End of Absolute Radio on AM

[johncrossley]

Absolute Radio to switch off all AM transmitters across the UK

Bauer is removing Absolute Radio from Medium wave this month as it turns off all AM frequencies for the station across the country.

radiotoday.co.uk

Bauer is removing Absolute Radio from Medium wave this month as it turns off all AM frequencies for the station across the country.

Absolute Radio launched exclusively on AM (as Virgin Radio) 30 years ago in 1993 using predominantly 1215 kHz along with fill-in relays on 1197, 1233, 1242 and 1260. Some of these have been turned off in recent years in places such as Devon, Merseyside and Tayside.

Whilst this is a historic milestone for the radio industry, it shouldn’t affect many listeners as just two percent of all radio listening currently takes place on AM.

Absolute Radio also lost its FM frequency in London in 2021 in favour of the ever-expanding Greatest Hits Radio network.

The move makes Absolute Radio a digital-only service, broadcasting nationally on DAB and online.

1215 kHz – or 247 meters, was previously used by BBC Radio 1 when it launched, and later, BBC Radio 3. Prior to 1967 it was used by the BBC Light Programme.

It is no longer on FM in London and the Midlands, so people with old AM/FM radios will no longer be able to pick it up.

Other switch offs previously discussed on here (for example terrestrial TV and the analogue phone service) has caused some forum members to be concerned or even outraged.

Do any forum members have similar concerns about Absolute leaving AM?

 

[Howardh]

Haven't listened to a DAB, FM or AM music radio station for years. Didn't know Absolute was still going! What's left on AM now, and if radio ceased to use AM, who will use it henceforth?

 

[johncrossley]

Haven't listened to a DAB, FM or AM music radio station for years. Didn't know Absolute was still going! What's left on AM now, and if radio ceased to use AM, who will use it henceforth?

There is no use for medium wave once it is no longer used for broadcast radio. Long wave can be used for time signals for radio controlled clocks. One of the French long wave stations was converted into a time signal.

Talksport, 5 Live and Radio 4 are still on AM. Some areas have Smooth Radio or Gold on AM. There are a few BBC local radio stations still on AM, as well as Radio Scotland and Wales. There are still several Asian stations on AM. RTE Radio 1 from Ireland is still on long wave.

 

[DelayRepay]

Haven't listened to a DAB, FM or AM music radio station for years. Didn't know Absolute was still going! What's left on AM now, and if radio ceased to use AM, who will use it henceforth?

I think the only other major station left on AM is BBC Five Live. There are some local stations still using AM too. All are available through DAB and streaming.

I used to listen to Absolute Radio on AM (and Virgin as it was before) when I lived in Yorkshire years ago. Even then the reception was not great, especially at night time with a lot of interference.

I've had a DAB radio in my car for years though, and I can't imagine there are many listeners still on AM. I've just looked and the only radio I own that can receive AM is an old alarm clock radio that's in the spare bedroom. All of my others in the house and car are FM/DAB only.

Talksport, 5 Live and Radio 4 are still on AM. Some areas have Smooth Radio or Gold on AM. There are a few BBC local radio stations still on AM, as well as Radio Scotland and Wales. There are still several Asian stations on AM. RTE Radio 1 from Ireland is still on long wave.

I forgot about Talksport in my post above. Didn't know Radio 4 was on AM.

Personally if I was OFCOM I would look to re-organise the FM band to give the remaining stations the option to migrate. Where I live I can receive about seven different flavours of Heart - This was necessary when they all had local programmes, but now the only difference is the adverts.

 

[johncrossley]

Didn't know Radio 4 was on AM.

They have long wave transmitters on 198 which opt out of FM occasionally, notably for test match cricket. The BBC have announced they will cease separate programming for long wave in preparation for long wave switch off. There are also a few medium wave transmitters in parts of the country which cannot receive Radio 4 long wave well, for example Cornwall, London, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Northern Ireland.

