United Kingdom - Coverage - History

28.04.2015

Current UK population coverage is: 

  • 97% for national BBC stations.
  • 89% for national commercial stations. National commercial stations launched across Northern Ireland for the first time in summer 2013.
  • 70% local DAB coverage. Local digital services were launched in 8 new areas in 2013. Government, BBC and commercial broadcasters have signed an agreement to fund the build-out of local DAB to FM equivalence extending coverage to 90% by the end of 2016.

DAB coverage expansion

  • A major two-year programme of DAB coverage build out is now underway which includes doubling the number of local DAB transmitters (around 200 new transmitters) to get local DAB to FM equivalence, over 162 new transmitters for the BBC national network to expand it from 95% population coverage to 97%, and more transmitters for the national commercial network, Digital One.
  • This build-out programme will also focus on the UK’s major road network and the local DAB expansion alone will bring 6,700km of roads in to DAB coverage.
  • As these new digital transmitters become operational DRUK will update the consumer facing postcode checker on the Digital Radio UK website

Local DAB coverage expansion

  • At the Drive to Digital event in February 2014, Ed Vaizey, MP, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy announced the single biggest expansion of local digital radio coverage, which means that nearly eight million more people will get local DAB for the first time and over 6,700km of roads will also be added to local DAB coverage. 182 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% to 91%.

13.04.2015

Current UK population coverage is: 

  • 97% for national BBC stations.
  • 89% for national commercial stations. National commercial stations launched across Northern Ireland for the first time in summer 2013.
  • 70% local DAB coverage. Local digital services were launched in 8 new areas in 2013. Government, BBC and commercial broadcasters have signed an agreement to fund the build-out of local DAB to FM equivalence extending coverage to 90% by the end of 2016.

DAB coverage expansion

  • A major two-year programme of DAB coverage build out is now underway which includes doubling the number of local DAB transmitters (around 200 new transmitters) to get local DAB to FM equivalence, over 162 new transmitters for the BBC national network to expand it from 95% population coverage to 97%, and more transmitters for the national commercial network, Digital One.
  • This build-out programme will also focus on the UK’s major road network and the local DAB expansion alone will bring 6,700km of roads in to DAB coverage.
  • As these new digital transmitters become operational DRUK will update the consumer facing postcode checker on the Digital Radio UK website
14.10.2014

Current UK population coverage is: 

  • 95% for national BBC stations. The BBC has announced its commitment to build out national DAB coverage up to 97% by a target date of 2015 and have committed to provide good in-vehicle coverage for motorways and major roads.
  • 89% for national commercial stations. National commercial stations launched across Northern Ireland for the first time in summer 2013.
  • 70% local DAB coverage. Local digital services were launched in 8 new areas in 2013. Government, BBC and commercial broadcasters have signed an agreement  to fund the build-out of local DAB to FM equivalence extending coverage to 90% by the end of 2016.

 

DAB coverage expansion

  • A major two-year programme of DAB coverage build out is now underway which includes doubling the number of local DAB transmitters (around 200 new transmitters) to get local DAB to FM equivalence, over 162 new transmitters for the BBC national network to expand it from 95% population coverage to 97%, and more transmitters for the national commercial network, Digital One.
  • This build-out programme will also focus on the UK’s major road network and the local DAB expansion alone will bring 6,700km of roads in to DAB coverage.
  • As these new digital transmitters become operational DRUK will update the consumer facing postcode checker on the Digital Radio UK website