RTE Radio 1 to switch from longwave

RTE Radio have announced that its longwave 252 broadcast is to cease, with the station instead focusing on FM and digital broadcasting.

Though some 98% of Radio 1 listeners will be unaffected by the move, the station is still eager to make people aware of the change.

Tom McGuire, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said: “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."

JP Coakley, RTÉ Radio Director of Operations, added: "While the service was financially and technologically viable for a short time, this is no longer the case. 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.”