Changes at GOD TV

GOD TV have announced that. as from Thursday 1 February, GOD UK (formerly known as GOD 2 and the Revival Channel) will become known as The GOD Channel and will move to the new SKY channel 760.

The GOD Channel will carry the full schedule of the new GOD TV America channel - with special peak viewing time events time-shifted for peak viewing in European time.

The existing GOD Channel output will remain unchanged but the channel will now be known as GOD EUROPE and will now air on SKY channel 761.

For the time being there are no changes for viewers on cable and other European satellites.

GOD TV's Behind the Screens programme will come LIVE from Plymouth UK at 8.30pm on Thursday 1st February when the channel will share more about these changes at GOD TV. The programme will also update the latest news about the channels distribution in the UK, Germany and Africa, together with an announcement about the channel's new Prayerline.

Weblink

• www.god.tv

DAB in Ireland

Ireland presently has no Digital radio network but this year will be carrying out an experiment with a small DAB network on the east coast of the country

The network will be receivable from South County Dublin up to Dundalk and will also cover parts of countries Kildare, Meath and Monaghan – covering a population of Ireland’s national broadcaster.

Two transmitters will be used for this experiment – one located on Three Rock and overlooking the City of Dublin – the other at Clermont Carn in County Louth.

The network is being set up by the engineering of RTE – Radio Televis Eirinn – Ireland’s national broadcaster.

UCB have been selected by RTE to provide a radio service on one of the channels on this experimental network, sitting alongside programming from the likes of RTE1 and Today FM – the sound of Christian radio returning to the airwaves of Ireland – and returning by invitation !

Opposition from State and Church

In some parts of Russia opposition from the church is compounding opposition from the state to restrict spread of the Gospel through broadcasting

Magadan oblast is an area in northeastern Russia, better known as ‘the Kolyma’, after the largest river flowing through the area.

The history of Magadan oblast is a history of mining - since little other activity took place there - the area being dotted with countless mines, mostly gold mines but there are also tin, uranium and silver mines.

All the mines were operated by the Soviet labour camps, the GULags, with - especially in the Stalin era - millions of forced labourers being brought to the Kolyma to extract the gold from the rivers and the rocks.

People could be sent to these camps virtually at will. Common charges leading to many years of forced labor could simply be arriving to work 10 minutes late, or taking a few sheets of paper from the office.

Some estimates say 3 million people perished in this ‘prison without walls’.

After Stalin the GULags continued, but on a slightly lesser intense scale. But still many people perished in the frozen north.

It is about this area that Olga, from the New Life Radio Team, writes:-

It becomes more and more difficult for Church mass media to get through, that is if you work outside the Russian Orthodox Church. In the 1990’s we did not have that many bureaucratic hindrances.

We still keep our radio station as a recording studio. Praise God that we have finances to pay for rent and communal services for 6 months. And we all are surviving, everyone as he or she can.

We are trying to get in touch with other radio stations in Russia to find somebody who will connect in vision and share the workload. But the situation is chaotic. The director of Theos Radio Rudi Vins wrote that they want developing this ministry in million-population cities.

It is all so sad. In spring I met a pastor who lived in Khabarovsk and now is a missionary in Magadan. I asked him to cooperate and develop the radio ministry in the Far East. This is possible now via Internet. Magadan has the only radio ministry in this region. But Alexander told me how he was a witness how the Christian radio was closed in Khabarovsk – all the senior pastors at a Baptist union council meeting voted against Christian radio in Khabarovsk.

Last spring the director of Transmirovoye radio from Moscow visited us with prison ministry. In an interview he said that he often meets with the church leaders in Moscow and encourages them to support Christian radio.

As director Peter said, only after closing the Christian mass-media in Russia, the churches will understand what they are about to loose. His studio has time on Radio Russia, they are allowed to broadcast for only 3-5 minutes and have to pay very big money as it is considered advertisement time.

We also have lost the local support. Although there are still many opportunities, we do not have the necessary documents.

Partnership in Papua New Guinea

HCJB Global is partnering with the government of Papua New Guinea to make a difference in the lives of people through radio.

About 35 radio transmitting stations are being planned to cover the geography of that country.

HCJB will be responsible for all of the equipment in the network and for training the people who work at Wantok Radio Light, the main broadcasting centre and HCJB partner located a Port Moresby.

The New Guinean government is also partnering with the project by granting all licenses up front - 35 to start with. HCJB and Wantok Radio Light will be responsible for all broadcast content. The only proviso from the government is that they have access to the network in situations of national emergency.

Currently funds are being gathered for both this network radio project and to purchase 50,000 fixed tuned solar powered radios to distribute as each radio transmitter goes live.

Web Links

• Wantok Radio Light
• HCJB Global
  

GOD TV Documentary

It is reported that Channel 4 television is planning to make a controversial documentary, fronted by actor Keith Allen, about GOD TV.


