The iconic Rowridge transmitting station on the Isle of Wight is celebrating a remarkable 70 years of television and radio broadcasting, providing crucial services across the Island and to large areas of Southern England.
First established on 12th November 1954, Rowridge initially brought BBC’s 405-line television coverage to a broad region including Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Chichester, Brighton, Winchester, and Salisbury, bringing television into homes in the region for the very first time.
Today, Rowridge stands as a vital part of the broadcasting infrastructure, delivering FM and digital radio and television services through a 172m (564 ft) tall mast.
Owned and operated by Arqiva, the Rowridge transmitter is 1 of only 2 main transmitters in the UK – the other being Rosneath in Scotland – to broadcast on both horizontal and vertical polarities, with the main 6 multiplexes available in vertical polarity. This unique dual-polarity feature helps to reduce co-channel interference from continental transmitters, ensuring more reliable reception for viewers across the South of England.
Reflecting on this significant anniversary, an Arqiva spokesperson commented:
“Rowridge transmitting station has played a central role in the broadcast landscape of southern England and the Isle of Wight for 70 years. The team at Arqiva is incredibly proud to have supported television and radio services here, providing an essential link for communities in the region. As we look to the future, we’re committed to maintaining high-quality broadcast services for generations to come.”
The station has witnessed and adapted to the major shifts in broadcasting technology over the past 7 decades. From its early days of black-and-white television, Rowridge has transitioned through colour TV, digital broadcasting, and now serves as a critical radio and digital TV transmitter for the region.
As the Rowridge transmitting station marks its 70th year, it continues to stand as a testament to the importance of broadcast innovation in connecting communities.
Great story, I wonder if WightFibre will be as
successful.
Pity they don’t do more ‘up north’ to get better radio signals for those using Arqiva comms for their smart meters… 🙁
The current tower is actually the second tower. During the upgrade to digital TV there wasn’t enough room to co-locate the analogue antennas along side the new digital kit. The first tower was 692 feet. The second tower build beside it was even taller at 614 feet. Was absolutely fascinating to watch one go up and the other come down. Probably getting on for 15 years ago now.