RTL 234kHz Long Wave - Last Day On Air (31 December 2022)

The final day of broadcasting from RTL on 234kHz Long Wave.
Here are a few thoughts, along with a translation of the French announcement that they have been broadcasting regularly on Long Wave only.
The reason given is to save energy and money, and reduce RTL's carbon footprint.
Even today, there are areas of France - particularly rural areas - where good reception of RTL is virtually impossible on FM. France Inter and Europe 1 have already stopped transmissions on Long Wave, but their FM coverage of France was excellent (France Inter) or very good (Europe 1). RTL trails far behind in that respect.
RTL's programmes tend to be aimed at slightly older listeners, and they are the very age group who are more likely to be listening on Long Wave rather than online or through their smartphone.
I would not be surprised if RTL ended up losing more listeners than they are anticipating. As ever, we know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
In the 1980s, it was the MW/LW (no VHF/FM at that time!!) car radio that picked up French stations on long wave... rather than my mum's Vauxhall Chevette itself!
I recommend the excellent mediumwave.info/ site, where the closedown announcement recording appears.

[@adam-g7crq]

Hi Ed, that's a shame, I wonder how many more national broadcasters are going to ditch LW the energy crisis sounds it's going to be the reason given at a guess for most of them, I'll post a reception report of RTL on my top band antenna.