Absolute Radio to Significantly Reduce AM Service

Ofcom has given approval for the Bauer owned station Absolute Radio to reduced it’s medium wave (AM) coverage area from 90% of the UK to 85%. A number of transmitters will be turned off completely, whilst others will have the power output reduced.

This means that a number of listeners in Aberdeen, Dundee, Hull, Devon, Cornwall, and North Wales will lose coverage. Listeners in South Wales and some other areas will actually gain coverage, due to reduced co-channel interference from transmitters operating on the same frequency.

Absolute Radio will remain available on other platforms, including DAB digital radio, and Freeview television.

Some listeners in rural areas may lose access to Absolute Radio completely, as there are still gaps in DAB coverage, particularly on the D1 National multiplex which carries Absolute Radio. Many people are also yet to own a DAB radio. Viewers who only receive a relay Freeview television service will not be able to recieve Absolute Radio via the Freeview platform.