Nation Broadcasting, through subsidiary Bailiwick Broadcasting Limited, has been awarded the license to operate the local DAB multiplex for the Channel Islands, from UK regulator Ofcom.
A variety of services will be operated including both BBC Radio Jersey, and BBC Radio Guernsey, and existing local commercial stations Island FM and Channel 103. A variety of new services will also be created, and independent broadcasters including Chris Country and Skylab Radio will also be a part of the line up of services.
In an unusual move, DAB+ will be use to allow both FM and AM (MW) versions of BBC Radio Jersey and BBC Radio Guernsey to be broadcast, using 256 kbps of reserve capacity. Most other services will use DAB+, but conventional DAB is likely to be used for Island FM and Channel 103.
The multiplex is due to launch in October 2020, on frequency block 12A from three transmitter sites. If international co-ordination is problematic, block 11C will be used instead.
Currently, only the BBC national services are broadcast on DAB in the Channel Islands.