Personally if I was OFCOM I would look to re-organise the FM band to give the remaining stations the option to migrate. Where I live I can receive about seven different flavours of Heart - This was necessary when they all had local programmes, but now the only difference is the adverts.

A national FM station takes up 2.2 MHz of space on the dial so there isn't the space even with reorganisation in places with lots of FM stations like London or Manchester. The big national AM stations have good coverage on DAB and digital platforms as a whole have more listeners than FM now so such huge investment in FM seems unlikely even if it was technically possible.

 

[DelW]

Even as something of a radio enthusiast, my listening is all on FM or Dab (or BBC Sounds etc.). I don't think any of my radios (I have quite a few!) have been tuned to medium wave for many years.

Didn't know Radio 4 was on AM.

Radio 4 has been on long wave since it took over 1500m / 198kHz from the Light Programme in the 1960s. Long wave uses amplitude modulation (AM - as opposed to FM = frequency modulation) although it's not necessarily considered as "AM band".

 

[DelayRepay]

They have long wave transmitters on 198 which opt out of FM occasionally, notably for test match cricket. The BBC have announced they will cease separate programming for long wave in preparation for long wave switch off. There are also a few medium wave transmitters in parts of the country which cannot receive Radio 4 long wave well, for example Cornwall, London, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Northern Ireland.

I completely forgot about Long Wave - important because it is used to control Economy Seven electricity meters (until Smart Meters replace them, I suppose), and relied on by the commanders of our nuclear submarines to establish whether the United Kingdom still exists

A national FM station takes up 2.2 MHz of space on the dial so there isn't the space even with reorganisation in places with lots of FM stations like London or Manchester. The big national AM stations have good coverage on DAB and digital platforms as a whole have more listeners than FM now so such huge investment in FM seems unlikely even if it was technically possible.

I was thinking more about the local stations, and especially the specialist ones like the Asian stations. They would only need one transmitter - if OFCOM could reduce the number of Hearts, Capitals and Greatest Hits (because they are not providing a local service), they should be able to squeeze them in.

I can imagine Five Live in England will merge with BBC Local Radio in the not too distant future. There will be local breakfast shows, local news, and opt-outs for local sport, but most of the programmes will be England Wide. The proposed cuts to local radio are already a step in this direction.

 

[johncrossley]

I was thinking more about the local stations, and especially the specialist ones like the Asian stations. They would only need one transmitter - if OFCOM could reduce the number of Hearts, Capitals and Greatest Hits (because they are not providing a local service), they should be able to squeeze them in.

Technically, those legacy FM stations are doing a local service by inserting local news and travel. I personally think that is outrageous but Ofcom allow it. Replacing the existing stations with more powerful regional transmitters may not save space on the FM dial because of interference caused elsewhere and may still require local filler transmitters. The broadcasters basically call the shots and they like the FM dial the way it is. Other countries have forced stations to reapply for their FM licences leading to well known stations closing down.

 

[Howardh]

I read that the sound quality of music on DAB is "worse" than FM - possibly because it broadcasts in mono (?) and/or the bit-rate (?) is too little. Can any techie clear that up for me?? For the car I record internet radio onto stick and play that, and I can choose my own quality. The other option I have is an audio cable from my mobile phone to the car's speakers.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Technically, those legacy FM stations are doing a local service by inserting local news and travel. I personally think that is outrageous but Ofcom allow it. Replacing the existing stations with more powerful regional transmitters may not save space on the FM dial because of interference caused elsewhere and may still require local filler transmitters. The broadcasters basically call the shots and they like the FM dial the way it is. Other countries have forced stations to reapply for their FM licences leading to well known stations closing down.

Interestingly the local radio stations destroyed by the consolidation into the big groups seem to be being replaced with new local operations which are far easier and cheaper to set up than they were, often just online, but e.g. MKFM now broadcasts on FM as well. They've just employed the original (and much missed locally) FM103 Horizon breakfast show team, so what goes around comes around, I guess.

