BBC ends long wave broadcasts after almost a century

The BBC has ended longwave radio broadcasts after nearly 100 years.

The service of BBC Radio 4, the last longwave radio station in the UK, was permanently shut down at 1am on Saturday.

Longwave services have been in use since 1934 and were used to transmit messages during World War II.

Radio 4 moved to the frequency in 1978, where it remains until today.

The BBC first announced that it expected the closure of longwave services in 2022, and before the change in 2024 Radio 4 ended the separate programming of longwave.

The company said the service was shut down because longwave technology was “reaching end of life” and that maintaining the service would be a significant cost for a platform used by a small portion of listeners.

The BBC also said it was focusing on “investing in platforms that best serve viewers and provide flexible broadcasting for the future” amid a significant rise in digital listening.

The radio station, known for popular programs such as The Archers and Desert Island Discs, will continue to be broadcast on other platforms such as FM, DAB, television platforms and digital services.

The BBC also confirmed that no Radio 4 programs would be lost due to the closure.

Longwave radio is frequently used by sailors and fishermen, as well as those living in remote and rural communities.

Before its closure, campaigners actively fought against the decision, citing the platform’s importance as a non-digital national communications network.

It owns and operates Arqiva, the longwave technology used by the BBC.

During Saturday’s Dispatch Forecast, a Radio 4 presenter admitted it was “the end of an era” as he called for the BBC to end the use of longwave signals.