The RAJAR Q1 2018 audience figures has reported a growth in digital listeners, with 50% of listening done via digital platforms (including DAB, digital TV, and online). A number of digital only stations have increased in popularity: Heart 80s now reaches 1.4 million listeners, but Absolute Radio 80s (with a smaller coverage area) remains the…Read moreRead more
Digital Radio
Latest Audience Figures Report Growth In Digital Listening
Sound Digital Are to Expand Coverage
Sound Digital, the UK’s second commercial DAB multiplex, is to extend its coverage. Listeners in Wales, the South West, East Anglia, and North East Scotland will benefit from the extended coverage area, and there will also be a small coverage boost in and around Eastbourne on the south coast of England. Sound Digital is a…Read moreRead more
Trial Manchester Services Cease Broadcasting
Asian Fever, Likwid London, and Rainbow Radio have ceased broadcasting on the Manchester trial DAB multiplex.
Big City Radio Falls Silent
Community radio station Big City Radio has ceased broadcasting. The 89.1 FM transmission is reported to have ceased, and the DAB broadcast on the Birmingham trial local multiplex has fallen silent. More details will be posted here as and when I have them.
More DAB+ Changes
On the London trial minimux, covering central London, Resonance has switched to DAB+ and Resonance Extra has launched. Both services are using a bit rate of 64 kbps in stereo. These services are only available on DAB+ compatible radios. Of the 14 services on this multiplex, only 4 still use the original form of DAB….Read moreRead more
Nation and Dragon Switch to DAB+
On the local multiplex North East Wales and West Cheshire, Nation Radio and Dragon Radio have switched to using DAB+ (48kbps). Both stations, owned by Nation Broadcasting, are now available in stereo in this area for the first time. However, as a result of the change, owners of older DAB radios will no longer receive…Read moreRead more
Bauer Ditches Local Name
Bauer Media are re-branding Key 103 in Manchester as Hits Radio, on the 4th June. This service will also replace The Hits, and existing national service. A local service, presumably with existing local breakfast and drive time shows will be available in Manchester, with a national version carried elsewhere. The Hits for a time, aligned…Read moreRead more
Rathergood Radio Joins RadioPlayer
North East local radio station Rathergood Radio has joined UK Radioplayer. The station will benefit from being accessible on Radioplayer’s comprehensive range of apps for Apple, Android, Kindle Fire, and Windows Phone apps, plus an on-line player, accessible through web browsers on PCs. More information on Radioplayer can be found on the Radioplayer website at…Read moreRead more
Eagle 80s Launches Today
UKRD station Eagle 80s launches later today at 11am. This service will be available on DAB+ in Surrey and North Sussex, and replaces Eagle 3. As this station is using DAB+, not all DAB radio’s will receive it. To see if your radio is DAB+ compatible, look for a DAB+ logo, or the digital tick…Read moreRead more
Eagle 80s Prepares to Launch
Changes are taking place at UKRD owned Eagle Radio’s sisters stations. Eagle 3 has been replaced on DAB by a new station Eagle 80s. The Eagle 3 website has now moved over to the main Eagle Radio website. This article will be updated when I have more details.