I'd agree that calling the Global (Heart) or Bauer (mostly still retain the local names, e.g. Preston's Rock FM that I used to listen to in my youth) stations "local" is taking the proverbial.

I read that the sound quality of music on DAB is "worse" than FM - possibly because it broadcasts in mono (?) and/or the bit-rate (?) is too little. Can any techie clear that up for me?? For the car I record internet radio onto stick and play that, and I can choose my own quality. The other option I have is an audio cable from my mobile phone to the car's speakers.

DAB doesn't broadcast in mono though some cheap/early DAB radios aren't stereo. If the quality is poor perhaps look at your aerial setup? A few of the smaller stations use a low bit rate which you can indeed hear, but e.g. Radio 2 is pretty bang-on.

 

[DelW]

I read that the sound quality of music on DAB is "worse" than FM - possibly because it broadcasts in mono (?) and/or the bit-rate (?) is too little. Can any techie clear that up for me?? For the car I record internet radio onto stick and play that, and I can choose my own quality. The other option I have is an audio cable from my mobile phone to the car's speakers.

Bit-rates on DAB vary considerably between stations. IIRC BBC Radio 3 is still fairly high, commercial stations including Classic FM (sic) on DAB are rather lower. I don't think any broadcast in mono (subject to correction here though). With high-quality equipment and a decent aerial, FM is higher quality than DAB, largely because the UK years ago chose space for more stations in preference to high quality.

 

[johncrossley]

I read that the sound quality of music on DAB is "worse" than FM - possibly because it broadcasts in mono (?) and/or the bit-rate (?) is too little. Can any techie clear that up for me?? For the car I record internet radio onto stick and play that, and I can choose my own quality. The other option I have is an audio cable from my mobile phone to the car's speakers.

The poor bit rate on DAB means that many people, especially audiophiles, notice weird artefacts when listening carefully. And, yes, some DAB stations are in mono. DAB *can* be excellent quality, but only with high bit rates. When DAB started in 1998, audiophiles bought DAB radios for thousands of pounds for the better sound quality, because high bit rates were used then. DAB+ (DAB 'plus') can achieve good quality at much lower bitrates and some stations have moved over from DAB to DAB+. However that means old DAB radios become obsolete, which is why most stations, including the BBC national stations, are still on old style DAB.

 

[DelW]

DAB+ (DAB 'plus') can achieve good quality at much lower bitrates and some stations have moved over from DAB to DAB+. However that means old DAB radios become obsolete, which is why most stations, including the BBC national stations, are still on old style DAB.

I had to buy a couple of new DAB+ radios 2 or 3 years ago, in order to listen to overseas cricket commentaries broadcast on Talksport2, which I could only find on DAB+. Ironically it's a station where sound quality is almost irrelevant

 

[johncrossley]

I don't think any broadcast in mono (subject to correction here though).

Absolute Radio, Kiss and Magic are still in mono on DAB, although many stations switched from DAB mono to DAB+ stereo. LBC, 5 Live and talkSPORT are mono but they are speech stations so mono doesn't matter. There are many local stations in mono on DAB.

https://www.wohnort.org/dab/ is a list of all DAB stations in Europe and beyond, and states whether they are in mono.

I had to buy a couple of new DAB+ radios 2 or 3 years ago, in order to listen to overseas cricket commentaries broadcast on Talksport2, which I could only find on DAB+. Ironically it's a station where sound quality is almost irrelevant

You can really cram in lots of stations using DAB+, which is the main reason why stations have switched from DAB to DAB+, rather than improved sound quality. Talksport 2 now uses a lower bitrate compared to before, which saves money.

Interestingly the local radio stations destroyed by the consolidation into the big groups seem to be being replaced with new local operations which are far easier and cheaper to set up than they were, often just online, but e.g. MKFM now broadcasts on FM as well. They've just employed the original (and much missed locally) FM103 Horizon breakfast show team, so what goes around comes around, I guess.

