Jun 29, 2012
More photos of Friday's closedown are here on my Flickr account:
Dropped by Radio Netherlands building for the last few minutes of their broadcasts in English. Did an interview with Jonathan Groubert, host of the State We're In, as he prepared a few words to add to the final broadcast towards Africa. Then went downstairs to an almost empty newsroom where Rob Kievit, producer of the last day, was making a few last minute preparations.
Then, we all joined Jonathan Groubert in Studio Booth Number 4 where English programmes (including news bulletins) have originated for decades. After Dheera's last words, Jonathan added one final thank you. I left a small audio recorder running to capture the moment for the history books. And so a bottle of champagne was opened, knocked back rather hurriedly, and then we all headed for the last train home. So ends an era. This recording captures the moments....before, during and after the final signoff.
I added a stereo copy of the Radio Netherlands interval signal, played on the carillion in Breda. I was actually present in the bell tower during the summer of 1985. It was one of the first all digital recordings we ever made. It replaced a worn out recording of the same tune which had been made in the 1950's at the cathedral in s'Hertogenbosch. The tape had stretched after being copied so many times.
Thanks to Kai Ludwig in Germany for sending me a better copy of Jonathan Groubert's last words captured from the satellite. I've mixed them in.
I heard the final farewell broadcast on SW 6065 kHz to Europe from Wertachtal transmitter site in South Germany;very sad indeed.
Just found this... A sad day but a nice recording. Really pleased that you attached the RNW interval signal at the end. That was always my favourite and it brings back good memories!
Thank you, JM, for this inside glimpse of the "last moments". Very sad, indeed. Like Jay Vos, I had the opportunity of visiting RNW; played American folk music as part of the anniversary Open Day entertainment in (was it?) 1987. When Jonathan Groubert asked me if, as a shortwave listener, I would be visiting other European stations, I replied that only RNW felt like family to me. I wish everyone the best as I toast you with my RNW coffee mug. Thank you for the years of thoughtful and thought-provoking programs.
Thank you so much, Jonathan Marks, for capturing the very end of the RNW English Service. I was away from the computer in that last particular hour and had missed Jonathan G's closing remarks. Thank you for preserving these works. Sad. My nose and eyes watered at the end as I listened to your podcast. But I am trying to smile as Jonathan G. directed I should and will monitor their progress in the innovations to come. Cheers to you and everyone.
Dear Jonathan: Thank you so much for capturing the final moments of Radio Netherlands. To all the people of radio netherlands..You Made A Difference In The World, You truly did. All the work from behind the scenes, the presentors, the radio tower technicians, the website staff, the many journalists, You ALL Made A Difference in people's lives around the world and you will ALL be missed. Radio Netherlands will remain in our hearts no matter how much time passes. To jonathan and everyone else at Radio Netherlands, Thank you for sharing all your wonderful talents with the rest of the world. Dan McNulty, Rosemount, Minnesota, USA.
To the Two Jonathans: Thanks. I've been listening to RNW sinct I was a child. Yes, I'm 64 years old now, and my family used to listen first to the shortwave programs in Dutch and English on my dad's huge Philips radio. My mother was American and my Dad was born in Zeeland. They died in the early 1990s so never heard the programs on the internet. But I continued to listen, even on short wave when I was camping in the Vermont woods. Yeah, Jonathan Groubert is right that RNW tried to save itself too late. But the in depth documentary programs at RNW were excellent journalism, sorely lacking today in commercial radio for sure, but also in a lot of public radio broadcasts in the USA. Back in the mid 1990s I visited the station and had a chance to meet several of your colleagues. David Swatling's arts programs were my favourites. I met him - he even treated me to a beer in Amsterdam. A the station, I was given a Radio Nederland Wereldomroep t-shirt. It's been worn a lot over the years... laundered so much that the logo colors are faded a bit; it's tattered, but I still wear it proudly. This week I've worn it in honor of you all. I've visited family and friends over the years, frequently. But that trip to Hilversum and meeting you all was one of my most memorable from visits to Holland. Oh, and Jonathan Groubert, I remember when you started at RNW for goodness sakes! Well done all. I better stop cuz I'm getting teary eyed and cannot read the keyboard. Tot ziens, y'all.
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for you nice words about a fine radio station.
Very interesting interviews and perspectives, especially from the two Jonathans.
Thanks for recording and making this available-a sad day