KBS World Radio expands DRM transmission

KBS World Radio first to use innovative DRM/AM Hybrid transmission through WRN Broadcast

Vauxhall, London, 15 October 2013 – WRN Broadcast has today announced that the company will be enabling KBS World Radio to provide a one hour daily transmission in German using an analogue-digital 20kHz simulcast mode of the Digital Radio Mondiale system via a shortwave transmitting station in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Broadcasting from 27th October 2013, the daily transmission will be at 1900 to 2000 UTC (2000 to 2100 local time, in Germany) when listeners with a DRM receiver will be able to hear the broadcast in high audio quality on 5875kHz while listeners with a conventional analogue set will be able tune their radio to 5885kHz.

David Treadway, CEO, WRN Broadcast, says "This mode of transmission was defined early in the development of DRM but has seemingly never before been operated for a regular broadcast service. This is another great example of how WRN Broadcast’s world-class expertise continues to support our clients’ broadcast ambitions."

Based in Seoul, KBS World Radio has been working with WRN Broadcast for the past 20 years. KBS discussed the possibility of providing a DRM transmission to Germany but WRN Broadcast believed it would gain a larger audience if it could use both analogue and digital transmission and saw the efficiency of placing both within 20kHz.

The transmission, targeted at Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will be made from Sofia, Bulgaria where WRN Broadcast first installed DRM transmission hardware in 2003. The station is owned by Spaceline, which has subsequently invested in further DRM equipment. WRN Broadcast has also previously operated a local trial DRM transmission in the London area on 26MHz.

KBS broadcasts globally in 11 languages and 2013 marks its 60th anniversary.
(DX Bulgaria)

PCJ Media launches communications magazine on WRN

PCJ Media has announced that its weekly communications magazine is coming to the World Radio Network from 30 July. The program will be broadcast at the following times at
www.wrn.org/

Saturday to Africa & Asia at 1000-1030 UTC
Saturday to Europe at 1300-1330 UTC
Saturday to North America at 2100-2130 UTC

Below is the satellite tuning information for each region:

North America

Galaxy 19 at 97º West
Transponder 27, 12.177 GHz
Vertical polarisation
Symbol Rate 23,000 Msym/s
FEC 3/4
DVB MPEG2, Choose Audio Channel: WRN1 (English), Service-ID: 13.
WRN is also available on channel 120 on both Sirius and XM. For further information on subscribing to Sirius Satellite Radio in the USA, please visit the website: siriusxm.com.

Europe

Sky Digital, Channel 0122 (Eurobird 1, 28.5º East)
Transponder C2, 11.224 GHz
Vertical polarisation
Symbol Rate 27.500 Mbaud
FEC 2/3
MPEG2 DVB audio stream. Select WRN Europe from audio menu.
Eutelsat Hot Bird 6, 13º East
Transponder 94
12.597 GHz, Vertical
Symbol Rate 27.500 Mbaud
FEC 3/4
MPEG2 DVB audio stream. Select WRN English from audio menu.

Asia/Pacific

Intelsat 10 at 68.5 degrees east
Transponder: 14 (C band), downlink frequency: 3808 MHz
Vertical polarization
Symbol rate: 10.340 Msym/sec
FEC: 3/4.

Africa

Intelsat 10 at 68.5 degrees east
Transponder: 14 (C band), downlink frequency: 3805.5 MHz
Vertical polarization
Symbol rate: 6.670 Msym/sec
FEC: 3/4.
You can also receive WRN via DStv. For details contact DSTV on +27 11 289 2222, Fax +27 11 577 4901, E-mail: enquiries@multichoice.co.za or visit the DSTV website at www.dstv.com.
(Source: PCJ Media/WRN/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

WRN programming highlights

Welcome to the latest edition of the WRN Newsletter which keeps you informed of upcoming programme highlights on WRN's English networks that broadcast to North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

Happy Reading and Happy Listening!

Please send emails to contactus@wrnbroadcast.com or letters and postcards to WRN Broadcast, PO Box 1212, London, SW8 2ZF, UK. You can also reach us via fax at +44 20 7896 9007 or via telephone at +44 20 7896 9010.

Programming available at http://www.wrn.org/

Sunday, January 9 2011: A Prairie Home Companion

This week "A Prairie Home Companion" is back home at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota, with our favourite Doris Day gumdrop, Nellie McKay, plus a tune for 4 (count 'em 4!) fiddles for the new year with Deena and Sedra Bistodeau, Catie Jo Pidel and Richard Kriehn. With the Royal Academy of Radio Acting; Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Tom Keith and Rich Dworsky and the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band. Plus, the ice fishing has begun in Lake Wobegon and the cranky gumshoe is back on the slippery streets of Good Ol' St. Paul.

