Gold switches to DAB+ in London

Digital radio station Gold is switching from DAB to DAB+ in London.

The change takes place on Wednesday 2nd January and will not affect Gold on DAB in other parts of the UK.

Some listeners may find that they are no longer able to tune into the station, even after performing a retune, depending on the ability of their digital radio to receive DAB+ stations.

The greatest hits station is also available in Berkshire, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cambridge, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Essex, Humberside, Kent, Leicestershire, Manchester, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Peterborough, Plymouth, Sussex and Swindon where it continues to use DAB.

Gold is also available on Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat, as well as online, in apps and on smart speakers and Internet radios.

DAB+ is a newer version of DAB digital radio and some radio stations in the UK have used DAB+ since 2016. Some older radios do not receive DAB+ stations and it may be necessary to purchase a new radio to receive these DAB+ stations. Some receivers might find DAB+ stations, but there could be no audio when the station is selected.

Some digital radios can be upgraded to receive DAB+ stations. New radios which can receive DAB+ stations, as well as DAB and FM, come with a digital radio tick logo.

The station has not yet announced a reason for switching to DAB+. The majority of DAB+ radio stations have launched using the newer technology rather than switching from DAB to DAB+. Listeners to Magic Chilled, Union JACK and JACK Radio have only ever been able to find the station on a DAB+ radio. Stations like Jazz FM and BFBS are now available nationally with DAB+ having previously broadcast using DAB.