BBC Breakfast hosts Ben Thompson and Luxmy Gopal marked the 'end of an era' on Saturday, June 27, as BBC Radio 4's Long Wave service was transmitted for the last time after more than 90 years in operation. The presenters covered the historic moment and issued an appeal to viewers to share their memories of listening to Long Wave radio.
Final transmission of Radio 4 Long Wave
Introducing the segment, Luxmy said: 'We are marking a piece of broadcasting history now because early this morning after more than 90 years in operation BBC Radio 4 was transmitted on Long Wave for the last time.' Ben, 44, added: 'It was revolutionary technology because of the vast distances that that signal could reach. It carried things like important war messages, it brought remote listeners everywhere from things like Shipping Forecast to Test Match Special.'
A video report featured a clip from the final Shipping Forecast on Radio 4 Long Wave, where the presenter told listeners: 'I just wanted to take a moment to mark the end of an era. For almost a century, the Long Wave transmitters have carried the BBC across the airwaves. Although the Long Wave signal is fading into history this morning, the memories and connection it created will endure forever.'
Appeal to viewers for memories
As the clip ended, Luxmy remarked: 'Yeah, end of an era.' Ben then appealed to viewers: 'It really is. Send us your thoughts if you remember particularly listening to longwave radio, as we said particularly because it carries such long distances.' He added: 'We were just talking about Long Wave radio 252. I wasn't listening to the Shipping Forecast when I was younger but I was listening to pop music on 252 because it was European stations that could then broadcast really long distances, it then became various different things, but it was late 80s to the early 2000s.'
When asked about his earliest memories, Ben recalled: 'With headphones on with a little Walkman in bed when I was supposed to be asleep! Long Wave radio 252 - it was great.'
Historical significance of the Long Wave masts
The Long Wave masts, standing 700ft (213m) high in the Worcestershire countryside, have been in use since 1934 for sending the signal across the country and for transmitting important messages during World War Two. The Wychbold Masts can be seen for miles and are often used as a landmark for drivers on the M5 near Droitwich. Local history experts and the Twentieth Century Society have called for them to become listed due to their 'historical importance'. Droitwich was chosen as a central location for the station and masts so Long Wave could reach everywhere in the UK.
