[Swprograms] The US BBG and the role of shortwave

["Richard Cuff" <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx>]

Browsing Kim Andrew Elliott's blog led to an interesting letter from
Vincent Nowicki, the director of engineering and technical operations
at the International Broadcasting Bureau (VOA's parent organization)
about shortwave vs. other programming delivery methods.

These were in response to a Radio World article about the BBG's
shutdown of key SW transmitter sites.

See http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0044/t.12101.html

Overall I think I agree with most of Nowicki's points, with one
exception:  He cites that Pakistan is nowadays less favorable for
shortwave since only 8% of the audience owns a shortwave radio.
However, this begs a couple questions:

1) Does that 8% reflect an audience that has no reasonable
alternatives to hearing a particular broadcast or broadcaster?  If so,
then shutting off that 8% would be a significant inconvenience.

2) Do the demographics of that "8%" audience make it a key target
audience?  Is that "8%" the type of audience the BBG should try to
reach at all costs?

While shortwave can get the short shrift when it comes to audience
size, broadcasters should also be sure to note *who* listens to
shortwave.

Richard

-- 
Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA

International broadcasting / shortwave blog:
http://www.intlradio.blogspot.com
_______________________________________________
Swprograms mailing list
Swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms

To unsubscribe:  Send an E-mail to  swprograms-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.