GLOBAL BROADCASTING
About 150 countries engage in some form of international shortwave broadcasting. Many of these services are government run or at least government supervised. Over the past few years, however, private international broadcasters have become more numerous. Voice of America (VOA), now in its fifth decade of operation, broadcasts news, editorials, and features in more than 50 languages to about 86 million people, about half of them in Russia and Eastern Europe. The United States also operates Radio Free Europe and Radio Lib the end of the cold war, however, the long-term future of these tw in doubt. The VOA is part of the International Broadcasting Bureau, which also includes Radio Marti, a special AM service beamed at Cuba; its TV counterpart, TV Marti; and the Worldnet TV service. The Voice of Russia (VOR) was formerly known as Radio Moscow. Once a major force in international broadcasting, the VOR has been downsized. because of the political and economic turmoil in Russia. It currently broadcasts about 700 hours per week in 32 foreign languages. Whereas the old Radio Moscow was often used as a propaganda vehicle, the new VOR carries mainly news reports, cultural programs, music, interviews, and quizzes. The World Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has a worldwide reputation for accurate and impartial newscasts because, in theory at least, it is independent of government ownership. Along with its news, the BBC also carries an impressive lineup of music, drama, comedy, sports, and light features. The BBC pioneered the international radio call-in show in which prominent people, such as Prime Minister Tony Blair, answer calls from listeners around the globe. The BBC broadcasts in 45 languages and has about 140 million worldwide listeners. Radio China International transmits about 1,400 hours of programming weekly in 40 foreign languages. Radio China International carried strident anti-American propaganda until the early 1970s, when improved relations led to a mellowing of their tone. Most of Radio China International's programming consists of news, analysis, commentary, and cultural information about China. Deutsche Welle (DW), "German Wave," broadcasts about 800 hours per week in 38 languages. DW's transmitters are located in Germany and in Africa and Asia. It has a large audience, particularly in Africa. The biggest change in international broadcasting in recent years has been the proliferation of global news channels. The pioneer in this area was CNN, which now reaches thousands of hotel rooms and numerous cable systems in Europe, Africa, and Asia. CNN International, started in 1990, reaches more than 75 million homes in about 200 countries. In 1997, a Spanish-language version of CNN premiered. CNBC, which offers 24-hour global business news, now has a service to both Asia and Europe. In addition, there is BBC World, a full-time news channel available in Europe, Asia, Africa, and in some U.S. locations. Reaching a total of 46 million homes, the service is also shown on many airlines. Along with the news channels, international entertainment channels have audiences all over the world. MTV is available on every continent, reaches more than 200 million homes, and has versions in Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin. ESPN International, launched in 1988, now includes special services for Africa, South America, Australia, and India. ESPN2 spun off a Spanish-language companion in 1996 (ESPN Dos). Time Warner's Turner Network Television and The Cartoon Network are seen in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The News Corporation operates satellite services that deliver entertainment (including "Xena"), sports, and news to more than 175 million viewers in Europe and Asia.
On the set of CNN International. During its news broadcasts, CNN International links together anchorpersons from CNN bureaus all over the world. The CNN Inc.
|
