Popular late-night radio shows get reprieve

The only program that will not return to its old home is "Netiva Listens and Responds" hosted by veteran broadcaster Netiva Ben-Yehuda, who has just turned 80.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
radio mc 88 224 (photo credit: Courtesy)
radio mc 88 224
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Fans of Israel Radio's Reshet Bet post-midnight talk shows who phoned in, sent faxes, letters and e-mails and joined in demonstrations over the loss of their favorite programs will be happy to hear that their beloved broadcasts have been given a brief reprieve. The Israel Broadcasting Authority's decision to scrap most of the programs - at least temporarily - was part of its ongoing cost-cutting measures. But the heavy barrage of criticism prompted Rachel Kremmerman - who chairs the IBA plenum's Radio Committee, and who was never completely happy with the decision - to temporarily reinstate the cancelled late-night programs after consulting with IBA director-general Moti Sklar, department heads and members of her committee. The broadcasts are scheduled to return to the line-up on September 1, and will continue until after Succot. Late-night programs will also be broadcast concurrently on Reshet Aleph. The only program that will not return to its old home is "Netiva Listens and Responds" hosted by veteran broadcaster Netiva Ben-Yehuda, who has just turned 80. Ben-Yehuda's program, which is based on nostalgia - both in the shared memories of listeners who call in to reminisce and songs which predate the state's founding - seemed to have the strongest following. The demonstrators who lined up outside the radio building following the IBA's announcement to cut the program included many of Ben-Yehuda's young listeners, who said this special link to the past was important to them. As result, the program was moved to Reshet Gimmel where it will remain at the special request of the station's manager, who argued that the station was the natural home for such a program. It is slotted to air Wednesdays from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Meanwhile, Kremmerman's committee plans to investigate the situation to see if there is any way the talk shows can remain on the air after the holidays.