MKFM is non-profit community radio, however. There is now almost no commercial reason for 'proper' local radio, which is why it barely exists. Ofcom is only a light-touch regulator. Ireland, by contrast, has much stricter regulation on local radio so commercial local radio is similar to how local radio used to be in the UK in the 80s.

 

[DarloRich]

Do any forum members have similar concerns about Absolute leaving AM?

none - just get a digital radio or find it on an app on your phone. It is 2023 not 1923!

 

[GusB]

Technically, those legacy FM stations are doing a local service by inserting local news and travel. I personally think that is outrageous but Ofcom allow it. Replacing the existing stations with more powerful regional transmitters may not save space on the FM dial because of interference caused elsewhere and may still require local filler transmitters. The broadcasters basically call the shots and they like the FM dial the way it is. Other countries have forced stations to reapply for their FM licences leading to well known stations closing down.

I quite like the FM dial the way it is! I don't have DAB in the car and there's no easy way to replace the radio. If I'm honest, there's nothing I listen to on FM that I can't hear on DAB, except Radio Scotland - the national feed is available, but I can only get the local news opt-outs on FM.

Going back to the original topic, I wasn't even aware that Absolute was available on AM! It's a band I rarely use, but it's still quite useful in remote hilly areas where it's difficult to pick up FM.

 

[johncrossley]

Absolute have now put this on their own website, mentioning how 'environmentally unfriendly' AM broadcasting is.

How you listen to Absolute Radio could be changing

How you listen to Absolute Radio could be changing. From 23rd January, we will...

planetradio.co.uk

Lots of you agree, which is why nearly all our audience listen to us digitally. Broadcasting on AM requires running an additional transmitter which is environmentally unfriendly and not cost-efficient given the small numbers of those listening here.

We’re sorry for those affected by the change, but we hope you find an alternative listening experience that works for you.

I quite like the FM dial the way it is! I don't have DAB in the car and there's no easy way to replace the radio. If I'm honest, there's nothing I listen to on FM that I can't hear on DAB, except Radio Scotland - the national feed is available, but I can only get the local news opt-outs on FM.

Going back to the original topic, I wasn't even aware that Absolute was available on AM! It's a band I rarely use, but it's still quite useful in remote hilly areas where it's difficult to pick up FM.

In your part of the world, there is plenty of capacity on FM. Connecting a phone to the aux socket might be an option for the car.

Absolute only ever had limited coverage on AM in northern Scotland, and that was further reduced a few years ago. The red areas around Aberdeen and north of Dundee lost coverage in 2018.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/111005/Annex-6-Absolute-Radios-submission.pdf

 

[GusB]

In your part of the world, there is plenty of capacity on FM. Connecting a phone to the aux socket might be an option for the car.

I sincerely hope you're not suggesting streaming instead?!

 

[johncrossley]

I sincerely hope you're not suggesting streaming instead?!

There isn't any other option to get other stations, other than replacing the radio! Have you tried streaming in the car? It can work in surprisingly rural areas.

 

[DelW]

There isn't any other option to get other stations, other than replacing the radio! Have you tried streaming in the car? It can work in surprisingly rural areas.

Surely an adaptor like this would work:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Highway-Audio-Adapter-Bluetooth/dp/B0787PGJQ3/ref=asc_df_B0787PGJQ3?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539283534510&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138859942036&psc=1

(Amazon listing for a "Pure Highway 400 In-Car DAB+/DAB Digital Radio FM Adapter with Bluetooth for Music Playback").

About three cars back I had an earlier version of such a device - it wasn't as good as having a fitted DAB radio, but it did work, until I changed to a car that came with DAB built in.

 

[johncrossley]

Surely an adaptor like this would work:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Highway-Audio-Adapter-Bluetooth/dp/B0787PGJQ3/ref=asc_df_B0787PGJQ3?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539283534510&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138859942036&psc=1

(Amazon listing for a "Pure Highway 400 In-Car DAB+/DAB Digital Radio FM Adapter with Bluetooth for Music Playback".

