This abandonment of AM transmissions was in fact indicated in the government's advice a few weeks ago. The close date for Radio 5 Alive (or whatever its called this year!) has already been agreed as 31 December 2027. Just 5 ½ years away. I', guessing the 200khz transmitters will fall silent at the same time, subject to agreement by the MCA.

While it's nice having the Shipping Forecast (which is in fact a weather forecast for shipping, no Shipping is ever forecast!) on Long Wave, but the garbled speed at which some 'presenters' recite the information, some with a complete lack of intonation, renders it quite unusable to mariners or anyone else.