Broadcasting Industry Sri Lanka (TV and Radio)

[PCK]

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/m...0100150400.htm




IT is Christmas time and Jim Reeves is on air, taking Sri Lanka back to its days of romance and charm. "You are listening to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and we've got more Christmas music going out for you. Hope you are tuned in to us," trills the friendly announcer. Another glorious old number "When A Child Is Born" floats across the skies. Requests pour in from all over the country and the programme continues to enthral those tuned in.

When Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (as Radio Ceylon is now called) celebrated its 80th birthday on December 16, it was, sadly, a pale shadow of its past. Once the pride of the region's airwaves, it is today relegated to fading memories and confined to chapters of an era of broadcasting élan.

High quality

For Indian radio enthusiasts of decades gone by, it was Radio Ceylon that set the standards. Those were days before commercial broadcasts commenced in India and taking a break from the monotonous, though informative, broadcasts of All India Radio (AIR) meant twirling those vintage radios to trap Radio Ceylon's programmes. Once tuned in, the listener was treated not just to music of the highest quality. The magnetic voices of broadcasters, Jimmy Barucha (English), Ameen Sayani (Hindi) and Mayilvaganam (Tamil), to mention just three, ensnared the listeners, taking Radio Ceylon to the top slot in the region's radio network.

The history of broadcasting, published in Wikipedia, notes that gramophone music was broadcast from a tiny room in Colombo's Central Telegraph Office with the aid of a transmitted built by Telegraph Department engineers from the radio equipment from a captured German submarine.

The beginnings

This metamorphosed into South Asia's first radio broadcasting station, which was inaugurated on December 16, 1925. The real catalyst was to come later, with the shifting of Radio SEAC (South East Asia Command) to Ceylon in 1949. Radio SEAC, was established during World War II for the British servicemen. Radio Ceylon, as it was called from 1949 became a public broadcasting corporation in 1967. Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation became Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in 1972 when the island-nation changed its name.

"Sri Lanka was fortunate that Radio SEAC was established to entertain and inform the troops," recalls Eric Fernando, former Director General, SLBC. "Geographically Sri Lanka was the ideal location because the (transmission) reach could be all over the region, and at the end of the War, we inherited it."

Radio Ceylon, through its music programmes, carved a niche for itself among the region's broadcasters. Its base of Indian listeners was huge between the 1950s and the 1970s. "We were popular in India because we had a steady supply of English music," Fernando, who started his career as a broadcaster at SLBC in the mid 1970s said.

For Indians of the radio generation, Radio Ceylon was the first introduction to paradise-island and to the world of music. "I first heard The Beatles over Radio Ceylon. We grew up listening to songs over Radio Ceylon. It was part of my growing up," remembers Nirupama Rao, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

In addition to its well-structured English music programmes, Sayani's "Binaca Geetmala", revolutionised radio presentation. Having elevated broadcasting to a fine art in the region, Sayani remains etched in the minds of many. Mayilvaganam's silken voice, with his singsong Jaffna Tamil diction, captivated the ears of Indian listeners. Between them Barucha, Sayani and Mayilvaganam opened up the listeners' sensitivities to the finer elements that transcended mundane facts.

However, there has been a dip in the number of Indian listeners over the years. With Vividh Bharathi — AIR's commercial services section — Radio Ceylon's hold was diluted. The cassette revolution, which made music more affordable, the advent of TV, private radio stations and FM broadcasts were other developments. Slowly, but certainly, Radio Ceylon was pushed to the pages of history.

Along the corridors of the SLBC's headquarters, this history remains frozen. Elegant old studios retain their stately charm, complete with original BBC microphones. Groups of musicians and radio-drama artistes continue to use the studios to churn out programmes. However, somewhere, something is missing.

Simply put, SLBC lagged behind the times.