About three cars back I had an earlier version of such a device - it wasn't as good as having a fitted DAB radio, but it did work, until I changed to a car that came with DAB built in.

Oh yes, I forgot about those!

 

[DelayRepay]

Surely an adaptor like this would work:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Highway-Audio-Adapter-Bluetooth/dp/B0787PGJQ3/ref=asc_df_B0787PGJQ3?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539283534510&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138859942036&psc=1

(Amazon listing for a "Pure Highway 400 In-Car DAB+/DAB Digital Radio FM Adapter with Bluetooth for Music Playback").

About three cars back I had an earlier version of such a device - it wasn't as good as having a fitted DAB radio, but it did work, until I changed to a car that came with DAB built in.

I used to have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGITNOW-Cassette-Adapter-Smartphone-through-Black-1/dp/B01I02WT94/ref=asc_df_B01I02WT94/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310799750591&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1442582523904778331&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006762&hvtargid=pla-349386053001&psc=1

(A device which allows you to link a smartphone or MP3 player to the car's cassette player)

I'm amazed they still make them!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I sincerely hope you're not suggesting streaming instead?!

Why not? It's likely the future of radio.

 

[gswindale]

Yup - tend to listen to Absolute 90s in the car by streaming despite having it available on DAB - main reason is that when streaming, the signal is more reliable than either DAB (or FM for that matter) in parts of suburban Berkshire.

 

[GusB]

Why not? It's likely the future of radio.

Patchy mobile coverage, that's why. Plus, not everyone can afford a data bundle that would support it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Patchy mobile coverage, that's why.

Interestingly, the only time I tend to stream in the car is to keep LBC playing when I'm mid listening to an interesting debate, and I find the coverage on main roads to be almost always good enough for that even if the DAB version drops out. Though your mileage in rural Scotland may vary!

(People on the awful Three may wish not to have read this post, but EE is getting really very good)

Plus, not everyone can afford a data bundle that would support it.

True, but if you do have a decent data bundle there's no reason not to use it.

 

[GusB]

Interestingly, the only time I tend to stream in the car is to keep LBC playing when I'm mid listening to an interesting debate, and I find the coverage on main roads to be almost always good enough for that even if the DAB version drops out. Though your mileage in rural Scotland may vary!

Indeed, that's the issue. Main road coverage is fine, but you don't really have to go too far off them to lose it. Likewise with FM in some areas.

On a side note, I remember once being out somewhere in the car and the only station available was Atlantic 252!

 

[johncrossley]

The BBC DAB coverage is about 97% of the population but commercial stations have less coverage. Absolute is about 90%. So there's a good chance that you can get 4G but not DAB in the car.

Streaming radio uses very little data, particularly if you choose economical low bitrate streams

On a side note, I remember once being out somewhere in the car and the only station available was Atlantic 252!

That's now RTE Radio 1. It was supposed to be have been switched off years ago but Irish pensioners in the UK complained.

 

[gswindale]

Indeed, that's the issue. Main road coverage is fine, but you don't really have to go too far off them to lose it. Likewise with FM in some areas.

On a side note, I remember once being out somewhere in the car and the only station available was Atlantic 252!

Really?

A329(M) has appalling coverage across the Coppid Beach junction - pretty much any DAB station will disappear completely for 30s or more.

Streaming much better.

Patchy mobile coverage, that's why. Plus, not everyone can afford a data bundle that would support it.

£10/month seems more than plenty. If I'm reading my text from EE correctly, that gives me 350mins and 16GB data - in the last month, Tunein and Spotify have used 1.4GB for me - mainly approx 1 hr driving a few days a week.

 

[johncrossley]

A 48 kbps stream uses 21.09 MB per hour. So you would have to listen continuously for two days to consume just 1 GB!