BBC Radio 4's long wave service, a historic broadcast platform that had been running for almost 100 years, was permanently switched off in the early hours of Saturday, June 27, 2026. The service ended at 1am, with presenter Al Ryan delivering an emotional final sign-off during the Shipping Forecast.
End of an Era for Long Wave Radio
The BBC first announced plans to close its long wave services in 2022, citing the technology's age and declining usage. Long wave radio was introduced in 1934 to transmit messages during the Second World War and later became home to Radio 4 in 1978. According to the BBC, the technology is 'coming to the end of its life' and maintaining it would require 'significant investment' for a small audience.
Campaigners have fought the decision for years, highlighting the service's importance as a non-digital national communication network, especially for remote and rural communities, mariners, and fishermen. Despite the closure, Radio 4 programmes such as The Archers and Desert Island Discs remain available on FM, DAB, television platforms, and digital services.
Job Cuts and Cost-Saving Measures
The closure comes amid a broader restructuring at the BBC. Director-General Matt Brittin announced earlier in June that 550 of the planned 1,800 to 2,000 job cuts would come from BBC News and TV and radio-related roles. The BBC aims to save £500 million over two years, with an £80 million reduction in content spending. Around 700 corporate roles will also be affected. Job cuts were announced in April and are set to take place over the next three years.
Emotional Final Sign-Off
Al Ryan, tasked with concluding the long wave service, became emotional during his final Shipping Forecast broadcast. He said: 'Well, before we leave you tonight, I just wanted to take a moment to mark the end of an era. For almost a century, long-wave transmitters have carried the BBC across the airwaves, from the iconic Droitwich transmitting station in Worcestershire to Westerglen in Falkirk in Scotland. Although the long-wave signal is fading into history this morning, the memories and connections it created will endure forever. We shall miss your warmth and crackle.'
He added on X (formerly Twitter): 'The end of an era - After almost a century we said goodbye this morning to our great companion of the airwaves Radio 4 198 LW. I shall miss her warmth and crackle. Here’s the final sign off at the end of #theshippingforecast before she fell silent.'
Impact and Future
The long wave technology used by the BBC is owned and operated by Arqiva. The BBC stated it is focused on 'investing in platforms that best-serve audiences and provide resilient coverage for the future' and works with organisations supporting vulnerable audiences during platform closures. No Radio 4 programmes will be lost as a result of the switch-off.
