DAB plug-in for iPods and Mobiles

There are now over 300 products in the market capable of receiving a DAB signal, with the entry price for a DAB radio now under £15.

Industry sales figures show cumulative sales of DAB capable radios stood at over 7 million at the end of April

It is reported that Channel 4 is in talks with electronic manufacturers about creating a small branded DAB digital radio plug-in for iPods and mobiles phones, with the hope of making them available for no more than £20.

Christianion radio production courses

Whistling Frog Productions (HCJB Global-UK’s radio department) is working with two other Christian organizations to run foundational courses in Christian radio production and broadcasting in the coming months.

Both courses will teach basic skills needed to produce a variety of prerecorded and live radio programs with an emphasis on evangelism.

A two-week residential course with Radio Worldwide will be held in Leeds July 5-18.

Another course will be taught with Canaan College for 10 Wednesday evenings starting Sept. 17 at the HCJB Global-UK office in Bradford.

For details visit http://www.hcjb.org.uk/uk-news/new-christian-radio-course.html

FEBC programming addresses China earthquake

The death toll has climbed over 40,000, and thousands more are still missing in the aftermath of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake on 12th May which devastated the Sichuan Province of China.

While aid is pouring in, Christian radio is having an impact on the survivors.

Far East Broadcast Company Hong Kong is producing a special radio series on disease control and hygiene management. The program is hosted by an experienced medical doctor and broadcast to the Sichuan Province.

FEBC is also planning to deliver free radio sets to the affected area, providing a way for survivors to hear important messages during this critical time.

FEBC-Hong Kong is asking believers to pray and to give generously during this time of need. Funding is needed to help purchase radios, as well as to support the relief, reconstruction and disaster operations in the affected area.

FEBC is partnering with Christian leaders in China to provide emergency assistance and immediate help.

• FEBC
• FEBC Hong Kong
• FEBC International

MuxCo win Somerset local DAB licence

Radio consortium MuxCo have won the licence to operate a local DAB multiplex to Somerset.

This is the eighth local DAB licence that a MuxCo consortium have won. The shareholders of MuxCo Somerset are the UKRD Group, the Local Radio Company and MuxCo, all of which own an equal share.

Seven services are proposed for the multiplex, as well as BBC Radio Somerset, including the broadcasts of UCB UK.

MuxCo Somerset propose to launch the multiplex and all services by September 2009.

The Living Secrets of HIV/AIDS

Trans World Radio is developing a new radio series about HIV/AIDS for the Dhuluo- and Luo-speaking peoples in Kenya, southern Sudan and neighbouring countries

The Living Secrets of HIV/AIDS,” or “Malingling Mag Ayaki,” will be aired twice weekly. 104 fifteen-minute segments will cover topics like dealing with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis, secrets of dealing with HIV in the family, safer ways of disclosing your HIV status, abstinence, integration of orphans into families, health care for AIDS patients at home, and encouraging people to adopt AIDS orphans.

Trans World Radio has been addressing HIV/AIDS since the early 1990s, but only in English and Swahili, which have a broader listening audience than local dialects. Sponsorship raised by TWR’s partner in The Netherlands made possible the development of the new show, in the Luo and Dhuluo languages.

Luo is spoken in Nyanza province, which is the Kenyan province most affected by HIV/AIDS. Kenya has 1.1 million AIDS orphans, and 6.1% of its adults are HIV positive, according to UNAIDS.

As a result of a rise in prostitution, 33% of 15 to 19-year-old girls near the city of Kisumu are HIV-positive, according to a recent study by the National AIDS STD Control Programme (NASCOP).

A regular listener from Zimbabwe explained why he appreciates the daily HIV/AIDS program that Trans World Radio airs in his area, called “Saving a Generation.”

“Undoubtedly HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. Most people here in Africa (south of the Sahara) are affected in one way or the other. If one is not infected, then one is definitely affected. I lost my only brother and his wife to the disease a few years ago.”

• Trans World Radio Africa

One applicant for North Wales DAB mux

Ofcom has received one application for the North Wales local digital radio multiplex licence, that being from MuxCo North Wales Limited.

Shareholders in MuxCo North Wales Limited are Town and Country Broadcasting Limited (70%) and MuxCo Ltd (30%)

MuxCo North Wales Limited is proposing to provide six local digital sound programme services, in addition to BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, including the broadcasts of UCB UK.

They also propose to provide "a wide selection of speech and music podcasts provided by a range of companies".

