RTÉ announced this week that it will close its RTÉ Radio 1 Medium Wave (MW) transmission service on the 24 March this year. Bringing the world into homes all over the country since 1926, RTÉ listeners began to leave MW when the superior sound of FM was introduced in the 1970s and today more than 90% of RTÉ Radio 1 listening is on FM. One has to wonder though: with the introduction and development of new, higher quality platforms such as digital radio, podcasting, and mobile phones, is this, an omen of the fate set to befall FM radio?
Acknowledging the element of nostalgia JP Coakley, Head of Operations, RTÉ Radio says; “Our audience research tells us that MW listening is largely based on habit rather than necessity. Our job now is to convince MW listeners that there are other ways to listen that are as good as, if not better, than Medium Wave”….
But when does technological development cease to strip away the things that give our lives personality?… I mean, who remembers Vinyl Lps? That rich character filled crackle, replaced first by CD and then MP3!
[...] Medium Wave… So, Is FM Radio Dead? [...]