Following the expansion of the Sound Digital DAB multiplex, the UKs second commercial national multiplex, a further two stations have left local multiplexes.
Fun Kids has left the Suffolk multiplex. Listeners in Suffolk will now need a DAB+ radio, as Fun Kids on Suffolk used the original format of DAB, but the national version uses DAB+ (not compatible will older DAB radios). However, Fun Kids is now available in stereo in Suffolk.
Jazz FM has left the Trial Norwich small scale multiplex. Jazz FM also uses DAB+ on the Sound Digital multiplex, but this shouldn’t be an issue for listeners, as Jazz FM had recently been using DAB+ in Norwich. However, the bit rate on the national multiplex is lower, meaning that listeners may notice a slight drop in sound quality.
Also on the Trial Norwich multiplex, Crackers Radio has taken over the slot previously occupied by Jazz FM, using 48 kbps stereo DAB+. Again, this station will require a DAB+ compatible radio.