An Organization of U.S. International Broadcasters

Bringing News and Information to People around the World in 60 LanguagesOn October 1, 1999, the Broadcasting Board Governors (BBG) became the independent federal agency responsible for all U.S. government and government sponsored, non-military, international broadcasting. This was the result of the 1998 Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act (Public Law 105-277), the single most important legislation affecting U.S. international broadcasting since the early 1950s. Every week, more than 155 million listeners, viewers, and internet users around the world turn-on, tune-in, and log-on to U.S. international broadcasting programs. While the "Broadcasting Board of Governors" is the legal name given to the Federal entity encompassing all U.S international broadcasting services, the day-to-day broadcasting activities are carried out by the individual BBG international broadcasters: the Voice of America (VOA), Alhurra, Radio Sawa, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio and TV Martí, with the assistance of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB). The broadcasters and the IBB are described below. If you would like to find out more about the individual organizations and their broadcast activities, please visit their websites.
The Voice of America

The Voice of America broadcasts on radio and television in 45 languages to an estimated audience of more than 115 million people each week. In addition, computer users logon to VOA’s Internet site (www.VOAnews.com) for news and information. VOA radio provides around-the-clock, reliable news, balanced reporting, and informative features. VOA focuses on countries that lack a strong, independent media. The VOA Charter (Public Law 94-350) requires that broadcasts (1) be accurate, objective, and comprehensive; (2) represent all segments of American society and present a balanced and comprehensive view of significant American thought and institutions; and (3) clearly present the policies of the United States. VOA-TV produces programs in more than 20 languages, including news reports, feature magazines, and live call-in shows. TV broadcasts include original and acquired programs that reflect American life along with discussions on United States foreign and domestic policies. VOA’s Internet provides continually updated news and information with photos, audio and video. RSS feeds and Podcasts are also available.
Alhurra

Alhurra (Arabic for "The Free One") is a commercial-free Arabic-language satellite television channel for the Middle East devoted primarily to news and information. It covers 22 countries in the Middle East via the same satellites used by major indigenous Arabic channels. Alhurra also has a special Iraq stream, distributed via the Arabsat and Nilesat satellites as well as terrestrial transmitters. In 2006, Alhurra launched a third network, targeting Arabic speakers in Europe via the Hotbird satellite.In addition to reporting on regional and international events, the channel broadcasts discussion programs, current affairs magazines and features on a variety of subjects including health and personal fitness, entertainment, sports, fashion, and science and technology. The channel is dedicated to presenting accurate, balanced and comprehensive news. Alhurra endeavors to broaden its viewers' perspectives, enabling them to make more informed decisions.
Radio Sawa

Radio Sawa, a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Arabic-language network, is unique in the Middle East. It broadcasts an upbeat mix of Western and Arabic pop music along with up-to-the-minute news, news analysis, interviews, opinion pieces, sports, and features on a wide variety of political and social issues.Radio Sawa (www.radiosawa.com) originates its broadcasts from studios in the Washington, DC area and Dubai, U.A.E. as well as news bureaus throughout the Middle East. It is broadcast across the region, using a combination of medium wave (AM) and FM transmitters, digital audio satellite, shortwave and Internet. Radio Sawa has six streams tailored to specific parts of the region, including Egypt, the Gulf, Iraq, Lebanon, the Levant, Morocco and Sudan.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty is a private, nonprofit, U.S. government-funded radio broadcaster to Southeastern and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Central and Southwestern Asia. RFE/ RL broadcasts more than 1,000 hours of programming in 28 languages every week. All RFE/ RL broadcasts are also streamed live and on-demand over the Internet; audio, video and text in English and the broadcast languages is available from its website, http://www.rferl.org. Listeners in countries stretching from Belarus to Bosnia and from the Arctic Sea to the Persian Gulf rely on RFE/RL's daily news, analysis, and current affairs programming to provide a coherent, objective account of events in their region and the world.
Radio Free Asia

