Category: Radio
Date: 30.09.2005
Printable version
The BBC is to expand its UK digital radio network with nine new transmitters in England and Wales within the next year.
The latest phase of the BBC's digital radio expansion plan will bring around 1.2 million people into national DAB coverage in Wales, Cornwall, Cumbria, Norfolk, Kent and Humberside.
The transmitters will be switched on in the following places:
Region |
Transmitter |
New listeners |
Towns covered |
West Wales |
Blaenplwyf |
34,000 |
Aberystwyth |
South Wales |
Presely |
114,000 |
Haverfordwest, Cardigan, Pembroke |
North Wales |
Llandonna |
110,500 |
Bangor, Llandudno and parts of Caernarfon and Conwy |
|
|
|
|
Cumbria |
Penrith |
32,500 |
Penrith |
Cumbria |
Kendal |
42,000 |
Kendal |
|
|
|
|
Humberside |
High Hunsley |
440,000 |
Kingston upon Hull, Grimsby |
|
|
|
|
Norfolk |
Great Massingham |
114,500 |
Kings Lynn, Swaffham and Fakenham |
|
|
|
|
Kent |
Chartham |
53,000 |
Canterbury |
|
|
|
|
Cornwall |
Redruth |
250,000 |
Redruth, Truro, Penzance and parts of Newquay |
The exact date of the launch is subject to local authority planning applications and good weather windows.
Digital radio listeners will be able to tune in to the BBC's portfolio of digital-only stations – 1Xtra, Five Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, BBC 7 and the Asian Network – as well as the BBC's existing national radio stations – Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio Five Live and the World Service – and enjoy the benefits of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) with more choice and improved sound quality.
These networks join BBC local and regional services, which are already available on DAB in some parts of the country.
"The BBC has been committed to DAB digital radio since its launch and we are delighted to announce our plans to expand coverage further," said Simon Nelson, Controller of BBC Radio & Music Interactive.
"We hope listeners in these areas will now discover the benefits and additional choice that digital radio offers."
Listeners will need a DAB digital radio to receive the BBC's digital radio broadcasts.
Existing digital radio listeners in the area should carry out an 'autotune' to scan and store the newly available BBC services in their radio set's station list.
For advice on receiving BBC digital radio and to check coverage listeners can ring 08700 100123 or go to bbc.co.uk/digitalradio.
Notes to Editors
The BBC has five digital-only radio networks, all launched in 2002: 1Xtra – the best in new black music;
Five Live Sports Extra – the home of live sport with exclusive coverage of live events; 6 Music – the best of contemporary and classic rock and pop; BBC 7 - the best of BBC comedy, drama and books from the archive; the Asian Network – news and music from the British Asian scene.
Listeners can also receive Radios 1 to Five Live on DAB, along with more than 30 of the BBC's English local radio and national stations
The BBC's national DAB coverage currently stands at around 85% of the UK population
More than 1.5 million adults are listening to the BBC's new digital-only stations each week (RAJAR)
There are now more than 1.8 million DAB sets in the UK (GFK, July 2005)
Digital radio offers robust reception and does not suffer from the interference and fading that can happen with AM and FM radio
Digital radio is a more efficient means of broadcasting. More networks can be transmitted, offering more choice for listeners
Digital radio can transmit text and data with the audio signal. A small screen on digital radios carries rolling text telling listeners what music they're listening to, who's being interviewed, and giving phone numbers and email and website addresses
Digital radios are available from more than 6,500 retail outlets across the UK (both large high street chains and small independent retailers) and can also be bought on the internet
DAB digital radios are available from £49.99
Digital radio can also be received via digital television (satellite, cable and Freeview) and the Internet (more than 16 million hours of BBC radio is listened to online each month - live and 'on demand').
