Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast 2026

This unique BBC radio programme is aimed at just a few dozen listeners: The team of scientists and support staff isolated at British research stations in the Antarctic midwinter.

Hosted by Cerys Matthews, the show features messages from family and friends at home as well as music requests from Antarctica. For decades it has been part of the traditional midwinter celebrations and, since 2020, it’s been enjoyed by listeners around the world.

Midwinter celebrations at the British research stations include a feast, exchange of presents, watching the 1982 horror film The Thing (where an alien monster terrorises an Antarctic base) and listening - on short wave - to the BBC’s Midwinter Broadcast.

For those listeners wishing to listen on Shortwave on Sunday 21st June at 21:30 GMT the programme will be available on these frequencies, 9510 kHz, 9460 kHz & 12070 kHz

A Boffin Media Production for BBC World Service