Friday, August 02, 2019

UK Medium Wave News


An excerpt from the August edition of U.K. & Ireland News 

Gold is returning to AM in Peterborough and Northampton using the frequencies currently used by Smooth Radio. Ofcom has approved two format change requests. The move means 1332 kHz in Peterborough and 1557 kHz in Northampton will carry the Gold network rather than Smooth. The two frequencies previously carried Gold before switching to Smooth in 2014.

Global has requested the change ahead of Smooth Radio East Midlands taking over Connect FM’s three frequencies at a yet-to-be-announced future date. Connect FM covers Kettering (previously 107.4 KCBC), Peterborough (previously 106.8 Lite FM) and Corby (launched as 97.2 Connect FM in 1998).

Gold is currently available on medium wave in London on 1548 kHz, Derby on 945, Manchester on 1458, Nottingham on 999 and nationally in DAB+. (Radio Today 26 July/TR)

Panjab and Love Sport Radio to swap frequencies from 1 August The UK’s longest running Punjabi-language radio station, Panjab Radio, has confirmed to BizAsiaLive.com that it will be launching a London-wide service on 558 kHz from 1 August, extending its reach to the entire Greater London region on the analogue platform.

Panjab Radio currently broadcasts to North London on 1584 kHz. The new frequency will put it directly head-to-head with London Asian commercial rivals, Sunrise Radio, Lyca Radio and Lyca
Dilse. Surjit Singh Ghuman MBE, Managing Director of Panjab Radio said, “It gives me great pleasure to confirm that we will begin broadcasting throughout Greater London on our new frequency on 1st August 2019 at midday. This is a new chapter in the success of Panjab Radio,  which is down to our listeners and well-wishers, who have supported Panjab Radio every step of the way.”

As revealed earlier, Panjab Radio will swap with Love Sport, which currently broadcasts on 558. The latter will move to 1584 kHz on the same day. (Biz Asia 26 July)

Spirit Radio 549 kHz (Carrickroe, Co Donegal, Ireland) was noted with stronger signals recently, possibly testing their new 50 kW transmitter? Seems to have since reverted to lower power. (David Duckworth-25 Jul 2019)
(Dave Kenny/BDXC-August 2019)