AM switch-off remains at BBC Local Radio

02/10/2012 - 16:02 | 4 Replies More

A trial to turn-off medium-wave transmitters at some BBC local radio stations is to continue after hardly any listeners complained.

As Radio Today revealed in August, the BBC is testing the switch-off of medium wave transmission for certain stations. After the initial five-week trial was completed, so few listeners complained about the loss of service that the trial is now to be continued in two areas.

BBC Radio Nottingham’s MW transmitter, and Radio Kent’s relay at Rusthall near Tunbridge Wells on 1602kHz, will now remain off-air, possibly indefinitely. The BBC says “This is because we want to assess the impact of a longer-term switch-off, given the low number of response in these areas.”

Meanwhile, the trial switch-off has ended as planned at BBC Radio Merseyside and Lincolnshire, and for BBC Radio Kent’s other medium wave transmitter at Littlebourne on 774kHz.

The BBC told RadioToday.co.uk in August: “MW services mainly duplicate what is already available on FM and DAB, and most listeners will be able to hear their local stations on FM. The BBC is also committed to a full roll out of local radio stations across the DAB network. If local radio is not already available on DAB it will be in the future.

“The aim of the trial is to get a better understanding of the impact of the loss of MW for our core listeners and also enable us to ensure adequate coverage is available on other platforms in these.”


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Category: Industry News

  • Brian Winter

    I said it in another place, it now, looking back, strikes me as strange that BBC locals ever went onto medium wave in the first place but I understand it was done because the commercials were given medium wave. Also, in many places MW is not much good after dark because of interference from household electronics and other stations. FM and DAB are the way forward, but in some areas, this really does need to be beefed up a bit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003294357207 James Martin

    Only really the pesky issue of sports commentary splits really – but there’s ways round it, such as on BBC Leicester when Rugby and Football are both in-play – usually City will go on FM and the Tigers will go on DAB.

  • Gerry1

    D’oh !

    Most of Kent (including all of NW Kent) simply can’t receive the NOW Kent DAB mux, so ceasing 1602 effectively means the end of split programming, e.g. sports coverage.

    They should have sorted DAB out first.

    • Jeremy

      1602 kHz just serves SW Kent around Tunbridge Wells. Daytime coverage from 774kHz is very good and extends as far as BrIghton The BBC seems to be keeping 774kHz going so hopefully I’ll be able to listen to the cricket next summer!

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