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I think the BBC would probably run cap in hand to the MOD to pay for a new transmitter in that case. The BBC transmitter is getting on for 70 years old, once it

I think the BBC would probably run cap in hand to the MOD to pay for a new transmitter in that case. The BBC transmitter is getting on for 70 years old, once it fails repairing it will require custom made equipment or complete replacement - both of which will be very expensive. One other curious issue with radio 4 LW is that it carries a data sub-carrier for the National Radio Teleswitch. Basically the signal that controls the Economy 7 and Economy 10 heating systems. If Radio 4 LW goes off-air any renaming E7 and E10 systems will just stop working. One crazy proposal that went nowhere was for the BBC to move Radio 4 LW to RTÉs Clrakstown transmitter in Ireland. That used to be the Atlantic 252 transmitter (remember them?) but has been carrying RTÉ Radio 1 since that venture failed and RTÉ really wants to shut it down. The transmitter at that site was built in 1998 which makes it a very young in radio transmitter terms.

NeedMoreTea 8y ago
Not the BBC any more. They were required to privatise tranmission in 97. Not sure who owns them now. The Beeb still has a couple of world service transmitters I think, but the rest are gone.
- DoubleGlazing 8y ago
  Arqiva. Owned by an Australian investment bank. They also own the old IBA transmission network that broadcasts ITV/C4 and co-owns the Freeview service. I.E. They hold a monopoly on TV and radio transmission in the UK. Plus with the roll-out of 4/5G mobile all those hilltop sites are making them a fortune for providing microwave relay feeds for data services. RTÉ still owns their network as 2rn Ltd (the callsign of Irelands first radio station - phonetically 'To Erin') and they are making decent money from providing the same mobile services. Making the BBC sell off their transmission network was shortsighted. I'm a radio and love all this. The head engineer of 2rn is a member of my radio club - he really knows his stuff.

NeedMoreTea 8y ago

Not the BBC any more. They were required to privatise tranmission in 97. Not sure who owns them now. The Beeb still has a couple of world service transmitters I think, but the rest are gone.

DoubleGlazing 8y ago
Arqiva. Owned by an Australian investment bank. They also own the old IBA transmission network that broadcasts ITV/C4 and co-owns the Freeview service. I.E. They hold a monopoly on TV and radio transmission in the UK. Plus with the roll-out of 4/5G mobile all those hilltop sites are making them a fortune for providing microwave relay feeds for data services. RTÉ still owns their network as 2rn Ltd (the callsign of Irelands first radio station - phonetically 'To Erin') and they are making decent money from providing the same mobile services. Making the BBC sell off their transmission network was shortsighted. I'm a radio and love all this. The head engineer of 2rn is a member of my radio club - he really knows his stuff.