A number of BBC local radio stations will cease broadcasting on Medium
Wave.
Following a number of trials over the past few years, the BBC has
confirmed that from January 2018, Medium Wave transmissions of a number of BBC
Local Radio stations will either cease or be reduced.
The plans will
result in BBC Radio Sussex, Surrey, Humberside, Wiltshire, Nottingham, Kent, and
Lincolnshire no longer being broadcast on Medium Wave and reduced MW coverage
for BBC Devon, Lancashire and Essex.
The reduction of Medium Wave
services was first considered as part of the BBC's 2011 "Delivering Quality
First" programme. Trial switch-offs in subsequent years provided the BBC the
chance to find out how many listeners were listening on AM. Most switch-offs
took place without much public reaction, although a trial affecting BBC Radio
Merseyside's signal provoked a strong reaction from listeners and national
newspaper headlines. BBC Radio Merseyside's Medium Wave signal has been left off
the current closure list.
BBC Radio Bristol was the first BBA number of BBC local radio stations will cease broadcasting on Medium
Wave.
Following a number of trials over the past few years, the BBC has
confirmed that from January 2018, Medium Wave transmissions of a number of BBC
Local Radio stations will either cease or be reduced.
The plans will
result in BBC Radio Sussex, Surrey, Humberside, Wiltshire, Nottingham, Kent, and
Lincolnshire no longer being broadcast on Medium Wave and reduced MW coverage
for BBC Devon, Lancashire and Essex.
The reduction of Medium Wave
services was first considered as part of the BBC's 2011 "Delivering Quality
First" programme. Trial switch-offs in subsequent years provided the BBC the
chance to find out how many listeners were listening on AM. Most switch-offs
took place without much public reaction, although a trial affecting BBC Radio
Merseyside's signal provoked a strong reaction from listeners and national
newspaper headlines. BBC Radio Merseyside's Medium Wave signal has been left off
the current closure list.
BBC Radio Bristol was the first BBC Local Radio
station in recent years to leave Medium Wave. However its closure in 2016 was
the result of a redevelopment on the site of the transmitter.
The BBC
stations that are affected from 2018 have a wide reach on FM, as well as
recently enhanced reception via DAB digital radio and Freeview. The number of
users accessing radio via DAB, mobile and internet services has also been
steadily increasing in recent years, as the share of analogue radio listening,
including Medium Wave stations, has dropped to around 50%.
(Could
be good news for Manx Radio which will find itself with a clear frequency on
1368 kHz from January – Dave)
C Local Radio
station in recent years to leave Medium Wave. However its closure in 2016 was
the result of a redevelopment on the site of the transmitter.
The BBC
stations that are affected from 2018 have a wide reach on FM, as well as
recently enhanced reception via DAB digital radio and Freeview. The number of
users accessing radio via DAB, mobile and internet services has also been
steadily increasing in recent years, as the share of analogue radio listening,
including Medium Wave stations, has dropped to around 50%.
(Could
be good news for Manx Radio which will find itself with a clear frequency on
1368 kHz from January – Dave via bdxcuk yg)