In Africa and Europe: 1100 UTC / 1200 CET / 1300 CAT

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2011: Asia Calling

Developed to reflect the lives and reality of citizens across the region, "Asia Calling" is a weekly radio programme from Indonesia’s Radio News Agency KBR68H.

In North America: 2230 ET / 1930 PT

In Europe: 2100 UTC / 2200 CET

In Africa and Asia 1200 UTC / 1300 CET / 1400 CAT

Saturday, January 8 2010: Radio Australia

To find out about all the latest inventions and technological progress made in many different fields, tune into Radio Australia's science magazine "Innovations"… A showcase of Australian design, discovery, invention, engineering and research skills!

Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Australia

From dreaming to depression, addiction to artificial intelligence, consciousness to coma, psychoanalysis to psychopathy, free will to forgetting - "All in the Mind" explores the human condition through the mind's eye.

In North America: 1530 ET / 1230 PT

In Europe: 0830 UTC / 0930 CET

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Guangdong

Radio Guangdong, established in October 1949, is a leading radio group in south China. Radio Guangdong programmes cover political, economic, social and cultural issues; programmes about Guangdong, programmes about Guangdong people and programmes linking Guangdong with the world.

In many Chinese cities, urban development and protecting heritage form an obvious is a contradiction hard to overcome. In Guangzhou, an old, yet rapidly growing city, it’s inevitably that people are confronted with this issue. In "Today’s Focus", the presenters will look at a renovation project on Enning Road in the older part of the city known as "Xiguan", which literally means the Western Gate of the Old Town.

And the headlines this week: Inter-city High-Speed railway opens linking 4 cities in the Pearl River Delta / Continuous & Unusual Cold Weather Over Guangdong / Hundreds of Additional trains added for Spring Festival.

In North America: Sat 1200 ET / 0900 PT
Sun 2030 ET / 1730 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sat 0115 UTC / 0315 CAT
Sat 1700 UTC / 1900 CAT
Sat 2045 UTC / 2245 CAT
Sun 0900 UTC / 1100 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sat 0115 UTC / 1215 AEDT
Sat 1700 UTC / 0400 (Sun) AEDT
Sat 2045 UTC / 0745 (Sun) AEDT
Sun 0900 UTC / 2000 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 2045 UTC / 2145 CET

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Netherlands

In "The State We're In", Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

A mother’s strength: When Naseera Dutour’s son, Amine “disappeared” along with thousands of other young men in Algeria; she started a long, impassioned campaign to find him, and others like him. Her strength shines through the documentary about her, “Chanson pour Amine”. As she tells Jonathan, more than a decade has passed, but she refuses to believe he’s dead and gone.

Making a splash: Christoffer Lindhe in Sweden was once a competitive swimmer. But a few years ago, he nearly died in a train accident, in which he lost both his legs and one arm. Now he’s back in the pool and ranked in the top five in the world. He tells Jonathan how competing has given him his life back.

Busi’s van: Contributor Sibusisiwe (Busi) Ndlovu and her husband face the same problems millions do in Zimbabwe: hyperinflation and diminishing earnings. So they came up with a plan to help them secure a decent future: they decided to buy a van and start a small transport company. They scraped together their life savings, borrowed from family and bought a van. But when she went to collect it, government authorities had already sold it on the black market. Yet her faith that better days lie ahead remains unshaken.

Persian cats: Veteran filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi knew nothing about the underground music scene in his native Iran. He was surprised at both the quality of the music and the integrity of the musicians. The spirit of their music keeps the flame of defiance going in Iran.

Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: Radio Netherlands

In "Network Europe Extra" a pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Friday, January 14 2010: Radio Netherlands

In "Earth Beat", Marnie Chesterton looks at the footprint we are leaving on our planet and runs stories from the people trying to make that footprint lighter.

On this week’s edition of "Earth Beat": no more plugs as wireless electricity fills your home. Save water by washing your clothes in a waterless washing machine. Grow your clothes locally from bacteria.

The presenters explore some great and sometimes bizarre ideas that are just around the corner. And they ask what it is that is keeping them waiting in the wings.

