West Norfolk will get digital radio (DAB) in the autumn, almost a year later than intended, with two transmitters stationed in Lynn to “ensure strong coverage.” A new consortium comprised of the proprietors of existing DAB services in Norwich and Cambridge will run the digital radio multiplex for West Norfolk, which might result in up to 30 new stations. West Norfolk is the only portion of the county that has yet to receive DAB coverage, which was due to begin in November. KL1 and Radio West Norfolk are two of the stations that will be included.

DAB radio is a digital audio broadcasting system. DAB radio is a digital audio broadcasting system. James Keen, the director of North Norfolk Digital and one of the project’s overseers, said: “It will be exciting and long overdue, with lots of options.” “In the autumn, we will debut with two transmitters to provide solid coverage to King’s Lynn and the surrounding area.” “Radio West Norfolk, as well as KL1, will be on the multiplex.” Mast for a radio transmitter. Photographed by Mark Bullimore.

Ofcom is holding a consultation today on the renewal of the two national commercial radio multiplexes in the United Kingdom. Digital One Limited and Sound Digital Limited operate these multiplexes, which broadcast nationwide commercial DAB services.
In the United Kingdom, digital radio is a popular way to listen to audio information. According to RAJAR data, 42 million adults listen to digital radio every week.
The national radio multiplex license for Digital One expires in 2023, while the license for Sound Digital expires in 2028. The government awarded Ofcom the authority to extend these licenses until 2035 this year.
We’re looking for feedback on three main proposals: we don’t want to impose any new coverage obligations or require the licensees to provide a new technical plan in order to renew the licenses; we don’t want to require the licensees to provide new proposals for how they’d promote or assist the acquisition of digital radio equipment; and we don’t want to set a percentage of multiplex revenue (PMR) rate for the renewed term of the licences. This strategy would necessitate the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s approval, as he or she might direct us on what PMR rate to set.
The consultation has nothing to do with the BBC’s national digital radio multiplex, which is governed by the BBC Charter and Agreement, or local radio multiplex licenses.
The deadline for this consultation is July 21, 2022. Following that, we’ll present our final thoughts and a timeline for renewing both licenses.

More than 20 new digital radio stations have been approved by Ofcom in Rochdale.
The additional stations will be part of the multiplex in Oldham and Rochdale, which allows many stations to broadcast on the same frequency.
Credible Focus Ltd, a local company, beat out other bidders to win the license, which includes Rochdale, Oldham, and a portion of Tameside.
Credible Focus is a joint venture between Credible Media, the previous owners of Revolution 96.2, and Sunrise Radio, based in Bradford.
Small-scale digital radio (ssDAB) is being rolled out across the UK by Ofcom, which governs TV, radio, and mobile communications in the UK, to extend access to the airwaves and expand the selection of radio stations available to listeners.
The regulator granted a number of licenses in the north-west last month, including to Bolton, Stockport, and Wigan, as well as Oldham and Rochdale.
Local ownership of the multiplex, according to Matt Ramsbottom, managing director of Credible Media, was a significant plus.
“We’ve been involved in local radio for a number of years, and we’re committed to working constructively with other local broadcasters and industry professionals to expand listener choice throughout the borough.”
The application process with Ofcom was extremely difficult, but the regulator has now endorsed our local and professional competence.”
Smaller broadcasters will be able to access digital radio, according to Kevin Bailey, content director at Credible Focus: “Throughout the process, we’ve worked with smaller stations across Oldham and Rochdale to ensure that access to the digital platform is quick and reasonable.”
The multiplex is planned to expand the number of radio stations available to listeners in the towns, including both national and local stations. There will be a variety of formats available, ranging from mainstream to specialty stations, ensuring that everyone can find something they enjoy.”
‘Mom’s Spaghetti,’ which is already run by Credible Media in Manchester and online, is one of the services available on the multiplex. Sunrise Radio, as well as a selection of dance and guitar-based indie stations, will be available on the new platform.
To guarantee that smaller broadcasters may join the digital platform, Credible Focus is working closely with Roch Valley Radio, Crescent Radio in Rochdale, North Manchester FM, and Oldham Community Radio.
“This is excellent news for not only Roch Valley Radio but for all those other stations in the north west that can now reach more of their communities through technology in their cars and homes through DAB,” said David Murphy, Chairman of Roch Valley Radio.
We’d want to thank everyone who has helped Roch Valley Radio over the years, especially those who have worked with us and our partners and friends to make DAB a reality.”
To deliver the services, three transmitters will be turned on, with stations slated to go live in early 2023.
Nearly 60% of radio listening currently takes place on digital platforms, with plans to phase out AM and FM broadcasting within the next ten years.

