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A new digital radio network has launched in Inverclyde - with the district’s dedicated station set to hit the airwaves soon. Coast DAB, which also covers Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, features five new stations – Lomond Radio, based in Dumbarton; BFBS Scotland, serving the Faslane naval base; Celtic Music Radio, extending its Glasgow service; Timeless Radio and spin-off Timeless 70s. Further stations are due to join up shortly after licences are awarded by industry regulator Ofcom, including Inverclyde’s Clyde Coast Radio and Dunoon’s DCR. The network aims to broadcast up to 20 new stations for listeners across its coverage areas.

Ofcom, the radio industry regulator, has announced they are awarding a DAB multiplex licence for the Ashford area to Ashford DAB - the joint venture between Radio Ashford - Ashford's not-for-profit community radio station, Nation Broadcasting and Kent Capacity Company. The DAB service will give Ashford its own DAB service for the first time and enable Radio Ashford to be heard on DAB in addition to FM and online. Gregory Watson, Director of Kent Capacity Co, said: “We are excited to be working with Radio Ashford and Nation Broadcasting to bring small scale DAB to Ashford & Dungeness. Our experience through MuxCo and MuxNet of building and operating countywide and also small-scale multiplexes, as well as working with local partners, has been unique in the UK - helping small operators to become part of the DAB family and enabling many small radio stations to broadcast for the first time."

UK media regulator Ofcom has today published the applications received for the small-scale DAB multiplex licences advertised under the sixth round of the rollout. It received 33 round-six applications for the 31 small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences advertised. The applications will be assessed against the specific statutory criteria, with decisions expected in the coming months. Each multiplex licence awarded will allow a range of ultra-local stations to take to the air. This could include grass-roots community services, specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.

The Alternative Broadcast Company has celebrated its first 12 months of operation by launching its third transmitter for Kidsgrove, North Staffordshire. This brings Blue Sky Radio, Radio Caroline, xRhythms, Churnet Sound, Moorlands Radio and 6 Towns Radio on DAB+ to those living in and around the town. The ABC network launched in August 2023 covering Stoke and Newcastle-under-Lyme and the new transmitter strengthens the coverage in the north of the city which has previously been geographically difficult to cover. Alternative Broadcast Company Director Steve Perry said: “It’s taken a while, but we’re really pleased with the results and it’s a great first birthday present to be able to announce it publicly. Plus, as well as solving a long-standing problem for local radio reception, it’s great news for listeners, stations and businesses alike.”

Ofcom’s annual Media Nations report is a research report for industry, policymakers, academics and consumers, capturing evolving consumer behaviours and key trends in the media sector, and setting out how audiences are served in the UK. The new 2024 report states that "DAB remains the most popular platform for radio listening, accounting for 42.6% of hours and up by 2.8 percentage points in the past year." The regulator also reveals that one in four UK homes can now receive small-scale DAB services. "Since March 2023, licensing and build-out of small-scale DAB services has continued around the UK, increasing household coverage of small-scale DAB from 13.8% in March 2023 to 25.6% a year later," it says.

Two former competitors for the Inverclyde SSDAB multiplex licence have joined forces to bid for two of the Round 6 licence areas. Caledonia TX Ltd and Lanarkshire based C.I. Broadcasting have formed Lanarkshire DAB and North Ayrshire Broadcasting to bid for the respective area licences. Spencer Pryor of C.I. Broadcasting told RadioToday: “It makes a lot of sense to join forces and submit a single strong application for these areas. We would have bid for Lanarkshire on our own account as our EKlipse Radio station, which has been on the East Kilbride landscape since the late 1990s when we applied for an FM SALLIE licence, will now have a means to broadcast to its own locality. Coupled with Caledonia TX’s engineering skills and knowledge we are sure we can make Lanarkshire a great place to listen to local DAB radio.”

Dumbarton based Lomond Radio is expanding its coverage on DAB with new transmitters in Langbank, Dunoon and Gourock. Initially broadcasting online, Lomond Radio began broadcasting on DAB across Glasgow last March. The new DAB transmitters go on air from this Thursday, 1st August to extend coverage across Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh, Greenock and Dunoon. Director and Chairman, Alan Caldwell commented: “We’ve been working to bring Lomond Radio on DAB Digital Radio to the local area for some time now and delighted to be able to confirm that as from Thursday 1st August, you’ll be able to hear us on DAB Digital Radio across the local area and stay listening as you travel across Glasgow.”

Ofcom has awarded 25 small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences in London and the South East, meaning nearly 11 million listeners from Harlow to Hastings will soon be able to tune into a wider choice of ultra-local digital radio stations. Each multiplex will allow several local stations to take to the digital airwaves, including grass-roots community services, specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences. The roll-out of small-scale DAB has already enabled the launch of multiplexes across all four UK nations. Today's awards bring the number of multiplex licences awarded so far to 112 (excluding re-awards), with 58 of those already broadcasting.

Cumbria.Digital has submitted an application to Ofcom to establish a small-scale DAB multiplex for Carlisle, Penrith, and surrounding areas. If approved, Cumbria.Digital says it aims to have the platform operational by early 2025, using two transmission sites in Carlisle and Penrith. Cumbria.Digital has committed to reserving capacity for up to six community services, exceeding the minimum requirement ofcom required of four. Jonathan Davies, Director of Cumbria.Digital, expressed gratitude for the support received from local organisations: “I would personally like to thank Eden FM, Cumberland Radio, Love Carlisle, and Penrith Town for their support. This has been a five-year journey for us, awaiting legislative and regulatory developments to catch-up with our plans. With Ofcom’s approval, Cumbria.Digital aims to unlock the potential of local digital radio capabilities to match other parts of the UK and also put us at the forefront of what DAB can do.”

Community station Corby Radio has announced plans to apply for the small-scale DAB digital radio multiplex for Corby and Kettering. The area is part of Round 6, which has a closing date of July 18. Des Barber, Founder and Station Manager of Corby Radio said: “From my days on AM with KCBC, I’ve seen progress to FM, and now to digital technologies. Corby Radio has always harnessed these developments for the enrichment of our community. It is hoped that the result of the application will be known by the end of the year and the service will go on-air in 2025.”