Britain’s Big L is now an Internet-only station

Big L, the British commercial station that until recently was using a mediumwave transmitter in the Netherlands (1395 kHz), has become an Internet-only station.

Its satellite signal, which had fed audio to the mediumwave transmitter and made the station available across the UK and Ireland on the Sky platform, has been replaced by a test tone for the past 24 hours.

Presenter Mike Read, who is believed to have been working on the station for many months without being paid, was heard to say this morning on its remaining outlet, the Internet stream, that ‘the plug has been pulled’ on the satellite feed. Other presenters have left the station in recent months claiming not to have received a pay check.

It remains to be seen whether Big L, which has been in financial difficulties for most of its existence since its launch in 2005, will attempt to continue as an Internet station, or close completely. There are constant rumours about possible new owners, but the reality of the situation is that now is not a good time to invest in commercial radio unless you have deep pockets.

Another UK radio company, Laser Radio, recently filed for bankruptcy, though its stations are still on the air.


Big L

Source: Media Network