Forthcoming BBC radio medium wave switch off

 As I recently mentioned the BBC has already switched off its long wave transmissions for Radio 4, it will switch off medium wave transmissions for BBC Radio Five Live in 2027. This means less choice for listeners, especially those who do not have access to Digital Audio Broadcast(DAB) and the internet.  I have watched various youtube videos commenting on the long wave switch off, this one mentions a possible defence implication whereby an electrical magnetic pulse impact will disable digital communications and the national grid. I remember seeing this depicted in the 1980s BBC drama documentary “Threads” about Britain under nuclear attack.  Such an attack may not be as devastating for legacy items such as long or medium radio due to them being less complex and radio receivers being able to run on batteries. Hence long and medium wave operations may survive the aftermath of a nuclear attack and be used to inform the public. 

Therefore I have signed the petition to keep BBC medium wave, if you agree with me, please sign and share the petition. 

BBC Radio 4 long wave shutdown

Being someone of a certain age, I remember listening to the transistor radio growing up and in particular the long wave band as it was clearer than medium wave.  In particular I used long wave for BBC Radio 4 and the long defunct Atlantic 252 station.  During my sixth form and higher education student days I developed a habit of listening to Radio 4’s Any questions programme so this story caught my attention. 

The BBC shutdown its long wave transmission is very understandable as there are not enough listeners to justify operating and maintaining its long wave transmitters and sad, though it is, we have to move to with the times.  Being rather old school myself, I still listen to radio using a radio receiver, so I hope FM and MW can hang around for a bit, as I don’t want to use my mobile’s battery up.