RTÉ Longwave 252 Whacked

[drici]

RTÉ Radio 1 Moves from Longwave Transmission

RTÉ Radio 1 Moves from Longwave Transmission in new focus on FM, DAB and Digital Access.

RTÉ Radio 1 is announcing the cessation of its Longwave 252 service. The service will cease transmission on Monday 27th October 2014 as RTÉ Radio 1 focuses on FM and DAB transmission, and digital access points.

The vast majority (98%) of RTÉ Radio 1 listeners will be unaffected by the move. However, RTÉ Radio 1 will be embarking upon an awareness campaign to inform remaining Longwave listeners of the superior alternatives to LW transmission.

Tom McGuire, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said: "This development is an opportunity for the listener to tune in to the varied output of RTE Radio 1 in a new way.  The availability of the radio service through new digital platforms provides a much improved sound quality and broader access for all programmes.  Just as the audience migrated from medium wave to FM in the past the end of long wave is compensated for by the availability of RTÉ Radio 1 on various digital platforms through the television in your home, the phone in your pocket, the tablet on your lap or the digital radio in your region."

JP Coakley, RTÉ Radio Director of Operations, says: "The RTÉ Radio 1 Longwave signal covers the island of Ireland and carries also into Britain. This technology gives further reach than FM, but at the expense of quality, and it is rare in modern radios. Nowadays, digital platforms mean that quality and reach do not have to be traded, especially for those listening overseas. The longwave service on 252 has only been in use by Radio 1 for 10 years, and while the service was financially and technologically viable for a short time, this is no longer the case."

RTÉ Radio 1 is available on national FM, on DAB digital radio, on Saorview, SKY and UPC Digital TV platforms, online globally on the RTÉ Radio Player and on the RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Radio Player mobile apps. It is also available on the UK satellite TV service, Freesat.

RTÉ Radio 1 on Longwave carries the same content as RTÉ Radio 1, except where the service "splits" to carry programmes from the digital station RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. These programmes include Mass and Services every Sunday morning and total 2 hours per week approx. Masses and Services will continue to be available on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra on DAB digital radio, Saorview digital TV, UPC digital TV, online globally on the RTÉ Radio Player and on the RTÉ Radio Player mobile app.

JP Coakley continued: "This move to digital platforms is in line with other public service broadcasters such as the BBC in the UK and VGTRK in Russia, who have announced the closure of their longwave services. This service is a very expensive one for RTÉ and is unsustainable in terms of the organisations current financial position. RTÉ reported a break-even in 2013, thanks to rigorous cost-cutting and financial management, and there remains an emphasis on value-for-money across all services and technologies."

RTÉ Radio 1 will conduct an on-air information campaign and will distribute literature to affected audiences via a range of support bodies. You can find out more about the move to FM and digital on www.rte.ie/staytuned

The vast majority (98%) of RTÉ Radio 1 listeners will be unaffected by the move

Wonder who worked this bit out.

[armaghniac]

You'll be able to drive to the new uber-stadium in Casement, after the 10,000 objections are dealt with, but won't be able to listen to the other games on the way!

[Bingo]

Atlantic 252....those where the days.

[johnneycool]

Atlantic 252....those where the days.

Aye,
it was on loop the entire night, not a DJ to be heard after midnight IIRC.

[Billys Boots]

Atlantic 252....those where the days.

Aye,
it was on loop the entire night, not a DJ to be heard after midnight IIRC.

I was convinced that it was on a loop for 20 hours of the feckin day - only thing we could tune in working in Glenveagh National Park, years ago. 

[Bingo]

Atlantic 252....those where the days.

Aye,
it was on loop the entire night, not a DJ to be heard after midnight IIRC.

Some of the tunes seemed to be a hourly loop.

Dusty Rhodes, Sandy beach, Rick O'Shea, Dicky bow. Serious DJ names!

[GJL]

Atlantic 252....those where the days.

Aye,
it was on loop the entire night, not a DJ to be heard after midnight IIRC.

I was convinced that it was on a loop for 20 hours of the feckin day - only thing we could tune in working in Glenveagh National Park, years ago.

Is this the station that had the DJs 'Dusty Bin' and 'Pete Burns'?

[Nigel White]

This is greT news altogether. Gives the Westies something else to make them feel sorry for themselves

[Eamonnca1]

Had a shorter playlist than BBC Radio 1. Seemed like you'd hear the same tune three times an hour.

[tc_manchester]

Must say a bit pissed off about this. Being in manchester we had it on every morning. Also that's the end of listening to matches on the radio when i'm driving. Mind you I won't miss Joe Duffy.

[armaghniac]

Must say a bit pissed off about this. Being in manchester we had it on every morning. Also that's the end of listening to matches on the radio when i'm driving. Mind you I won't miss Joe Duffy.

At home you can just use the Internet, but not so easily in the car, unless you have a a great mobile tariff.
It would be appropriate for the GAA in Britain, and Antrim, to comment on this.

[AZOffaly]

I remember driving up the coast in France a few years ago and listening to a Leinster hurling championship match in the car. The missus was disgusted

[drici]

They must have forgotten about putting this out.

[CD]

Gutted about this. RTE Radio 1 is my station of choice in the car and I can only pick it up in Belfast on the MW252 channel. Going to have to sing to myself instead.

[drici]

Still there.
Closure postponed until 19th January 'to allow for a proper consultation period.'