Friday, June 15, 2012

Update on Radio Netherlands countdown to close of English service



A reminder to our readers as July 1 nears and the close of Radio Netherlands English service.

15 June We're also on air to Europe on 29 June! RNW's distribution department has arranged this frequency for you:

1900 UTC until 2057 UTC - 6065 kHz from Wertachtal

This will allow listeners in a large area of Europe to share the last two hours of RNW English on air.

DXers that have enjoyed Radio Netherlands for many years, are saddened, though not completely surprised at the station's recent announcement. Radio Netherlands has been a favorite of mine, and I will miss their English service and excellent programming greatly.
Gayle VH

Dear Readers,

We're very sorry to inform you that the English service of Radio Netherlands Worldwide will be closing at the end of this month. As a result, this website will see some changes.

From 1 July 2012 there will no longer be a daily review of the Dutch papers. Our coverage of Dutch news stories will also cease. And, since RNW's English webstream will end on 29 June, there will be no more Listening Guide.

However, we will continue to provide articles online relating to our new brief: promoting free speech in areas where people are not free to gather information or to form and express independent opinions.

Why?
The measures are a result of steep budget cuts imposed by the Dutch government and a concomitant change in focus. Providing the world with a realistic image of the Netherlands, as we have proudly done since 1947, will no longer be one of our statutory duties.

The last radio show
On 29 June we will broadcast a radio show looking back at the past decades of Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Have you got a memory to share? Please let us know, at the usual address, mailto:letters@rnw.nl. We'd love to hear from you.

Updates
Please keep checking this site for updates on our final day. There may be a surprise or two...

And, perhaps most importantly, thank you - for listening, reading, and riding this bumpy road with us over the years and through the recent, difficult times.
The RNW English team
(R Netherlands)

All transmissions of Radio Netherlands World Service in English on short waves will be terminated from July 1. Here is the current schedule:

All times UTC

1000-1057 on 15110 PHT 250 kW / 283 deg to SEAs till June 29
1400-1457 on 9800 TRM 250 kW / 345 deg to SoAs till June 30
1800-1957 on 17605 SMG 250 kW / 144 deg to ECAf till June 30
1900-2057 on 7425 MDC 250 kW / 270 deg to SoAf till June 30
1900-2057 on 11615 ISS 500 kW / 192 deg to WeAf till June 30
1900-2057 on 15495 SMG 250 kW / 193 deg to WCAf till June 30