Radio Netherlands broadcast times:
In North America: 0800 ET / 0500 PT
1800 ET / 0300 PT
0000 ET / 2100 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 1000 UTC / 1200 CAT
2200 UTC / 0000 CAT
0400 UTC / 0600 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 1000 UTC / 2100 AEDT
2200 UTC / 0900 AEDT
0500 UTC / 1600 AEDT

In Europe: 1930 UTC / 2030 CET 1400 UTC / 1500 CET
0030 UTC / 0130 CET

Saturday, January 8, Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: Radio New Zealand International

RNZI is New Zealand's only shortwave station, broadcasting to the Island nations of the Pacific. Its broadcasts range from Papua New Guinea in the west across to French Polynesia in the east, covering all South Pacific countries in between.

In North America: Mon - Fri 1200 ET / 0900 PT

Sun 1530 ET / 1230 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sun 0100 UTC / 0300 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sun 0100 UTC / 1200 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 1500 UTC / 1600 CET
Sun 0530 UTC / 0630 CET

Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8 2010: Radio Romania International


"A Challenge for the Future" will be taking a look at the challenges Romania is going to face in 2011. And “Practical Guide” brings information on how to take residence in Romania.

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Romania International

“World of Culture” features the Ethnographic Museum of Banat based in the western Romanian city of Timisoara. “RRI Encyclopedia” profiles Ioan Petru Culianu, an outstanding personality of Romania, a world rounded scholar and historian of religions. And in “Roots” the presenters will be talking about a religious holiday, the Epiphany, Romanians celebrated on January 6th.

Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: Radio Romania International

“Inside Romania” finds out why Romanians working and living abroad choose to spend the winter holidays in Romania.

Monday, January 10 and Tuesday, January 11 2010: Radio Romania International

"Pro Memoria" looks at the trivia in the history of the Romanian press.

Radio Romania International broadcast times:

In North America: 0600 ET / 0300 PT
1000 ET / 0700 PT
1730 ET / 1430 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 1230 UTC / 1430 CAT
0530 UTC / 0730 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 1230 UTC / 2330 AEDT
0530 UTC / 1630 AEDT

In Europe: Mon - Fri 0500 UTC / 0600 CET 2000 UTC / 2100 CET

Saturday, January 8 2010: RTE Ireland

"Seascapes" is Radio 1's weekly maritime programme, providing comprehensive coverage of the marine sector presented by Marcus Connaughton.

This week's "Seascapes" features Fish Quota talks; Anne & Steve Redmond; Paul Bourke on Angling and the Battle of Lepanto.

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1430 AEDT

In Europe: 1900 UTC / 2000 CET

Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: RTE Ireland

"Saturday View" puts the political world in context. Each week Rachael English picks the most important stories, sniffs the political winds and fills Studio 5 and often regional studios with newsmakers, their critics and opponents for lively debate.

While the main focus is on the Dáil and the home stories, the outside world is not forgotten and the big international stories are regularly discussed.

In North America: 1400 ET / 1100 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT
1930 UTC / 2130 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1430 AEDT
1930 UTC / Mon 0630 AEDT

In Europe: 1900 UTC / 2000 CET

Wednesday, January 12 2010: RTE Ireland

"This Week" gives you an in-depth look at events making the news in the past seven days. Tune in to hear Irish views and commentaries.

In North America: 2100 ET / 1800 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1430 AEDT

Saturday, January 8, Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: United Nations Radio "UN and Africa"

"UN and Africa" is a weekly, 15-minute radio programme that aims to cover topical and current affairs-related stories about what the UN is doing for Africa, in Africa and about Africa.

For over a month now, people from Côte d'Ivoire have been seeking refuge in neighbouring Liberia, victims of the uncertainty and post electoral tensions in their country. Many are women and children who have experienced war before. UNHCR has registered 22,000 Ivorian refugees in Liberia.

Tens of thousands of people continue to flee Somalia as violence continues to grip the country. Refugees have made their way to camps in Kenya and Djibouti, but some of these desperate people prefer to try their luck at travelling further afield in search of a better life, a decision which can often have fatal consequences.

