Advanced Television

DAB radio network expansion nears completion

September 25, 2018

Sound Digital, the national commercial DAB multiplex operated by Arqiva, Bauer and Wireless, has announced that its expansion programme of 19 new transmitters is nearing completion, with the first of the extended coverage areas due to go live in the coming weeks.

Announced in May 2018, the expansion of the Sound Digital network was originally expected to be completed towards the end of the year, however tireless work by the project’s joint venture partners has resulted in that date being bought forward. The project will add coverage in areas including South West England, South Wales, East Anglia, Kent and North East Scotland.

The new coverage areas will bring the 19 Sound Digital stations, which include Mellow Magic, Kisstory, Jazz FM, Virgin Radio, talkRADIO, and talkSPORT 2, Forces Radio BFBS, Sunrise Radio and Union Jack, to nearly four million more people and over 1.6 million new households, increasing aggregate UK coverage from 77 per cent to 83 per cent.

Sound Digital is the first national multiplex in the UK to use DAB+ technology for some of its services.

Steve Holebrook, MD Terrestrial Broadcast at Arqiva, said: “The popularity of the Sound Digital Network has grown significantly since its launch two years ago and its always been our target to bring its selection of high-quality stations to more people in the UK. The task of connecting as many new listeners to the network in the most efficient way possible has been complex, so it is especially gratifying that we will complete the expansion ahead of schedule. We are delighted to now be bringing the network’s diverse range of content to almost 4 million new listeners.”

Categories: Articles, Digital Radio