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World Radio TV Handbook ending printed edition in 2026

M

Mediafrog+

Being reported on Glenn Hauser’s DX forum that the 2026 World Radio TV Handbook will be its final physical edition. Radio Data Center will continue to release the WRTH as an E-book and WebApp.

There is nothing on the WRTH website about this yet, but apparently some contributors have already been directly notified.

Glenn allows reposts of his forum content as long as full contributor credit is maintained, so here is the release, via Alokesh Gupta in New Delhi, India:

Dear Friends of WRTH,

As we approach the publication of the 80th edition of the World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH 2026), we find ourselves at both a moment of celebration and of change. For eight decades, WRTH has been a constant companion to radio listeners, broadcasters, and enthusiasts worldwide. We know that many of you treasure the annual arrival of the printed book, and it is with great care and reflection that we share the following news.

The Final Printed Edition
WRTH 2026 will be the last edition to appear in print. After this milestone 80th edition, WRTH will move entirely to digital formats—our regularly updated Web App and the twice-yearly E-book (Winter and Summer schedules). This is not a decision we have taken lightly. The printed WRTH has been part of the identity of our community, and we understand what it means to see it come to a close.

Why This Change Is Necessary
Over the past years, the costs of producing WRTH in print have risen sharply. Printing, paper, tariffs, shipping, and logistics have all become increasingly expensive and difficult to manage. Despite our best efforts to absorb these pressures, continuing to publish in print on a yearly basis is no longer sustainable. In order for WRTH to survive as a publication, and continue serving the global broadcasting community, we must adapt.

Pre-Order Only: A Collector’s Edition
The WRTH 2026 printed book will be available exclusively through pre-order, with delivery scheduled for December 2025. There will be no launch stock or reprints. Once pre-orders close, the book will not be available again. This makes WRTH 2026 a true collector’s edition—our final tribute in print to 80 years of The World’s Most Comprehensive and Up-to-Date Guide to Broadcasting.

Pre-orders will open on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and close on Friday, October 31, 2025. Please watch our communication channels for the official announcement, and subscribe to our newsletter to always stay up-to-date: Newsletter - WRTH

Looking Ahead with Digital
Moving forward, WRTH will be available in two formats:

The WRTH Web App, updated throughout the year with the most current data.
The WRTH E-book, released twice a year to cover Winter and Summer schedules.
We believe this transition will allow WRTH to remain relevant, accessible, and sustainable, while providing you with more up-to-date information than print has ever allowed.

Updated Pricing
To reflect the realities of production and to keep WRTH alive in its new form, prices for 2026 are as follows:

WRTH 2026 Printed Book: EUR 59,90 (excluding shipping)
WRTH 2026 Web App: EUR 47,90
WRTH 2026 E-book (Winter and Summer editions): EUR 47,90
Please note: Prices are set in EUR. Currency conversion applies at the point of purchase for all other currencies.

Shipping costs will remain similar to last year, varying by region, with WRTH continuing to subsidize rates in some areas.

A Word of Thanks
We know these changes may be difficult to accept, especially for those who have collected the printed WRTH for many years. Please know that this was not an easy decision for us to make. It comes from a deep responsibility: to ensure that WRTH not only celebrates its remarkable past but also secures its future.

We are grateful beyond words for your loyalty and support, and for the place you have given WRTH in your lives. As we turn this page together, we hope you will join us in celebrating the WRTH 2026—the final printed volume and a lasting collector’s item—and in embracing the new digital editions that will carry WRTH into the years ahead.

If you have any other questions, please visit our FAQs for quick, clear answers and support.

With gratitude,
The WRTH Team
 
davideduardo said:
I did not get the notice, and have bought every WRH / WRTH since around 1958.
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I usually receive a few emails from WRTH each month dealing with various online events, DX features, along with marketing efforts.

Note that the price of the 2026 book has jumped up to around US$71, and that is before shipping costs. IIRC I paid ~$47 for the 2025 edition on preorder, and that included shipping. No kidding that production costs have soared.
 
