For dedicated DXers, frequency silence always carries emotion. On December 22, 2025, Beijing experienced another historic shift. At 1600 UTC, three radio services officially ceased broadcasting. The announcement of China signed off on three radio services, which were directed by the National Radio and Television Administration. This decision reshaped parts of China’s domestic radio landscape.

The Three Services That Signed Off in China

The affected stations served diverse audiences across China. Each held a distinct identity in the capital’s radio spectrum.

1) Voice of Reading – 747 kHz

Voice of Reading ended transmission at 1201 UTC. The medium-wave frequency 747 kHz carried the service for years. The transmitter operated at 10 kW. It broadcast from NRTA No.582b at Tiantan, Dongcheng District.

After closure, 747 kHz began relaying CNR-9 (Voice of Litrerature). Satellite distribution was completely stopped.

2) Relax FM – 91.5 MHz / 1251 kHz

Relax FM announced termination at 0006 and 0405 UTC. The station confirmed replacement by CGTN Radio English. Beijing’s 1251 kHz used a 10 kW transmitter. The site was NRTA No.582a at Panchuang, Haidian District.

After sign-off, 1251 kHz fell silent. FM outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing switched to CGTN Radio English.

Satellite and online streams were discontinued. The Lhasa relay on 100.0 MHz also changed programming.

3) Hit FM – 88.7 MHz

Hit FM ended service at 0144 UTC. The announcement confirmed closure in Beijing and Shanghai. Hit FM was a domestic brand of China Radio International. It had relays in 17 cities nationwide.

Satellite and online broadcasting stopped completely.

DX Perspective: What This Signed off Three Radio Services in China Means

For medium-wave DXers, 747 kHz and 1251 kHz were reliable catches. Both operated with moderate power but excellent urban coverage. Nighttime propagation occasionally carried Beijing signals regionally.
Grey-line openings sometimes enhanced reception beyond East Asia. The silence on 1251 kHz leaves a temporary monitoring opportunity. Frequency vacancies often attract new allocations or relays. FM closures affect domestic monitoring more than international DXing. However, brand disappearance always marks cultural change. Hit FM symbolized youthful international music programming. Its loss narrows format diversity within Chinese FM broadcasting.

CGTN Radio English Expands

Programming shifts favored CGTN Radio English service. Relax FM’s FM frequencies now relay this content. This move strengthens English-language output domestically. It also aligns with broader international communication strategies.

The consolidation reflects strategic media restructuring in China.

Broader Context: Consolidation in Chinese Radio

China’s radio system continues restructuring under centralized management. Efficiency and digital platforms now guide many decisions. Satellite and online shutdowns indicate decisive policy shifts. Linear broadcasting competes with streaming and mobile consumption.

Medium-wave faces rising operational costs and urban interference.  FM networks remain strong in major metropolitan regions. English-language services appear strategically prioritized.

Technical Summary for Logbooks

• 747 kHz – 10 kW – Tiantan, Dongcheng – Now relays CNR-9.
• 1251 kHz – 10 kW – Panchuang, Haidian – Currently off-air.
• 91.5 MHz / 87.9 MHz / 89.8 MHz – Now relay CGTN Radio English.
• 88.7 MHz (Hit FM) – Closed in Beijing and Shanghai.

Satellite and online feeds discontinued for all three services.

Final Reflections from a DXer

Each closed carrier represents lost audio history. Beijing’s spectrum feels slightly quieter today. Radio constantly evolves under policy and technology pressures. Yet DXers will continue scanning every kilohertz. Where one signal ends, another often begins.

The dial remains alive for those who listen carefully.

Source: (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan to WOR dated 24.12.2025)