Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike, who informs us that Art Bell is returning to the airwaves with a new radio show called Midnight in the Desert. Like Coast to Coast AM, (which Bell retired from several years ago) Midnight in the Desert will also focus on paranormal activity.
Mike also points out that Bell has also announced Midnight in the Desert will be broadcast on WTWW (5,085 kHz). WTWW will start airing the show July 20, 2015 from 9:00 pm – Midnight Pacific time.
Indeed, after looking at the list of radio stations rebroadcasting Midnight in the Desert, I noted that WBCQ, in Maine, will also carry the show on 7,490 and 9,330 kHz.
For more information and updates, check out Art Bell’s website.
It’s pretty cool to listen to Art Bell via shortwave. Yes, you can stream it online – but then again, you can wear out the battery on your smartphone if you fall asleep without disconnecting. And, listening via shortwave gives the show a more “authentic” aura.
The only annoyance I need to point out is that it seems that WTWW often shuts down around 00:30 or 01:00 CDT, right during the middle of the show! I’d love to know what’s going on with this. From my location, WTWW is usually better to listen to than WBCQ – so having the signal just go down is a real annoyance.
Anyone know where there are downloads available of the full shows?
artbell.com
You need a subscription to DL or stream archived shows. Only the live stream is free, but good luck getting connected. Better hope 5085 kHz propagates well every night.
I sure hope they free up more slots on the free live service because as fun as listening to SW casually is, when you have to depend on it for a specific program at a specific time each day, it gets more than annoying. I can’t listen to atmospheric noise and static for 3 hours. Kinda gets on the nerves a bit.
Wow–you’re right: http://darkmatterdigitalnetwork.com/shows/midnight-in-the-desert/
It costs $7.99 per month for access to he archived shows. In my opinion, this will limit the number of their listeners. I assume, for that price, they will cut out the adverts.
Here are some trailers for the new show:
https://youtu.be/02U_f4wO75k
https://youtu.be/DsGT3dJO26Y
https://youtu.be/2q-DsXUMK-U
https://youtu.be/WMzsBTrfHJU
https://youtu.be/NjURLfKTwLc
https://youtu.be/NDBlP-QOHag
https://youtu.be/29geFBWnwTM
https://youtu.be/Xr0JZBGI9Cw
https://youtu.be/6_AVq_Q_XsE
Beyond excited! Big fan of Art Bell and I think it’s amazing I can listen to his new program with my shortwave radio. Can’t wait!
I’ll be listening periodically. I’m pleased to see Art Bell use shortwave as well as satellite. Now, we just need these shortwave broadcasters to employ robust configurations of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) for delivering “Midnight in the Desert”. The lack of dedicated DRM receivers isn’t much of an issue as freely available software (DReaM) is available for decoding DRM broadcasts.
Lastly, Art Bell has been somewhat critical of George Noory’s method of interviewing so this competition will be good for the medium. With Wells’ “Caravan to Midnight”, late night radio is in good shape and becoming more competitive as well. Radio lives!