{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=March 2026}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2011}}
{{Infobox transmitter | name = British East Mediterranean Relay Station | image = Akrotiri 01-2017 img01 BBC transmitter masts.jpg | alt = | caption = BBC World Service transmitter masts near Akrotiri | map_name = Cyprus | map_caption = Location of BEMRS transmitters in Cyprus | location = Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area | mast_height = | tower_height = {{cvt|120|m}} | coordinates = {{coord|34.6192|33.0014|display=inline,title|type:landmark,region:CY}} | built = | commissioned = | decommissioned = | owner = }}
The '''British East Mediterranean Relay Station''' (BEMRS) was one of the most powerful broadcasting stations in Cyprus. The medium wave transmitters were situated south of Limassol west of Lady's Mile Beach on the area of Western Sovereign Base Area and used for relaying radio programmes to the Middle East area on {{Frequency|639|kHz}} and {{Frequency|720|kHz}} with 500 kW.
The short-wave transmitters were located at Zygi {{coord|34.7217|33.3241|type:landmark,region:CY}}.
The station was used for broadcasting BBC World Service programmes from 1957 until April 2015 when transmissions ended. Previously an Arabic-language station (Near East Broadcasting Station), it was taken over by the Diplomatic Wireless Service as a result of the Suez Crisis.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shacklady |first1=Norman |last2=Ellen |first2=Martin |title=On Air: A History of BBC Transmission |year=2003 |publisher=Wavechange Books |location=Orpington |isbn=0954407717 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/On_Air/4Hq4AAAAIAAJ?hl}}</ref>
On 1 November 2023, the station was reactivated on {{Frequency|639|kHz}} by the BBC to provide coverage to the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=BBC World Service announces Emergency Radio Service for Gaza |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/bbc-world-service-announces-emergency-radio-service-for-gaza/ |website=BBC Media Centre |publisher=BBC |access-date=2025-11-28 |date=2023-11-01}}</ref>
On 17 December 2024, the BBC announced they would resume broadcasting on {{Frequency|639|kHz}} and {{Frequency|720|kHz}} to Syria<ref>{{Cite press release|title=BBC World Service to provide people of Syria with enhanced services |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/bbc-world-service-to-provide-people-of-syria-with-enhanced-services/ |website=BBC Media Centre |publisher=BBC |access-date=2025-11-28 |date=2024-12-17}}</ref>
== Antenna systems== The medium-wave station had two directional antenna systems each consisting of four free-standing lattice towers with triangular cross section. All the towers were insulated from ground. The antenna system for {{Frequency|720|kHz}}, which was situated north of the transmitter building, pointed to an azimuth of 110 degrees. Its towers were {{convert|102|m}} metres tall. The antenna system for {{Frequency|639|kHz}}, which was situated south of the transmitter building, pointed in a southerly direction (azimuth 180 degrees). Its towers were {{convert|120|m}} tall.
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * http://wikimapia.org/#lat=34.618941&lon=33.003273&z=13&l=5&m=b&show=/5227753/BBC-World-Service-Limassol * http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/find-an-embassy/europe/east-mediterranean-relay-station * https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/mw-eastern-med
{{BBC World Service}}
Category:Towers in Cyprus Category:BBC Category:Defunct mass media in Cyprus
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