The top United Nations envoy for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga visited the Somali capital Mogadishu on Tuesday. The visit came as the Somali government continues its efforts to create stability. The government has completed a roadmap to achieve that in the next 8 months.
In North America: Sun 2045 ET / 1745 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sat 1130 UTC / 1330 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sat 1130 UTC / 2230 AEDT
Sat 2030 UTC / 0730 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 0515 UTC / 0615 CET
(WRN Newsletter 419)

RSI will continue daily programs on WRN

Radio Slovakia International has published the following message on its English website:

“We are very sorry to inform you that from January 1, 2011 Radio Slovakia International (RSI) will no longer broadcast on shortwave. The decision was made by the Government and the management of Slovak Radio in order to enable all sections of Radio Slovakia International to utilize modern technology and function effectively. This, however, doesn´t mean we will cancel our daily shows. From now on our broadcast will be available for you via satellite at www.wrn.org and via internet at www.rsi.sk. The good news is our website gets a fresh new design, which shall make it easier for you to access, browse and enjoy our programmes. Our team would like to sincerely thank everyone who’s been in touch with us via shortwave. We hope you will stay with Radio Slovakia International in the upcoming year and we will do our best to satisfy your thirst for information about Slovakia. We look forward to your constant feedback via email, online social networks and letters.”
(Source: Radio Slovakia International/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Slovakia International - multilingual services

Effective to: 01 January 2011

Time UTC Target Area Freq Azi

English
0100-0130 North America 6040 305
0100-0130 South and Central America 9440 245
0700-0730 South Asia and Australia 13715 75
0700-0730 South Asia and Oceania 15460 85
1730-1800 Western Europe 5915 275
1730-1800 Western Europe 6055 285
1930-2000 Western Europe 5915 275
1930-2000 Western Europe 7345 285

French
0200-0230 North America 6040 305
0200-0230 South and Central America 9440 245
1800-1830 Western Europe 5915 275
1800-1830 Western Europe 6055 285
2030-2100 Western Europe 5915 275
2030-2100 Western Europe 7345 285

German
0800-0830 Western Europe 5915 275
0800-0830 Western Europe 6055 305
1430-1500 Western Europe 6055 305
1430-1500 Western Europe 7345 285
1700-1730 Western Europe 5915 275
1700-1730 Western Europe 6010 285
1900-1930 Western Europe 5915 275
1900-1930 Western Europe 7345 285

Russian
1400-1430 Eastern Europe and Asia 9540 50
1400-1430 Eastern Europe and Asia 13625 65
1600-1630 Eastern Europe and Asia 6190 65
1600-1630 Eastern Europe and Asia 7240 50
1830-1900 Eastern Europe and Asia 5915 50
1830-1900 Eastern Europe and Asia 9485 65

Slovak
0130-0200 North America 6040 305
0130-0200 South and Central America 9440 245
0730-0800 South Asia and Australia 13715 75
0730-0800 South Asia and Oceania 15460 85
1630-1700 Western Europe 5915 275
1630-1700 Western Europe 6010 285
2000-2030 Western Europe 5915 275
2000-2030 Western Europe 7345 285

Spanish
0230-0300 South America 6080 265
0230-0300 South America 9440 245
1530-1600 Western Europe 9445 265
1530-1600 Western Europe 11600 245
2100-2130 Western Europe 9460 245
2100-2130 South America 11610 245
(BCL/via Alokesh Gupta)

WRN Newsletter Schedule

Dear Listener,

Welcome to the latest edition of the WRN Newsletter which keeps you informed of upcoming programme highlights on WRN's English networks that broadcast to North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

Happy Reading and Happy Listening!

The WRN Broadcast Team

Please send emails to contactus@wrnbroadcast.com or letters and postcards to WRN Broadcast, PO Box 1212, London SW8 2ZF, UK. You can also reach us via fax at +44 20 7896 9007 or via telephone at +44 20 7896 9010.

Programming at http://www.wrn.org/ as follows:

Sunday, September 19 2010: A Prairie Home Companion

This week "A Prairie Home Companion" is getting ready for next week's Season Opener, Street Dance & Meatloaf Supper with a remix of opening shows from the past few years. Connie Evingson sings "Autumn in St. Paul", Sara Jarosz sings "Song Up in Her Head", and Butch Tompson plays "The Working Man Blues". GK reads "The Wild Swans at Coole" by William Butler Yeats, The Old Crow Medicine Show live up to their raucous reputation, and we make a stop by the reference desk at the Herndon County Library to check in on Ruth Harrison. The hangdogs of honky-tonk, Austin's Derailers, sing "Who's Going to Mow Your Grass", Jerry Douglas asks "Who's Your Uncle", and in Lake Wobegon, Dorothy at the Chatterbox Café is raising eyebrows with a new hairdo.

In Africa and Europe: 1100 BST / 1200 CET / 1200 CAT

Asia Calling
Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 2010:

Developed to reflect the lives and reality of citizens across the region, "Asia Calling" is a weekly radio programme from Indonesia’s Radio News Agency KBR68H.