Web Links

• GOD TV
• Channel 4
• Keith Allen
  

Radio impacts Guerrillas

Colombia is a country plagued with kidnappings, drug trafficking, and civil unrest. Guerrilla fighters are responsible for much of it. The clashes between guerrillas and government troops are common. However, Christian radio appears to be having an impact on the hearts and lives of some of the guerrillas who are living in the jungle.

Trans World Radio was the tool God used to lead a guerrilla member to Christ, says TWR's Jim Munger. Munger says, while Trans World Radio broadcasts on powerful AM and short-wave transmitters, they also broadcast on local FM stations. "It was one of these local stations, a small FM station, that could be heard by the guerrillas and he was listening to the Gospel on that station."

Read the full story on Mission Network News

Licence Applications in Scotland

Licence applications for two new Christian radio stations in Scotland have been lodged with Ofcom.

Alive Radio is based in Dumfries and has broadcast a number of times under Restricted Service Licences, the last being during the summer of 2006. Alive's application appears to be uncontested and in an area with ample space on the radio dial; the application is therefore likely to be judged only on its merits.

Contact information for Alive Radio is:-

Address: 2 Norfolk Terrace, Glencaple Road, Dumfries, DG1 4AR
Contact: Ian Faulds
Phone number: 01387 270294
Email address: mail@aliveradio.net
Website: www.aliveradio.net

Highland Christian Radio is based in Inverness where there has been an interest in Christian based radio for some time. There is a further licence application in this area, from Ness FM which is likely to be based in the Caledonian Stadium. Inverness is also home to the commercial radio station Moray Firth Radio which was originally licenced on the basis of being a community service.

Contact information for Highland Christian Radio is

Address: Steading Cottage, Upper Cullernie Farm, Balloch, Inverness, IV2 7HU
Contact: Leo Rose
Phone number: 01463 798151
Email address: leo@ccbf.net

HCJB Global Technology

HCJB's "ENGINEERING CENTER" BECOMES "HCJB GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER"

Reflecting the mission’s recent name change to HCJB Global from HCJB World Radio and an expanding vision, the HCJB engineering center in Elkhart, Indiana, has been renamed the HCJB Global Technology Center.

Director David Russell said the new name better encompasses all areas of ministry that staff members have become involved in since 1986 when the center was established.

“We felt that ‘engineering’ was too specific. ‘Technology’ is more encompassing. It can include technical support, training, maintenance and installation as well as design and development,” he explained. “For us it may eventually include support of medical and community development outreaches, in addition to broadcasting.”

Staff members at the center have been involved in research, development, manufacturing, training and technical support for AM, FM and shortwave radio stations as well as satellite distribution and satellite-based Internet services.

In recent years the staff has developed a fixed-tuned, solar-powered SonSet radio that can be pre-tuned to pick up specific Christian radio stations. Engineers at the center have also been pioneers in the development of equipment to implement digital radio broadcasting using the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standards.

The HCJB Global Technology Center has worked with local partners worldwide to help start more than 300 radio ministries in more than 100 countries since the early 1990s. The center also has an active apprenticeship program designed to provide an avenue for recent college graduates with technical degrees to gain first-hand experience in using their skills for work in Christian missions. The center’s staff consists of about 50 missionaries, employees and volunteers from many different disciplines.

The technology center also changed its Internet address to www.hcjbtech.org

UCB UK launches on DAB

UCB UK today became the first Christian radio station to broadcast on a UK DAB network.

UCB UK can be found on Switch Digital's Greater London DAB Network. Coverage extends beyond the M25 ring, out beyond Guildford in the south-west, Harpenden in the north-west, Epping and Basildon in the north-east and Maidstone and Sevenoaks in the south-east.

A larger coverage map can be found at www.ucb.co.uk/images/NGW_london_map.pdf


UCB News Release

Christian Radio Goes Digital in London
United Christian Broadcasters, one of the UK's leading Christian media charities, today launches the UK's first Christian DAB radio station in London. A little over three years since it received its Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) licence, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) is pleased to announce the launch of its DAB digital radio station in London on January 15th 2007. This is a significant breakthrough for Christian radio broadcasting. UCB's DAB radio station is the first Christian digital radio station to be launched in London. Founded in 1986, UCB's objective has always been for national Christian radio broadcasting, but the passing into law of the Communications Bill in July 2003 meant that UCB would never be able to hold national AM or FM broadcasting licences. However, as UCB's Chief Executive, Ian Mackie, pointed out, there was 'light at the end of the tunnel': 'While the door to national AM or FM broadcasting was firmly closed, a new door opened. UCB was able to apply for DAB digital radio licences for local, regional and national coverage.' Although successful with its application for a DAB licence, at that time UCB discovered there was no capacity on the national DAB digital radio network and this situation was unlikely to change for several years. While national Christian radio broadcasting remained UCBýs top objective, UCBýs strategy became one of establishing a national network, region by region. 'As soon as we heard about capacity opening up in London, we immediately registered our interest', continued Mackie. Daniel Rose, Digital Development Director at Switchdigital, added: 'We are pleased to welcome UCB UK to the bouquet of services provided on the Greater London II multiplex, further increasing listener choice available on digital radio in the area.' Initially, UCB's DAB radio station will mirror UCB's flagship station, UCB UK, which is heard across the UK and Ireland on digital satellite, digital cable and the Internet. Air time for content and programming which reflects local/regional needs will start to be made available almost immediately, as Robbie Frawley, UCB's Radio Stations Manager, pointed out: UCB is already well-connected in London. We have plans to ensure compelling and relevant broadcasting in London and the Greater London area. We are keen to hear from individuals and organisations in the area to make sure we don't miss anything.' UCB's DAB Digital Radio station ident will be: UCB UK CHRISTIAN
05-Jan-2007	- UCB

