Dear Readers,
We're very sorry to inform you that the English service of Radio Netherlands Worldwide will be closing at the end of this month. As a result, this website will see some changes.
From 1 July 2012 there will no longer be a daily review of the Dutch papers. Our coverage of Dutch news stories will also cease. And, since RNW's English webstream will end on 29 June, there will be no more Listening Guide.
However, we will continue to provide articles online relating to our new brief: promoting free speech in areas where people are not free to gather information or to form and express independent opinions.
Latest: special QSL card
You can check out the updates to this story lower on the page
Why?
The measures are a result of steep budget cuts imposed by the Dutch government and a concomitant change in focus. Providing the world with a realistic image of the Netherlands, as we have proudly done since 1947, will no longer be one of our statutory duties.
The last radio show
On 29 June we will broadcast a radio show looking back at the past decades of Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Have you got a memory to share? Please let us know, at the usual address, letters@rnw.nl, or post a comment below this story, as many have already done. We'd love to hear from you.
Updates
Please keep checking this site for updates on our final day. There may be a surprise or two...
And, perhaps most importantly, thank you - for listening, reading, and riding this bumpy road with us over the years and through the recent, difficult times.
The RNW English team
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For those listeners who enjoy picking up shortwave broadcasts and sending in a reception report, this is your last chance to dispatch your SINPO to our P.O.box 222, 1200 JG Hilversum, The Netherlands, or letters@rnw.nl (subject: 29 June Reception report).
We'll return the favour by sending you a special QSL card commemorating the closing of RNW's English service!
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Our distribution wizards have added another couple of shortwave frequencies for our last day. This is the final line-up.
Extra Shortwave frequencies on 29 June 2012
- 01:59-02:57 UTC - North America (East) - 6165 kHz - Bonaire (that's late Thursday, local time!)
- 02:59-03:57 UTC - North America (Central) - 6165 kHz - Bonaire (that's late Thursday, local time!)
- 04:59-05:57 UTC - North America (West) - 6165 kHz - Bonaire (that's late Thursday, local time!)
- 04:59-05:57 UTC - New Zealand + Australia (South East) - 12015 kHz - Bonaire
- 18:59-20:57 UTC - Europe - 6065 kHz - Wertachtal
Of course we'll also be broadcasting on our regular shortwave frequencies to Africa and Asia (except 15110, which will close a day earlier).
In every shortwave slot and WRN relay we'll broadcast our Last Show, enabling as many people as we can to listen in.
During the satellite-only hours in between the shortwave and World Radio Network hours we'll rebroadcast documentaries and other programmes from RNW's historical archives.
Radio Netherlands Worldwide in English will cease transmissions on 29 June at 20:57 UTC.