Radio Free Asia (RFA) is the principal U.S. surrogate, BBG grantee, broadcaster in Asia. Founded in 1996, RFA broadcasts in 9 languages to China, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and North Korea. RFA broadcasts about 200 hours per week, primarily on shortwave. RFA also audio streams broadcasts in all 9 languages over the Internet. RFA broadcasts news, information, and commentary and provides a forum for a variety of opinions and voices from within Asian countries. Its broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any medium regardless of frontiers.
Radio and TV Martí - The Office of CubaBroadcasting

The Office of Cuba Broadcasting directs the operations of Radio and TV Martí, which broadcast accurate and objective news and information on issues of interest to the people of Cuba. In accordance with the Broadcasting to Cuba Act of 1983 (Public Law 98-111), Radio Martí follows Voice of America journalistic standards and guidelines. Radio Martí broadcasts news and a variety of feature and news analysis around the clock on shortwave, AM, and the Internet (www.martinoticias.com). TV Martí produces eight hours of original programming daily, including two 30-minute newscasts. The station broadcasts commentary and information about events in Cuba and elsewhere to promote the free flow of information and ideas in that country.
International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) IBB manages the operations of the Voice of America and Radio/TV Martí. IBB also provides engineering and technical operations, including domestic and overseas transmitting stations, satellite, and Internet delivery systems for all BBG broadcasters. Broadcast transmissions include direct-to-home satellite, AM, FM, Internet, digital audio satellite, and shortwave. In addition, IBB has offices of marketing and affiliates, performance review, research, policy, public affairs, human resources, and civil rights.

CCA-TBN Partnership Gives Second Chance to Inmates

LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2008 – In the spirit of giving and genuine forgiveness, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) have joined forces in order to extend prisoners across the United States a real Second Chance at life.
A new initiative of TBN’s worldwide family of networks, Second Chance is a program that allows wardens and chaplains of eligible prisons, jails, and re-entry centers to choose up to four of TBN’s unique faith-based networks for inmates to view at their own discretion. Second Chance is a voluntary program, completely free of charge to the correctional institutions, and receives no funding from government taxpayer dollars.
CCA, the nation’s largest corrections management company to federal, state and local government, recently signed an agreement to bring Second Chance into its nationwide corrections systems, which today includes 65 correctional centers. Together with TBN’s commitment to providing creative, faith-based programming with the power to change lives, the two organizations hope to reach the more than 75,000 offenders housed in CCA’s correctional centers in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
“Our organization – whose mission is firmly rooted in a philosophy that bears out the value of rehabilitation – is an avid supporter of programming for its inmates,” says Dennis Bradby, Vice President of Inmate Programs at CCA. “We are dedicated to playing a strong leadership role in effecting behavioral changes in America by influencing how offenders think and how they channel their thoughts in order to achieve appropriate solutions.”
Founded in 1983, CCA is the fifth largest corrections system in the nation. Responsible for founding the private corrections industry, the organization owns and operates prisons, jails, and detention facilities for male, female and juvenile populations, and the company serves all three federal corrections agencies, nearly half of America’s states, and numerous local municipalities.
CCA boasts a strong commitment to improving lives and, as such, offers a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, life skills, employment training, substance abuse treatment, and work and recreational programs.
“We are honored to have this opportunity to offer the Second Chance program to viewers who can truly benefit,” says Amy Fihn, TBN’s Second Chance Director. “The program is a unique tool for inmates housed in CCA facilities, one that can help bring them to a healthier level emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Second Chance prepares inmates for success when they eventually re-enter society.”
TBN’s Second Chance – developed as a companion to already-established rehabilitation programs, and to meet the growing needs for cross-generational, cross-cultural, and multi-denominational television programming opportunities for inmates of all ages – is completely free. Once installed, only inmates who specifically choose to watch Second Chance programs will be able to voluntarily view the networks.
“Second Chance is thoughtful, reassuring, faith-based programming that is truly rehabilitative, helps to rebuild inmates’ lives, and reduce recidivism,” adds Fihn.
Using KU band satellite technology, TBN will make four of its unique faith-based networks available for CCA’s diverse inmate populations to view twenty-four hours a day, including JCTV, for juvenile offenders; The Church Channel, which features top speakers from various denominations; TBN Enlace USA, offering faith-based programs entirely in Spanish; and TBN, the nation’s most requested faith-based channel. TBN will also cover the cost of all necessary satellite reception equipment and installation, customized for each facility with technical assistance provided by Glorystar Satellite Systems.
To learn how to get TBN’s Second Chance into a correctional facility, find out more about the program, or make a donation, simply log on to www.TBNSecondChance.org, or call 619-276-7020.
About TBN
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is the world's largest religious network and America's most watched faith network. Each day TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming those appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. Beginning in 1973 as a single UHF station in southern California, TBN now reaches every major continent via 70 satellites and more than 12,500 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of the total households. Its website receives more than 27 million visitors monthly. For more information on TBN, visit www.tbn.org.
About Corrections Corporation of America (CCA)
CCA is one of the largest prison operators in the United States, second only to the federal government and three states. CCA operates 65 facilities in 19 states, managing more than 75,000 offenders. The organization’s numerous rehabilitation and educational programs are designed to reduce recidivism, and prepare inmates for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA was named by FORBES magazine as the Best Managed Company in the country in the area of business services, and is ranked as one of the top 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine. For more information about CCA’s faith-based inmate programming, contact John Lanz, CCA’s Director of Faith-based Programs, at 615-263-3112 or email John.Lanz@correctionscorp.com.

