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The Australian government has put on hold the auction of new digital television licences, which were intended for providing new channels and mobile DVB-H television, according to a report in Melbourne's Age newspaper.

Known as channels A and B, one channel was going to be allocated to so-called datacasting and community television, with possible broadcasters including the indiginous broadcaster NITV, and the other was earmarked as a pay-TV service for mobile phones.

The new government plans for a technical and policy review before committing to an auction of the spectrum.

The World Radio TV Handbook have released their second update for 2008.

Continue reading "WRTH 2008 Update Supplement 2 released"

Radio Prague have announced the release of a special QSL card, celebrating the 85th anniversary of the commencement of regular broadcasts from Czech Radio.

To get one of your own, listen to their broadcast on May 18th, 2008 and then send a reception report to: Radio Praha, Vinohradská 12, 120 99 Praha 2, Česká Republika.

Nielsen Media research have released the results of the third 2008 radio ratings survey for Australian metropolitan stations, with some surprises in a couple of markets.

Continue reading "Australian Radio Ratings, Survey 3, 2008"

Inside the CBC is reporting that Canada's national broadcaster is to launch new channels in the coming 18 months, including a 24 hour news channel. Additionally, Radio One will be redeveloped and Radio Two will be repositioned - again, much to the dismay of some listeners.

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that it is unlikely that Australia's commercial television operators will launch any new digital standard-definition multichannels as soon as they are legally allowed to do so. From January 1st, 2009, the previous government's restrictions on such channels will lapse. All three major commercial networks are currently allowed to broadcast separate programming streams on their high-definition channels, but in currently tend to limit multichannelling to afternoons and late evenings.

The BBC and ITV have launched a free satellite service for viewers in the UK. FreeSat will carry 80 television and radio channels - and 200 by the end of 2008 - and will primarily be of interest to viewers who are unable to receive the terrestrial digital broadcasting service FreeView.