swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swprograms-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
<<winmail.dat>>
_______________________________________________ Swprograms mailing list Swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to swprograms-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.