The early days of the new year mark the 40th anniversary of the death of 405-line TV in the UK.
The last BBC and IBA 405-line masts were switched off in the early hours of 3rd and 4th January 1985. (Apparently the BBC’s Scottish transmitters were turned off on the 4th because of the extra bank holiday at New Year north of the border.)
But by then, virtually nobody was watching 405-line sets.
The BBC estimated that only around 700 were still in use.
The BBC and IBA received few comments from concerned viewers even though the switch-off had been publicised through on-screen captions.
In other words, 405-line was kept going until virtually nobody would lose out when it was turned off.
Those who predict quick ends to major services today would be wise to consider this.
The writing was on the wall for 405-line TV for more than 20 years.
Every TV manufactured from 1964 – and many made immediately before – was capable of receiving a UHF 625-line service. (A few sold before BBC Two became widely available, it should be noted, did require modification first though.)
Once BBC One and ITV became available on UHF too from November 1969 onwards, the fate of 405-line was finally sealed.
Gradually older sets fell out of use. Some simply failed. Others were replaced as their owners wanted to upgrade to get BBC Two or colour.
But the broadcasters and the government stuck to the spirit of commitments made in the 60s that nobody would be forced to replace a working 405-line set.
From around 1982, VHF relays were gradually turned off. Virtually nobody noticed. Then came the switch-off of the main transmitters in January 1985.
Realistically, it could all have happened much earlier but for the decision to keep faith with those who owned old sets.
The only people to lose out were exceptional examples.
For instance, a few remote communities or isolated homes could only pick up a VHF signal. Most though were covered by relays or local self-help schemes by then.
So what has all this got to do with the present day?
First of all Radio 4 LW may finally go off the air in June. But this date could still slip.
Energy companies have been contacting customers whose meters are controlled by a signal transmitted alongside R4 LW.
Concern for these customers has kept long wave radio on the air.
If it becomes apparent that the June deadline will not be met by energy companies, do not rule out a further postponement.
There can be hardly anyone left listening to R4 LW. But the BBC has been exceptionally, arguably unduly, cautious ending broadcasting on the frequency. Even if the signal was still broadcast for the sake of the energy companies, programmes could have been replaced by a recorded loop or the tone.
Meanwhile moves announced in 2022 to make BBC Four, CBBC and Radio 4 Extra online only services seem to have been quietly kicked into the long grass.
It may still happen one day but there are no signs of a shutdown in 2025.
As for those who imagine linear TV itself is dead, I would refer them to my recent piece on the Christmas ratings.
This week, it was incredible to see that 5.1m watched the first episode of the new series of The Traitors on BBC One – well up on last year’s debut.
There is speculation though that Freeview could lose its HD service.
But would Ofcom and the government really sit by and let this happen?
Predicting the future is a risky business.
A universal public service broadcaster can find itself doing things for a long time for the sake of the vulnerable.
Would switching off VHF in, say, 1980 have affected many? I doubt it.
Will BBC Four and CBBC go this year? I doubt it too.
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: 1960s 405-line BBC One test card. COPYRIGHT: BBC.