MuxCo North Wales Limited proposes to commence its service with all six local digital sound programme services within two years of licence award, using a network of two transmitters which it estimates will provide total 'outdoor' coverage of 50% of the adult population of the licensed area.

The full application for this licence will be published on the Ofcom website shortly and Ofcom seeks views on the application by 6 June 2008.

UK Fund Invests in GodTube

UK HEDGE FUND INVESTS HEAVILY IN GODTUBE
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES

The owner of the site, GodTube.com recently won a $30 million investment from GLG Partners, a big London hedge fund.

GodTube offers Christian-content videos, as well as featuring prayer blogs and a Bible you may page through.

The investment put GodTube's value at nearly $150 million, according to PaidContent.org.

Also offered on GodTube are sermons, theological debates, Christian rap videos and skits (for example, the skit "See man watching porn get caught by Jesus!" plays out exactly as the title suggests.)

Introduced in late 2007, GodTube was the fastest-growing web site, as rated by comScore, attracting 1.7 million unique visitors for the month. Traffic to the site remains about the same today.

Meeting the challenges in Russia

Russia covers more area than any other country in the world.

Trans World Radio is finding new ways to broadcast into Russia, after two national radio networks removed its programs from their transmission schedule at the end of 2007 - TWR had been reaching 11 time zones through those channels since 1991.

Former listeners have mourned the loss of TWR’s broadcasts, describing them as “healing, clean, living water.”

Since losing this critical means of spreading the gospel, TWR has begun airing live over the Internet and plans to increase the coverage and airtime of a transmitter in Estonia. Recent statistics demonstrate that 28.7 million Russians or about 25% of the Russian population now uses the Internet, including 695,000 residents of Moscow.

TWR also has a transmitter in Grigoriopol that covers four time zones, and six radio stations in Siberia broadcast TWR programs. The Grigoriopol transmitter broadcasts in Ukrainian and Russian for 90 minutes every day and reaches about 50-60% of the Russian population.

TWR programs in Siberia reach the homes of about a million people in six cities. TWR provides literature for listeners who respond to broadcasts and connects them with local churches. One listener responded to a broadcast teaching that the witchcraft she practiced is wrong.

Shepherd FM - Nepal

from The Nepal Mission Network

Nepal is known as the country having the highest mountains in the world. Somebody once said that Nepal is a sandwich, geographically located between two big countries- China and India. Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. Christianity is still a persecuted minority. According to the government statistic 80.6% are Hindu, 10.9% are Buddhist, 4.2 % are Muslim and Christian are 0.45 %.

In 1990, a multiparty democracy system was formed and new constitution was introduced which allowed a greater degree of religious tolerance and freedom. However, constitutionally the Nepali civil code states that: "No person shall propagate any religion in manner likely to undermine another religion or convert anyone into another religion. In case he has only made an attempt to do so, he will be punished with imprisonment not more than three years. In case if he has already converted any one into another religion, he shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than six years." Thus Christianity is still a persecuted minority and there are many areas in Nepal that people have not heard the Gospel of Jesus.

Due to the diversity of cultures, tribes, castes, religions and languages; Churches are growing faster and faster. Well known author, Peter Wagner once wrote in his Church Growth magazine that "Nepal is the fastest growing church in the world." Indeed, it is true as we observe the growth of Christianity in Nepal. It is really great news for us. God has used each believers, churches, para-church organizations and partnership agencies to bring Good News to many of the unreached people groups of Nepal. These groups have been actively involved and are paying the price for the Gospel in order to plant the churches in every part of Nepal.

Among many tools, God is utilizing media to which has the potential of reaching every home with the Good News of Salvation. Media does not just help bring the message of love, it helps churches to grow in maturity. Church growth would not be possible without the role of media in presenting the Gospel to the people of Nepal. As Christians, the current challenge is to utilize modern technology including FM communication to reach every part of the world with the Gospel of Jesus, in mere fractions of a second.

Most of the believers in the church are rural, ordinary people. The aim is to educate rural area's people by the Gospel through FM media.

Beside this, we are focusing to reach the need to the rural area's young men and women if we equip young men and women of God properly, we can better impact the generations to come. We have great task to equip these young men and women to use their talents, time and treasures for Jesus glory. Therefore, we have been praying for these potential young men and women of God that they will be great tools of God to change the world. After the long prayer and discussion we were able to start Shepherd FM in January 2008 in Banepa. This is a Christian electronic communication media. This FM is dedicated to share Christian news, events, churches, magazines, books, songs; Evangelistic films and other Christian based media will be introduced as well. Through this media we hope to the good news of Jesus Christ to the different languages groups of people in Nepal as well as to help the Christians of Nepal grow in their spiritual maturity.