This week on "Asia Calling":

Bangladesh’s foreign funded anti-terrorism unit accused of extra-judicial killings: What happens when a country’s elite police force begins to murder its own citizens? That’s what’s been happening since 1994 in Bangladesh when the Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB was set up to counter criminality. Rights groups have documented over 1200 cases where people were gunned down by the RAB in extra-judicial killings known as ”cross-fire ”. Our reporter in Bangladesh, Ric Wasserman investigates.

A much needed free lunch for Indian school children: In India, that old adage "there's no such thing as a free lunch" is just about dead, it seems, at least for millions of the teeming country's school kids. Jasvinder Sehgal in Jaipur reports on what the Indians claim is the world's most ambitious scheme aimed at feeding children a free, healthy lunch.

What’s it like wearing a burqa?: A burqa is a piece of clothing that covers a woman from head to foot. There is small opening for the eyes, but the rest of the body, except the hands, are covered. The burqa is usually made of light clothing. In some parts of the world it’s essential for Muslim women to wear it outside the house. 24 year old university student Gulali Ismael is a Muslim women’s rights activist from the Pakistani capital Islamabad. She wanted to know what it was like for Afghan women who are in some regions forced to wear burqas. So she travelled to the town of Jalabad and went to a market. Mudassar Shah went along with her.

Kicking the Habit in Rajasthan: India’s poppy fields are a precious commodity – both locally and globally. In 2007 alone, the Indian government reported that it produced almost 350 tones of raw, legal opium for the international pharmaceutical industry. Running alongside this legal trade, however, is a thriving black market. In the desert state of Rajasthan in India’s west, people’s thirst for opium is at its greatest. Here, the drug’s availability coupled with its use in traditional ceremonies has led to widespread addiction. At the frontline is a small detoxification centre. Which – for almost three decades – has been waging a battle using unique and sometimes controversial tactics, as Lauren Farrow reports.

In North America: 2230 ET / 1930 PT

In Europe: 2100 BST / 2200 CET

In Africa and Asia 1100 UTC / 1300 CET / 1300 CAT

ABC / Radio Australia - Saturday, September 18 2010:

To find out about all the latest inventions and technological progress made in many different fields, tune in to Radio Australia's science magazine "Innovations"… A showcase of Australian design, discovery, invention, engineering and research skills!

Sunday, September 19 2010: Radio Australia

From dreaming to depression, addiction to artificial intelligence, consciousness to coma, psychoanalysis to psychopathy, free will to forgetting - "All in the Mind" explores the human condition through the mind's eye.

In North America: 1530 ET / 1230 PT

In Europe: 0830 BST / 0930 CET

Radio Guangdong
Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 2010:

Radio Guangdong, established in October 1949, is a leading radio group in south China. Radio Guangdong programmes cover political, economic, social and cultural issues; programmes about Guangdong, programmes about Guangdong people and programmes linking Guangdong with the world.

This week on "Guangdong Today": Citizens Utter Opinions for the Asian Games Vehicles Lanes / Brand-name products zone to set up in 108th Canton Fair / NBA China Games will come to the Guangzhou International Sports and Entertainment Center in October / Official English publication for Asian Games unveiled.

In “Asian Games Live!”, an American artist, Daniel Krause, who has been living in Guangzhou for over two decades, will tell us what he thinks are the most important changes which have taken place in the city ahead of the Games and how the Guangzhou Asian Games have given a boost to the development of Guangzhou’s art scene. Find out more in “Asian Games Live!”

At “My Guangdong”, Rolf, the boss of a Swedish restaurant in Guangzhou, will explain his ambition of opening a wine-bar and restaurant in Guangzhou. But luxury wines aren’t his only passion and during his free time he can be found roaming the streets of Guangzhou in search of small traditional restaurants.

In North America: Sat 1200 ET / 0900 PT
Sun 2030 ET / 1730 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sat 0015 UTC / 0215 CAT
Sat 1600 UTC / 1800 CAT
Sat 2045 UTC / 2245 CAT
Sun 0800 UTC / 1000 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sat 0015 UTC / 1015 AEDT
Sat 1600 UTC / 0200 AEDT
Sat 2045 UTC / 0645 AEDT
Sun 0800 UTC / 1800 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 2045 BST / 2145 CET

Radio Netherlands
Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 2010:

In "The State We're In" Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

Socialite in the slums: Ever since police massacred eight street kids in 1993, Yvonne Bezerra de Mello has devoted herself to educating the children of Rio de Janiero’s slums. Her school attracts international attention for its success, while she’s attracted death threats.

