Additional trials to terminate transmissions on medium wave ended at two BBC local radio stations in the United Kingdom on Nov. 6.
Radio Essex and Radio Hereford and Worcester’s AM transmitters broadcast a message explaining why regular programs were not available from Oct. 30 to Nov. 6 as the BBC assessed the impact of a switch off. The measure is being considered as the BBC finds itself under increasing pressure to save money.
During the trials, some listeners complained about the loss of service, but at the stations where the trial was extended there was not much response, the BBC says.
According to Radio Today, the BBC said: “The aim of the trial is to get a better understanding of the impact of the loss of MW for our core listeners and also enable us to ensure adequate coverage is available on other platforms in these areas.”
MW services mainly duplicate what is available on FM and DAB, and most listeners will be able to hear their local stations on FM. The BBC says that local radio will be available on DAB in the future if it is not already.
