Kim Andrew Elliott
22 February 2018
The Broadcasting Board of Governors, consisting of VOA, RFE/RL, Radio Free
Asia, Radio/TV Martí, Radio Sawa and Alhurra, is slated for a $24 million budget
reduction in fiscal year (FY) 2019.
Of course, Congress will review and probably will modify the President's
budget request for BBG and other agencies.
Here are excerpts from the budget request pertaining to shortwave:
"TSI [Technology, Services and Innovation, i.e. BBG engineering] continues
to move the BBG from traditional broadcasting technologies, such as cross-border
radio transmissions shortwave (SW) and medium wave (MW serving regions where
these platforms are no longer popular, to other delivery systems that are
rapidly growing in effectiveness and are less expensive to operate (e.g.,
FM radio, DTH satellite, internet streaming, mobile, and social media).
...
"As part of its multi-year global network realignment, TSI will continue to
focus efforts on upgrading its shortwave capacity at the Kuwait Transmitting
Station, even as use of SW decreases. With superior strategic location and
extremely low operating costs, this station will be able to serve the
overwhelming majority of legacy SW audiences in the most cost-effective manner
possible, at a fraction of the cost of other BBG operated site or expensive
leased capacity. ...
"Over the years, the use of shortwave (SW) radio has declined globally. TSI
has responded by consolidating broadcasts to more cost-effective transmitting
stations and reducing or even eliminating SW where it is no longer relevant. In
markets where SW does still retain a sizable, valuable audience, TSI is
committed to making SW service available in the most cost-effective way
possible. To meet this need, TSI has been upgrading the Kuwait Transmitting
Station (KTS), which enjoys a superior strategic location and extremely low
operating costs. In FY 2017 TSI continued to expand that facility, and in FY
2018 TSI will procure and install new antennas. In FY 2019, TSI is committed to
investing in the KTS expansion further, utilizing whatever resources may be
available, in order to realize longer-term savings. Ultimately, the BBG's goal
is to be able to serve most legacy SW audiences from this one site, at a
fraction of the cost of all the other transmitting stations, so that other, more
expensive sites may be scaled back or closed.
Philippines relay will close
"In FY 2017, TSI completed the closure of the station in Sri Lanka and in
FY 2018 will close the BBG facility in Poro, Philippines. TSI's systematic and
thorough review of all transmission leases will continue in FY 2019, identifying
further opportunities for savings. In the years between 2010 and 2016, total
costs associated with Cross Border Radio (SW and MW ) have declined by over $25
million (34.5%), and we expect this decrease to continue as we respond to market
needs and as the Administration and Congress authorize us to shutter less
effective legacy facilities …
"[I]n China, including Tibet, TSI will continue to provide satellite TV and
radio service via Telstar 18, the most popular satellite in China, for only a
fraction of the cost of the BBG's legacy shortwave and medium wave transmissions
to the region. This allows TSI to leverage the widespread use of satellite
receiver dishes across the country and provide accessible programming where
local cable and internet access is restricted. In FY 2018, TSI will procure
additional satellite capacity on this satellite, allowing BBG to simultaneously
distribute HD and SD TV programming and capitalize on the migration of Chinese
audiences to HDTV, while not stranding legacy SD users. …
"Radio remains a very popular platform in many BBG markets, particularly
Africa. BBG global weekly radio audiences increased by a stunning 28 million in
2016 alone and by 35 million since 2012. While shortwave continues to be a
relevant means of delivery in several African markets, in most countries rapid
growth and competition in the media market have shifted radio habits almost
entirely towards FM. The BBG provides 24/7 FM radio programming in over 30
markets across the continent. …
But good news for Kuwait and Greenville stations
"As part of its multi-year global network realignment, TSI will continue to
focus efforts on upgrading its shortwave capacity at the Kuwait Transmitting
Station, even as use of SW decreases. With superior strategic location and
extremely low operating costs, this station will be able to serve the
overwhelming majority of legacy SW audiences in the most cost-effective manner
possible, at a fraction of the cost of other BBG operated site or expensive
leased capacity. …
"The BCI [broadcasting capital improvement] funds in FY 2018 (and base
funds in FY 2019) will be used to continue the planned reconfiguration and
expansion of the shortwave broadcast infrastructure at the Kuwait Transmitting
Station. This will allow BBG to enhance transmission to multiple regions,
including Africa, and achieve cost savings for shortwave broadcasts. Because of
the very low cost of electrical power in Kuwait, the Kuwait Transmitting Station
is the least expensive IBB station to operate. This project will allow the
agency to shift mission-critical but higher cost transmissions from other
stations in the IBB network to Kuwait.
"TSI will install and deploy three newer SW transmitters at the Greenville,
NC Edward R. Murrow transmitting station enabling a doubling of frequencies
servicing Cuba and making it extremely difficult for the Cuban government to
effectively block Radio Marti signals into the Island. …
"To serve audiences in less developed areas of the world, the BBG must
continue to broadcast via traditional technologies, such as shortwave, and
maintain capability and improve efficiency on these platforms by replacing
antiquated equipment. But to stay relevant in competitive news markets and serve
current and future audiences, the BBG must continue to invest in new
cutting-edge technology. In areas where ownership and usage of shortwave radio
has declined significantly, the Agency has evolved away from broadcasting in
that medium. The BBG has closed transmission stations, repurposed equipment and
invested these savings in platforms that the audience has shifted to, primarily
television and digital media."
The entire FY2019 BBG budget submission is here:
https://www.bbg.gov/strategy-and-performance/budget-submissions/
