A classic piece of tech is becoming redundant: BBC waves bye-bye to its Long Wave broadcasts

Date:
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:44:28 +0000

Description:
The BBC has turned off its last Long Wave radio broadcast, encouraging more listeners to make the move to digital.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The BBC has turned off its Long Wave (LW) service BBC 4 joins the digital-only party Radios will likely soon need to support digital to be viable If you still rock a retro, decades-old radio (and live in the UK), you're probably going to have to pop down to your local electronics store, because it's well on its way to becoming defunct.

BBC 4, the last radio station in the UK to use Long Wave (LW) radio, has now been taken off the airwaves. And by that I mean, it's still going digitally and on FM analog radio, but it's the final station to be taken off BBC's Long Wave service and thus, the power there has been switched off. This follows a several-decades-long trend, which started in 1995 when the Beeb launched its first-ever DAB broadcast. Over time, digital-only stations and the slow shutdown of aging long-wave tech has made digital one of the preferred ways
to listen. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

Although several medium-wave and FM radio broadcasts persist, most people listen to their stations via digital audio in 2026, with spoken word and
songs converted into binary rather than the warmer, imperfect oscillations of wave-based radio. And I've got to tell you: that's the way it'll continue. Digital is the future This format shutdown will reduce the complexity of the BBC's stretched multi-signal operation. In theory, it will increase accessibility you can listen to digital signals wherever you are in the world, without needing to be within signal range but some listeners with limited internet access or technological ability may be cut off. You may like The best DAB radios Rivian decides to ditch AM/FM radio tuners in the R2 How to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live from anywhere in the world

For better or worse, this is the way it's going. The UK government is consulting on plans for TV to follow suit, with terrestrial TV proposed to be removed by 2034 or, possibly, 2044.

The proposals are facing the same criticism of reducing access to
programming, though an eight-year lead-up gives people plenty of time to upgrade. That's especially true given that all of the best TVs these days
are, let's face it, smart ones. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

According to the BBC, roughly a third of a million viewers only have access
to Freeview currently, and the corporation threatened that channels may be shut down if it's forced to support terrestrial for much longer. It'll depend on the consultation process.

It's too late for long wave radio though which, in the UK, now joins the dinosaurs and passenger pigeon in the category of 'things which are extinct'.

At least we know its death wasn't for nothing: it'll keep the BBC ticking along for a little while longer. The best turntables for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/a-classic-piece-of-tech-is-becoming-redundant- bbc-waves-bye-bye-to-its-long-wave-broadcasts


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