Talksport, a prominent sports radio station in the UK, is seeking to further reduce its medium wave (AM) broadcast coverage by requesting permission from the media regulator Ofcom to disable seven of its AM transmitters. This move is part of a broader trend of declining AM radio usage in the UK, where AM listening now accounts for only about 3% of all radio listening.
Currently, Talksport broadcasts via 18 medium wave channels, with only three of these transmitters operating at over 100 kW, specifically on the frequencies 1053 and 1089 kHz. The majority of the remaining transmitters have much lower power outputs, typically in the range of a few kilowatts, making them expensive to operate due to their limited range.
The proposed closures include several transmitters in England: Clipstone (1071 kHz, 1 kW) in Nottinghamshire, Duxhurst (1107 kHz, 1 kW) in Surrey, Lydd (1107 kHz, 2 kW) in Kent, Stockton (1053 kHz, 1 kW) in North Yorkshire, Southwick/Brighton (1053 kHz, 2.2 kW) in West Sussex, and Rusthall (1053 kHz, 4 kW) near London. In Northern Ireland, the Lisnagarvey transmitter (1089 kHz, 12.5 kW) is also slated for shutdown.
Despite these closures, Talksport’s medium wave coverage will still be available in most areas of England, albeit with reduced strength, as the three high-power transmitters will remain operational. However, in Northern Ireland, the AM coverage will be almost completely eliminated. To mitigate this, listeners can still access Talksport via DAB digital radio and online streaming services.
This is not the first time Talksport has reduced its AM presence. In 2020, the station closed its first seven low-power transmitters, followed by three more in 2023. Another national commercial radio station, Absolute Radio, also ceased its AM broadcasts entirely at the beginning of 2023 without Ofcom’s permission, resulting in a fine of nearly 25,000 pound.
Ofcom is currently conducting a public consultation on Talksport’s request to shut down these transmitters. If approved, this move would reduce Talksport’s national AM radio coverage from 92% to 88.9% of the UK adult population. The decision aligns with Ofcom’s broader strategy of transitioning radio services to more modern platforms such as DAB and online streaming, as the demand for AM radio continues to decline.
The shift away from AM radio is part of a global trend, with several countries already having ended their AM broadcasting services. The UK appears to be following this path, with Ofcom indicating no plans to issue new AM or FM community radio licenses in the foreseeable future, instead favouring small-scale DAB licenses. This transition reflects the changing listening habits of the public and the need for radio stations to adapt to more cost-effective and technologically advanced broadcasting methods.
