UK broadcaster Radio Caroline carries the following announcement on its website:
“Our recent survey into the listening habits of our audience has shown that only a small percentage are listening using SKY 0199.
“The findings duplicated the results of a similar survey we carried out 2008 but showed satellite listening had fallen by a further 9%. At the same time on-line listening has increased by around 40% and continues to grow. This information came as we were considering whether to also obtain an EPG on FreeSat.
“As a result of this we have tried, but without success, to renegotiate prices with both providers. Therefore we have decided not to proceed with FreeSat and to give up our SKY 0199 Electronic Programme Guide. This change may happen either soon, or in the medium term.
“We will still have a presence on satellite but this will require manual tuning. It is hoped there will be no interruption to the service, but there may be a brief period of satellite silence while the changes are made. We will then explain how to tune Caroline in manually via SKY, FreeSat and any UK standard satellite receiver.
“When the required information is provided to us, we aim to set up a dedicated telephone help line to assist listeners affected by the change. Information will also be on the web site.
“There is a substantial cost saving that will result from this decision and we hope that this can be used for future expansion and to improve our current facilities.”
(Source: Radio Caroline)
on May 19th, 2011 at 10:23
As much as I am very sad to hear this news, I cannot say that I am surprised. I understand that the cost of carriage via the EPG is quite expensive and Radio Caroline are not the first broadcaster to take this action. I wonder if they have looked into DAB carriage?
I wonder how the British charity The Royal National Institute for the Blind can justify the costs of INSIGTH RADIO on 0188? Surely the money spent on this would be better served in helping visually impaired people.
on May 29th, 2011 at 10:58
If they did apps for the iphone and Android
on Jun 3rd, 2011 at 10:52
In less than 3 years it will be Radio Caroline’s 50th Anniversary. In light of their dedication and persistence over such a long period, isn\’t it time for Caroline to be granted the license they have always wanted, to broadcast on AM from their ship, with a respectable amount of power, 50 kW? AM is not as popular as it once was, and I’m sure this would not upset the rest of the UK commercial radio industry, rather it would stimulate interest in commercial radio.