As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the achievements and successes of the previous 12 months. At a time of global economic recession during which many other companies are contracting, WRN has been expanding and 2009 marks a year of milestones for the company, beginning with the appointment of David Treadway to the role of Managing Director in February. Under his steerage, WRN acquired broadcast services company TSI Broadcast in April, following which we have seen a dramatic expansion in our product and service portfolio of Managed Services for television.  

We have also made a large investment in enterprise class solutions and a range of content management services including encoding, transcoding, re-purposing, storage and archiving. In addition, WRN is now fully HD capable. Of course, radio is and always will be part of our core business and remains an important part of both our heritage and our future. Short Wave is still seen by many of our clients to be a vital technology to reach large regions and closed societies and, for clients such as NHK, who expanded their shortwave services this year, it is a hugely important part of the WRN inventory.

There have been a multitude of highlights of 2009 and these have included winning new clients such as Warner Bros., Manchester United TV, IMG, West African Democracy Radio and Radio Mada; the launch of the new corporate and listener website, the successful launch of the groundbreaking Radio With Pictures product for RNW's Arabic service and the securing of a major contract with a new DTH platform in Africa, distribution on which we will be offering to WRN clients in the new year.

Over the coming few months you will begin to see WRN adopt a new brand identity that fully reflects our commitment to radio and television broadcast services and distribution worldwide. We will also be launching our brand new Media Centre, which incorporates dedicated ingest suites, state of the art technology and a client viewing area.

WRN would like to thank you, our clients, for your ongoing commitment to WRN. You are the lifeblood of the business and, without you, we would not be able to build on our successes. We look forward to continuing to deliver you quality and innovative services at cost-effective prices into 2010 and beyond.

Rare Opportunity to Access DAB in London
WRN is pleased to announce that it has a very rare and exciting opportunity for radio clients wishing to access DAB in London - one of the most sought after cities for broadcasters, both large and small. Currently, the only way to obtain a radio licence to broadcast to London is to buy one. There is no FM or DAB capacity available in London, so a new entrant needs to purchase an existing station or contract for bandwidth.

However, WRN has an opportunity for clients to access DAB on one of the three greater London multiplexes serving a total audience of some ten million potential listeners.

This offer is only available for a very limited period. Therefore, if you are interested in taking DAB in London, please contact the WRN Sales team as soon as possible at [email protected]

Limited Opportunity to Launch Radio Channel on Sky
In October 2007, BSkyB dealt a major blow to the UK TV and Radio industries when it announced its decision not to launch any further TV or radio stations onto Sky. Citing limitations of legacy set top box capacity, BSkyB announced a closure of the platform.

Since then, any new radio broadcaster wishing to access the EPG has had to undertake a private purchase of an EPG number from an existing station on the platform. These opportunities have been very few and far between.

However, WRN has a window for radio broadcasters wishing to access the Sky platform, which is still the leading digital DTH platform in over 9 million homes in the UK and Ireland. The channel is available for either sale or for hire.

Radio broadcasters will be able to benefit from an instant access to the otherwise-closed Sky platform, uplink and 128 kbps stereo capacity on the Eurobird 1 satellite, an Ofcom licence, EPG management and submission services and 24/7 monitoring and support.

For more information on this or any of WRN's Sky services, please contact [email protected]

Absolute 80s to Replace Xtreme
December will see the launch of a new Absolute Radio station - Absolute 80s. Replacing the channel Absolute Xtreme, which launched in 2005 as Virgin Radio Xtreme, Absolute 80s will be positioned as a pop and rock music station aimed at 30 to 54-year-olds. Initially the station will be available on DAB in London and online and digital TV nationwide throughout the UK, with the possibility of expanded DAB transmission in other parts of the country later.

Programming previously offered by Absolute Xtreme will morph into the station's newly launched dabbl offering. The station will fine-tune its music policy to include new music, live music and tracks from the 90s and Noughties. Dabbl, Absolute Radio's digital radio station, was launched earlier this year with a focus on live-music programming and will broadcast online and on DAB 24 hours a day across Swindon, Bristol and Essex and from 7pm - 6am in London.

The launch of Absolute 80s brings the number of stations operated by Absolute Radio to four. It already runs Absolute Radio, Absolute Radio Classic Rock and dabbl.

WRN provides Absolute with uplink and capacity services on the Eurobird1 satellite for distribution of Absolute Radio, Absolute Xtreme and Absolute Classic Rock on Sky Digital.

For more information on WRN's satellite and Sky Digital services, contact [email protected]

Radio Australia Celebrates 70th Anniversary
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Radio Australia, the international radio and online service of the Australian national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

This December the septuagenarian broadcaster will celebrate 70 years of being at the forefront of covering news and current affairs, political and social change and key events in Asia and the Pacific. There will be festivities across the airwaves, along with contributions from listeners and partners around the world.

Radio Australia has long been a client of WRN's; who provides it not only with coverage on the WRN English networks for Europe and North America, but dedicated backhaul and satellite services.

For further information on Radio Australia's 70th anniversary please visit their website blogs.radioaustralia.net.au/70 or tune in via WRN at www.wrn.org/listeners/#schedules

Radio Academy Hall of Fame
WRN recently hosted several clients at Sir Terry Wogan's induction into the Radio Academy Hall Of Fame as well as being awarded the PRS John Peel Outstanding Contribution To Music Award presented by Take That front-man Gary Barlow.

A very emotional Chris Evans honoured the life and career of Sir Terry, whilst fellow presenters Chris Moyles and Christian O Connell paid tribute.

WRN was very pleased to be able to treat clients to this the fantastic occasion, not only to see one of the great stars of the airwaves (and a British national treasure) accept the accolade, but also for the opportunity to network with the cream of the UK radio industry.

The Radio Academy is a registered charity dedicated to the encouragement, recognition and promotion of excellence in UK broadcasting and audio production.

For more information, see www.radioacademy.org