The DAB Multiplex in Blackpool intends to broadcast from the top of Blackpool Tower as soon as practicable.
Last month, Ofcom granted Fun Coast Digital CIC a license for Blackpool, as well as other Round 2 locations.
Fun Digital’s team, lead by former Radio Wave and Wish FM news director Alistair Clarke, and DAB radio experts Viamux, went to Blackpool Tower for their initial site visit to inspect the current infrastructure and see the prospective transmitter position.
“Blackpool and the Fylde Coast loves local radio,” Alistair told Radio Today. “We’ve got plenty of organisations discussing their ideas with us.”

“We received a lot of support from dozens of community organisations, Blackpool Council, Merlin Entertainments, and all of the local MPs in the application, so now we have to put the plan into action.”
Viamux has been assisting us for the past 12 months and is truly an expert in the field of DAB radio.”
“At over 500 feet, Blackpool Tower permits Fun Coast Digital’s multiplex to service the entire area from a single transmission location,” said David Duffy of Viamux. This not only decreases the solution’s cost and complexity, but also speeds up its implementation.”
Andy Bolton Productions is providing additional radio technical support on the ground.

A new membership-based organization has emerged in the UK to promote the expanding number of community and independent commercial radio stations broadcasting on small-scale DAB.
Three radio experts, John Dash, Phil England, and Dominic Barker, run Local Radio Support.
John has served as a programme director at Radio Clyde and Piccadilly Radio, among other stations.
Phil has worked in radio since 1980, managing stations and programs for Global, Bauer, Nation, and TWG, the UK’s four largest radio groups. He’s also started a number of radio stations and given training services.
Dominic has built strong partnerships with several well-known consumer brands while leading local, regional, and national sales teams for Capital Radio, Classic FM, and LBC.
“Many tiny stations are operating on short resources,” John tells RadioToday. Local Radio Support allows customers to get more of the services they need at a lower cost, with the help of a team of seasoned radio specialists.”
The team may help with programming, marketing, sales, station management, license applications, compliance, legal, HR, social media, technical and transmission, grant applications, and research, among other things.
Visit localradiosupport.com for more information, including details on available partner discounts.

The coverage area of the upcoming Exeter small-scale digital radio network will be 50% larger than initially planned. ExeDab, the local partnership selected by broadcast regulator Ofcom to administer the service, will now construct a three-transmitter network instead of the two originally planned. The service will reach 135,000 people in the area, up from the 88,000 originally projected, thanks to transmitters in the city center at Exeter College, the north of the city at Hilltop Riding School, and East Devon at Cranbrook Educational Campus.

For the first time, community stations Phonic FM and Riviera FM will be available on digital radio, and Devon commercial station Radio Exe will be upgraded to a high-quality stereo digital service to match its FM stereo output. “The connections we’ve developed with Exeter College, the Ted Wragg Trust, and Hilltop Riding School have allowed us to plan a network with far larger reach than we planned,” says ExeDab chair Dr David Treharne.

The coverage map we’re releasing today depicts the area with the best inside reception. The coverage is significantly better outside. “Exeter is a dynamic city that we have the honor of serving. We’ll make it easy for folks to broadcast to at least 135,000 people in the area.” This summer, the service is planned to begin. Anyone interested in starting a DAB digital radio station in Exeter should visit exedab.com and complete the online form.