HCJB World Radio changes name

For 75 years HCJB World Radio has been a leader in Christian radio, pioneering communicating the Gospel through radio around the world.

Over the 75 years HCJB World Radio diversified its work so that the 'World Radio' did not reflect the diversity of the mission. The HCJB health care ministry is now about 50-percent of their budget but is not represented in the old name

HCJB World Radio has now become HCJB Global with sub-brands of Global Voice and Global Hands.

Global Voice encompasses tradition radio - FM, AM, Short-wave, satellite distribution, internet technology, and other technology direct to home programming - and other mass-media technology.

Global Hands includes their hospitals and clinic and medical missions work in disaster areas.

The name change is also reported as reflecting an intentional change from doing the work themselves, to helping the national church.

Challenges in Moldova

Due to an unexpected twist in new governemental legislation in Moldova, 9 out of 12 radio station licenses held by Little Samaritan Mission are in danger.

The month of January 2007 will be a challenging time as they await governmental decisions regarding new media regulations which will affect 9 of their stations. Please keep this in your prayers.

At midnight on 1st January 2007 Romania became a fully integrated member of the European Union. This is expected to have an effect on the Little Samaritan Radio network, the largest Christian radio network in Europe as they make new adjustments, reforms, etc. according to EU standards.

Little Samaritan report that a new radio station in Zimnicea Romania will be opened as soon as they have the necessary funds to do so. ($16.000 USD)

A book “Echoes” volume 2 is in preparation and it is hoped that by Easter it will be ready for press in Romanian and English. Once printed it will be available for friends and supporters to read about the impact the Little Samaritan Mission has had in Moldova and Romania through the ministry of radio broadcasting and humanitarian relief.

Phare FM Expands

Phare FM, broadcasting from Mulhouse in north-east France, has announced an extension to the range of tranmsitters and locations the station can be heard in.

The station is already active on 95.3 FM from Mulhouse, 94.9 FM from Louvetot in Northern France and 84.6 FM from Montauban in south-west France.

From the end of January the station will become audible on 107 FM from Port au Dauphine and on 96.6 FM in Grenoble in south-eastern France.

Alaskan Stations Need People

The state of Alaska in the United States is two and a half times the size of Texas but has a population of only about 600,000 people. Half of these live in Anchorage with the remainder in more distant locations which often have no churches.

Northern Light Network, part of SEND International, operates two radio stations in Alaska, KCAM and KRSA currently broadcast in Glennallen, Petersburg, Haines, Sitka, and Wrangel.

Both stations have staffing needs. One has only two staff members, while the other has five staff members. Both need people.

Since they are commercial radio stations, they need people who have an ability and desire to do sales work, a function not normally associate with missions. They also need people who have an affinity for news and people who like to do sports broadcasting.

UCB Re-Brand for DAB

Established in the UK over twenty years ago and first broadcast as UCB Europe, the name of United Christian Broadcaster's flagship radio station has changed from January 2007 to UCB UK.

While the UCB Europe service has been available across Europe via satellite since 1993, the broadcasts have always been in the English language with listener response primarily coming from the UK and Ireland.

During this period UCB have begun working alongside other Christian broadcasters across Europe in Denmark, France, Estonia and many other countries. Rather than the name of a radio channel, UCB Europe has begun to represent a forum in which Christian broadcasters can meet and share ideas together from across European nations.

The vision of UCB International has always been to bring national Christian radio to individual nations; to date this has not been possible in either the UK or Ireland. With this vision still clearly in mind, the step of faith was taken to rename UCB Europe as UCB UK.

This change of name also better positions UCB for imminent additions to their broadcasting opportunities.

From 15th January 2007 UCB UK will become available on Switchdigital's greater London DAB multiplex, serving a population of over 8.5 million people and the first Christian radio station to become available on a DAB network in the UK.

UCB Ireland has recently submitted an application for an available AM/FM network and is also investigation other opportunities to bring an all-Ireland Christian radio service.