Chris Evans is leaving BBC Radio later this year to take over hosting Virgin Radio’s breakfast show. The current hosts, Sam and Amy, are staying at the station but are moving to present a new overnight show. This means, that for the first time, Virgin Radio (in its current form) will broadcast for 24 hours…Read moreRead more
Digital Radio
Virgin Radio Schedule Changes
Nation Radio Scotland Launches
Nation Radio Scotland has now commenced broadcasting on 96.3 FM in the Glasgow area. The station is currently operating as test transmissions from today until the 30th September. The station has also joined the Trial Glasgow small scale multiplex, broadcasting in joint-stereo at 128 kbps. As the station is using the original DAB format, almost…Read moreRead more
Station Updates
There have been a few changes to some local DAB multiplexes: On Trial Glasgow, Gaydio has switch to 128 kbps joint stereo, whilst Radio Saltire has ceased, and Timeless Radio and Your Radio have been observed without audio streams (possible either closing or have ceased). On Trial Birmingham, 45 Radio has joined using DAB+ (receiver…Read moreRead more
DAB Line Up Changes
Sam FM has rejoined the Bristol DAB multiplex, but is using a very low bit rate of 56 kbps mono, offering extremely poor audio quality for listeners. On the Trial Manchester multiplex, Imagine Radio has joined, broadcasing at 48 kbps stereo DAB+. As the station is using the newer DAB+ format, not all radio radios…Read moreRead more
Bauer Acquires Jazz FM
Bauer Media have agreed a deal to acquire DAB+ station Jazz FM. The news reveal yesterday, and sees a further attempt to expand, as well as the loss of another independently owned station. It would appear Bauer intend to expand Jazz FM’s offering, but it is unclear what their plans are for the station. What…Read moreRead more
Juice 107.2 Ceases Broadcasting
Juice 107.2 in Brighton has now ceased broadcasting, as part of launch preparations for Capital FM Brighton (also known as 107.2 Capital FM). Rather than simply rebrand the service, as Global have done previously with other acquisitions, Global have decided to launch a complete new service, only utilising the existing frequency and transmitter. Capital Brighton…Read moreRead more
12/08/18: News Round-up – Station Updates
Here are a couple of news stories to report on: Black Cat Cambridge and Resonance Extra have joined the Cambridge Trial multiplex. Both are using DAB+ (not compatible will all DAB radios), at a bit rate of 48 kbps. Bliss Radio has launched on DAB in North East Wales and West Cheshire. The station is…Read moreRead more
Small Scale DAB Extensions
All current small-scale DAB multiplexes in the UK have had their licenses extended until March 31st, 2020. These multiplexes allow small commercial and community stations the opportunity to broadcast on DAB at an affordable cost. The current small-scale multiplexes are: Aldershot Birmingham Brighton Bristol Cambridge Glasgow Central London Manchester Norwich Portsmouth The license extension is to…Read moreRead more
Lincs FM Launches 1940s Pop-up Station
Lincs FM have launched a 1940s pop-up station, to coincide with the 1940s Weekend, which is taking place in Lincoln this weekend. The station is launched this morning at 7am, and is available on DAB accross Lincolnshire and Newark until 10pm on Sunday. Lincs FM 40s imagines what Lincs FM might have sounded like, if…Read moreRead more
05/08/2018: News Round-up
The change of ownership at 2BR has already been covered in a separate post, so here is some of the other stories from the past week: Juice 107.2 in Brighton is to rebrand as Capital Brighton on the 3rd September. The station will have a complete new presenter line-up, and will take most programmes from…Read moreRead more