Mediafrog+ said:
I usually receive a few emails from WRTH each month dealing with various online events, DX features, along with marketing efforts.

Note that the price of the 2026 book has jumped up to around US$71, and that is before shipping costs. IIRC I paid ~$47 for the 2025 edition on preorder, and that included shipping. No kidding that production costs have soared.
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Is it the same size?

What I mean is the Book smaller

Shrinkflation is everywhere

I wouldn't get a book for like close to $80, too much
 
MarioMania said:
Is it the same size?

What I mean is the Book smaller
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During the last ten years under the previous ownership (2013-22) the WRTH was 672 pages.

First year under the new Radio Data Center ownership (2023) the size ballooned to 848 pages. 2024 was 816 pages, while the current 2025 edition is 800 pages.

I would assume the final 2026 edition will be in the 800 range.

The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the book have been the same since ~1975.

Advertising in the WRTH is only a tiny fraction of what it was decades ago. There used to be a lot more ads aimed at media/broadcasting professionals, but that was 50+ years ago.

Radio Data Center has simply run into the same production cost issues that caused the previous ownership to give up on the WRTH printed edition. The overall demise of shortwave broadcasting, along with the availability of similar information online, has made the physical book rather irrelevant.
 
Mediafrog+ said:
During the last ten years under the previous ownership (2013-22) the WRTH was 672 pages.

First year under the new Radio Data Center ownership (2023) the size ballooned to 848 pages. 2024 was 816 pages, while the current 2025 edition is 800 pages.

I would assume the final 2026 edition will be in the 800 range.

The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the book have been the same since ~1975.

Advertising in the WRTH is only a tiny fraction of what it was decades ago. There used to be a lot more ads aimed at media/broadcasting professionals, but that was 50+ years ago.

Radio Data Center has simply run into the same production cost issues that caused the previous ownership to give up on the WRTH printed edition. The overall demise of shortwave broadcasting, along with the availability of similar information online, has made the physical book rather irrelevant.
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The quality is way down, too. I bought the first of the Radio Data Center editions, took it to Ireland and there were quite a few inaccuracies - stations that were listed in the book but didn't exist on the ground (and had never existed, these weren't silent stations), incorrect frequencies, unlisted stations. It's far worse than the final edition under the old publishers, which was generally right at least for the countries I'm familiar with "in real life".

The data used to be available for free online on sites under the same umbrella like FMList and FMScan, and ostensibly still is, but they made registration mandatory to view the data, and the site is so locked down nowadays that it's almost impossible to get and keep an account. I had one for a while, but it got closed for "inactivity" (even though I used it most weeks) and it's proven impossible to get it reactivated. It must be a total coincidence that this started happening when they started selling "web apps" containing the same data for €30.

The inane, rambling style of the statement from WRTH in the first post is clearly the work of ChatGPT or a similar AI LLM, which shows the care they put into everything they do.

For UK and Irish stations, I use the BDXC guides published by a local DX club for free. For France, I use Annuradio. For the U.S. I use Michi's FCCData. For general "what's on that frequency" I use this site. I'm not sure there's that much of a market for the WRTH any more.
 
Miss Tuned said:
The quality is way down, too. I bought the first of the Radio Data Center editions, took it to Ireland and there were quite a few inaccuracies - stations that were listed in the book but didn't exist on the ground (and had never existed, these weren't silent stations), incorrect frequencies, unlisted stations. It's far worse than the final edition under the old publishers, which was generally right at least for the countries I'm familiar with "in real life".
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TBF, the 2023 WRTH (the first one under RDC ownership) had to be thrown together in a rather short amount of time.

The previous WRTH owner (WRTH Publications) announced late in 2021 they were closing the business, with the 2022 edition being the last, unless someone else took up the torch. The future of the book was in limbo until the middle of September 2022 when the sale to RDC was completed.

