BBC Radio 5 live on Satellite

Ozzie

I've just noticed that BBC 5 live on satellite is exactly simultaneous with that on ordinary AM (909 and 693). The usual lag of 2-3 seconds is gone. I presume that there is a deliberate delay by the broadcaster on AM.

Just wondering when this started. It truly marks the beginning of the end of analogue radio. If you're listening to a live match in the car now, it's not quite as live as it used to be!

muincav

Ozzie wrote: »

I've just noticed that BBC 5 live on satellite is exactly simultaneous with that on ordinary AM (909 and 693). The usual lag of 2-3 seconds is gone. I presume that there is a deliberate delay by the broadcaster on AM.

Just wondering when this started. It truly marks the beginning of the end of analogue radio. If you're listening to a live match in the car now, it's not quite as live as it used to be!

2-3 seconds? That wimp Ronaldo rolls around on the ground for a lot longer than that without even being tackled! So I wouldnt worry too much about 2-3 seconds....:p

barnicles

Maybe there's a problem at the transmitter and they have to use satellite for backhaul

Ozzie

No, you're missing my point... I think BBC are deliberately delaying AM broadcasts in advance of the digital switchover in a couple of years.

Trevord

Car drivers are an important radio audience. I would have thought that digital switchover for radio is unlikely until several years after car manufacturers make the move to Digital radio.

Mossy Monk

Why would they delay the AM broadcast in preperation of analogue switch off. Didn't think analogue radio switch off would be for a while yet.

byte

barnicles wrote: »

Maybe there's a problem at the transmitter and they have to use satellite for backhaul

This sounds the most likely reason.