It was originally built in the 1980s as a fill-in relay for UHF analogue colour television covering the communities of Abercraf, Coelbren, Penycae and Ynyswen.

Abercraf transmitter re-radiates the signal received off-air from Carmel about 12 miles (20 km) to the west.

After the switchover process, analogue channels had ceased broadcasting permanently and the Freeview digital TV services were radiated at an ERP of 18 W each.

The UK's digital switchover commenced at Carmel (and therefore at Abercraf and all its other relays) on 26 August 2009.

Channel 25 was replaced by the new digital BBC A mux which started up in 64-QAM and at full power (i.e. 25 W).