The Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast is unlike anything else on the BBC World Service. Every year, we make this special programme for just 32 listeners: The team of scientists and support staff isolated at British research stations in the Antarctic midwinter. Presented by Cerys Matthews, the programme 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.

For the staff living at three British Antarctic Survey research stations (Rothera, Bird Island and South Georgia), and at other national bases across the frozen continent, midwinter is a special time. With no sunlight, Antarctica is at its coldest and those stationed on the frozen continent face months of total isolation.
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 to the BBC’s Midwinter Broadcast.
As ever, this year’s programme includes recorded messages from family and friends of the winterers, music requests from the personnel in Antarctica and appearances from special guests including Sir David Attenborough and actor Brian Blessed.

Photo: A resident of Bird Island in Antartica Credit: Adam Bradley Show less