Behind the cute smiles: Paul Peterson was a Mouseketeer and Donna Reed’s TV son. Today, he campaigns against the exploitation of children in the entertainment industry.

It’s the thought: Radio Netherlands Producer, Dheera Sujan, thought she was doing the right thing when she offered to finance the education of a young boy she met in Malawi. But the boy’s family disowned him as a result of her gift, and she’s still haunted over whether she did the right thing.

Sounds of the earth: Luis Szaran is Paraguay’s most famous musician and conductor, and he’s started a programme to get musical instruments (many of them made from junk) to kids from poor, rural areas and city slums.

The laugh that would not die: Listener Lisabet de Vos and her cousin shared a chuckle about the supposed correlation between the size of a man’s index finger and another part of his anatomy. They broke out laughing when they went to a public lecture and glanced at the keynote speaker’s large hands. She confesses all to Jonathan about her ‘laugh that wouldn’t die’.

Sunday, September 19 and Monday, September 20 2010:

This week's book on "Radio Books": The Distance - by Jeroen Theunissen.

Belgian poet and novelist Jereon Theunissen was born and lives in Ghent. His story 'The Distance' is about homelessness - but not the sort we usually think about. A Canadian man takes a job with a mining company in a remote part of the world. He is oblivious to local protests, understands little of the local language and sets off on a vacation which could change his perspective.

Monday, September 20 and Tuesday, September 21 2010:

"Network Europe" - a collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters. A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Wednesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 23 2010: Radio Netherlands

"Reloaded" is a chance to catch up with some of the highlights from recent programmes: the best, the most interesting or newsworthy, or sometimes the funniest, chosen by the producers and presented by Mindy Ran.

Friday, September 24 2010:

In "Earth Beat" Marnie Chesterton looks at the footprint we are leaving on our planet and runs stories of the people trying to make that footprint lighter.

This week's topic: considering creative ways of reinventing and reusing space. The presenters discover how disused urban areas can take on a whole new meaning and visit a palace where chickens take pride of place.

Radio Netherlands broadcast times:
In North America: 0800 ET / 0500 PT
1800 ET / 0300 PT
0000 ET / 2100 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 1000 UTC / 1200 CAT
2200 UTC / 0000 CAT
0400 UTC / 0600 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 1000 UTC / 2000 AEDT
2200 UTC / 0800 AEDT
0400 UTC / 1400 AEDT

In Europe: 1930 BST / 2030 CET 1400 BST / 1500 CET
0030 BST / 0130 CET

Radio New Zealand International
Saturday, September 18, Sunday, September 19 and Monday, September 20 2010: Radio New Zealand International

RNZI is New Zealand's only shortwave station, broadcasting to the Island nations of the Pacific. Its broadcasts range from Papua New Guinea in the west across to French Polynesia in the east, covering all South Pacific countries in between.

In North America: Mon - Fri 1200 ET / 0900 PT

Sun 1530 ET / 1230 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sun 0000 UTC / Mon 0200 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sun 0000 UTC / 1000 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 0530 BST / 0530 CET
Sat 1500 BST / 1600 CET
Sun 0530 BST / 0630 CET

National Public Radio
Saturday, September 18 2010: NPR "Fresh Air"

"Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programmes. Though "Fresh Air" has been categorised as a "talk show", it hardly fits the mould. Its 1994 Peabody Award citation credits Fresh Air with "probing questions, revelatory interviews and unusual insights". And a variety of top publications count Gross among America's leading interviewers. The show gives interviews as much time as needed, and complements them with comments from well-known critics and commentators.

In "Fresh Air" this week, Singer Theo Bleckmann talks about his love of show tunes and avante garde music. He has a new CD called "I Dwell in Possibility".

In Europe: 1100 BST / 1200 CET

Radio Romania International
Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18 2010:

This week, "A Challenge for the Future" talks about a recent revolutionary discovery made by Romanian researchers: the telocytes. They are cells, which alongside stem cells can help diseased organs, such as the heart, recover.

Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 2010:

"World of Culture" will be featuring contemporary writer Mircea Cartarescu, the best selling writer in Romania at present, whose work has been translated in dozens of languages. “RRI Encyclopedia” will talk about Romanians and federalism. And the “Roots” will look at the healing power of plants.