Critically Acclaimed Mini-Series “Jesus of Nazareth" Premiers on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Sunday, Jan 13th, 7:00 PM PST

Jan 11, 2008 (Los Angeles) -- Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world leader in faith-based and family friendly television programming has confirmed that the critically acclaimed 6 hour mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) which chronicles the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus based on the accounts given in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John will begin airing this Sunday, at 7:00 PM PST on TBN. (See program schedule below or visit http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/1029.html )
The epic all-star cast of “Jesus of Nazareth” includes: Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier, Michael York, James Mason, Rod Steiger, and Robert Powell as Jesus.
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli (OTELLO, HAMLET) the series was film on location in Italy and in the U.K.
TV Guide called “Jesus of Nazareth” "the best miniseries of all time" and "unparalleled television.”
Newsweek, writer Harry F. Waters wrote “"Rarely have the humanity and divinity of Christ been evoked with as much passion, sensitivity, and ecumenical deference as Zeffirelli has brought to the story."
A review in Variety reads: "Passion, beauty, and brilliant storytelling are all on display in this six-hour-plus epic from Italian director Franco Zeffirelli. Robert Powell is superb in the title role, and with the overwhelming success of this TV movie throughout the world, has perhaps become what Jesus looks like in many people's minds. The story begins with the arrangements of the wedding between Joseph and Mary, and chronicles the nativity, the encounter with John the Baptist (a ferocious Michael York) and everything up to the crucifixion and resurrection. This film is beautifully shot on actual locations, with haunting music by Maurice Jarre and an all-star cast, including Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier, Ian Holm, Ernest Borgnine, Peter Ustinov, James Mason, Anthony Quinn, Rod Steiger and Christopher Plummer. Zeffirelli has created a thorough, but never dull or dogmatic, retelling of the story, and the result is a uniquely transcendental film that holds the power to inspire no matter what the viewer's beliefs or background."
TBN Program Schedule:
Special show times: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

About TBN
TBN is the world's largest religious network and America's most watched faith channel. Each day TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming that appeals to people from a wide variety of denominations. TBN now reaches every major continent via 54 satellites, and more than 12,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of the total households. Its website receives more than 27 million visitors monthly. In addition to TBN, the network owns and operates seven networks, including: The Church Channel, JCTV youth network, TBN Enlace USA Spanish network, and Smile of a Child TV children's network. For more information on TBN, visit www.tbn.org. All TBN programs are subject to change without notice.