SLBC should leverage its past and harness itself to the current developments in radio broadcasting. SLBC's most unique attribute is its archives — home to more than 1,00,000 original records, comprising Sinhalese, Tamil, English and Hindi music. Sunil Shantha Perera, the new Chairman of SLBC plans to digitise the collection and share them with the National Archives. In addition, the originals with the National Archives are to be shared with SLBC. This digitally reformatted music, Fernando points out, could form the basis for a unique programme that will capture the past and lure audiences back.

Future plans

Plans are also on to offer more programmes on the Internet. Presently the Sinhala and Tamil National services and City FM are available on the Internet (www.slbc.lk) . An improved English content is also on the cards. The SLBC has collaborated with the BBC to share its programmes for six hours every day. Now a new English channel is being planned. "A national radio must have a national English channel," emphasises Perera.

The abolition of licenses for radio sets in the late 1990s had also punctured its revenues. However, deals with the internationally reputed radio stations such as NHK of Japan and DW of Germany have helped bolster its finances.

SLBC officials are emphatic that "radio is still popular", and point to the increasing "car-radio segment". However, for SLBC to regain its lost slot as the premier broadcaster, the most critical element is fresh thinking, coupled with leveraging its inherent strengths of the past. For, its success will depend on increasing the number of listeners who willingly tune in to that catchy line: "you are listening to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation".


Quotes on Radio Ceylon.

* I have to express my deep gratitude to what was then called Radio Ceylon. (Sri Lanka now). It had a slightly more open attitude and did play Western music, so that's where I became familiar with all kinds of things that I could slightly regret, like the complete works of Ricky Nelson. ' (Salman Rushdie)

* ' For millions in this country, Radio Ceylon was not just a broadcasting station. It had a form and a personality. It was a companion who added a meaning to their lives, filled their vacant hours and has now left them with a host of memories of the melodious times which is hard to forget......' (Playback & Fast Forward Magazine - India)

' Soon after conquering Mount Everest half a century ago, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay turned on their transistor radio – and the first thing they heard was an overseas broadcast of Radio Ceylon, from more than 3,000 kilometres away.
They joined millions of people across the Indian subcontinent who regularly tuned in to these broadcasts. A pioneer in broadcasting in Asia, Radio Ceylon for decades informed and entertained an overseas audience many times the population of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka....' (Panos)





more info:
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/9087


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Ceylon

[saraprobe]

Dialog TV brings class room in to TV via ‘LEARN TV’

In a bid to strengthen the country’s education and empower the island’s students with the latest education technology, Dialog TV, together with Dharmavahini launched LEARN TV yesterday, Sri Lanka’s first-ever 24 hour educational channel. Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer of Dialog TV, Nushad Perera said the start of LEARN TV is another attempt by Dialog TV to empower Sri Lankan students to learn via television.

“This channel is hundred percent made in Sri Lanka for Sri Lankans. If you happen to pass the Nugegoda junction on a weekend, you would see thousands of students hanging around, waiting to attend private tuition classes. We have identified the main reasons for students to attend classes: entertainment, interest and interaction. Tuition is arguably an essential part of our education, but every parent cannot afford to give their children this facility in rural areas. This is the gap LEARN TV aspires to fill for students across the board. Dialog TV is proud to lead an initiative where technology and television have converged to empower a national requirement . We appreciate the commitment and efforts of the Education Minister and his office to make this a reality. Together, we will become catalysts to drive and develop national education in Sri Lanka” the Dialog TV CEO said.

According to Dialog TV, over 70 teachers will participate in the preliminary line-up of tutorials featuring mathematics, English, history, science, religion, English literature, commerce and more. The programmes have been designed to educate and entertain. “When we decided launch this channel, we had the option of using actors as teachers or real life teachers. In the end, we decided to use good, real-life teachers certified by the Ministry of Education,” Mr. Perera added.

Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha said that LEARN TV and Dialog serve a national requirement. The Minister said that as a developing country, we need to explore new avenues to offer quality education to every student, and LEARN TV is good example of how modern broadcasting technology can be used effectively for this purpose. The Minister of Education applauded the vision and efforts of Dialog, Dharmavahini and the Education Ministry adding that full support will be extended to make this programme a success.

