Radio Nepal was established on 1 April 1951. Initially the transmission covered a duration of 4.5 hours through a 250 watt transmitter. Over the years, Radio Nepal has strengthened its institutional capacity and diversified itself in terms of programme format, technical efficiency and nationwide coverage. Radio Nepal airs programmes on Short Wave as well as Medium Wave frequencies. Radio Nepal transmits 15 hours everyday, which includes 2 hours of regional broadcasts 0930 hrs to 1100 hrs in the morning and 1805 hrs to 1830 hrs in the evening. However on public holidays, there is an additional 2 hours, extending the total duration to 17 hours. A FM-Channel covering Kathmandu valley and adjoining areas was started in 1995.
Radio Nepal has its own studios for programme production, music recording, talk shows and news broadcasts. A music library at its premises in Singh Durbar has a collection of about 15,000 songs. Foreign broadcasting Stations also make use of our Studio facilities and transmitters for live and other broadcasts on a rental basis.The Broadcasting Headquarters at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu has two broad casting houses consisting of one drama studio, two music studios, one reporting studio, three continuity studios, the news studio, seven programme production studios. One of the music studios is equipped with sophisticated 24 track recording facility. This studio is open for hiring purposes for anyone desirous of recording music digitally whether solo track or for albums after payment of studio charges which are very reasonable compared to other private studios.The complex also has one open air live concert facility for functions and musical performances. Like other transmitting stations, the Head quarters also has a 100kva stand by diesel generator.
ROLE OF RADIO BROADCASTING IN NEPAL
Radio broadcasting is the cheapest and quickest means of mass communications in Nepal. In a mountainous country like Nepal, radio broadcasting has proved to be a very effective medium in disseminating information, educating people and entertaining the masses. It has been providing various programmes aimed at creating mass awareness. The people in the hilly areas and many of the remote villages have no access to motorable roads nor to any communication and entertainment facilities. Illiteracy being a common feature among the people, little use is made of the newspapers, which have very limited and delayed circulation. Therefore, Radio has been the most suitable means of disseminating information and providing entertainment to masses in Nepal.
TRANSMISSION CAPACITY
(a) Short Wave: Three transmitters of 100 kw each enable transmission on two frequencies simultaneously. Khumaltar transmitting station has three 100 kw transmitters as well as a 250 kva diesel generator to cope with power cuts.
The Kathmandu Transmitting Station at Sainbu, Bhaisepati has one 100 kw main transmitter in addition to a 10kw stand by transmitter. There is also a provision for at 100 kva diesel generator.
(b) Medium Wave: There are transmitters of various capacities in all the five development regions.
Radio Nepal uses a wide range of formats including features, documentaries, docu-dramas, dramas, talk shows, interviews, music shows, live commentaries etc. Recognizing the citizen's right to be informed under a multi-party democracy, Radio Nepal attempts to provide informative, educational as well as entertainment programmes. The major programme highlights include:
(a) Educational:
Programmes on religion, literature, science and technology, agriculture, women, health and sanitation public health, children and youth.
(b) Entertainment:
(i) Music: Nepali songs, Western music, Hindi songs and Gazals.
(ii) Songs in the different national languages.
(iii) Radio dramas and comedy programmes.
(c) Information:
(i) News and Current Affairs.
(ii) Phone-in for Parliamentarians
(iii) Radio Reports
(iv) Review of the press
(v) Development Programmes
Programmes on information and education constitute 40% of the total programmings and entertainment covers the remaining 60% which also include commercials.
No comments:
Post a Comment