Following intensive negotiations with the German Federal Authorities, agreement has been reached to resolve a long standing issue over BFBS broadcasting frequencies.  The initial changes will impact on listeners in the eastern region of North Rhine Westphalia and will provide a potential audience for the state authorities in excess of 20 Million citizens, whilst guaranteeing the ability of BFBS to reach its entitled audience.  Part of the agreement will allow the broadcasting of BFBS Radio 2 in Gütersloh for the first time.

BFBS Radio 1 transmissions are due to cease broadcasting from Langenberg on 96.5 MHz from the 2nd of August and will be replaced by a German programme; Deutschland Radio Kultur.  Langenberg covers the area between the Netherlands border in the east and Dortmund in the west, and from the northern edge of the Ruhr area to as far south as Cologne.  In place of Langenberg we have been granted licenses by the federal authorities for six new transmitters.  These transmitters are all of substantially lower power than Langenberg and coverage will therefore be reduced.

The sites have been coordinated to provide adequate coverage for all the main working and living areas and, via Radio Data System (RDS available in most modern FM Radios), should also provide adequate in car coverage for those travelling north east from Rheindahlen towards Bielefeld along the autobahns A52/57, A3 and A2.  The main area that loses coverage is to the south and south east of Rheindahlen.  The illustrated map is designed to give a rough outline of the new coverage details for work and domestic areas affected, and those travelling between garrisons and stations along the main autobahn routes.

The changes will have no impact on listeners in the Paderborn and Bergen-Hohne Garrison, and Herford and Hameln Station areas.  However a resolution of a related frequency issue within the Lower Saxony area of Germany will lead to further changes towards the end of 2010.

As of 2nd August 2010, the new frequencies are as shown on the map below.
(Click for larger version)