CONTRARY to my earlier observation that Radio Phoenix’s change of programme schedule would disturb their listenership, it appears fervent fans have since adjusted to that change.
On January 1, 2014, Radio Phoenix management effected change in their programming, rescheduling all their programmes, changed format of presenting news and newspaper review.
Going by the number of callers to ‘Let the People Talk’ programme I listened to, some fans have found the new schedule appropriate.
I say so because eight callers phoned in to the programme, among them, regulars like Solomon Sakala from Northrise in Ndola, Proud from Lusaka and Gilbert who called in from Lusaka City Market.
From the above scenario, we can, therefore, believe that change is sometimes inevitable.
Interesting that ZNBC monitored a news item from Radio Phoenix on Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo giving her view on the awarding of Kangaluwi mine project on the Lower Zambezi.
And on the following Monday, Christine Ngwisha hosted Sara Longwe to discuss the dress code for women, a fiery topic it turned out to be, especially that Ms Longwe does not mind women dressing however they wanted.
On Tuesday February 18, Christine and Roxxy analysed the newspapers and took phone calls on the topic about skin bleaching. Yet another hot discussion that was.
Talking about Christine, one is made to believe that she is one complete radio presenter, she has an excellent command of English, solid, appealing voice and is intelligent.
ZNBC
In a bid for innovation, ‘Kabusha Takolelwe Bowa’ featured an ardent follower of the programme, Mumba Kapumpa, who has keenly listened to the programme from the 1970s.
Mr Kapumpa chronicled Kabusha lifeline from then to date. From last Sunday, he pointed out how now Minister of Information Mwansa Kapeya exhibited high level of professionalism by not taking advantage of his presence on radio to propagate his political ambitions.
Mr Kapumpa appreciated the fact that at a time Mr Kapeya was eyeing to contest as opposition member of Parliament for Mpika Central in 2006, he was actively practicing as a broadcaster on a Government radio, yet kept his ambitions discreet not to interfere with the profession.
ICENGELO
Chilufya Masongo features ba Mikaeli Chatengwa on Radio Icengelo every Friday at 20:30 hours on ‘Amapinda ne Nsoselo’ (Bemba proverbs and riddles).
This is one educative presentation that preserves Zambian rich cultural teachings. How I wish ba Chatengwa could also explain the meaning of his slogan, ‘Letaa ubutaa!’
***
Going by a number of mails I received from Chililabombwe and Chingola Radio Icengelo fans last week, I concluded that they have continued to enjoy clear reception following the upgrade.
It was the curvature of the earth that posed transmission challenges for more than 18 years of the station’s existence. That now remains a story of the past.
TIPS
We continue looking at the fades:
Another type of fade not made on the mixing panel is the self-fade.
The actor in the studio fades himself by moving into or turning his head towards the dead area of a directional microphone as he is speaking.
This is sometimes used also by a narrator in a studio documentary in introducing a scene.
All sound sources can be faded, but to be effective fades must be done with considerable skill. It is the producer’s responsibility to determine the type and length of fades.
This should be done during the preparation of the script and fading instructions should be clearly typed in capital letters on the script.
During the course of the production the producer should warn his technical operator in the cubicle when a fade is coming and, at the right time, give instructions along the following lines, by way of example: ‘Ready to fade seagulls . . . Fade . . . Mix to studio.’ He should speak loud enough to be heard by the operator above the programme level.
The very nature of broadcasting makes it necessary for minimum and maximum sound levels to be observed.
If a signal is too weak it may be difficult to hear in the distant secondary coverage areas of the station.
If it is too high the sound will be distorted and may in certain cases trip the overload devices at the transmitter and put the station temporarily off the air.
The programme level has, therefore, to be strictly controlled. The problem facing the producer and his technical operator is to achieve the full programme intention within these lower and upper limits.
It is for this purpose that the mixing panel has a VU meter. The deflection of the indicating needle of the VU meter corresponds with the ability of the human ear to compare the relative loudness of successive sounds.
The meter also indicates percentages of modulation and is sometimes made to read the real percentage modulation of the transmitter. It is therefore in every way a very useful instrument as it serves the producer by reading comparative sound levels and the engineer by reading the extent of modulation.
Every broadcasting and recording studio sets a figure representing the maximum modulation normally permitted. The exact figure on the VU meter varies from studio to studio and it is always important to find out this figure before using a studio.
To assist in line-up of a studio’s output around the maximum modulation pure tone is used-generally at a frequency of I,OOO Hz although some studios prefer 800 Hz or 400 Hz. Maximum modulation as set with tone by the master fader and read on the VU meter should never be exceeded for any sustained time.
To work within the lower limit of modulation it is sometimes necessary to heat’ a little. This is so in a drama where a whisper may be needed and in classical music which frequently has very low passages.
The whisper and the low passage of music can be gradually raised in level without appearing unnatural as the human ear is not aware of level changes of two decibels or less.
The likelihood of loss of signal strength at the lower limit of modulation should also be kept in mind when using the board fade as a time lapse device in drama-a 3-second silence on the cubicle loudspeaker may sound much longer to a distant listener.
MULTICHOICE NEWS FLASH
African Women to Watch
Sunday February 23, 2014 19:00 | Bloomberg (411)
In 2012, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became the first African candidate nominated for the World Bank Presidency. She is also credited with spearheading the $18 billion debt write-off from Nigeria’s creditors in 2005.
Now serving a second term as Finance Minister, Dr Okonjo-Iweala offers Bloomberg TV Africa unprecedented insight into her life as one of the world’s most influential women.
On African Women To Watch, she opens up about her vision for Nigeria, including a crackdown on oil corruption in 2012 and the launch of the country’s first sovereign wealth fund in 2013.
African Women To Watch is on Sunday February 23 at 19:00 on Bloomberg TV Africa.
Dolphin: Spy in the Pod
Sunday February 23 2014 18:00 | BBC Knowledge (184) From spy dolphin to spy tuna and turtle, for the first time an underwater menagerie of spy creatures infiltrate the secret world of dolphins.
Swimming alongside some of the most captivating and clever animals on the planet, these new spies are always on the move.
Catching the waves with surfing bottlenose dolphins and speeding with a megapod of spinner dolphins.
Watch Dolphin: Spy in the Pod on Sunday 23 February at 18:00 on BBC Knowledge.
Oprah and Reverend Ed Bacon: Faith and Spirituality
SuperSoulSunday
Sunday February 23 2014 13:35 | TLC Entertainment (172) Curious how religion and spirituality work together?
Oprah and the Reverend Ed Bacon of All Saints Church in Pasadena, California, address this question and more in an enlightening discussion.
Watch Oprah and Reverend Ed Bacon: Faith and Spirituality on Sunday
February 23 at 13:35 on TLC Entertainment.
For comments, observations and contributions; jackmwewa@gmail.com – 0955115777