RTÉ confirms cessation of Radio 1 long wave broadcasting from mid-April

RTÉ has announced that Radio 1 will cease broadcasting on long wave from mid-April this year. 

Listeners can continue to enjoy RTÉ Radio 1 on FM, Saorview and Saorsat or preferred audio streaming services, including the RTÉ Radio Player and Irish Radioplayer apps. 

The phasing out and closure of the Long Wave 252 (LW 252) service was one of the recommendations of the Future of Media Commission Report published by the government in July 2022. 

This was part of a wider recommendation aimed at ensuring RTÉ could invest available resources into innovation and digital services. 

Further investment into the mast and transmitter, which is no longer fit for purpose and has a significant carbon emission footprint, would significantly impair RTÉ’s ability to meet the emissions reductions target required to contribute to the National Climate Action Plan. 

The decision was taken by RTÉ due to issues regarding public expenditure efficiency, seeking to reduce its energy usage, and to reduce the burden on the national grid (LW consumes significant energy). 

According to RTÉ, the required investment to maintain the mast is very significant and given the greatly reduced number of listeners and the inaccessibility of longwave radio on newer devices means this is a cost which is unfortunately no longer sustainable. 

RTÉ Director General, Dee Forbes, said, "While RTÉ has invested considerably in prolonging the life of the transmitter to broadcast RTÉ Radio 1 on Long Wave 252, we can no longer justify this investment. Not only is RTÉ Radio 1 widely available in the UK across television and online services, including apps and smart speakers, the energy costs involved along with the cost of replacing the transmitter mean that, in line with the recommendation of the Future of Media Commission Report, the time has come to bring the Long Wave service to a close. 

"While this may be disappointing to some listeners, RTÉ must continue to invest in critical projects underpinning our production, distribution and business activities, as well as digital projects which are essential to ensure we continue to deliver value to our audiences." 

Information on how to continue to listen to RTÉ Radio 1 in Ireland or in the UK is available here. 

The RTÉ Information Office is available to answer questions regarding the Long Wave service on +353 12083434 or at info@rte.ie.