LEARN TV is expected to introduce the G.C.E. Advanced Level curriculum to its tutorial in January 2010. The President of Dharmavahini, Prof. Asanga Tillakaratne affirmed that the programmes would immensely benefit students who face difficulties to attend tuition classes. Parents can now subscribe to LEARN TV for a nominal fee of Rs.100 through Dialog TV.


DM

[phil.froelich]

Nice concept, but I doubt it will have vast positive effects on students...

[Gamarala]

You'd be surprised what a guy on TV can do. I know kids here who've learned more about "science" from Bill Nye than they did in high school. They need to present this Learn TV thing right though, not just a guy near a blackboard reading from a book.

[lordvader]

The new state-of-the-art archives library of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) was declared open yesterday by Mass Media, Information and Enterprise Development Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa yesterday.

The SLBC has increased its broadcasting capacity by installing six new transmitters in its Colombo premises.

This heightens the listening quality of the national radio. New digital archives has also been set up in order to conserve old and important tapes and records of the national radio. The SLBC archives is among the leading electronic media archives in the Asian region.

Minister Yapa said "the SLBC has a huge collection of our great artistes most of whom are not with us today.

"I thought it is our duty to preserve their works for future generations. Since 2001 I have been trying to find the technology and funds to protect these songs.

"With the cooperation of SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe, the Director Board and other officials and also the Ministry officials we were able to complete this task this year.

"We were in fear of losing the SLBC.

"We couldn't see progress in the last few years. There was a dearth of good programs. But the present Chairman has infused a new life together with his staff leading to a turn around.

"Today we can see a good relationship and cooperation between the Chairman, Board of Directors and members of the staff. SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe said he would do his utmost to develop the institution with the full backing of the Minister," he said.

Daily News Editor Jayatilleke de Silva, Dinamina Editor Mahinda Abeysundera and Silumina Editor Karunadasa Sooriyaarachchi were also present. The new transmission was switched on by Minister Yapa and Ministry Secretary Dissanayake.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/07/30/news21.asp

[dfdo]

I forgot we have this thread

The dreambox is used in Europe and most parts of the western world to hack into broadcasting TV stations as this box has an ethernet connection and it is possible to decode keys for most of the cable TV broadcasts.
After hacking, connect to the TV like a set top box and watch cable paytv for free.

Could this box be used in Sri Lanka? Does anybody know of this or have experience in regards to this box.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
250 MHz IBM PowerPC Processor (350 Mips)
- Linux Operating System
- 1 x Smartcard-Reader
- MPEG2 Hardware decoding
- Common available NIMs (DVB-S, DVB-C)
- V.24/RS232 Interface
- 2 LED status
- Unlimited channel lists for TV/Radio
- Channel-change time < 1 second
- Full automatic service scan
- Supports directly bouquet-lists (indirect unlimited)
- Supports EPG (electronic program guide)
- Supports multiple LNB-Switching control (supports DiSEqC)
- Fully adaptable OSD in many languages (skin-support)
- SPDI/F Interface for digital bit stream out (AC-3 / DTS)
- 1 x Scart-interfaces (fully controlled by software)

[saraprobe]

Thu, Oct 1, 2009, 07:17 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Oct 01, Colombo: State-owned Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation this morning started its first broadcasting via digital and satellite technology at the Temple Trees with President Mahinda Rajapaksa transmitting his voice at an auspicious time.

The President comparing the SLBC, the oldest radio network of Asia, to a sleeping giant in the region said the giant has now been awakened to thrive towards the 21st century with the implementation of modern technology in broadcasting.

The SLBC said it will launch a Tamil language broadcasting service from Irattaperiyakulam to the benefit of the people in the North.

The new development of SLBC services has been made possible by Dialog Telecom.

