Ukrainian Radio transmission in Estonia has ceased.
The Ukrainian radio station "Druzhi," which was the first Ukrainian radio in Estonia, has ceased its FM broadcasting in 2022 due to the loss of funding that supported its terrestrial transmission. The station originally served as a cultural and informational outlet for the Ukrainian community in Estonia.
However, the future looks brighter for "Druzhi" as the Estonian Ministry of Culture has indicated intentions to continue supporting the station. The support will be channeled primarily through digital platforms rather than traditional FM broadcasting. This shift is aimed at reaching listeners more cost-effectively and expanding accessibility through online streaming and other digital media formats.
The change in the radio landscape in Estonia was reported by the national public broadcasting portal ERR. The exact monthly expenses of the new Ukrainian radio station are not specified, but it appears to be less reliant on donations and volunteer efforts compared to "Druzhi," which operated solely on these resources.
In Narva, 90% of the population, including Ukrainians, communicate in Russian. It is worth noting that the new Ukrainian radio station's content is composed of 80% Ukrainian, 15% Estonian, and 5% Russian.
It is not clear if the new Ukrainian radio station is facing financial issues similar to "Druzhi," which was reported to be at risk of disappearing from the airwaves as early as the beginning of August if funding sources could not be found. The creators of "Druzhi" had made an open appeal to listeners to help secure its future.
The cessation of broadcasting of "Druzhi" on FM was reported by ERR, but it does not specify if the new Ukrainian radio station is the replacement for "Druzhi." Sputnik Near Abroad reported the change in the radio station in Estonia, but further details about the new station are yet to be disclosed.
In November 2024, the radio station "Humour FM" was replaced by the Ukrainian radio station, according to Sputnik Near Abroad. The exact circumstances surrounding this change are not clear at this time.
In summary: - FM broadcasting stopped in 2022 due to lost funding. - Future support is planned through digital media rather than FM. - The Estonian Ministry of Culture remains involved in funding efforts. - The radio station "Humour FM" was replaced by the Ukrainian radio station in November 2024. - Sputnik Near Abroad reported the change in the radio station. - The radio station "Druzhi" was facing potential disappearance from the airwaves due to financial issues. - The new Ukrainian radio station's content is composed of 80% Ukrainian, 15% Estonian, and 5% Russian. - The radio station "Druzhi" in Estonia has ceased FM broadcasting.
Political changes are afoot in Estonia's radio landscape as the Ukrainian radio station "Druzhi," which once broadcasted on FM, ceased its terrestrial transmission in 2022. General-news sources report that the Estonian Ministry of Culture is planning to continue supporting the station, shifting funding towards digital platforms. This new direction aims to reach more listeners cost-effectively and expand accessibility through online streaming and other digital media formats.