2GHz transition

This is the year broadcasters and Sprint have vowed to accomplish several key milestones. In response to the current plans to complete the relocation of all BAS users by August 2009, the FCC has allowed an extension to March 2009, and may consider a further extension to August 2009.
Some DMA clusters, including top 30 markets, have relocated in March 2008. This means broadcasters must be ready for the cutover or risk mobile satellite system interference. In a worst-case scenario, a station could end up paying for the relocation itself.Midpoint status
Most stations are halfway through the eight-phase process, which includes:
* Phase 1. Market kickoff — 100 percent complete. * Phase 2. Inventory submission — 100 percent complete. * Phase 3. Inventory verification — 100 percent complete. * Phase 4 (halfway point). Quote submission — 95 percent complete. Broadcasters select vendors, obtain quotes and develop estimates. * Phase 5. Frequency relocation agreement (FRA) — 65 percent complete. The relocation contract includes the agreed to quote package. Creating the FRA can take from two to more than eight weeks. * Phase 6. Purchase orders and vendor fulfillment — beginning stages. Many broadcasters negotiate dock swapping at this stage. This is a process to exchange FRA equipment on the vendor's dock for something else. Here, stations can trade spare or portable equipment. * Phase 7. Equipment installation — beginning stages. Stations install the equipment, perform tower work and system commissioning and complete their staff's training. Stations can go live with digital narrow in place sometimes long before the DMA cutover. * Phase 8. Retune and market closeout — beginning stages. Stations in a DMA cluster retune to the new BAS channel plan. If a station has problems, the DMA cluster reverts to the old channel plan and reschedules the cutover. Stations send the old equipment to Sprint for destruction and settle the final financial aspects of the FRA.
Checklist
Let's look at some ways to ensure a positive project outcome. The following sections will cover antenna and tower studies, filters, LNAs, transmission control and cables, transmitters, receivers, remove slaves and antenna controllers, spectrum monitoring, central controllers, IFB, fixed links, portable equipment, cutover and implementation, and dock swapping.Antennas and tower studies
Sprint generally does not pay for replacement antennas. The company only pays for antennas when filter or remote control issues make it necessary. Stations often need to replace remote antenna controllers (slaves) to facilitate spectrum monitoring back at the station or central control point along with standard telemetry. These slaves often are incompatible with existing antenna pan/tilt units. In these cases, Sprint may agree to cover a complete replacement.
Most antennas are slated only for feed upgrades where the LNA is replaced with a new phase-stable unit and PCS/AWS filtering.
Some antenna vendors will not build filter switching as part of feed upgrades. This means you'll probably have to replace the antenna if you need filter switching. Filter switching is often needed for Ch 1 or Ch 2 to use during the transition phase. For those channels, you also may need pre- and post-relocation filter switching. (See the “Filters” section below.)
If you are replacing the antenna, be sure the replacement feed horns have the same polarity as the original system. Also, consider the need for a tower study if other equipment will be added to the tower. Ask the tower manufacturer whether a study is required. If so, Sprint will pay for it.
A note on portable and spare antennas: Sprint will generally not pay to replace single golden rod antennas. However, the company will generally pay to replace dual golden rod antennas.
If you need a tower study, provide the information to your engineering firm early. The firm will require a lot of data, and it may take you a while to gather it. The engineering firm will assume that the tower is in proper plumb and alignment and has correct bolt tightness, without significant deterioration or damage to any components. If you know of any tower issues, be forthright and admit them.Filters
Filters or switches located at ground level do not constitute a reason for an antenna replacement, because new filters and switching are installed in the same location. If this is the case, consider an up sell and pay the difference out of pocket. Then install filters and switches in front of the LNA. That way, the filters will prevent overloading and other linearity problems.Omni antennas
Omni antennas mount on ENG trucks using COFDM modulation allow trucks to transmit as they travel down the road. Diversity receivers at the other end maximize your chance of recovering the signal of a vehicle in motion. But all COFDM receivers have increased ability to recover signals where the multi-path characteristics are changing with location.
Digital modulation provides better rejection of unwanted adjacent signals, so channel filters may not be needed. However, if your site is close to a cell tower, then all bets are off. A cell transmitter can radiate 1500W to 2000W of power, and if close enough to your site, problems can develop. Consider mounting your equipment higher than the cell antennas to reduce the amount of cell RF reaching the antennas.
Stations that use a Ch 1 and Ch 2 must install the new BAS filter only after their market cuts over. New users of the abandoned old Ch 1 and Ch 2 frequencies will most likely not occupy the frequencies immediately, so you will likely have time to schedule the necessary tower work.
Ch 10 users need a special BAS filter. The standard filter combines three parallel and cascaded filters: the Ch 1 to Ch 7 band pass filter, a stop band filter between Ch 7 and Ch 8, and a second Ch 8 to Ch 10 band pass filter. To simplify the filter design, the Ch 10 filter has a gentle roll off skirt, making that channel unusable. A special Ch 10 BAS filter adds a brick-wall filter for Ch 10.

