The Israel Broadcasting Authority has, after some 60 years, ended shortwave broadcasting as of 31 March 2008 except for Persian to Iran. The IBA says that, despite many complaints, its decision was made as a cost cutting measure. Emergency financial provision to continue one daily broadcast in Persian was made by the government.
Most other Kol Israel broadcasts may now be heard only via the Internet. However the transmissions in English via WRN continue. This includes Sirius Satellite Radio in the USA, Sky Digital in the UK, and Canal Satellite in France.
A new site has been set up for a live Internet audio and on-demand streaming of each day’s programming: www.intkolisrael.com.
The only remaining shortwave transmission is:
Persian to Iran: 1400-1530 UTC (Fri/Sat 1400-1500 UTC) on 13850 and 11605kHz.
There is also a new website for the domestic Reka Network, with news in English: www.iba.org.il/reka/
(Source: Israelradio.org/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
