HFU HF Underground
General Category => General Radio Discussion => Topic started by: Oliver on February 01, 2016, 2114 UTC
-
And another European Station leaves MW.
BBC Radio Bristol has confirmed it will be leaving Medium Wave in mid-February; the transmitter site is due to be demolished as part of a redevelopment scheme.
Now BBC Radio Bristol is inviting listeners via social media to spread the word about the changes, which will mean affected listeners will need to tune in to the station via either FM, DAB, Online or via Freeview from 19th February.
Ahead of the long-awaited 1548 kHz switch-off, four new DAB transmitters have been set-up to improve digital radio coverage in the area, including a transmitter at Backwell improving coverage around Nailsea and one at King's Weston.
BBC Radio Bristol is also available on 94.9 and 104.6 FM, Freeview channel 719 and online. These outlets remain unaffected by the MW switch-off.
The BBC is pointing out that the switch-off is necessary as the landlord of the Mangotsfield transmitter site is handing over the land to developers, a decision that is out of the BBC's control. The move had been expected for some while, with planning permission having been granted by the local council for redevelopment.
Smooth Radio on 1260kHz also broadcasts from the same transmitter site for listeners in Bristol. Owner Global Radio has at this stage not announced what will happen to this service, although when Smooth Radio's Reading MW transmitter was forced to close, there was no advance announcement. Smooth Radio is available on local DAB in the Bristol area, also benefiting from the recent DAB transmitter build-out.
The UK is one of the last countries in western Europe with a comprehensive collection of Medium Wave stations: many neighbouring countries have already ditched the waveband in favour of various digital platforms.
Thanks to "uk dxer" for sharing the article via Twitter
-
I keep wondering when N.A. will follow Europe's lead>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Will be a sad day for us old timers....
-
I doubt anything like this is in store for the gold ol' USA. We're too geographically large and dependant on highway travel to abandon MW just yet. I haven't heard of the Russians or the Chinese doing anything like that yet.
+-RH