LNAs
LNAs are commonly powered by the receiver, a standalone power supply or a power line from the remote control slave. A portable or spare LNA usually does not have a remote control slave. This requires that new radios be equipped with a diplex kit or that you provide a standalone bias-T power supply. Many portable and fixed link receivers include it, but some central receivers only provide this feature as an option.
Transmission and control cables

ENG receive antennas can be quite complicated devices, especially when filter switching and other bypass options. The authors have seen antennas that can have seven different configurations switched between. Add local serial and parallel control and one or two LNAs, and the antenna can weight in at a few hundred pounds.
Antenna control cables have not changed much since the 1980s. Typically, this means you can reuse existing cables — unless you change antenna manufacturers. Keep in mind that some of the major vendors' OEM antennas are from the same manufacturers. However, even if you use the same manufacturer, the pin-out may change to support new features. Also, manufacturers sometimes use a serial control protocol to compensate for the need for more conductors.
If you use fiber on the tower, you will need new electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical interfaces. Sprint may agree to cover this if the overall cost is comparable.
Consider your path carefully. Digital LNAs have gains in the 20dB to 30dB range. The minimum signal required at the bottom of the cable run is 4dB to 5dB C/N. A 7/8in transmission line has a loss of about 1.86dB/100ft @ 2GHz, and a 1-5/8in line has a loss of about 1.13dB/100ft @ 2GHz. While the LNA sets the noise floor, the attenuation of the line determines the noise floor increase at the receiver.
Transmitters
A 10W+ analog transmitter will usually be replaced with a 5W digital one. A 10W or lower power analog transmitter will be replaced with a 1.5W digital transmitter. Digital 5W transmitters may require an external power amp and revert to lower power without it. Some two-part transmitters optionally bypass the PA from the truck unit.
If you are replacing a multiband radio, Sprint may have allowed for a new 2GHz radio while disabling the analog 2GHz part of the old radio.
Receivers

Most receivers provide for front panel telemetry, and some even overlay that information on a monitor video output.
Remote slaves may supply LNA power. However, if you need the receiver to power the LNA, ensure your quote includes that option. Another option in most radios is 2-VSB, 4-VSB or 8-VSB. COFDM is better at overcoming multipath effects, but VSB has as much as a 3dB lower C/N ratio requirement. If distance is important, VSB modulation is a plus.
If the receiver feeds a transmitter, use the ASI feed instead of the IF output. The IF output will have more errors, and ASI has a fixed 19.3Mb/s rate with more FEC.
Sprint allows you to upgrade to single-input diversity receivers. Manufacturers are likely to work with you to enable additional inputs at competitive prices. While diversity receivers have many advantages, by their nature they generally do not support VSB.
Remove slaves and antenna controllers

Remote slave units at the receive site talk to the central controller and control the receive antenna. These units need to be robust to drive antenna position, filter switching and provide LNA power. They are also used to accept receiver spectrum data and package it along other receiver and antenna telemetry and send it back to the central controller.
Antennas are lightning targets. Sprint will cover the cost of surge suppressors, even if they are considered an extra option.
Remote slaves use modems for two- or four-wire systems. Some are configurable on-site. Others need to be specifically configured, and you need to spell that out in your request for quote (RFQ). Consider purchasing spare modems.
Spectrum monitoring
Digital receivers require spectrum monitoring, so be sure your new equipment includes the necessary software and hardware. The receiver and remote controller protocol needs to be compatible to provide spectrum monitoring features. Also, be sure your link supports a fast enough refresh rate to maintain the spectrum display. This typically requires at least a 19.2Kbaud link.
If your receive site is at the station without a central controller, you are eligible for standalone spectrum viewing on a PC.
Central controllers