The goals of Shepherd F.M.

• Perform the Gospel Commission.
• Broadcast in many languages: - Tamang, Newar, Chepang, Sherpa, Danuwar, Limbu, Rai, Jirel, Gurung etc.
• Broadcast mobile FM signal into remote areas by installing relay stations in appropriate areas.
• Broadcast Interviews, testimonies, sermons, Hymns, drama etc.
• Broadcast materials suitable to the spiritual needs and growth of the children and teenagers in Nepal.
• Broadcast programs related agriculture, health, and the environment to help develop community awareness in each of these areas.
• Broadcast a program featuring local Christian writers, singers and pastors to encourage their development of Nepali materials.
• Bring churches, Para-churches, and organizations together in the common platform to work together to fulfill the Great Commission.
• Integrate FM broadcasting with Internet web-casting for Nepali audiences in: Bhutan, Tibet, and North India, and also- in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and gulf countries where Nepalese are present in significant numbers.

This is an organization with large aims. We want to take this opportunity to share our prayer points with each of you. We humbly ask you to remember us in your prayers and thank you for your continued support.

Administrative Structure
This is purely an interdependent and inter-denominational organization to help churches and Para church organizations. It has its own administrative and advisory board to lead this ministry. It has also working committee to assist the administrative and advisory board to make this ministry effective.

Initial needed materials:

• Broadcast Tower
• Antenna
• Transmitter
• EAS System
• Sound Card
• 5 Channel Console
• Monitor Amp
• Monitor Speakers
• Microphone
• Mic Boom
• Shock Mount
• Interface Box
• Dist Amp dual 1x 3
• CD / Cassette
• 1,000' Cable in box
• M/F Connectors
• 275' RF Cable

Station:
The station will be in the Banepa, Kavre district, Nepal.

Income Resources:
1. Advertisement
2. Program charges
3. Resources from National and International churches, organization etc.

Experience:
Since 2000, this organization has been publishing the Nepali Christian Magazine, books, cassettes, Gospel literatures and produces the radio programs.

Finally, we would be glad if you join us in this initial stage to lift this ministry up by your prayer, evangelism expertise, and financial support. This is also a formal invitation to all of you to be a part of this ministry. If you would like to be on our contact list, please let us know and we will keep your contact information in our list and keep you updated with progress of Shepherd FM in Nepal. We are certain that Shepherd FM will be able to win the heart of non believers and secure the heart of those who know Jesus!

We need your fervent prayer and encouragement.

If you want to know more about the Shepherd FM please contact us in this below address:

Sephard F.M.
The Mission Nepal Network
GPO Box No. 21076
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: 977-11-664658
Mobile: 9841-308807
E-mail: shepherdfm@gmail.com
info@missionnepal.net
http://www.missionnepal.net/

Radio stations continue sending Hope

HCJB

While many are struggling to get on the ground in Myanmar and China to respond to the recent catastrophes, HCJB Global Voice has been faithfully reaching these two countries via shortwave.

The mission’s ongoing media efforts are focused on reaching those beyond the reach of traditional ministry opportunities.

Broadcasts in the Rawang language, spoken by more than 140,000 people in Myanmar, began airing from HCJB Global-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra in 2007. Two half-hour programs in this language air daily -- one slot in the morning and one in the afternoon.

A voice of hope is also going into China as the Australian station broadcasts 18 hours of Mandarin programming each week. An additional five hours of weekly programming airs in Fujian, and 10.5 hours of English programming reaches China. The latter broadcasts are designed to help Chinese listeners learn English as a second language while presenting a clear gospel message.

TWR

As the beleaguered nation of Myanmar continues to suffer from the mass devastation caused recently by Tropical Cyclone Nargis, international Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) plans to produce special radio programs offering critically needed health and social care information, emotional support and spiritual care for the hurting and hopeless.

TWR's announcement to begin airing these programs to Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is especially timely given news reports indicating that the estimated death toll is upwards of 100,000 people, with another 1 million having been displaced from their homes.

A media release states that TWR's over-the-airwave assistance strategy involves offering a full year of dedicated 30-minute broadcasts that will provide biblical counseling and care five days a week.

The release says the programming will be specifically designed to help restore the lives and spirits of Myanmar's people. The need for these broadcasts is underscored by the reality that the country has no electricity or telephone connections. Consequently, solar- and battery-powered radio becomes a vital link to the outside world for storm survivors.

