Help / DAB / Benefits and Features
What is DAB LiveText - and how can I get it?
LiveText is simple, snappy text information that is displayed on virtually all DAB radios.
All you need to know about the BBC's DAB LiveText
How can I view LiveText?
LiveText is viewable when listening to any of the BBC's national radio stations via DAB. The information will normally scroll across or appear on the display screen once tuned into your station of choice. If it is not automatically viewable, try pressing the 'info' button on your set until it appears.
Where can I see LiveText?
LiveText commonly scrolls across a simple display on the front or top of a DAB radio. On higher specification radios with larger displays, the text might be visible in its entirety without the need for it to scroll.
LiveText also appears on many of the BBC's radio websites and is viewable when listening to BBC radio via Freeview or Digital Cable TV.
What sort of information is carried in LiveText?
LiveText accompanies all of our national radio broadcasts. We aim for the listener to be able to glance quickly at the screen and get accurate, concise and relevant information about what they're listening to.
This can include information about the programme on air, programme contact details, competition details, or even news headlines, sports results and "now playing" track information.
We have experimented with providing translations, plot descriptions and notes to compliment operas and classical music broadcasts.
Is it the same as RDS radio text on FM?
LiveText and RDS radio text are not the same. RDS is available on a number of FM receivers. Each line of text is limited to 64 characters, compared to the 128 available on DAB LiveText.
Is LiveText available elsewhere other than DAB?
We know that LiveText is very useful. Lots of our listeners seem to agree so we have also placed it on some of our radio websites. It's also available when listening to BBC Radio via Freeview or Digital Cable TV.
Related Links
If this does not answer your question sufficiently you may find more help on the pages linked to from the right hand side.
If you still cannot find an answer to your question please click here to contact us
Fill out the form to contact us
All personal information supplied is held securely by the BBC and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your details will not be used for any other service.
The BBC and any service provider we engage will use the information you supply to respond to your queries/comments, to develop and enhance our services and for statistical analysis of audiences and users. You can see the BBC's policy over privacy here.
The BBC promises that you will NOT receive unsolicited mail by supplying personal details via this form.
© MMIX