Central controllers control multiple receive sites at once, and they are generally touch-screen devices. They also display receive signal health characteristics, as the old method of looking for best video in the analog world doesn’t necessarily make for the most reliable signal in the digital world.
Central controllers manage multiple remote slaves. Sprint will allow one modem per remote slave line. Modems are housed either in the central controller or connected via USB or Ethernet. Stations with a single controller usually get USB connectivity. Those with multiple controllers get Ethernet.
IFB
IFB for DENG remotes is like IFB for satellite remotes. You need mix-minus feeds between studio and talent, even over cell phone links.
Do not give up any two-way radio capability. In some cases, Sprint may pay for continuous duty two-way radios for IFB. Stations currently using Pro Channel are eligible for Pro Channel 3 receivers, which provide side-tone or secondary audio to eliminate backhaul delay issues.
Cell phone users, keep in mind that FCC rule 47 CFR 64.402 encourages wireless operators to provide priority access service (PAS) to emergency responders. This means that in the future, you might be covering the biggest stories without cell phones. If that happens, do you have a backup plan?
Fixed links
Many of these issues are also appropriate for fixed links. Work through each of the questions and issues for those links too.
Portable equipment
Many stations use portable equipment for stationary applications. If so, hopefully the expense to install the new equipment was included in your project as Sprint typically covers these costs.
Cutover and implementation
You can move your fixed link to the new frequency immediately after you install the new equipment, as long as it does not cause interference. Otherwise, you will have to stay on the old channel until your DMA cluster cuts over.
Before starting installation, discuss your LAN topology, including IP address schema, with your vendors and integrator. Provide them with detailed information about any custom antenna mounts or other unique issues. Schedule the integrator only after you receive all equipment and hardware, and provide clear dock swap documentation to the installers.
If you install a BAS filter during the first tower climb, you must not use Ch 1 or Ch 2 until the cutover. However, you can continue using the existing PCS filter until after cutover. Then you can schedule the tower crew for a second climb. You will need to schedule the tower crew on cutover weekend to replace channel filters, if you agreed to operate nonswitched channel filters in the current band plan.
Once you have a cutover date, coordinate site access, power reductions or off-air time with joint tenants and building managers. Remember to start the license modification process early. Otherwise, you may delay the cutover for the entire DMA cluster.
Dock swapping
Most manufacturers allow broadcasters to swap equipment in the vendor's quote for other equipment. Often the broadcaster will exchange extra spare and portable equipment for something now considered more desirable. The newly selected equipment is shipped in lieu of the gear originally quoted by the vendor to Sprint. As far as Sprint is concerned, it has agreed to give the vendor a certain amount of money based on a vendor's approved quote. Whatever agreement you and the vendor come to for exact equipment is between the two of you.
However, be careful. Some equipment vendors may prohibit this process or will charge you hefty restocking fees. The reason is that Sprint has already paid for some equipment to be built in advance of actual orders. Now some vendors want to minimize the amount of product left on the shelf when this project is completed.
Final thoughts
Many stations are now in a quiet period in their projects where the FRAs are still winding through Sprint's approval process. Don't waste this downtime. Recheck your plans, and be sure you haven't forgotten something. When it does come time to move, you don't want to discover that a key component has been overlooked. You will save yourself the embarrassment of holding up everyone in your DMA.

