Questions

What is DAB+ and is it different to DAB?

DAB+ is a newer version of DAB digital radio. Some radio stations in the UK now use DAB+ instead of DAB.

Many DAB digital radios receive DAB+ stations, but older radios might not be compatible.

This is our guide to DAB+ radios and stations.

DAB+ is a newer version of DAB

DAB+ is a newer version of DAB digital radio. It is more efficient than the original DAB, allowing for more stations and higher quality broadcasts.

Some stations in the UK use DAB+

Almost 40 national radio stations in the UK broadcast using DAB+. Some are new stations while others have switched over from DAB.

Many radios get DAB+ stations

DAB+ has been in use in the UK for several years. Most new digital radios bought in the last few years will receive both DAB and DAB+ stations.

Older radios don’t receive DAB+

Some older radios don’t understand the newer standard and may not be able to receive DAB+ stations. Most of these radios can’t be upgraded.

DAB+ and radio stations in the UK

DAB+ has been used in the UK for a few years and some of the UK’s national digital and local radio stations use this new technology. Although there are benefits to DAB+ some older radios don’t understand the new standard and you may not be able to receive DAB+ stations.

Some digital radios can be upgraded to receive DAB+ stations, but unfortunately most cannot and you may have to buy a replacement radio to receive stations like Absolute 80s, Planet Rock and Boom Radio across the UK.

DAB Digital Radio launched in the UK in the 1990’s and many digital radio stations in the UK currently use the original version of the DAB standard. DAB+ (sometimes called DAB plus) is a newer version of DAB and has been used in some European countries for some time.

A radio which can only receive DAB will not be able to receive DAB+ stations. However, DAB+ sets are ‘backwards-compatible’ and will receive both DAB and DAB+ stations.

When purchasing a new radio it’s worth ensuring it supports FM, DAB and DAB+. The easiest way to check is to look for the Digital Radio Tick Mark. This logo only appears on radios which are ready for DAB+.

DAB+ News and Updates

Classic FM to switch to DAB+ on digital radio

December 24, 2023

National radio station Classic FM will switch from DAB to DAB+ in January 2024, but remain available on 100 – 102 FM.

Planet Rock, Absolute 80s and others to switch to DAB+ as Kerrang! and heat return

September 27, 2023

Digital radio stations Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Mellow Magic, Planet Rock and Scala Radio switch from DAB to DAB+.

talkRADIO and talkSPORT 2 switch to DAB+

June 9, 2020

Digital talk and sport radio stations talkRADIO and talkSPORT 2 switch from DAB to DAB+.

UK Radio Stations using DAB+

Almost 40 national digital radio stations now broadcast using the newer DAB+ standard.

In London you might also receive DAB+ stations like Mi-Soul Radio and Absolute 70s. Around the UK more local and specialist music services are launching as DAB+ stations. For example, in Leeds there are more than 10 additional DAB+ radio stations.

StationDescriptionDAB+
Absolute 80s80s music from Absolute RadioSwitched to DAB+ in 2023
Absolute Radio 90s90s music from Absolute RadioSwitched to DAB+ in 2023
Absolute Radio CountryCountry music from Absolute RadioAvailable as DAB+ since 2023
Absolute Classic RockClassic rock music from Absolute RadioAvailable as DAB+ since 2023
BFBS UKServing the Armed Forces 
Boom RadioRadio station for baby boomers 
Capital ChillNon-stop chilled beats 
Capital DANCE“The UK’s Official Dance Station” 
Capital UK“The UK’s No. 1 Hit Music Station”Also in some areas on DAB and FM
Capital XTRA“The UK’s Biggest Hip Hop Station”Switched to DAB+ in 2019
Capital XTRA ReloadedNon-stop old skool 
GB News RadioNews 
Gold UK“The Greatest Hits of all Time” 
Heart UKFeel good music with Jamie & Amanda at breakfastAlso in some areas on DAB and FM
Heart DancePopular dance music 
Heart 70s70s music from Heart 
Heart 80s80s music from HeartSwitched to DAB+ in 2019
Heart 90s90s music from Heart 
Heart 00s00s music from Heart 
heat RadioPop music 
Kerrang!Rock music 
Jazz FM StereoJazz, blues and soul music from music legends and new artistsAvailable as DAB in London
LBC NewsRolling news coverage from LBC 
Magic ChilledPop and R&B from the 90s to nowAvailable as DAB+ in 2023
Magic SoulSoul and MotownAvailable as DAB+ in 2023
Magic at the MusicalsAdaptations and scoresAvailable as DAB+ in 2023
Mellow MagicTimeless relaxing classicsSwitched to DAB+ in 2023
Planet RockRock musicSwitched to DAB+ in 2023
Radio XAlternative and indie music with the Chris Moyles ShowSwitched to DAB+ in 2019
Radio X Classic RockClassic rock music 
Smooth ChillChill out with non-stop smooth music 
Scala RadioClassical musicSwitched to DAB+ in 2023
Smooth UKA relaxing mix of music with Jenni Falconer at BreakfastAlso in some areas on DAB and FM
TalkRadio-TalkTVNews and talk radio stationSwitched to DAB+ in 2020
talkSPORT 2Moved to DAB+ in June 2020Switched to DAB+ in 2020
UCB 1Christian music and programmesSwitched to DAB+ in 2022
UCB 2Praise and worship musicSwitched to DAB+ in 2022
Virgin Radio AnthemsRock, pop and indie songs from the 80s and 90s 
Virgin Radio Chilled“Blissed out” songs from artists like as Radiohead and Amy Winehouse 

