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EEPhil said:
If/when the BBC no longer pays for the upkeep of terrestrial transmitters will the licence fee, or whatever replaces it, reduce? I doubt it.
I wonder if the whole thing is kite flying like many politicians do. Gauge the reaction and find it's not supported. Kick the can down the road to the next Charter review.
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I certainly hope so.

There's also the issue that continued use of the masts by radio and mobile phone networks will become much more expensive as they will have to cover the entire of the maintenance costs of the masts and sites.
 
Owen Smith said:
There's also the issue that continued use of the masts by radio and mobile phone networks
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I saw a post on Facebook which quoted a newspaper article behind a pay wall - so I can't verify it. It appears that the BBC want to get rid of broadcast radio as well. A number of other radio broadcasters are concerned they will be priced off the transmitters. I don't know whether this is true or bull. Fits the pattern of kite flying though.
 
EEPhil said:
I saw a post on Facebook which quoted a newspaper article behind a pay wall - so I can't verify it. It appears that the BBC want to get rid of broadcast radio as well. A number of other radio broadcasters are concerned they will be priced off the transmitters. I don't know whether this is true or bull. Fits the pattern of kite flying though.
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The article I read said the BBC would be OK with paying more for radio transmission because it would easily be paid for and then some by the savings not broadcasting TV.
 
Could another benefit for the BBC be that it would be easier to trace licence dodgers compared to OTA.
 
Indeed, so many people not paying for a licence. Yet when you log in to iplayer, iirc it doesnt check back to their records when you tick the licence-payer box.. I also read about the radio.
 
EEPhil said:
In today's i newspaper
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And they shoot themselves in the foot by talking about older listeners relying on AM, FM and DAB. Is there anything left on AM in the UK? Even if there is surely no-one is reliant on it.

EDIT: It seems the joke's on me, there is way more still on AM than I thought assuming this is up to date (I see a comment posted in 2020 so maybe not): https://bestradios.co.uk/am-radio-stations-uk/. I'm astonished there is so much, and I can see why they want to switch all that off.
 
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The story is a bit overblown. Most of the commercial radio broadcasters are on-line as well. If the BBC withdraw from DTT, DAB, AM, FM and the costs go up for the others, won't they all give up on traditional broadcasting and see if the on-line only is commercially viable. Job done for those who want to clear the airwaves.
 
EEPhil said:
The story is a bit overblown. Most of the commercial radio broadcasters are on-line as well. If the BBC withdraw from DTT, DAB, AM, FM and the costs go up for the others, won't they all give up on traditional broadcasting and see if the on-line only is commercially viable. Job done for those who want to clear the airwaves.
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Mobile networks are on many of the masts so the costs for them would go up massively.

Personally I expect an outcry and DTT, DAB and FM to continue for longer than planned. AM will be gradually killed, but quietly so there aren't many complaints. Or at least that's what I'm hoping for as myself and my parents listen on FM, the sound quality is better than online for all stations except the BBC.
 
Owen Smith said:
EDIT: It seems the joke's on me, there is way more still on AM than I thought assuming this is up to date (I see a comment posted in 2020 so maybe not): https://bestradios.co.uk/am-radio-stations-uk/. I'm astonished there is so much, and I can see why they want to switch all that off.
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BBC's own list shows considerably less on AM than the above list. Just R4 LW, 5 Live, Asian Network, and three local stations.

FM and AM Radio Frequencies | Help receiving TV and radio

Below is a list of all the BBC's radio services that are available on FM and AM. We have listed the frequency ranges, if you want to know the exact frequency for your location then use our transmitter checker tool. All these radio services are can also be found on BBC Sounds along with BBC's...
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
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