The BBC have now announced when the next round of MW (AM) local radio transmitters will close.
BBC Three Counties Radio have already ceased broadcasts on the 630 and 1260 transmitters, and are now broadcasting a retune advice loop. Full closure will take place on the 6th April. For the rest of the stations, closure dates are as follows:
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- BBC Radio York on 666 and 1260: retune advice loop from 24 February, full closure 6th April
- BBC Newcastle on 1458: retune advice loop from 26 February, full closure 7th April
- BBC Radio Cornwall on 630 and 657: retune advice loop from 2nd March, full closure 7th April
- BBC Radio Solent on 999 and 1359: retune advice loop from 4th March, full closure 8th April
- BBC Radio Cumbria 1485 only (other MW transmitters continue): retune advice loop from 9th March, full closure 8th April
- BBC Radio Merseyside on 1485: retune advice loop from 11th March, full closure 9th April
- BBC Radio Norfolk 885 only (other MW transmitters continue): retune advice loop from 16th March, full closure 9th April
The arrangements for BBC Radio Wales area little more complex. 882 in the Cardigan Bay and Montgomeryshire areas only are not likely to broadcast a retune loop to avoid interference on the remain BBC Radio Wales transmitters on the same frequency. Listeners will have very little (if any) warning that these transmitters are to close. 1125 in the Llandrindod Wells area will broadcast a retune advice loop from 18th March with full closure following on the 2nd April.
The situation for MW broadcasts at BBC Radio Scotland is unclear. Service reductions are expected in the Aberdeen and Dumfries areas. These appear to be possible power output reductions, rather than full closures, but this is yet to be confirmed.