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The 'AM death watch' thread... |
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#1 |
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Guest
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,240
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The 'AM death watch' thread...
Hi guys.
I thought it might be interesting to catalogue AM transmitters as they get switched off around the UK (and across Europe) Off the top of my head, I can think of: BBC world Service- 648 and 1296 Gold- Devon and Croydon Valleys Radio I'm sure there are others. And if you live in the area of one of these transmitters, let us know if you can now hear other distant stations as a result of switch-off? |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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The Valleys Radio one was a nonsensical decision by Ofcom.
UTV offered to run it from their Neath headquarters, Ofcom refused so UTV handed the licence back. How does that regulatory decision benefit anyone in the valleys? |
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: London
Posts: 20,280
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Quote:
Gold- Devon and Croydon |
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#4 |
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,569
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Mountain FM on DAB is using the old Valleys radio studios, they have a grant, but when it runs out they will have to pay their own way via ads, so hope they survive? Quote:
I think you mean the Reigate 1521 service for Surrey and North Sussex rather than Croydon which is served by Gold 1548 from Brookmans Park.
BBC local radio in Plymouth lost it's AM transmitter to DRM tests but was never switched back on, several BBC local stations may lose AM later in 2013! |
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#5 |
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Guest
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,240
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Quote:
I think you mean the Reigate 1521 service for Surrey and North Sussex rather than Croydon which is served by Gold 1548 from Brookmans Park.
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Forest, Hampshire
Posts: 269
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ILR AM transmiers in Hereford and Worcester have also gone (ex Sunshine most recently.) 954 (or was it 945?) and 1530.
IoW Radio moved from 1242 to FM some years ago. |
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#7 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London
Posts: 363
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I wouldn't call it a death watch.... AM is actually doing very well, given people like you seem to have written it off.
I mean, 5Live, Gold, Talksport and Absolute all have healthy AM audiences. Sure people are migrating to digital, thats progress but there are a huge number of people who choose to listen to radio on AM. |
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#8 |
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Guest
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,240
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Maybe 'death watch' was a bit dramatic, although long-term I do think AM will be replaced by a combination of FM and DAB
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#9 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
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Quote:
I wouldn't call it a death watch.... AM is actually doing very well, given people like you seem to have written it off.
I mean, 5Live, Gold, Talksport and Absolute all have healthy AM audiences. Sure people are migrating to digital, thats progress but there are a huge number of people who choose to listen to radio on AM. http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/1052098/ Global may give up some Gold AM licences in the bid to takeover GMG? |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 147
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I believe that the BBC are grooming 5 live listeners in preparation for an AM switch off in the future. In their regular announcements of how you can listen to 5 live, they list several digital platforms but no mention of medium wave, where the majority of its listeners are tuned in. I listen every day in the car and do not wish to listen any other way, thank you.
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#11 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: wirral
Posts: 9,276
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Although Gold is available on DAB in Manchester, I heard the AM blasting out of some old music centre speakers in a second hand shop in Piccadilly. Even a speaker out the door. Would sound much more authentic coming from the Bush VTR103 in the window
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#12 |
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Guest
Join Date: May 2007
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Quote:
Global may give up some Gold AM licences in the bid to takeover GMG?
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#13 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: London
Posts: 20,280
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Quote:
Global may give up some Gold AM licences in the bid to takeover GMG?
1260 in Wrexham could also go, although it's likely if Heart moves onto Real's Welsh frequencies (88.0 in Wrexham) and 105.4, it may be sold to a group such as UTV who could relay Signal 2 from Stoke on it (with a 4 hour Welsh show to meet the current national AM requirement) with 103.4 becoming another Signal FM station. |
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#14 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 716
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Quote:
The Valleys Radio one was a nonsensical decision by Ofcom.
UTV offered to run it from their Neath headquarters, Ofcom refused so UTV handed the licence back. How does that regulatory decision benefit anyone in the valleys? OFCOM also carried out and completed an investigation into moving Valleys onto FM in many areas only to have UTV throw it all back. It's a shame that UTV were allowed anywhere near Valleys Radio. I'm still amazed at their bare faced cheek in applying a few years back to run the news operation for Wales - thankfully their reputation went before them and a huge deal of opposition was put against them before the whole idea was ditched. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Aug 2003
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LBC News 1152 which simulcasts LBC's FM output for several hours a day and is also broadcast on DAB... must be a strong candidate for the next AM outlet to fall silent.
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#16 |
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 1,600
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Quote:
There were reports Absolute will give up AM, but has renewed it's licence to 2019, Absolute is still pushing for listeners to move to DAB and internet radio (FM in London), so may still exit AM before the end of the licence!
