BBC Radio 4's long wave service was permanently switched off at 1am on Saturday, ending nearly a century of broadcasts. The BBC said no programmes will be lost as the station continues on FM, DAB, and digital platforms.
End of an Era for Long Wave
The BBC has ended its long wave radio broadcasts after almost 100 years. BBC Radio 4, which was the last long wave radio station in the UK, had the service permanently switched off at 1am on Saturday. Long wave services have been used since 1934 and were used to transmit messages during the Second World War. Radio 4 moved to the frequency in 1978, where it has remained until now.
Reasons for Closure
The BBC first announced in 2022 that it expected its long wave services to close, and in 2024 it ended the separate scheduling of Radio 4 long wave ahead of the change. The corporation said the service has been shut down as long wave technology is “coming to the end of its life” and its continued use would be a “significant investment” for a platform used by a small proportion of listeners. The BBC also said it is focused on “investing in platforms that best-serve audiences and provide resilient coverage for the future” amid the significant rise of digital listening.
Impact on Listeners
Long wave radio is frequently used by those in remote and rural communities, as well as mariners and fishermen. Prior to its closure, campaigners actively fought against the decision by citing the importance of the platform as a non-digital national communication network. The long wave technology used by the BBC is owned and operated by Arqiva.
Reactions and Future
During the Shipping Forecast on Saturday, a Radio 4 announcer acknowledged the “end of an era” as he addressed the BBC ending its use of long wave signals. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Some older people who are avid listeners to BBC radio on old but still perfectly functional and much-loved analogue radios will no doubt mourn the closure of broadcasting via long wave. This is just one of the changes we can anticipate in broadcast media in the coming years, as more and more of it gravitates online. As this happens, it’s imperative that we leave no-one behind, especially older people who do not use computers or who do to a limited extent but who are not digitally savvy. There’s a pressing need for Government to step up to its leadership role of prompting, co-ordinating and at least part-funding a big national digital inclusion effort, so everyone who wants to go online is able to do so. At the same time, it is equally important that we continue to guarantee offline methods of accessing essential services, including public broadcasting, for those who will never be online, most but not all of them people in advanced older age.”
The radio station, known for hit shows such as The Archers and Desert Island Discs, will continue to be available across other platforms such as FM, DAB, television platforms and on digital services. The BBC has also confirmed that no Radio 4 programmes will be lost as a result of the closure.
