"Services that have become less well-used because of the rise of local broadcasters or falling short-wave audiences sometimes have to close, " he said.

BBC: Urgent question: BBC World Service

There will be reductions in medium-wave transmissions for local radio in England where coverage replicates FM.

BBC: set to cut 2,000 jobs by 2017

And Haider's Alliance party romped to victory in Carinthian local elections on a wave of post-mortem sentiment, taking 45% of the vote in March.

ECONOMIST: Commemorating a populist with shades of truth and memory