The compilation and publication of the 2023 edition was accomplished over ~10 weeks, not the usual year or more, so not surprising there were problems.

My biggest complaint about the 2023 WRTH was the thin and hard to read font used throughout the text; too much information just seemed to be jumbled together. Fortunately this was fixed for the 2024 edition, which went back to a bolder and easier to read font, similar to what was used under the previous ownership.
Miss Tuned said:
The data used to be available for free online on sites under the same umbrella like FMList and FMScan, and ostensibly still is, but they made registration mandatory to view the data, and the site is so locked down nowadays that it's almost impossible to get and keep an account. I had one for a while, but it got closed for "inactivity" (even though I used it most weeks) and it's proven impossible to get it reactivated. It must be a total coincidence that this started happening when they started selling "web apps" containing the same data for €30.
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For shortwave listening there are plenty of online resources. HFCC schedule and frequency registrations are open and free, and sites like Eibi make it easy to figure out what you’re hearing on a particular frequency.
Miss Tuned said:
The inane, rambling style of the statement from WRTH in the first post is clearly the work of ChatGPT or a similar AI LLM
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I didn’t get that impression, thought it was pretty straightforward. Keep in mind that RDC is a German company, so it is possible the statement was (robo?) translated from the original.
Miss Tuned said:
I'm not sure there's that much of a market for the WRTH any more.
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Especially with the price escalation in recent years, as well as the availability of online resources. Curious how long the WRTH E-book and WebApp survive.
 
I have tried several times to get permission to add the WRH and WRTH to WorldRadioHistory and either refused or not answered. If anyone has clear information on who owns the rights to the older editions, let me know and I will try again.
 
I had expected considerable adverse reaction in the SWDX community to the announcement of the end of the printed WRTH, but so far it’s just been crickets. When the WRTH had its near death experience in 2022 there was quite a bit of response.

Speaks volumes about the state of shortwave today. Even the diehards are finally admitting “It’s done.”
 
MarioMania said:
I had the North American Radio-TV Station Guide from 1985 Issue 15

Wore it out, Pages ripped out :(

I found the pdf on Davids site, I think now he took it down

Been trying to get it back, just to have again
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The copyright owner requested removal. They said they would be creating a paid site for the old editions. They never did.

I have all of them, but can’t put them on WorldRadioHistory.
 
Preorders for the 2026 WRTH have begun at World Radio TV Handbook

Last day for preorders is October 31. No availability after that date.

Odd note on the website: “Important: The Special Limited Edition Printed Book will only be produced if we reach a minimum of 100 pre-orders.“ You would think they would anticipate more orders than that.🤔

Whoops, edit to add: The “Special Edition” is a fancier version of the usual book, which is also available. Didn’t initially notice there were two versions.
 
radiofan2023 said:
What makes it special?
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Mostly hype:

“Collector’s Finish – Hardback cover, limited edition numbering, and the publisher’s signature make each book a unique keepsake.”

Otherwise no difference.

€99 versus €59 for the standard book.😵‍💫 Think I’ll go with the latter, which is still 20% above the 2025 price.😣
 
Update: According to postings on SWDX forums the 2026 printed WRTH is now being shipped from its U.S. fulfillment center, so if you ordered a copy keep an eye out for it.

Have not received my copy yet.
 
MarioMania said:
I had the North American Radio-TV Station Guide from 1985 Issue 15

Wore it out, Pages ripped out :(

I found the pdf on Davids site, I think now he took it down
Click to expand...
The publisher at the time requested the editions be removed. They said that they were going to sell the collection themselves, and when they did, it was not publicized and about $200. Nobody but a collector would pay that. I had all the editions, so I can not comment on the quality of the offered CD.

I had full search of all the issues, by year and decade. The CD they sell, or sold, does not. And mine was free.
 
Received my 2026 WRTH in the mail in Houston on December 19. Been out of town so haven’t had a chance to look at it yet. Earlier delivery than in the past.
 


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