BBC Radio 1 MW closure Announcement June 1994

Here is a clip of the original BBC Radio 1 MW closure (1053 & 1089 KHz) as DJ Nicky Campbell announces, that was heard each day from 6pm onwards that started from early June 1994. It was replaced in less than 2 weeks with a similar announcement, with closure started from midday onwards.

[@RGC198]

Great recording. Thanks for sharing.

[@anthonyperkins7556]

I remember when BBC Radio 1 first started the MW closedowns, on the stroke of midnight, the 1053 / 1089 transmitters would carry a 5 jingles / announcement loop saying that R1 no longer broadcasts on MW between midnight and 6am and to retune to FM and that they'll reopen on MW at 6am and after the last jingle in the loop and a few seconds of silence, the transmitters would be switched off.

[@alexmacleod3728]

that's when my teen years died (even though i was 23 at the time)

[@optimus4317]

On these Frequencies is Talksport radio now.

[@ParadiseFMMalta]

this is the good old days.

[@christopherhulse8385]

There were still quite a few areas without FM coverage and relied on MW in 1994 albeit few and far between.

[@spencer19731]

I do believe that is Nicholas Andrew Argyle Campbell

[@adambirchenall]

Yes i remember that MW Closedown Announcement loop, still like to hear a copy of that clip again. 2 different versions if that heard, first of all by Simon Bates from 1991, then followed by another voiceover that was heard on the Radio 1 jingles and continued until 1994

[@paulhester1675]

Would love to hear that . Got a little emotional hearing the RTE 's MW closure over here in Ireland. Do BBC offer any AM services now?

[@ianminzy]

@@paulhester1675 BBC Radio 5 Live on 693&909 kHz (433&330 metres)

[@ianminzy]

@@paulhester1675 also BBC Radio 4 on 720 kHz (417 metres) in London

[@AMDXplusplus]

MW is still ailve across in the USA.

[@RWL2012]

There has been another MW AM shutdown in the UK in January 2023, Absolute Radio (formerly Virgin Radio 1993-2008) on 1215KHz (/1197/1233)

[@LordKingNetworkOne]

I started to listen to BBC Radio 1 on DAB Digital Radio in 2020, I never received BBC Radio 1 on FM until today. I now got BBC Radio 1 on FM, the frequency is 97.9FM in my town. The frequencies to BBC Radio 1 are 97-99FM and DAB Digital Radio, on 12B multiplex. The frequency to that station differs and changes in different locations in the United Kingdom, please check with your location and the frequency to the station if you’re unsure.

[@adambirchenall]

A brief History of Radio 1 and ways to receive it. 30th September 1967 on (1214 MW) until November 1978. Frequency moved to 2 Frequencies from November 1978, 1053 & 1089 MW to where this is now on my video June 1994. Radio 1 FM first had it's own FM Transmitter serving the London Area in October 1987 only. In September 1988 Radio 1 opened up on FM to main parts of the UK but some areas such as Devon & Cornwall could not get it until February 1990. By 1st May 1991 Radio 1 started broadcasting 24 hrs a day on FM only and MW closed midnight until 6am. As we headed towards 2000, Radio 1 had a website and by 2004 to present it can be heard online and on Digital Radio. The closure of Radio 1 on FM is set for 2027, along with the rest of the main Stations

[@LordKingNetworkOne]

@@adambirchenall Thanks

[@adambirchenall]

@@europa2000man Wow really? Online is better anyway as you can get more choice and from around the world. In Norway the main Stations eg NRK P1 is only available on DAB and online and no longer on FM as it has been for quite a few years. Still some stations on FM in Norway but for only Small Community stations which will be the way for the UK in Future

[@Tomsonic41]

Interesting that they still broadcast snippets of the live service instead of completely muting it for the announcements. There was a different one I remember with (I think) Mark Goodier doing the announcement. In this case you couldn't hear the live service in the background; there was a music bed.

[@DoctorLemon]

I find curious that you can still hear Radio 1 in the background, did that always happen or was it simply a mistake?

[@adambirchenall]

No mistake, the background of radio 1 was to help listeners tune into Radio 1 on FM such as a track playing and finding it over on FM

[@DoctorLemon]

@@adambirchenall Thanks for your reply! I take there weren't many (or any at all) people still depending on Radio 1's AM signal back then, right?

[@adambirchenall]

@@DoctorLemon That is correct, The year before Radio 1 had a shake up and a new controller (Matthew Bannister) made the station to aim 15 to 25 year olds. Besides as you hear in this to use these MW Frequncies for new radio services will end up being used for Talk Radio UK that launched in early 1995 and then later changed the name slightly to Talksport, where it still remains today & on 1053 & 1089 MW

[@DoctorLemon]

@@adambirchenall Thanks for your answer!

[@mrportfolio9119]

I remember this loop there was another version too

[@adambirchenall]

Yes i also have a clip of it, not uploaded it yet, very much the same, closure from Midday