The Revolution will be televised

Broadcasting used to consist of a limited number of large, government-licensed organisations distributing a small number of radio and television channels to massive, captive audiences. The audiences, generally divided into national markets, would turn on their TV or radio to receive the programmes the broadcaster decided to produce for them - at the time they decided to transmit them - often paying taxes and enduring advertising for the privilege. New communication technologies are turning this model on its head, putting programme consumers and creators first.
Overview ¦ Example ProjectsPlay videoMobile televisionMobile televisionView all Broadcasting videos
Information & Communication Technologies allow individuals to create and broadcast their programmes from their desktop to people around the world, who can watch it when they want on their TV, PC, mobile phone or any other Internet-enabled device.
While the broadband Internet is revolutionising the broadcasting, music and cinema industries, more traditional broadcasting tools are also evolving: digital TV allows interactive information services without the need for PCs; internet radio stations are multiplying to satisfy a thousand unfilled niche markets; mobile TV services are expected to reach 69 million global subscribers by 2009.
Example Project: WORLDSCREEN
A complete, optimised high quality workflow for digital cinema, providing effective and seamless handling of film data from acquisition to post-production and transmission. ... more
more example projects
While this revolution challenges Europe's broadcasting industry, it also offers incredible opportunities to reach global audiences. Europe's industry is well placed to exploit these opportunities, with numerous world-class broadcasters from both public and private sectors already providing content to global markets.
But it will need to invest and adapt. Europe-wide broadcasting rules provide the industry the certainty it needs to invest and a huge 'home market', allowing it to grow and prosper globally. Europe is updating these rules to account for the Information Society revolution, and helping all levels of the industry develop and use the new technologies.
Two examples:
* digital TV broadcasting needs only a fraction of the radio spectrum used by analogue to provide the same services and coverage. Switching to digital could thus potentially free up very valuable frequencies for new applications, stimulating innovation. The Commission is therefore coordinating and accelerating the switchover across Europe, allowing industry to plan its long-term growth with certainty - see the Electronic Communications > Digital Broadcasting site; * TV is going Mobile, offering immense opportunities for European broadcasters, mobile network operators, content providers and equipment suppliers. None of these very diverse organisations, however, can act in isolation - they need to work together, across Europe, to create a successful new industry - see the Mobile Broadcasting theme;

Warner Bros. to Take Over Daytime Programming for The CW

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution will supply programming for The CW’s 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekday block, according to a pending deal between the corporate cousins.
Beginning this fall, The CW, jointly owned by CBS and Warner Bros., will air Telepictures Productions’ rookie court show Judge Jeanine Pirro from 3 to 4, followed by a comedy block featuring The Wayans Bros. and The Jamie Foxx Show.
Eventually, The CW would like to have two full hours of first-run product in the block by next year. WBDTD and The CW originally discussed doing that immediately, but decided to just start with one hour for now.
While the network does promote prime time in the block, CW executives know the daytime court audience is not exactly the core Gossip Girl viewership. The daytime block marks one-third of the 30 hours the network programs.
But CW chief operating officer John Maatta says the move gives CW affiliates stronger programming in the block, which leads into comedies on most stations at 5. “Mainly we hope this will help our stations, which ultimately will help us,” he says. “This is an affiliate play for Tribune and our other stations.”
WBDTD president Ken Werner says the block is a perfect transitional lineup for the stations, which have early afternoon talk shows (like Maury and Jerry Springer) and court shows until 3, and then go into comedies at 5.
The block had consisted of comedies including All of Us, What I Like About You and Reba.
“If you look at the available audience, the combination of court with some iconic stars in sitcoms seems like a smart strategy,” Werner says.
The Wayans Bros. and Jamie Foxx are also probably better fits with the stations’ daytime audience, and are both well known to the former UPN stations that are now carrying The CW.
Maatta says the network looked at several first-run genres including court, talk and game shows, and talked to several potential partners. But keeping the pipeline in the company through a barter arrangement made financial sense and he was happy with the product WBDTD offered him.
“Obviously our partners at Warner Bros. have expertise in the genre,” Maatta says.
The new court show will originate in Chicago. Fellow gaveler Greg Mathis (Judge Mathis) will consult and his executive producer, Bo Banks, will handle the same duties for Pirro.
WBDTD previously had a show featuring Pirro, the former Westchester County (N.Y.) District Attorney and regular contributor to Fox News Channel in development. But until now the company never found a launch vehicle that made economic sense.
Telepictures president Hilary Estey McLoughlin hopes Pirro’s personality and experience, which includes a recent run for New York State Attorney General, will help her stand out in the crowded court genre.
And Werner is unconcerned by a perceived glut of court shows.
“All of court is down, but when you find a personality you think will work, you place that bet,” he says. “More often than not those bets have worked out for us.”