Re: [Swprograms] Channel Africa: Is anybody listening?

["Scott Walker" <n3sw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> 1. Who is listening to Channel Africa
I have listened to their midday (ET) broadcast (1700-1800z 15,285 kHz) in 
the past when I was home, but lately I have listened to them mostly via WRN 
on Sirius.
> 2. The quality of the signal.
My experience is that the signal on shortwave varies based on band 
conditions, but is usually listenable with some atmospheric noise and 
fading.  Never strong, however.  By satellite, of course, it is crystal 
clear.
> 3. The quality of programmes.
I like to listen to them for news out of the African continent, because we 
don't get very much information from there in our US domestic news media, 
except the usual war/famine coverage.  Frankly, my biggest problem with 
Channel Africa is understanding the English delivery of their announcers, 
with such heavy accents.  It takes some getting used to, but is worth the 
effort.
> 4. The content ( Is it interesting?)
Since I got Sirius I have been taping the "Tamtam Express" program from 
Channel Africa.  It is a half-hour in-depth look at people and politics in 
Africa, and it can be dry at times, but sometimes it is very enlightening. 
For instance, last week there was a portrait of the "country" of Somaliland, 
which I never knew about.  They are not necessarily an officially recognized 
state, but they are separate from Somalia, have a stable economy, are at 
peace and are looking for foreign investment.  The reporter interviewed 
several government officials and business persons from Hargeisa, the capital 
city.  I learned something new from that show.
> 5. What other topics listeners in that area might be interested in.
Don't spend your news resources rehashing the stories covered by US and 
European news organizations... tell us about happenings in the African 
continent that we would miss out on otherwise.  And don't forget to add in a 
little Afropop music, we can't ever get enough of that!
-Scott Walker
-New Cumberland PA USA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Cuff" <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Shortwave programming discussion" <swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 6:59 AM
Subject: [Swprograms] Channel Africa: Is anybody listening?


> Channel Africa isn't all that easy a catch here in Eastern North
> America -- there are no Caribbean-based or Canada-based relays that
> improve the signal's audibility.
>
> Instead, Channel Africa has relied on the WRN and its own live and
> on-demand audio to create a North American presence.
>
> I'm working with them to update some programming details, and they
> asked me some questions regarding Channel Africa's listenership.
>
> I thought it would interesting to pose those questions to this list. 
> So...
>
> 1. Who is listening to Channel Africa
> 2. The quality of the signal.
> 3. The quality of programmes.
> 4. The content ( Is it interesting?)
> 5. What other topics listeners in that area might be interested in.
>
> To stimulate dialogue, why don't you go ahead & send responses to the
> list; I'll summarize them and send them back to Channel Africa
> management.
>
> Thanks -
>
> Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA  USA
>
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