Rowridge transmitting station facts for kids
The Rowridge transmitting station
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 Location in Isle of Wight
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| Mast height | 149.6 metres (491 ft) |
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| Coordinates | 50°40′35″N 1°22′07″W / 50.676389°N 1.368611°W |
| Grid reference | SZ447865 |
| BBC region | BBC South |
| ITV region | Southern (1969–1981) TVS (1982–1992) ITV Meridian (1993–present) |
| Local TV service | That's Solent |
The Rowridge transmitting station is a very important place on the Isle of Wight in southern England. It helps send out FM radio and television signals. Think of it as a giant loudspeaker and antenna for your TV and radio!
The station has a tall mast, which is like a huge pole held up by strong wires. This mast is about 172 meters (564 feet) high. It is owned and run by a company called Arqiva. There is also a smaller tower nearby that belongs to British Telecom.
Before digital TV came along, Rowridge sent out very powerful signals for radio and old-style analogue television. When TV switched to digital, the signal for digital TV became much stronger. This means clearer pictures and more channels for everyone watching.
Rowridge is special because it sends out signals in two ways: horizontally and vertically. This is like having two different ways to throw a ball. This helps people get a good signal, especially if other TV signals from places like Europe are causing problems.
The old Channel 5 signal did not come from Rowridge. It came from a different place called Fawley Power Station. That signal was turned off in 2009 when digital TV became more common. Rowridge used to send TV signals to about 1.75 million people!
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The Story of Rowridge: How it Began
The Rowridge station was first built to bring BBC television to many towns. These included places like Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and Brighton. People wanted to watch TV, and Rowridge made it possible.
Engineers looked at different spots for the station. They picked Rowridge on the Isle of Wight. A temporary mast was put up, and it had antennas that pointed north. This helped send the signal to the right places and not waste it by sending it out to sea.
Television service officially started on 12 November 1954. This was a big day because it was the first time many people in the area could watch TV!
The TV signal came to Rowridge through a special radio link. It traveled from Alexandra Palace in London to a place called Golden Pot, and then to Rowridge. Later, the signal came from a telephone exchange in London.
In 1965, a new antenna was added to the mast. This made the mast even taller, reaching about 149.6 meters (491 feet). This new antenna allowed Rowridge to send out colour TV signals and later, stereo sound.
In 2009, the old Channel 5 signal from Fawley Power Station was turned off. Also, digital TV services at Rowridge moved to new frequencies. This was part of the big switch to digital television.
Later, the company Arqiva asked for permission to replace the mast with an even taller one. This new mast would be about 187 meters (614 feet) high.
What Rowridge Broadcasts Today
Rowridge broadcasts many different radio and television channels. These signals reach homes across a wide area.
Radio Channels
Rowridge sends out signals for popular radio stations. These include BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, and BBC Radio 4. It also broadcasts BBC Radio Solent and Classic FM.
Digital Radio Channels
Rowridge also broadcasts digital radio, known as DAB. This allows for more channels and clearer sound.
Digital Television Channels
Since 2012, Rowridge has been broadcasting only digital television. This means clearer pictures and more channels for viewers. The signals are sent out in both horizontal and vertical ways. This helps make sure everyone gets a good signal.
