Digital radio listeners are frequently able to tune into new stations. New transmitters mean that listeners can receive brand new stations, or existing stations for the first time in their local area.
New legislation will pave the way for dozens more DAB stations to launch in the coming years. These smaller stations tend to cater for certain genres of music or geographical areas. Pop-up stations for festivals and other occasions are also proving popular.
In 2016 new stations including Awesome Radio, Magic Chilled, Mellow Magic, Premier Praise, talkSPORT 2, talkRADIO, Union JACK and Virgin Radio went ‘on air’. For the first time many listeners were able to receive stations like KISSTORY, Sunrise and Jazz FM.
The first half of 2017 has seen new radio stations launch on digital radio. Builders and trades people in London can now receive Fix Radio, while JACK 3 is helping listeners chill out in Oxfordshire. Heart 80s now offers an alternative to Absolute 80s across the UK.
More stations to come to DAB
A new development in digital radio is ‘small scale’ or ‘local DAB’. Trials were established by the regulator in ten areas of the UK to see how digital radio on a more local level could work. The Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Act 2017 has received Royal Assent and dozens of new stations could be launched soon. Digital radio stations already ‘on air’ on the existing small scale trials could also expand into new areas.
Although many stations have popped up on digital radio in the last few years some have left DAB. Financial station Share Radio and BFBS are no longer available across the UK on DAB. However, BFBS is still available on DAB in some parts of the UK. It is largely up to digital radio stations to decide how and where they broadcast, providing there is available space.
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