Czech Radio donated essential radio broadcasting equipment to Ukraine
Czech Radio delivered technical equipment to Ukraine at the request of the Ukrainian public broadcasting company UA:PBC. This donation will make it possible to set up temporary Ukrainian radio workplaces in case the current broadcasting facilities are occupied or destroyed by Russian troops.
"We are in daily contact with our Ukrainian radio colleagues. We want to know how we can specifically help them so that they can continue to provide radio broadcasts and inform the Ukrainian public about current events in the country. We immediately responded to the request of the broadcaster UA:PBC and sent the various technical and IT equipment needed to set up temporary broadcasting sites to Ukraine. I would like to thank all colleagues who participated in this assistance for their high level of commitment," said René Zavoral, Director General of Czech Radio.
Czech Radio supported its partner Ukrainian public broadcasting company UA:PBC not only with surplus technical equipment, but also by launching an internet stream of Ukrainian Radio for Ukrainians and refugees in the Czech Republic. The aim of the Ukrainian-language broadcast is to ensure the daily availability of information about the war in Ukraine. It is available on the mujRozhlas.cz audio portal and mobile app, and the broadcast can now also be heard on DAB+ digital radio and DVB-T2 television.
Radio Prague International, which provides Czech Radio's foreign broadcasting has also launched a daily podcast in Ukrainian called „News for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.“ It offers up-to-date information, recommendations and practical advice to Ukrainian refugees on our territory. The podcast can be heard on the audio portal and in the mobile app mujRozhlas.cz.
The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to play a benefit concert in support of Ukraine on Monday 14 March 2022 at the Rudolfinum. All the proceeds from admissions will be donated to the People in Need fund-raising collection to help Ukraine. Ticket prices range from 300 to 5000 CZK. All performers will participate with claim to remuneration. The concert will be offered as part of the European Broadcasting Union's International Music Exchange and is planned to be broadcast by Canadian Public Radio CBC/Ottawa, Romanian Radio ROR, Lithuanian Radio LRT, Sveriges Radio, Greek and Bavarian Radio.
UA:PBC is a Ukrainian public broadcaster and a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Since 2014, UA:PBC has been undergoing a transition from a state-owned medium to a public service medium, gradually gaining new listeners. Thanks to financial assistance from the European Union, it invested in building a state-of-the-art digital newsroom, which was fully launched at the end of 2021, and was able to usher in new viewers and listeners. Ukrainian Radio is the largest FM network and the most popular radio station in the country with an average daily reach of almost one million listeners. Since 22 February 2022, Ukrainian Radio has been broadcasting around the clock, providing listeners with the most up-to-date and accurate information on the country's defense. Live broadcasts are only interrupted during an air raid alert, when presenters must take cover.