Frequently Asked Questions about DAB+

Will more radio stations switch to DAB+?

It is possible that more digital radio stations will switch over to DAB+ in the coming years.

However, at the time of writing only Classic FM has announced plans to switch over to DAB+.

The BBC has not announced any plans to move its stations to DAB+.

Are new DAB+ radio stations coming soon?

In the last few years dozens of new DAB+ radio stations have become available in the UK.

Nationally stations like Radio X Classic Rock have launched as a DAB+ station. As stations like Classic FM and Absolute 80s switch to DAB+ more capacity is created for other DAB+ stations to start.

Meanwhile the introduction of small scale DAB has enabled many local and specialist music services to commence broadcasting. This follows trials in ten areas of the UK with around 70 stations participating to see how smaller radio stations can broadcast digitally.

Small scale DAB is due to come to many more parts of the UK. Most of the existing small scale multiplexes also have capacity for more stations to launch and start broadcasting.

Radio compatibility: Do I need to buy a new radio?

If you’ve bought a DAB digital radio in the last few years which carried the Digital Radio Tick Mark your radio already supports DAB, DAB+ and FM.

If your radio has a DAB+ logo it should also be fine.

Many digital radios have different DAB and Digital Radio logos, but these only indicate that DAB can be received.

If your radio has no logos you can try tuning into Capital XTRA. If you can hear Capital XTRA your radio is able to receive DAB+ stations.

DAB+ radios are ‘backwards compatible’ and receive DAB stations.

Some digital radios can be upgraded. Pure offers a website portal where owners can enter details of their radio to see if a free upgrade is available. The software update has to be performed at home by the owner, although some TV and radio retailers and repairers may be able to help for a fee.

Unfortunately for many radio owners their sets cannot be updated and it will be necessary to buy a new radio to receive DAB+ stations.

Why are radio stations switching from DAB to DAB+?

The newer DAB+ standard is more efficient than the original DAB. This means that a radio station broadcasting in DAB+ can take up less space on a multiplex and broadcasting becomes potentially more cost effective.

This efficiency also allows groups that own radio stations to broadcast more stations.

Radio stations often cite improved quality as a reason for the switch. Radio stations that were previously broadcast in mono are often available in stereo after moving to DAB+.

Won’t this make older digital radios obsolete?

If all of the UK’s DAB digital radio stations switched from DAB to DAB+, and a particular radio didn’t also include another way of receiving stations, such as FM or Internet radio, it would become obsolete.

Most digital radios sold in recent years do receive DAB+ stations, and there are currently no known plans for stations like BBC Radio 6 Music or talkSPORT to switch over to DAB+.

This can be a surprise for users of older digital radios. We recently uploaded a video review of the Pure Evoke-1, one of the original DAB radios sold in the UK, which worked perfectly despite being over 15 years old.

Unlike the switch to digital terrestrial television with a coordinated campaign and help with switching to Freeview, many listeners will find that their DAB radio simply receives fewer stations over time as broadcasters switch to DAB+.