Sunday, September 19 and Monday, September 20 2010:

This week "Inside Romania" looks at an interesting and new phenomenon in Romania – music and juggling in the Circus Park in Bucharest, a phenomenon which is widespread across Western Europe.

Monday, September 20 and Tuesday, September 21 2010:

"Pro Memoria" will look at the reign of King Carol II of Romania.

Tuesday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 22 2010:

The "Business Club" brings a report on the beer market in Romania.

Thursday, September 23 and Friday, September 24 2010:
"Traveller's Guide" invites us to the festival of cheese and smoked mutton hosted by the town of Bran, in Brasov county.

Radio Romania International broadcast times:

In North America: 0600 ET / 0300 PT
1000 ET / 0700 PT
1730 ET / 1430 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 1230 UTC / 1430 CAT
0530 UTC / 0730 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 1230 UTC / 2230 AEDT
0530 UTC / 1530 AEDT

In Europe: Mon - Fri 0500 BST / 0600 CET 2000 BST / 2100 CET

RTE
Saturday, September 18 2010:

"Seascapes" is Radio 1's weekly maritime programme, providing comprehensive coverage of the marine sector presented by Marcus Connaughton.

This week on "Seascapes": Heave Away, a sea shanty special with special guest Pat Sheridan, a distinguished singer, collector and enthusiast of maritime folklore, a member of the Press Gang; Garland: Warp Four and known for his outings with the late Liam Clancy and Poland’s Brasy.

In Africa and the Middle East: 0230 UTC / 0430 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0230 UTC / 1230 AEDT

In Europe: 1800 UTC / 2000 CET

Sunday, September 19 and Monday, September 20 2010:

"The Irish Voice" is an eleven-part documentary series based on the sounds of Ireland over the last century presented by Brendan Balfe.

The series brings alive the cultural life of Ireland through its musicians, playwrights, authors, composers, performers, poets and pop stars. There will also be room for the bystanders, spectators and eyewitnesses to major events, as well as the ordinary citizen.

While concentrating on Ireland, the programmes also feature the Anglo-Irish and European experience, as well as the contribution Ireland has made to American culture, not least on stage and film.

In North America: 1400 ET / 1100 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT
1930 UTC / 2130 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1330 AEDT
1930 UTC / Mon 0530 AEDT

In Europe: 1800 UTC / 2000 CET

Wednesday, September 22 2010: RTE Ireland

"This Week" gives you an in-depth look at events making the news in the past seven days. Tune in to hear Irish views and commentaries.

In this week's headlines: Taoiseach Brian Cowen explains the Government's decision to split Anglo Irish Bank and says that the cost of capitalising the bank will be known next month.

Colm Ó Mongáin looks at the job prospects for the 14% of the labour force that are unemployed.

In North America: 2100 ET / 1800 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1330 AEDT

Thursday, September 23 2010:

The arts and culture programme "Arena" looks at what's on in the world of arts and entertainment and is presented by Seán Rocks.

"Arena" features guests and items from the worlds of movies, television, music and literature.

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1330 AEDT

United Nations Radio
Saturday, September 18, Sunday, September 19 and Monday, September 20 2010: United Nations Radio "UN and Africa"

"UN and Africa" is a weekly, 15-minute radio programme that aims to cover topical and current affairs-related stories about what the UN is doing for Africa, in Africa and about Africa.

This week's topics:

Security is a major issue in Sudan in the run-up to the referendum on independence for the southern part of the country in January next year. Upper Nile state played a strategic role during the two decade civil war between the north and the south. With the onset of the rainy season, the UN mission has found a new way of patrolling the region.

Experts from around the world are set to gather in Vienna next week to discuss cancer in developing countries. Treating cancer patients is a challenge in Africa. A South African cancer treatment expert says the continent is short of hundreds of machines for radiotherapy.

The 1994 genocide Rwanda left scars to the country’s population. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) is working to bring justice for the genocide victims. At the same time, an ICTR officer says there is progress in the promotion of reconciliation in Rwanda.

In North America: Sun 2045 ET / 1745 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sat 0930 UTC / 1130 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sat 0930 UTC / 1930 AEDT
Sat 2030 UTC / 0630 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 0415 BST / 0615 CET

WRN via the Internet

WRN's website, http://www.wrn.org/ provides information about all our partner broadcasters plus links to their websites.

The website hosts an extensive range of archived, on-demand programmes and you can also listen to WRN’s North America stream live 24/7.

