News

Ards Community SSDAB is applying for the local DAB multiplex to cover the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland. The team behind Ards Community SSDAB includes Blast106, Belfast 89 and Sunshine 1049, who have also launched the Lagan small-scale DAB multiplex covering Greater Belfast. Sean Og Mac Braoin, launch coordinator for Ards Community says: “The experience that launching and successfully operating the Greater Belfast DAB multiplexes puts us in an unrivalled position to guarantee the success of a DAB multiplex for the people of the Ards Peninsula including the city of Bangor.”

RedArmy Group has confirmed it is to apply for the small-scale DAB multiplex licence for Stockton-on-Tees. The licence, which will cover around 175,000 adults, was advertised by Ofcom as part of its Round 7 of licensing. RedArmy Group Managing Director Dave Roberts says the sub-region has been a challenge to find the right transmitter locations: “Stockton is a relatively flat area. It doesn’t enjoy the higher ground other Teesside areas has, so finding the right sites has been tricky. Saying this, the local councils have been fantastic in supporting the location identification process, they really want to see their residents enjoy the benefits that small-scale DAB can bring.” RedArmy Group says it has already received many expressions of interest for the planned service, including new stations not currently on DAB.

On 17 April, a number of local radio stations started broadcasts via DAB+. These are broadcasters in the Drachten-Heerenveen and Assen regions. In the Drachten and Heerenveen region, Radio Centraal (Weststellingwerf), Smelne FM (Drachten), Omroep Odrie (Oosterwolde) and the commercial radio station Hotradio Classics can be heard on channel 10B since Thursday. Transmission is currently taking place from the transmitter mast in Hoogersmilde. “Later we will add an additional transmitter in Drachten to further improve coverage,” said transmitter operator Radio Netwerk Nederland. Via channel 12D the local broadcasters Omroep Assen, Radio Aa & Hunze and RTV Tynaarlo can be heard since Thursday. This network also broadcasts from the transmitter mast in Smilde.

Ofcom has today awarded small-scale DAB multiplex licences for three more UK areas. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, multiplex licences have been awarded for the following areas: Carlisle & Penrith: licence awarded to Cumbria Digital; Corby & Kettering: licence awarded to Kettering and Corby Broadcasting Company; East Devon: licence awarded to ExeDAB. Further licence awards for the remaining areas that were advertised in Round 6 will be announced in the coming weeks.

A Sheffield-based media organisation has launched their digital radio station this week. African Voices Platform officially launched its community DAB radio station on 1 April. To commemorate the launch, the team held a radio studio tour, joined by community leaders in Sheffield, providing a space for people to engage in creative discussions about the programmes. Enoch Karimba, director of partnerships and community engagement at AVP, said: “Our primary goal is to foster community engagement and promote cultural exchange across the continent, as well as the diaspora. By focusing on local stories, social issues and cultural expression, we hope to empower our listeners and provide them with a space where their experiences and perspectives can be heard and valued.”

Community radio stations in Northumberland are celebrating with the launch of a new small-scale DAB transmitter. This development, supported by AkzoNobel’s Ashington facility, enables multiple local stations, including Koast Radio, Lionheart Radio, and Radio Northumberland, to broadcast via the DAB network. Richard Finch of Northumberland Community Digital highlighted the benefits of this expansion, noting that it strengthens connections between listeners and their local stations. He said: “For the first time in Northumberland, we will be highlighting the voices of local people, bringing their stories and perspectives to the airwaves in crystal clear DAB.”

The Poole, Purbeck and Wimborne small-scale DAB multiplex has launched within six months of winning its licence. The service will see established FM community radio stations, including Hope FM, Hot Radio, Forest FM, Radio Wimborne, and Southampton’s Unity 101, available on DAB+ in the area for the first time. Dorset Coast Radio is also set to join the platform soon, from the team behind Hospital Radio Bedside. Steve Saville, Station Manager at Forest FM, described the launch as a significant milestone, looking forward to engaging with new listeners in the area. The project is made possible through a partnership between Poole-based telecommunications company Wide FM, Poole community radio station Hot Radio, and Bournemouth’s Hope FM.

This exciting development means listeners can now enjoy Vibe 107.6 FM in crystal-clear digital sound, offering a new and enhanced way to experience the station. In addition to broadcasting on FM from Watford, Vibe 107.6 FM now also transmits via the South Herts DAB digital radio multiplex. This expansion allows the station to reach a wider audience across Hertfordshire—north of London—where more than 813,047 people live, travel, work, study, and play. Ryan Thrussell, General Manager of Vibe 107.6 FM, shared his enthusiasm for the station’s digital expansion: "Broadcasting on DAB+ gives the people of Watford and Hertfordshire a new way of listening to Vibe 107.6 in cars, shops, and on DAB+ radios at home."

The Local DAB Multiplex Association met Ian O’Neill OBE, Head of Radio and Audio at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport recently to talk about industry challenges. Local DAB Multiplex Association Directors Chris Hurst and David Duffy engaged in a discussion with Ian, focusing on the successes, opportunities, and challenges faced by the rapidly evolving small-scale DAB sector. “It was a pleasure to meet with Ian and discuss the bright future of small-scale DAB,” said Chris Hurst. “The sector has made incredible progress, and it’s vital that we continue working collaboratively to ensure its long-term success. We greatly appreciate the engagement and support from DCMS in tackling key industry challenges and unlocking new opportunities.”

On 19 March, Radio Network Netherlands officially took Allotment 31 into use, including a new antenna configuration and transmitter installation in the Stedendriehoek region (Apeldoorn, Deventer and Zutphen). "Thanks to this expansion, listeners of local public, regional and commercial local broadcasters in Apeldoorn, Deventer, Zutphen and the surrounding region can now enjoy interference-free DAB reception," the network operator said. "In the coming days, we will further optimise the network by commissioning a second transmitter in Deventer."