Bliss Radio, the DAB station for the North West has closed down. The station has announced this is down to continuing financial losses, and the station can no longer fund itself. Whilst I’m here, contrary to earlier reports Sunrise Radio UK is still broadcasting on the SDL National DAB multiplex.
National Radio
Bliss Radio Closes
Smooth Chill Goes National
Recently launched digital station Smooth Chill has now joined the D1 National DAB multiplex, extending coverage of the station beyond London. The station is using DAB+ at 32 kbps stereo, meaning relatively poor sound quality, and some older DAB radios will not receive the station. Smooth Chill launched in London in September 2019, partially replacing…Read moreRead more
Love Sport Mothballed
The current virus outbreak has seen Love Sport cease regular broadcasts, due to the lack of sport and drop in advertising revenue. The service continues on the SDL National DAB multiplex, with presumably pre-recorded content. A recorded announcement is currently following news bulletins. Presumably the same content is also being broadcast on the North London…Read moreRead more
Atlantis Scales Back
Atlantis Radio, the digital only oldies station, has scaled back its DAB+ coverage area. The station is no longer available in Lincolnshire, Suffolk, or the trial Cambridge small-scale multiplex. The station continues on some other multiplexes, and is also available on-line.
Heart and Smooth Changes
On DAB+ Heart Extra and Smooth Extra have been replaced by national versions of the main Heart and Smooth stations. Global have announced that this is to improve access to the stations, a move which appears counter productive, giving the earlier switch to DAB+, a newer version of DAB, which older digital radios are unable…Read moreRead more
BBC Radio 1 Falls Silent Due to Technical Glitch
Whilst technically glitches can occur, the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show was unfortunate to suffer a complete failure for 30 seconds this morning (4/02/20). The exact cause of the glitch is unknown, but it is understood that a full reboot was required to recommence programming. Whilst the reboot took place, there was nothing that presenter…Read moreRead more
Upcoming Medium Wave Closures
Ofcom has given Talk Sport consent to turn off the following medium wave (MW/AM) transmitters: • Rosemarkie (Inverness) • Redruth (Cornwall) • Redmoss (Aberdeen) • Londonderry • Occombe (Devon) • Plummers Barracks (Plymouth) • Pearce’s Hill (Devon) Although the percentage reduction is marginal, 95% to 93%, over 1 million potential listeners will be affected. Listeners…Read moreRead more
Coverage Improvements Coming Soon for Bauer Services
Ofcom has given approval for some Bauer Media operated services to expand coverage areas. Absolute Radio 80s and Absolute Radio 90s have been given permission to join the Inverness local DAB multiplex. These stations are normally found on the SDL national DAB multiplex, and extend coverage of the stations to an area which the SDL…Read moreRead more
Love Sport Finally Goes National, Panjab Now London Only
Panjab Radio has reduced its coverage area, and is now London only. The station has left the SDL National DAB multiplex, and now broadcasts on the London 3 multiplex. The station is still using the same bit rate of 56 kbps (mono). Love Sport is now available nationally, partially reusing the space released by Panjab….Read moreRead more
Radio Maria English Launches in the UK
Christian radio station Radio Maria has started DAB broadcasts in the UK. An English language version is now available in London and Cambridge. In London, the service is available on the London 2 multiplex, and is using stereo DAB+ with a bit rate of 32kbps. As this station is using DAB+, some older DAB radios…Read moreRead more