Re: [Swprograms] FW: World Service Feedback

[John Figliozzi <jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

But what I hear (but not necessarily from sources that don't have an 
embedded interest) is that the sales of consumer grade radios with sw 
bands are up.  Now we can debate whether those sw bands are being used 
or whether these radios are shelf furniture, but if their sales are up 
it at least creates a rebuttable presumption that will take more than 
an "no it's not; yes it is" argument.  :-))

We'll have to disagree over whether sales of expensive receivers to 
serious swlers  (which has ALWAYS been a rather tight niche market) are 
an indication of anything significant other than a decline in the 
hobbyist sector.  For example, eton sold a ton of Grundig Sat 800 
MIlleniums which had almost all the features a serious or semi-serious 
listener (not DXer) would want at a price point $1000 less than a Drake 
R8B and around $250 less than an ICOM R75.  That had to put a dent in 
the sales of the latter two receivers...

jaf

On Apr 11, 2005, at 10:29 PM, Scott Royall wrote:

> I'd say that not many regular listeners use the lightweight stuff 
> routinely.
> I know my 2010 collects dust.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John 
> Figliozzi
> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 9:11 PM
> To: Shortwave programming discussion
> Subject: Re: [Swprograms] FW: World Service Feedback
>
> The official reason given by Drake was a lack of replacement parts (no
> longer available) that would require them to significantly redesign the
> receiver.  Of course, their unwillingness to do so could be seen as
> confirmation of what you say, but as we said I'd be more convinced if
> we could see the sales figures of Sangean, eton, Kaito, Degen, etc. who
> actually cater to the kind of listener we're really talking about.
>
> Remember, too, that the R8 series began about 15 years ago.  That's a
> long time for one design.  About the only one I can think of that was
> longer was the Sony 2010.
>
> jaf
>
> On Apr 11, 2005, at 8:03 PM, Scott Royall wrote:
>
>> Over their own sales figures? Come on, Bill!
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bill
>> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 9:28 PM
>> To: Shortwave programming discussion
>> Subject: Re: [Swprograms] FW: World Service Feedback
>>
>> I would tend to think Drake et al go on the press that the suits in
>> places like London put out.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> Scott Royall wrote:
>>
>>> Well, f they're wrong, so are Drake and NRD.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:swprograms-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bill
>>> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 5:09 PM
>>> To: Shortwave programming discussion
>>> Subject: Re: [Swprograms] FW: World Service Feedback
>>>
>>> This smacks of "if we say it enough we will believe ir, and so will
>>> you"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Bill
>>> KA2EMZ
>>>
>>>
>>> Sandy Finlayson wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> This just in from the BBC World Service.
>>>>
>>>> Sandy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Letters Worldservice [mailto:worldservice.letters@xxxxxxxxx]
>>>> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 10:49 AM
>>>> To: Sandy Finlayson
>>>> Subject: RE:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear Mr Finlayson
>>>> Thank you for your email regarding the reduction of BBC World 
>>>> Service
>>>> short-wave coverage for the Caribbean and Central America region.
>>>>
>>>> The BBC World Service, like other international broadcasters, has
>>>> been
>>>> adjusting its short-wave provision around the world over the past 
>>>> few
>>>> years in line with changes in global demand.  In some regions, this
>>>> means a reduction in the range of frequencies available and the
>>>> times at
>>>> which they are transmitted.  This reduction is largely a result of
>>>> consumers turning less and less to short wave and more to alternate
>>>> methods of listening such as FM, the internet and cable or 
>>>> satellite.
>>>> At the beginning of the 1990s almost all our audience were listening
>>>> to
>>>> BBC World Service through short wave, but now around 50 million
>>>> listeners each week (around a third) are listening through alternate
>>>> means.
>>>>
>>>> While the short-wave method of delivery does have certain 
>>>> advantages,
>>>> the main disadvantage for the broadcaster is its high cost relative
>>>> to
>>>> other forms of delivery.  As short-wave audiences reduce in number,
>>>> there inevitably comes a point when it no longer makes sense to
>>>> continue
>>>> on value for money grounds, especially when alternatives exist and
>>>> the
>>>> same money could be used to greater effect elsewhere.  The BBC World
>>>> Service is committed to making the most efficient use of the money 
>>>> it
>>>> receives from the British government (our sole source of funding)
>>>> and it
>>>> is especially important to get the balance right between the amount
>>>> of
>>>> money we spend on programme production relative to the amount we
>>>> spend
>>>> on distributing programmes.  We are investing more in other forms of
>>>> distribution - FM relays, satellite, partnerships with local FM
>>>> stations, digital radio, and the internet.  The way people consume
>>>> news
>>>> and information is changing rapidly and we want our distribution
>>>> channels to reflect those changes.
>>>>
>>>> We recognise that not all the alternative options for listening are
>>>> suitable, or indeed possible, for all individuals, and the decision
>>>> to
>>>> reduce short-wave coverage for your area was thus a difficult one to
>>>> make.  We regret the disruption to your listening which has resulted
>>>> but
>>>> we hope, at least, that you will continue tune in to the World
>>>> Service
>>>> at the times when short-wave frequencies remain available if it is
>>>> not
>>>> possible for you to listen by other means.
>>>>
>>>> With regard to 'Sportsworld', as you are aware we cannot make this
>>>> programme available online because of rights restrictions.  However,
>>>> it
>>>> is still possible to listen in the US via XM Digital Satellite 
>>>> Radio.
>>>> XM Radio offers a 24-hour BBC World Service stream as part of their
>>>> subscription service, which includes 'Sportsworld'.  For information
>>>> about XM Radio, visit www.xmradio.com
>>>>
>>>> With best regards,
>>>> Audience Relations - CMS
>>>> BBC World Service
>>>>
>>>> [NB: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet
>>>> sites]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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