BBC makes deep cuts to English-language shortwave transmissions to Africa
BBC makes deep cuts to English-language shortwave transmissions to Africa
I uploaded a video a few weeks ago about major international broadcasters that still target Africa on shortwave, but it seems like I was talking too soon. The latest HFCC schedules, for the A24 period, have revealed that the BBC will make major cuts to all its shortwave transmissions in English to Africa. The changes will kick in on the 31st of…
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Its very sad that Short Wave is dying quickly. Here in Pakista we noticed shortwave Urdu service from BBC, Saudi Radio and Iran have ended.
Now the Africans will speak nasal Chinese -English ..ridiculous ,& Sad.
Yes, it is real sad that BBC's most English programmes in the shortwave bands have shut their beaming in South Asia too. On a lighter heart, I guess there must be a war-like emergency situation when BBC and several other shortwave radio stations will consider to have their operations permanentlyđ . On a serious note, I agree it is more fun in the shortwave than streamig.
Thank you!
New Delhi
Thank you AndrĂŠ for this video, much appreciated âşď¸ and thank you for your samples of reception of BBC WS on frequencies soon to be eliminated. Their reception is so good… makes it even more painful to see them go đ˘
In fact, the 7265 lHz transmission from Madagascar to South Africa was intended as a replacement for services from Meyerton, which disappeared when Sentech closed that relay site on March 31, 2019 (so it'll be exactly 5 years since then!). Among others, such as SABC's own Channel Africa and RSG, gone were 3255 & 6190 kHz, where Meyerton carried the BBC. Before an earlier round of big cuts in 2014, the service was available for a whopping 19 hours/day: 3255 in the mornings & evenings, 6190 in daytime.
Now, while I did a lot of looking-around across the HFCC schedules, particularly looking for any significant cuts like this, I haven't looked into details of actual TX site usage. Thankfully I still have the spreadsheets I imported the files into open, so I can do it right away đ
Yes, the BBC will no longer use Sao Tome. It is an USAGM-owned site though.
Madagascar will still have 3 daily broadcasts of the BBC, incl. 04-05z on 12095 kHz. Also some in French (daily), Somali (one Mon-Fri, another on Sundays only), and Kinyarwanda (Mon-Fri). Still lots of use of the site for other stations, particularly AWR, Vatican Radio, and various clandestines hiding under abbreviations of "MBR" (Media Broadcast GmbH in Germany), "MGB" (MGLOB, the site's current owner), and "JRC" (Joode Radiocommunications Consultancy in The Netherlands, the most enigmatic of all).
And Ascension Island relay has a beam @ 114deg, I think it is the one that covers Southern Africa as I see it'll no longer be used — or is it 115deg, which I see registered for Sundays only, 1900-1930z on 9585 kHz. Broadcaster field only says "ENC", which is generic for Encompass, the transmission provider, and the actual programme carried must be someone else's, perhaps of a religious or clandestine organisation.
Anyway, there's an update pushed Mar 23 (today), we'll see if it brings anything new significant. Probably not LOL
I will say Iâm not a fan of the Big Bully Company due to their horrendous mafia tactics when it comes to enforcing the outdated TV licence in the UK. They behave shockingly and waste endless money on paying celebs crazy money. They have destroyed local radio and now destroying overseas radio. Yet they can pay millions to idiots on tv.
Radio is more important than they give it credit for and itâs just another complete failure of the BBC management.
They are in all one of the most incompetent organisations in the UK. They have a budget of billions yet they waste it.
CRI: I hear some direct relays on 31 meters; also good signal from the Mali 50kW relays for Africa
I use V Radio app on my Samsung mobile to listen to my Icelandic broadcast here in Sweden and I have BBC to in English.
As someone from Europe, I used to occasionally listen to BBC on the African frequencies, so I'll feel that loss too. Priorities change, sadly; 'they' have money for wars but not for 'soft power' anymore. At least a big player who owns the entire receiver market/production will keep the ball rolling for us – SW enthusiasts. Thanks for communicating the sad news through the nice overview. đ
Thats such a shame i often listen to bbc from Ascension islands could catch it really clear .
This really sucks. Sooner or later China will have monopoly of the short waves…
Andre I agree with you,because I could pickup their Madagascar beams. Just in time for my new QoDosen radio to arrive on April 3,2024.!
U.K. Government budget cuts have hurt us allâŚđ˘!
73! Have a great day!