RTÉ has lost out on a bid to broadcast Radio 1 digitally in Britain – but the move was never going to be an adequate replacement for the longwave 252 service, according to one of the broadcaster's former engineers.
Dublin-based Enda O’Kane, who works with research group Irish Overseas Broadcasting, said: “It (digital radio) is not as accessible because people would require new receivers and affordability would be an issue – as well as the need for an extensive information campaign.”
The RTÉ-backed bid by Listen2Digital to operate Britain’s second national DAB complex lost out to a bid backed by UTV.
But, according to Mr O'Kane, had the RTÉ DAB service gone ahead, the system would have done little to help those who are reliant on the longwave 252 service.
“It would likely serve some of those who listen to longwave now, but it wouldn’t be an adequate replacement for longwave, particularly in the short and medium term,” said Mr O’Kane.
UTV will launch four new stations under the new DAB broadcasting system – and its existing services in Britain, such as talkSPORT, will launch on the new system in the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, RTÉ is in the middle of a public consultation period, in which the broadcaster is asking members of the public to comment on how it is providing its public service.
The closing date to submit to this year’s review is April 12.
The longwave 252 service is up for review again on May 1, 2017, as RTÉ and Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs conduct a survey among the Irish community in Britain to assess the viability of the service.
The public consultation is a requirement by law that RTÉ examines how it meets the public’s needs, in return for the television licence.
During the consultation period, a change.org petition has been sent out to encourage the Irish in Britain to appeal to RTÉ not to cut their longwave service.
"As previously announced, RTÉ is engaging with agencies within the United Kingdom to explore all our options in respect of continued listening," an RTÉ spokesperson said.