RealGuide Directories

You can also access WRN's North American internet streams by choosing one of the following RealGuide Directories:

Europe: http://europe.real.com/guide/home/

United Kingdom: http://uk.real.com/guide/home/

Brazil: http://brazil.real.com/guide/news/

Latin America: http://latam.real.com/guide/news/

Spain: http://spain.real.com/guide/news/

Italy: http://italy.real.com/guide/home/
(WRN Newsletter 406)

WRN extends Moscow station to 24 hours service

WRN has announced that, as of 28 June, its Moscow AM station on 738 kHz has been extended to continuous 24 hours a day operation. Vsemyrniya Radioset, which translates as World Radio Network, broadcasts the best Russian language news and feature programmes from the most respected international radio broadcasters, alongside local content from Russian broadcasters.
Previously the station broadcast from 0600 to midnight, local time. However, there was much interest in it being on air round-the-clock. This has resulted in the decision to take the station 24/7 as of 28 June.
Karl Miosga, WRN’s Chairman, said: “We are delighted with the success of the Moscow station which has been on the air for the past three years. Russia is a dynamic and fast changing country and its geopolitical position on the world stage means having a voice in Moscow is becoming increasingly important. We would like to invite any broadcasters or producers with programming in Russian or English to contact us to hear about opportunities to be heard in this important city.”
(Source: WRN/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

WRN partners with DX Media to launch NME Radio on Sky

WRN, the international London-headquartered TV and radio transmission company, has partnered with DX Media, the multimedia music company, to launch NME Radio on the BSkyB digital platform. NME Radio is a new multi-platform radio station featuring the best alternative Indie music and the latest in music related news. The station is currently undergoing test transmissions on Sky and will launch officially on the 24th June on channel 0184.

NME Radio will also launch on additional digital platforms including Virgin Media and NME.com website. Sammy Jacob, founder of Xfm and Managing Director and Co Founder DX Media, will co-ordinate the launches across the various platforms.

The station’s move onto digital platforms follows the launch of NME TV in November last year and is being operated under licence by multimedia music company DX Media.
NME is a British weekly music magazine.
(Source: WRN/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

WRN expands with KBCS

London-based WRN has partnered with Seattle community radio station KBCS FM to re-broadcast its 24 hour news and current affairs channel. The station will now have access to programming from international broadcasters such as KBS in Korea, RCI in Canada and RNWI in the Netherlands.

KBCS has already had a great listener response to its new programming. Peter Graff, Programme Director at KBCS, says “WRN is a great fit for our information-hungry listeners, providing global news and perspectives that push beyond what’s on the radio dial here in Seattle.”

Marina Lois, Product Development & Distribution Manager at WRN, says “KBCS is a leading speech radio station in the Washington state market and WRN is very happy to be able to provide them with news and current affairs programming from its North American network.”

Set up in 1973, KBCS 91.3 FM is staffed entirely by volunteer presenters and has a public service remit to serve the communities of Seattle.
(Source: Radio Today)

WRN networks go spodtronic

WRN’s international radio networks go mobile with spodtronic:
(January 18th, 2008)

WRN, the international television and radio transmission company, has made two of its 24/7 international news and current affairs radio networks available to mobile phone users via the spodtronic content hub.

WRN’s two channels, one English and the other German, provide listeners with some of the best international news and current affairs programming from public broadcasters around the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

spodtronic is the first worldwide radio and podcast content Hub delivering the total Radio Experience to mobile broadband users. The application enables the delivery of audio content (radio broadcasts, podcasts and also with Musicovery, a personalised radio service) synchronised with relevant visual content. Users can access more than 600 live radio stations (from both FM and Internet radio stations) from all over the world.

Marina Lois, WRN’s Product Development and Distribution Manager, says “WRN’s distribution strategy for its various international radio networks has mobile platforms at its centre because they offer our programme partners a new way of reaching listeners and offer listeners a convenient platform on which to access high quality international content. Through their content hub, spodtronic provides WRN and its radio networks with access to listeners via their Nokia handsets and we are delighted to offer listeners a unique and comprehensive range of news and speech content.”

Mikko Linnamäki, CEO of spodtronic’s Liquid Air Lab, adds: “WRN is a very strong international partner and features interesting and important content in different languages. Our Users will derive huge benefit from this cooperation. They can now receive comprehensive global news delivered by WRN, wherever and whenever they want. This makes our spodtronic application with its more than 600 radio stations from all over the world even more valuable to our Users.”
(Source: WRN via Media Network Blog via Md. Azuzul Al-Amin, Bangladesh)