RTÉ’s Longwave radio service will not be closing until June 2019 thanks to successful negotiations between members of a consultative group including Irish in Britain.
The group, which also includes RTE, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and representatives of the Irish community in Britain, have welcomed plans to defer the end date while RTÉ prepare to launch a replacement DAB+ digital service instead.
The current longwave Radio 1 service serves as the connector between Ireland and Britain for many listeners. Patrick Morrison, Chair of Irish in Britain is happy with the outcome, saying:
“I believe that this way forward represents the ‘happy medium’ that the research we commissioned has recommended. I look forward to working in partnership to provide a channel for communication between RTÉ and the communities and organisations we represent”
Irish in Britain had commissioned research into the use of the service after the closure was announced in 2014. The research showed that the RTÉ Radio 1 Long Wave service was generally represented as a “lifeline” to Ireland by many listeners.
Dee Forbes, Director–General, RTÉ, said this move is about listening, compromising and forging a way forward in partnership.
He said: Longwave as a technology is no longer viable in the long–term. It is crucial that we work with all partner bodies to evolve a replacement service and that RTÉ plays its part in supporting evolving technologies. I’m confident we have a meaningful solution and the goodwill to make a success of it for audiences in the UK.”
The research had also shown that the majority of listeners were over 60, from Irelands and retired, many felt reluctant or unable to change to digital. As a result, RTÉ, Irish in Britain and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (via the Emigrant Support Programme) will be working on ways to make this and other digital services more accessible.