"We continue to pray for the Lord's intervention to comfort, heal and provide ways for scores of people in Myanmar who have lost loved ones or have lost their homes and belongings," says TWR's Andrew Sundar, ministry director for Southeast Asia.

"Currently, we are broadcasting existing shortwave programs to Myanmar in both the Burmese and Sgaw Karen languages, but the new relief-focused broadcasts will be vital when it comes to addressing the victims' ongoing needs."

"The people are desperate and broken-hearted and are going to need significant long-term help," says Sundar. "My hope and prayer is that Trans World Radio can provide a voice of lasting hope and comfort in the days ahead."

Answering "why" in Albania and Kosovo

Words of Hope has ministered in Albania for two decades and, today, the team there is entirely indigenised.

Words of Hope helps to proclaim the Gospel through radio and literature.

They already have established Bible study programming aired 5 days a week and a devotional program that is aired 2 minutes a day, every day of the year.

The Albanian team had a new idea for a radio program that deals with contemporary issues and daily life. They include a drama about the issue and then speak on that issue from a Biblical worldview.

After producing over 100 of the 2-minute programs, tragedy struck Albania which simultaneously opened up doors.

In March - just before the first program was ready to be launched - an underground ammunitions depot exploded near the country's capital city. Many people died, and hundreds were made homeless.

"Because there are many such depots buried in various places in the country, there is deep concern that this could happen in the future as well without much warning. So there's a great deal of anxiety," said Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope.

"It was a perfect opportunity to begin to air some of the programs that really speak to the questions of 'why.' That's the title of this short form topical program, and it helped people to grapple with the questions that this kind of tragedy raises," he said.

Albania has Christian radio stations and their signals can be heard beyond the borders of the country. Kosovo has no Christian stations and also has a stronger Islamic influence.

Although much of the influence of both Islam and Christianity was neutralised during the communist regime, there remains some nominal identification with Islam. However, there are some radio stations in Kosovo willing to air Word of Hope's 2-minute Christian programs.

DeYoung said, "We're very excited about this open door for missionary radio, or Christian radio, to be heard inside of Kosovo, and we hope, now that they are enjoying their independence, that there will also be a new dawning spiritually."

National Mourning Delays Launch of Radio Station

On the Pacific islands there is always a very public show of mourning when a family member dies. If a national church or cultural leader dies, the mourning becomes a national event.

In aural cultures, history is marked by the passing of national figures so their death is a time public sorrow and respect. Stories are told. In some countries, songs and dances are developed to pass the stories down the generations. In other countries, people are expected to wear only black clothing and old mats to show humility and respect. And there are special church services and memorial events. Public mourning for an important person can sometimes last for months.

The death of a prominent local leader on The Marshall Islands has prompted the decision, out of respect, to delay the launch of The Change 104.1FM, originally planned for April. Steve Clarke (Field Coordinator for Missionary Ventures) and the staff in Majuro wisely decided a public opening and celebration for the new station would be inappropriate.

Imagine a picture of atolls like strings of little beads, embedded in an Ocean of blue. - that’s the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

• The Marshalls are in Micronesia. On the equator, half way between Hawai'i and Australia.
• 62,000 people living on 5 small islands, and 29 small islets and atolls.
• The country has few resources and is economically dependant on aid from the USA.
• The islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites.
• Kwajalein Island is the famous World War II battleground, and a US missile test range.
• The island of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands and because of
  its very small size, is one of the most densely populated places in the Pacific.

Steve and Shawn Clark are Field Coordinators with Missionary Ventures. They are based at Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, where they run a Christian school and Bible training Centre to train local people to reach their own nation for Christ.

Steve and Shawn help local Christians minister to the isolated communities that can
only be reached by boat . . . or by radio.

The Change 104.1FM was originally planned using one high-powered transmitter which would cover the whole country. However, the very high costs for electricity made this system too expensive to operate.

With the help of UCB Pacific Partners, Steve has now set up a low-power transmitter to reach the people of Majuro atoll. The next step is to “roll out” the broadcasts to the other small Marshall Islands using satellite and un-manned, low-powered, radio transmitters.

The enthusiastic radio staff of Change 104.1FM have had some basic training ready to start
broadcasting. In July, UCB Pacific Partners plan to send two trainers from Australia to provide further training.

As well as training local staff to make programs in their own language, UCB Pacific Partners will supply Bible and service programs (like news and weather) via their South Pacific radio network.

• UCB Pacific Partners
• The Change 104.1 FM