I want my BBC!

[ayelvington]

I listen to BBC radio (Celtic Heartbeat) over the Internet here in VA and love it! But it breaks my heart that I can't grab the BBC by FTA.

So, I'd like to start a revolution. I'd love it if all of you Free Thinkers of America (FTA) would lobby the BBC folks to put their stations on a FTA bird over North America. I would love to have it in the boonies of PA, and I'd dedicate a receiver to it here in VA.

Soooo, here's a link to spread the joy to those good folks in Great Britain:

BBC Complaints - Make a complaint

Any takers? Please let me know that I'm not alone in loving this wonderful service, and believing that we NEED it in North America.

Al Yelvington

[radiobob]

Al, I wish you luck with your quest! A few years ago when the BBC decided to discontinue shortwave broadcasts to North America there was a huge outrcry; I wrote to the head of the BBC, the British Foreign Minister, the British Ambassador, etc., etc., and they basically told me, "Tough noogies!"

Now, times have changed and Auntie Beeb has been through a couple of management turnovers, so let's hope they're more receptive. It would be great to get the BBC over satellite!

For now, though, I'm listening to 'em on my Sangean WiFi radio.

[Muad'Dib]

What is the sense of that???


You can listen to ALL BBC stations via the web, FTA!!!!!!!!!!!

[ayelvington]

Originally Posted by Muad'Dib

What is the sense of that???


You can listen to ALL BBC stations via the web, FTA!!!!!!!!!!!

As I mentioned, I'm moving somewhere with limited Internet connectivity. The fact is, it's Wild Blue and the bandwidth consumption of a two hour show is too much, and it's a violation of the fair use policy against streaming.

The bottom line is that a lot more people could enjoy the BBC if they went to FTA satellite.

ay

[Sadoun]

I have left them a message to add BBC radio to FTA satellite in North America.

[Vitruvius]

Al, Good idea. I posted my suggestion for the News... I guess that is what you recommended... It would be nice if they had all their channels available for the FTA... I am sure they are doing it for Europe... why not here...

How are your system setups going in PA?

[Muad'Dib]

You mean radio, not TV, right?

TV is not possible, not even for "whole" europe.

[ayelvington]

Yup, radio. Let them know that there is an audience in North America that can't listen via the Internet!

ay

[rid0617]

I told them I wanted TV on FTA

[Sadoun]

Ask them for Radio also. It doesn't hurt to ask. They may decide, hey we are getting a lot of interest from across the pond.

[Muad'Dib]

Originally Posted by rid0617

I told them I wanted TV on FTA

That will NOT come. We here in europe have only BBC News in FTA, Prime as PayTV and the rest is on a Beam over UK!!

[ayelvington]

Dear Alan

Thank you for your e-mail.

The BBC's domestic services are intended solely for a UK audience, which are funded by the TV Licence as paid yearly by residents of the UK. We must ensure the use of the TV Licence is for the benefit of UK residents. Our licensing agreements for satellite transmission only cover satellite access to UK residents.

Different licensing agreements cover the availability of BBC Radio via the internet which is accessible to an international audience.

I suggest you contact BBC America to see what programmes they currently provide residents of the USA:

BBC America - Home Page

I hope this information is helpful and thank you again for your interest in the BBC.

Regards

Tony Brown
BBC Information

[ayelvington]

BBC.co.uk referred me to BBC America. Fine. But now in need everyone's help blitzing BBC America!

Obviously, licensing and money are issues, but I'd like clarity on what they are contending with, and what we as the FTA community can do to bridge any gaps.

Please ping on BBC America and let's see where it gets us.

Thanks,

A.

[boroda1]

I think the proper place to ask questions is BBC World Service, because BBC America has no radio service:

hxxp://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/aboutus/contactus/

[ayelvington]

BBC UK said if I wanted radio in the US i would have to ask BBC America. Can't really argue with that, so please lobby for me!

a

[rod gouin]

I Love N.p.r. "national Public Raddio" Also P.b.s. Usa Public Broadcasting Service. Im Curious,.. Do We Currently Sat Europe Our Above Prgramming?? If So Is It Fta For Them?? The Damn Dollar Sign Allways Seems To Be The First Thing Everyone Thinks About?? Not Me, I Believe In Bartering Or Sharing.
Cant Wait To Get My First Dish Running.
Rod

[Muad'Dib]

Read my post carefully.

Originally Posted by rod gouin

I Love N.p.r. "national Public Raddio" Also P.b.s. Usa Public Broadcasting Service. Im Curious,.. Do We Currently Sat Europe Our Above Prgramming?? If So Is It Fta For Them?? The Damn Dollar Sign Allways Seems To Be The First Thing Everyone Thinks About?? Not Me, I Believe In Bartering Or Sharing.
Cant Wait To Get My First Dish Running.
Rod

[boroda1]

This is what I just sent to World Service (worldservice@bbc.co.uk):
##############################
Hello!
Back in Soviet Union I was listening to BBC Russian service on SW with my grandfather since I was 8 or 10 years old. Now I live in California and like to listen BBC in English as well. This morning I was listening World Service on SW 9740 kHz. It was an interesting interview with a lady who escaped from polygamous sect in Texas (BTW, do you send QSL cards? Can you, please, send me one? Here is my address:****).
Unfortunately, I could not hear all the words, because it was probably transmission for East Asia. In order to have a better sound, I must subscribe for Sirius or XM satellite radio service, which I don't want.
I know that many american listeners would appreciate to hear your programs again for free. And there is a way:I am talking about FTA satellite programming. For example, I can listen Radio Nederlands World (in English) from AMC4 satellite; and the transmission beam covers all of the North America and Carribean: http://www.bvn-america.com/equipment_satellite.htm
I would like to ask you a question: will BBC, the pioneer of radio broadcasting of old days, ever consider the opportunity to provide americans with its programming via FTA? We will be glad to hear familiar "This is London" again!
############################
I will send a shorter version to BBC America, won't hurt, and if any of them replies, will post the reply here

[ayelvington]

many thanks! others out there, please give the BBC a poke and see if we can at least get an answer beyond a public relations reply.

A