The (Radio) One Show

Digital Radio listening figures are approaching the level at which the Gov't needs to start planning a FM Switch-off. It would also likely mean that the BBC would have to launch any split services on TV. They already do it for Radio 4 and I don't they want to do it for any other stations. If the BBC were to offer any new services, I'd suggest an audio simulcast of the BBC News Channel because I hate the sports programming on 5 Live in the evenings and weekends.

That would make sense.

I've also wondered whether it would be a good idea to simulcast R4 LW opts (apart from cricket) on Radio 4 Extra. It would help them bed into a new home time for the inevitable LW switch off.

1: Radio 4 Extra listeners (myself included) would not be happy.

2: I don't think LW will be switched off otherwise it would have been scrapped by now. I believe there are a large number of vessels that can only receive LW broadcasts and if they can't receive their shipping forecasts, they may end up in a fair bit of trouble!

Also, you can already access them opt-outs on DAB. Just re-tune when the programme(s) is/are on and 'Daily Service' and 'Parliament' should pop up.

Long Wave broadcasting is hideously expensive. Every other European country is abandoning it, including France who ditched France Inter on 162kHz on Jan 1 this year. That saw the demise of the French broadcast Shipping Forecast too.

There are other, superior AIUI, satellite delivered maritime info services.

Fair point, but just wait for the outrage when the BBC go and announce the closure of the service. I wouldn't miss it, but some would.

Just out of interest why is Long Wave broadcasting more expensive compared to FM/AM and DAB?

I suspect most of the outrage will be from ex-pats abroad in near Europe, and those (myself included) that use it
when driving abroad.

There was a similar kerfuffle in 1978, when Radio 2 handed the frequency to Radio 4, and back then
then was no other way to properly hear R2 outside of the UK.

It requires a large open site for the transmission masts, and buried earth mat, and because of the low frequency
everything is 'big', and requires regular preventive maintenance. Of course it becomes expensive when the accountants divide the cost by the number of listeners.

The plus side, is you can cover almost the whole of England, and all of Wales with a single transmitter.

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=1454

Here's some 1984 pictures of the equipment, I don't think much has changed since then (the last equipment update was 1978)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/russell_w_b/sets/72157603792453070/

And a BBC engineering article (Edit: Which states an upgrade in 1985)

http://www.bbceng.info/Operations/transmitter_ops/Reminiscences/Droitwich/droitwich_calling.htm

I don't listen to the Radio 4 LW programmes. However, for those that do it is presumably a pain to have to retune every time the programme starts. Also, according to the Guardian, the mast's days are numbered. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/09/bbc-radio4-long-wave-goodbye

This is disputed by others according to the Droitwich Wikipedia page however.

All of my radios in the past have kept it as a permanent option unless I have done a re-scan.

Strange as in different? I think it's an acquired taste especially if you're used to heavily formatted or genre based music stations. I've heard it described as a popular music equivalent of Radio 3 - curated music presented by informed presenters.


Personally I'm a big fan, although I don't like all of it. I can listen for 20 minutes and in daytime at least I'll always hear something great that haven't heard for ages, something new and great, and something I really can't stand. But I'll always tolerate the latter as I never know what's next

Very similar transmitter building to the former one at Washford- which I went to last year (it's now used as a zoo). In fact on more than one occasion I've passed Washford and Droitwich on the same day.