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#17 |
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 1,600
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Quote:
I'm not sure the OFCOM decision was non-sensical presumably they had good reason not to allow it particularly since there was an awful lot of support from politicians and business in favour of the move.
OFCOM also carried out and completed an investigation into moving Valleys onto FM in many areas only to have UTV throw it all back. It's a shame that UTV were allowed anywhere near Valleys Radio. I'm still amazed at their bare faced cheek in applying a few years back to run the news operation for Wales - thankfully their reputation went before them and a huge deal of opposition was put against them before the whole idea was ditched. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 2,295
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The European and African Medium Wave Guide shows known closing dates for stations. Seems there are some Bulgarians (but not all) going off at the end of September.
If there are more closedowns planned for the new year we'll hopefully see them indicated there soon. Such a pity that Andy's Media Network has closed as he kept us well-informed on impending European switch-offs, including the high-powered German regionals last January. Ydun's Medium Wave Info currently shows a report from the Kiev Post that Radio Liberty will cease medium-wave broadcasts in Russia on Nov 10. That page also has some detail on the recent mast failure at Europe1. |
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#19 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: London
Posts: 20,280
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Quote:
LBC News 1152 which simulcasts LBC's FM output for several hours a day and is also broadcast on DAB... must be a strong candidate for the next AM outlet to fall silent.
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#20 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 716
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Quote:
LBC News 1152 which simulcasts LBC's FM output for several hours a day and is also broadcast on DAB... must be a strong candidate for the next AM outlet to fall silent.
Thankfully when I'm not in London I can listen via satellite which was an excellent move by Global! |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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I know it's a bit off post but I was just thinking of how many stations currently only on DAB in London (and elsewhere for that matter) would benefit from an AM frequency. I would say French Radio London, WRN, Voice of Russia as well as the oft quoted Radio Caroline. It seems to me that a dual DAB / AM set up would suit these stations at least until DAB in cars became the norm.
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#22 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,569
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Quote:
I know it's a bit off post but I was just thinking of how many stations currently only on DAB in London (and elsewhere for that matter) would benefit from an AM frequency. I would say French Radio London, WRN, Voice of Russia as well as the oft quoted Radio Caroline. It seems to me that a dual DAB / AM set up would suit these stations at least until DAB in cars became the norm.
http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/1143...CMP=ILC-SEARCH Quote:
In London, a boost to the DAB signal in April helped digital surge from 35.7% in the first quarter to 40.8% this quarter, according to Rajar statistics
Putting the stations on AM will hold back the increase in digital listening and other than low power AM or FM community stations no new analogue licences are being issued, Ofcom want Radio Caroline to go on DAB, but they say they can't afford it (as they don't get enough income as no one wants to advertse on it, and also have old AM transmitters gathering dust, but used for occasional RSLs, although none this year). they are still chasing a full time medium power AM licence on 648 for 2014, which might encourage more listeners, but goes against the current policy of promoting digital platforms, so chances are slim!http://radiocarolineonair.co.uk/ Quote:
February 2012 No sign yet of this public consultation?Ofcom are hopeful that they will soon be in a position to draft a consultation document regarding any possible future use for 648 kilohertz. Until last year the frequency was used to transmit the programmes of the BBC World Service but they have now confirmed to Ofcom that they have no intention of using the frequency for any purpose in the future. The regulator is now in discussion with the company who own the transmitting infrastructure for this channel and whilst this process may take some time, they have confirmed that their intention is to proceed with drafting the document which will invite the public to make Ofcom aware of how they would wish the channel to be used. Quote:
And yet has 355,000 listeners in London and a 3% share. Not bad considering.
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#23 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 147
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If the powers that be will not allow any new high power stations on AM, then is it not time to do it again without authority?
Wavelengths should be used, to be left empty is a waste of RF spectrum. |
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#24 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Essex
Posts: 3,858
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Quote:
If the powers that be will not allow any new high power stations on AM, then is it not time to do it again without authority?
Wavelengths should be used, to be left empty is a waste of RF spectrum. |
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#25 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 944
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The empty AM channels that I notice here are 648Khz ex BBC W/S, 666/954 Khz which I think should be offered to Gold for the east Devon area and 1530/954Khz which I think should also be offered to Gold for coverage of the Worcester/Hereford areas. I use to get a commercial station clearly on 603Khz which I think was from Cheltenham but that went silent some years ago. I was able to hear Valleys radio on 1116Khz but now that transmitter is silent I can hear BBC local radio from the Channel Islands instead.
I would love to see 648Khz used for high powered use as it would offer excellant coverage from one of the higher powered transmitters. |
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