News

James Cridland writes: I’ve been talking about the extra opportunities that new radio platforms offer since - well, since a long time ago. As I mentioned in a speech in Birmingham ten years ago, additional choice is what has driven radio’s success in much of Europe. Radio’s digital platforms - both the internet, but also DAB - offer significant extra choice that allows broadcasters to grow brands, not just stations. And, sometimes, to offer additional choice for advertisers. So it is with Global’s WSQK - a real radio station, available on real broadcast radio in London and online worldwide - offering a choice of a, um, radio station from the 1980s in Hawkins IN, USA. WSQK is, of course, an advertising vehicle for Stranger Things, the Netflix series that has just returned for a new season.

At the WorldDAB Summit in Antwerp on 20 November 2025, Usha Parmar and Raj Parmar delivered a high-impact presentation showcasing their leadership in DAB+ innovation and their pivotal involvement in securing Small-Scale DAB multiplex licences across multiple UK regions. British Asian media leaders Usha Parmar and Raj Parmar received a warm reception at the prestigious WorldDAB Summit 2025, where they were invited to present their insights on digital radio growth, listener engagement and the future of DAB+ broadcasting in the UK. Speaking in a session titled “A DAB+ business success: Sunrise Radio,” the Parmars highlighted how their strategic direction has helped position Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire) as one of the UK’s most successful and forward-thinking digital broadcasters.

Lyca Radio has expanded its reach across the Midlands, with transmission now live in Coventry, Derbyshire, Wolverhampton and Shropshire, on full-scale DAB digital radio. The expansion builds on Lyca Radio’s existing presence in Birmingham and Leicestershire, extending its audience base across the region. Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, said, “We are delighted to strengthen our presence in the Midlands, enabling more listeners to enjoy Lyca Radio’s award‑winning output. We are deeply grateful to our audiences who have embraced the brand in such a short time, and to our commercial partners whose support has made this expansion possible.” Lyca Radio first launched in Leicestershire in October 2024, followed by Birmingham earlier this year.

A brand-new radio station is turning the airwaves upside down from today as Global, the Media & Entertainment group, unveils WSQK ‘The Squawk’, a fully immersive pop-up radio station from the world of Stranger Things 5. Radio station WSQK ‘The Squawk’ will blast non-stop 1980s hits, and be presented by a line-up of American DJs, including Vance Goodman and Mindy Flare, along with a full run of retro American-style ads straight out of Hawkins. To replicate the authentic 80s sound WSQK is being processed using a vintage Inovonics FM250 audio processor. These were released in 1983 and were in use across thousands of stations around the world during the latter part of the 80s. WSKQ ‘The Squawk’ is available on DAB across London. The station is live from 24 November to 1 January.

Onic has launched Onic Christmas, a brand-new DAB+ station playing non-stop festive hits across the Leinster region. Broadcast in partnership with Marks & Spencer, the seasonal station is also streaming nationwide. Running from late October until the end of December, it promises to deliver wall-to-wall Christmas classics. Mark Cunning, Group Content Director, said: “We are thrilled to be unwrapping Onic Christmas as the perfect stocking-filler for audiences. It further demonstrates our commitment to listeners across Ireland and ensures that every moment — from hanging tinsel to Christmas Day — has the perfect soundtrack.”

Audio appears to be one of the winners in the Norwegian advertising market, where the rest of the industry is struggling. This is according to the report “Norwegian Media Economy 2020-2024” from the Norwegian Media Authority. ‘Large parts of the Norwegian media industry have had challenging financial years,’ said Hanne Sekkelsten, acting director of the Norwegian Media Authority. The exception is commercial national radio, which has delivered very strong financial results over several years. The two national radio operators, the P4 Group and Bauer Media, are almost fully financed by advertising revenue, writes the Norwegian Media Authority. With an operating margin of 24 per cent, the two companies performed even better in 2024 than in 2023.

Australia’s audio landscape is entering a new phase of scale and strategy as two of the country’s largest networks unveil ambitious developments. Southern Cross Austereo has introduced a new DAB+ music brand under the Heart banner, while Australian Radio Network has announced that its KIIS and Gold networks will become truly national in 2026. SCA announced the launch of the Heart Network, a new national music brand debuting on DAB+ and via its LiSTNR app platform. The initial offering includes two stations: Heart and Heart Hits. At its first-ever Upfront event on Oct. 29, ARN revealed its 2026 content strategy, announcing that its familiar KIIS and Gold networks will become fully national platforms for advertisers and listeners alike.

The countdown to Christmas in Jersey has begun as Channel 103 joins forces with the island’s ferry operator DFDS to launch the Channel Islands’ first radio station dedicated to non-stop festive favourites. Channel Christmas powered by DFDS, is now live playing the islands’ biggest festive tunes from Slade to Shakin’ Stevens and Mariah Carey to Michael Bublé throughout the day, every day up until December 27th. The Christmas-themed sister station to Channel 103 and Island FM, is broadcasting on DAB+, Radioplayer, app and smart speaker. DFDS Route Director Chris Parker said: “Christmas is a special time for islanders as well as our teams on board and in port so we’re delighted to teaming up with Channel 103 for the perfect Christmas soundtrack.”

Sunrise Radio has announced the launch of two new digital stations, Sunrise Hits and Sunrise Retro, alongside its transition to DAB+ broadcasting across the UK. Starting 5th November 2025, Sunrise Hits will broadcast nationwide on DAB+, offering what the station describes as “the UK’s smoothest Asian hits,” while Sunrise Retro will air on DAB+ in London, focusing on classic Asian music. The launch coincides with Sunrise Radio’s own upgrade to DAB+, providing improved audio quality and broader digital coverage for listeners across the country. Tony Lit MBE & MD of The Sunrise Radio Group adds, “I’m excited about the expansion of The Sunrise Group network, offering listeners across the UK more choice.”

Comment from Steve Ahern: "Two new Gold stations on DAB in Brisbane and Adelaide and a new KIIS DAB station in Perth allows the company to expand its network brands to all GfK surveyed capital city markets without risking its existing FM brands in those cities. This has proven to be a successful strategy for Nova Entertainment's smooth network in recent ratings, so there is a precedent. The expansion to DAB has increased the total size of the radio listening audience, so any new station activity is another 'raising all boats' benefit for the industry. I expect that the most interest will happen first in Perth, where Kyle and Jackie will stir the market and make people realise there is more radio available on that DAB button that they may never have pushed before."