Bulgaria begins 6 month DRM trial for listeners abroad

The Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) has begun trial DRM digital broadcasts for listeners abroad.

Presenting the project, BNR Director General Valery Todorov said “We hope to be able to attract attention to the need for more accelerated rates in joining the digital era”.

The digital trials will continue with a six-hour long mix of BNR’s three channels - Horizont, Hristo Botev and Radio Bulgaria in five languages. The broadcasts are designed for citizens of Central and Western Europe as well as the extensive Bulgarian Diaspora there.

The new technology will make it possible to effect substantial cutbacks on BNR broadcasting costs, improve the quality of the service and transmit an integrated multimedia product, Valery Todorov said.

According to the DRM Consortium, the trial will run for six months. The long time DRM member Transradio SenderSysteme Berlin AG has provided the equipment for the transmission.

According to the DRM website, the schedule is:

• 0600-1200 Fri-Sun on 11900 kHz
• 0900-1200 Mon-Thu on 11900 kHz
• 1300-1600 Mon-Thu on 9700 kHz

All beamed 306 degrees, with 20 kW power.

(Source: Media Network, DRM Consortium/Radio Bulgaria)