Network Z - BBC 7 - BBC Radio 7 now becomes BBC Radio 4 Extra, with an 'E'
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Back in 2002, the BBC decided it needed to provide additional listening options for the digital radio listener. Five new services were proposed for the capacity the BBC had on DAB digital radio and digital satellite.
The sport section of Radio 4's long wave service became the longest named service, BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra. The Asian Network was promoted from a Midlands-only AM service.
The three other networks were codenamed "Network X", "Network Y" and "Network Z".
"Network X" became "1Xtra", "Network Y" launched as "6Music" and "Network Z" became "BBC7".
BBC Radio 1Xtra, as it now is, is still close to the original remit of "contemporary black music to a young audience and break new, non-chart UK talent".
BBC Radio 6 Music, has moved somewhat from the remit of "BBC archives of concerts and music interviews to explore music from the 1970s to the 1990s", and is now a very popular off-playlist music station.
BBC Radio 7 was intended to provide "spoken-word entertainment in a way which will encourage new listeners to speech radio".
In the next month, BBC Radio 7 will become, with a suitable 'correct' spelling, BBC Radio 4 Extra. There will be little change to the content of the station, aside from the dropping of the Cbeebies Radio service and the provision of some extended contemporary BBC Radio 4 programmes such as Now Show Extra and News Quiz Extra and Desert Island Discs Revisited.
Radio 7 is to become Radio 4 Extra.
If one day it plays the same Radio 4 programs only, then they could close Radio 4 Extra and transmit Radio 4 in stereo.
Less choice, but in stereo.
| link to this comment |
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Mark A.: Radio 4 is always broadcast in stereo on all platforms. However, much of the production is make to ensure it mixes down properly to mono for LW/MW transmission, so the news programmes, for example, are produced in mono, but broadcast in stereo.
It would, in fact, be better quality to provide these programmes as mono rather than joint-stereo.
| link to this comment |
I was just saying that if the BBC decide to close down Radio 4 Extra to save money with their cutbacks,
they would then have room to transmit any other channel in stereo.
I hope they don't as I like the drama and comedy programs they play.
Radio 5 and Radio 5 Sports Extra could also become one station one day.
| link to this comment |
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Mark A.: As far as I know, no one has ever suggested closing down Radio 7/4Extra.
Radio 5 Live Sports Extra carries a lot of live sport that otherwise is on Radio 4 LW.
| link to this comment |
9:56 PM
RE : "There will be no changes to the transmissions other than the change of name (and graphics)" : Not quite Brian, the BBC have already announced closer links to BBC Radio 4 for BBC Radio 4 Extra, such as the new Ambridge Extra and old Desert Island discs appearing on this channel with themed sets of archive guests, but for the first time on this frequency. I just thought Radio Times might have mentioned this.
I also thought some capacity was to be freed up with the closure of the BBC Asian Network on this National multiplex, but this seems to have been delayed. I thought I'd heard somewhere that The Asian Network was moving to the Local Multiplexes alongside BBC Local Radio DAB.
| link to this comment |
10:05 PM
Still I would have thought it worthy of a mention in RT ?
| link to this comment |
Nedbod: I guess, but BBC Worldwide is supposed to be editorially independent of the licence-fee funded BBC.
| link to this comment |
12:34 PM
Glastonbury
Please can anybody advise the best type of TV aerial to buy for Glastonbury Somerset BA6 8DQ
| link to this comment |
M.Rothwell's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
M.Rothwell
We need to know where you are getting your TV from.
If you get it from the Mendip transmitter (See digital switchover date | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice will need a group C/D, E or a bigger wideband aerial horizontal mounted.
If you get it from one of its relays or another transmitter then you may need a different
aerial group or a wideband one, vertical mounted.
For info on aerial types see;
Freeview reception - all about aerials | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
How good are different aerial groups;
Aerial group performance | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If you know which transmitter you are using let us know.
(RH163LB)
| link to this comment |