Advanced Television

Boost for UK digital radio

February 6, 2015

By Colin Mann

Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, has announced the single biggest expansion of local digital radio coverage in the UK, which means that nearly eight million more people will receive their favourite local radio stations on DAB loud and clear. A programme of new local and national transmitters will also mean that the national coverage element of the Government’s radio switchover criteria could now be met by late 2016.

Speaking at the Drive to Digital: NOW conference held by Digital Radio UK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at BBC Broadcasting House, Vaizey confirmed that:

  • Latest figures released show that 61 per cent of new cars came with digital radio fitted as standard – more than 1.37 million new cars sold in 2014;

  • 82 new digital transmitters will be built by 2016 – this will double the network of local digital transmitters and increase coverage of local DAB from 72 per cent to 91 per cent – in line with commercial radio FM coverage;

  • Ofcom has received competing bids from two major broadcast consortia – Sound Digital and Listen2Digital – for the new national commercial network (D2) – this will provide radio listeners with an extra 15 or more digital new stations which could be on air in early 2016; and

  • Radio listening figures – Rajar – show that digital listening has reached 37.9 per cent of all listening hours, compared with 20.9 per cent in Q4 2009.

Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, said that digital radio was the future of radio in the UK and he was delighted that Government had been able to play its part in this major expansion which would help accelerate the transition to digital radio.

The new transmitters are being jointly funded by the Government, the BBC and the commercial multiplex operators. Work to deliver the infrastructure – which forms part of the Government’s long-term economic plan – will start in March and complete in the second half of 2016.

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, the body that works with Government, broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers, and a wide range of stakeholders to make digital radio the natural choice at home, in car and on the move, and to help secure UK radio’s digital future, said: “We welcome the UK expansion of digital radio – it’s great news for listeners as it means that millions more listeners and thousands more miles of roads will be able to receive DAB loud and clear.”

The expansion of local DAB radio will get underway as the expansion of BBC national DAB coverage completes, with 162 new national digital transmitters being built to bring the coverage of BBC national stations on DAB to 97 per cent. 80 of these new national transmitters are now in place with a further 82 to be built by the end of 2015.

This programme of new local and national transmitters will mean that the national coverage element of the Government’s radio switchover criteria could now be met by late 2016.

Helen Boaden, Director of Radio, BBC, said the corporation was playing its part in the development of digital radio across the UK. “We are completing the expansion of the BBC national DAB network to 97 per cent of the population this year and contributing funding to expand local DAB coverage thereby ensuring listeners can receive local BBC stations on DAB,” she advised.

New commercial stations

In his speech to the Digital Radio UK conference, Ed Vaizey welcomed news that competing bids had been received by Ofcom for the new national commercial network (D2) from two major broadcast consortia:

  • Sound Digital which is proposing new stations including talkRADIO, talkBUSINESS, Virgin Radio, Kisstory and British Muslim Radio; and

  • Listen2Digital which is proposing stations including Fun Kids, the Wireless from Age UK, GEM, Panjab and Chris Country.

Ofcom plans to award the D2 licence by the end of the first half of 2015 and the new stations could be on air early in 2016. The new network will provide listeners with an extra 15-18 digital stations and increases the number of national commercial DAB stations from only four in 2009 to around 30 by 2016, including some on DAB+.

Local DAB radio stations

Vaizey also emphasised the importance of smaller local commercial and community radio stations. He confirmed as part of a £500,000 Government-funded programme, Ofcom will trial a new small-scale approach to broadcasting on DAB across 10 areas of the UK this summer.

More cars equipped with DAB radio

The Minister highlighted progress made on the transition to digital radio over the last four years – more than 61 per cent of new cars now come with digital radio as standard, up from 43.5 per cent in Q4 2013 and only 4.4 per cent in Q1 2010 (CAP/SMMT) at the beginning of the Government’s Digital Radio Action Plan.

He welcomed the significant shift made by vehicle manufacturers, with 90 per cent of the top 20 manufacturers now fitting digital radio as standard in some or all of their cars.

Dee Ford, CEO of Bauer Media, said that the company was the leading commercial digital radio broadcaster with over 51 per cent of its listening already digital. “Our distinctive station formats are showing significant growth, and we have further invested in local DAB with the launch of 12 new stations. In addition, we have a strong commitment to National DAB radio with our Sound Digital bid for the second National digital multiplex.”

Will Harding, Chief Strategy Officer of Global Radio, noted that his company operates four of the top five commercial radio brands on digital radio with Heart, Capital, Classic FM and Smooth. “We are making a significant investment in local digital radio alongside our partners to improve local DAB coverage to 90 per cent of households. What this means is that listeners can enjoy our brands across the UK in areas where they weren’t previously available. We are also investing in new national stations on digital, launching LBC, Capital XTRA and Smooth Extra across the country in the last year, with Heart Extra to follow later this year,” he advised.

Jon Oliver, Category Manager – Tech, Halfords, said the retailer was committed to offer its customers the widest range of in-car digital radio in the market with the richly superior listening experience that it offers, and it welcomed the significant coverage improvements and the expansion of choice of stations. From early April, all of our digital radio car stereos will be digital tick approved, and with our in-store expertise and nationwide fitting service across 467 shops, will drive further awareness with consumers.”

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Digital Radio, Policy, Regulation