CEO of Dialog Nushad Perera, and officers from the SLBC were also present.

[dfdo]

Could somebody kindly help me clarify this?

Does some cable network in Sri Lanka offer arabic Channels as a package?
Is this via Satelite or decoder? What are the monthly charges?

[Arkitektonix]

Originally Posted by dfdo

Could somebody kindly help me clarify this?

Does some cable network in Sri Lanka offer arabic Channels as a package?
Is this via Satelite or decoder? What are the monthly charges?

Well Dialog TV has Peace TV which is a Islamic channel, I haven't actually watched it at length, so I don't know if they have programs in Arabic. They also have Al jazeera which is of course an English channel.

[saraprobe]

It has been proposed to convert the terrestrial broadcasting to digital technology in order to keep pace with the world trends.Presently the technology used is Analogue.

The Committee appointed with Mr. W.B. Ganegala Secretary to ministry of Mass Media and Information in the Chair with the participation of the representatives of the State and the private electronic media and Telecommunication organizations inclusive of the University of Moratuwa have recommended that DVB-T2 Technology should be adopted for Digital Transmission in the country.

Digital Technology has the capability to transmit several channels using a single frequency resulting optimal utilization of the frequency spectrum available for television broadcasting thereby removing the obstacle for the expansion of broadcasting facilities in the country

Most of the countries in the world as well as in the Asian Region use this system for television broadcasting.

On the recommendation of the Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella the Cabinet of Ministers granted its approval to implement this project.

The process of introducing the Digital Technology will be completed within the period between 2011 and 2017..


NEWS.LK

Digital TV roll out will be from 2011-2017 to cover the entire island and analog will come to an end in 2017.

[saraprobe]

Sri Lanka’s terrestrial [television] broadcasting system will be fully converted to digital by 2017, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said, the Daily News reports. He told a briefing in Colombo that the present analogue transmission would come to an end and analogue signals would not be available thereafter.

The minister has appointed a committee look into the technical aspects and evaluation of the digitalisation project. It will be headed by Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary W B Ganegala. The conversion process would commence next year, the minister said. In line with digital technology, analogue television sets would have to be replaced with digital television sets by 2017, since only digital signals would be transmitted after that.

Because digital technology had the capacity to transmit several channels using a single frequency, obstacles to the expansion of broadcasting facilities could be removed, he said. Sri Lanka will use the DVB-T2 digital standard. The first region to have the service will be the country’s Western Province which includes the capital, Colombo.

(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

[Amal]

Originally Posted by saraprobe

Sri Lanka’s terrestrial [television] broadcasting system will be fully converted to digital by 2017, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said, the Daily News reports. He told a briefing in Colombo that the present analogue transmission would come to an end and analogue signals would not be available thereafter.

The minister has appointed a committee look into the technical aspects and evaluation of the digitalisation project. It will be headed by Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary W B Ganegala. The conversion process would commence next year, the minister said. In line with digital technology, analogue television sets would have to be replaced with digital television sets by 2017, since only digital signals would be transmitted after that.

Because digital technology had the capacity to transmit several channels using a single frequency, obstacles to the expansion of broadcasting facilities could be removed, he said. Sri Lanka will use the DVB-T2 digital standard. The first region to have the service will be the country’s Western Province which includes the capital, Colombo.

(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Good move... but whether the poor can afford digital tvs is another issue..

[Cayman]

For comparable sizes, the price of LCD TVs and CRT TVs are similar now.

LCD TVs are becoming cheaper by the day while the CRT TV prices have in fact been going up marginally due to supply chain issues.

It is a matter of time, before every new TV bought would be a LCD.

On a different note, I hope they start the digital broadcast in 720p, so the vast majority of people who will have HD ready TVs by then would be able to enjoy HD.

[Cayman]

By the way, 2017 is way too long for this transition.

A country like SL should roll this out in 2-3 years max. For the folks with analog TVs, a govt subsidised digital tuner should be provided, like they did in US.

