RTÉ to retain longwave service until 2017

RTÉ has bowed to mounting public pressure and will retain a longwave radio service until 2017.

The service had been due to close in October but was extended until January 19 following a campaign by groups representing thousands of elderly emigrants who said the service was their only link with Ireland.

Over the extended transition period, RTÉ Radio 1 will operate a full longwave service next year, with reduced hours in 2016, working towards full shutdown in 2017.

The broadcaster said that operation of this service beyond that time was not tenable as significant capital costs for replacement of infrastructure would arise.

Oireachtas Communications Committee chairman John O’Mahony last week called for the retention of longwave, claiming if RTÉ could poach Ray D’Arcy from Today FM, it could find €250,000 to save the service. Retired RTÉ employees also opposed the plans to close the longwave service.

The broadcaster said the decision to retain the service until 2017 was taken after it had “considered contact from listeners and submissions from a range of groups; all of which highlighted that more time was needed to understand and enable migration to digital platforms for all listeners”.

Head of RTÉ Radio 1 Tom McGuire said all the groups had asked for more time but the broadcaster still believed the service had “had its day”.

“All groups asked for more time. We’ve listened particularly to the concerns raised by and on behalf of the elderly Irish in the UK.

“Cost-reduction remains a key priority for RTÉ and we remain convinced that, in the longer term, longwave has had its day. Nonetheless and despite the mid-term cost impact, RTÉ believes it is necessary to take a collaborative approach and slow this transition.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was prepared to work with RTÉ to commission specific research next year to understand the community in Britain who listen to the longwave service, and to learn about their circumstances and the technologies they use.

RTÉ Radio head of operations JP Coakley said the closure of the service requires “a greater degree of patience and nuance”.