[saraprobe]

Originally Posted by Cayman

By the way, 2017 is way too long for this transition.

A country like SL should roll this out in 2-3 years max. For the folks with analog TVs, a govt subsidised digital tuner should be provided, like they did in US.

According to the Minister Set-top-box will be available for Rs 1000.00 which is more than affordable for even game folks & like we know in 2011 LCD & LED price will come down in line with tax reductions.

2017 analogue will come to an end. Even countries like Australia talking 5yers for the process.

[Cayman]

@saraprobe,

Australia is very similar to USA in the cotext of vast terrain and sparcely populated areas, which cannot be left behind in the transition.

The biggest challenge in the transition is providing digital FTA signal to all the subscribers who are currently hook on to analog.

Sri Lanka, given it's smaller size of the country and high population density justifies the cost of complete coverage and this can be achived with a dozen or so transmission towers being fitted with digital transmitters, where as in the USA or Australian we are talking about thousands of those.

The whole process for a country the size of SL should not take more than a few years.

[lizayuen]

"Australia is very similar to USA in the cotext of vast terrain and sparcely populated areas, which cannot be left behind in the transition."

I totally agree that Australia is very similar to the USA.

------------
total hair re-growth

[dfdo]

Lanka Broadband Networks seem to have a good line up in entertainment.
I wonder if this is the best choice for set tops in Sri Lanka?

[acriyaz]

New regulations on tobacco and alcohol scenes on TVAugust 18, 2011 01:55 pm
A series of new regulations will be implemented restricting the use of mosaics or blurred images masking tobacco and alcohol scenes in television programmes.





Broadcasters will also be required to air messages that convey the hazardous effects of tobacco and alcohol use with effect from September 1, as noted during a Media Awareness Campaign on tobacco control organized by the Jeevaka Foundation.



Sharing his views, Prof. Carlo Fonseka, the Head of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) said there was evidence that the modes of entertainment such as films, tele-dramas and music have a tremendous influence on people’s day-to-day attitudinal behaviours.



“This mosaic mechanism has not been authorized by us. It has only brought the wrath of the public on the authorities,” he said. “Through depiction of alcohol and tobacco use in films and tele-dramas, the entertainment media violates the provisions of the NATA Act.”



NATA also encourages producers to include scenes depicting the negative aspects of smoking and alcohol use.



In Sri Lanka tobacco and alcohol are responsible for the loss of over 40,000 lives yearly. With the enactment of the National Alcohol and Tobacco Act No. 27, any form of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and alcohol products was banned. However using subtle strategies the two industries are trying to creep through the law, Prof. Fonseka added, the Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat reports.

http://adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=14625

[acriyaz]

New regulations on tobacco and alcohol scenes on TVAugust 18, 2011 01:55 pm
A series of new regulations will be implemented restricting the use of mosaics or blurred images masking tobacco and alcohol scenes in television programmes.





Broadcasters will also be required to air messages that convey the hazardous effects of tobacco and alcohol use with effect from September 1, as noted during a Media Awareness Campaign on tobacco control organized by the Jeevaka Foundation.



Sharing his views, Prof. Carlo Fonseka, the Head of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) said there was evidence that the modes of entertainment such as films, tele-dramas and music have a tremendous influence on people’s day-to-day attitudinal behaviours.



“This mosaic mechanism has not been authorized by us. It has only brought the wrath of the public on the authorities,” he said. “Through depiction of alcohol and tobacco use in films and tele-dramas, the entertainment media violates the provisions of the NATA Act.”



NATA also encourages producers to include scenes depicting the negative aspects of smoking and alcohol use.



In Sri Lanka tobacco and alcohol are responsible for the loss of over 40,000 lives yearly. With the enactment of the National Alcohol and Tobacco Act No. 27, any form of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and alcohol products was banned. However using subtle strategies the two industries are trying to creep through the law, Prof. Fonseka added, the Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat reports.

http://adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=14625