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Digital radio in the United Kingdom

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A typical DAB digital radio receiver with the Digital Radio Development Bureau DAB digital radio marketing logo

In the United Kingdom, the roll-out of digital radio is proceeding since test transmissions were started by the BBC in 1990. The UK currently has the world's biggest digital radio network, with 103 transmitters, with two national DAB ensembles and forty eight local and regional ensembles broadcasting across the UK. The digital radio network in the UK provides over 250 commercial and 34 BBC radio stations. In the capital city of London there are already more than 51 different digital stations available. 19.5% of the UK population own a digital radio and 58% of people listen to digital radio either through a radio set, television or online.[1]

History

See also: Digital Audio Broadcasting

Experimental transmissions from the Crystal Palace transmitting station by the BBC started in 1990[2] with permanent transmissions covering London in September 1995.[3] In September 1997 the BBC announced its national DAB rollout plans and soon reached 65% coverage.

The Broadcasting Act of 1996 allowed the introduction of national, regional and local commercial ensembles in the United Kingdom.[4]

The first national ensemble licence for DAB from the Radio Authority was advertised in 1998 and one applicant applied for the licence. The licence was awarded to the GWR Group, now part of GCap Media, and its current owners and NTL Broadcast, who since the launch were renamed Arqiva.[5] The two companies formed the Digital One ensemble, which began broadcasting on 15 November 1999[6] with 69% coverage and since then its DAB network has always been more extensive than the BBC's.

Application and licensing

The United Kingdom media and communications Ofcom (and before the formation of Ofcom, the Radio Authority) advertises and provides the licenses for digital radio services in the United Kingdom, under the Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996.[7]

Application and licensing procedures

Ofcom awards licenses for digital radio services differently depending on the type of service and the platform.[7] Ofcom advertises the licences of new digital radio ensembles and are subject to an open competition to the highest bidder. Ensemble licence awards are awarded for twelve years. On digital television services, individual stations can apply for either a digital cable and satellite licence to broadcast on the aforementioned platforms[7], or apply for a digital terrestrial licence to broadcast on digital terrestrial television.[8]

First national ensemble

On March 24, 1998, the Radio Authority advertised for the first (and at the time, the only one planned) national ensemble to be broadcast on DAB. The three national commercial services on FM and mediumwave had to be included as part of the ensemble, Classic FM, talkSPORT and Virgin Radio.[9] The licence was awarded to the sole applicant, GWR Group and NTL Broadcast to form Digital One.[5] The original licence application included the following stations:[10]

Digital One Ltd (original application)
Classic FM Classical music GWR (now part of GCap)
Classic Gold Rock Rock music NTL
Club dance Dance music TBA
Plays, books and music Comedy, drama and serials TBA
Rolling news service Rolling news ITN
Soft AC Female contemporary music TBA
Sports channel Live sports and comment Talk Radio UK
Talk Radio (now talkSPORT) Talk radio Talk Radio UK (now owned by UTV Radio)
Teen and chart hits Pop and dance music GWR
Virgin Radio Complementary rock music SMG plc

After the closure of PrimeTime Radio in 2006, the original licence was amended to allow the launch of a new classic and contemporary jazz service, theJazz to launch by December 31, 2006.[11]

Local and regional ensembles

The Radio Authority (and subsequently Ofcom) continue to reward regional ensemble licences to a number of radio groups with advertising of the licences starting from 1998,[12] and licence awards being awarded from May 10, 1999, with the Birmingham ensemble being the first local licence being issued to CE Digital.[13] The Birmingham ensemble licence award was followed by awards for licences in Manchester, Greater London, Glasgow and South Yorkshire, with more licences being awarded afterwards.

The first regional licence[14] to cover a greater area of land compared to a local ensemble was awarded on October 6, 2000 to Switch Digital for Central Scotland[15] Other areas which were awarded and classed as regional licences include:

Region Operator Licence award date On air date
Central Scotland Switch Digital October 6, 2000 June 2001
North East England MXR Ltd December 15, 2000 July 2001
South Wales and the Severn Estuary MXR Ltd January 23, 2001 July 2001
West Midlands MXR Ltd February 9, 2001 August 2001
North West England MXR Ltd March 9, 2001 September 2001
Yorkshire MXR Ltd November 28, 2002 June 2003

In October 2006, Ofcom announced a timetable of locations which would get its own DAB ensemble, where a local ensemble does not currently offer coverage.[16] Three blocks will be made available in VHF Band III. In May 2007, Ofcom replaced the York and Scarborough for a licence which covers the whole of North Yorkshire, and the Guildford plus Reigate and Crawley licences were merged to cover Surrey.[17]

Areas covered are as follows:

Area Advertisement Date Block
Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire Advertised 10D
Derbyshire Advertised 10B
Wrexham and Chester Advertised 10D
Hereford and Worcestershire Advertised 10B
Northamptonshire Advertised 10C
Oxfordshire Advertised 10B
Gloucestershire July 2007 10C
North Yorkshire June 2007 12D
Mid and West Wales August 2007 12D
Surrey September 2007 10C
Lincolnshire November 2007 10D

Second national ensemble

Ofcom announced in 2005 that they would be advertising for the second national digital ensemble. As a result, GCap threatened to take Ofcom to court after being told by the Radio Authority that there would not be another national ensemble. The court action was dropped after Ofcom assured GCap that none of the stations on the second ensemble would compete with existing stations on the Digital One ensemble.[18]

On December 1, 2006, Ofcom advertised a licence for a second national digital ensemble to launch new digital radio and multimedia services on frequency block 11A (216.928 MHz)[19] Applications needed to be submitted to Ofcom by March 28, 2007.

On March 29, 2007, Ofcom announced that it had received two applications for the second national digital ensemble, from the 4 Digital Group and National Grid Wireless.[20] The radio channels which made up both applications are as follows:[21][22][23]

4 Digital Group
Channel 4 Radio Speech Channel 4 Radio
Closer Female music and lifestyle EMAP
Disney Children's radio The Walt Disney Company
E4 Radio Youthful entertainment and music Channel 4 Radio
Original Album led alternative music CanWest Global Communications
Pure 4 Adult music and speech Channel 4 Radio
Sky News Radio Rolling news British Sky Broadcasting
Sunrise Radio Asian music and community programming Sunrise Radio Group
talkRadio Talk radio UTV plc
Virgin Radio Viva Younger female music station SMG plc
Podcast service Various podcasts Various
National Grid Wireless
BBC Asian Network Asian music and entertainment BBC
Channel 4 Radio Station 1 TBA Channel 4 Radio
Channel 4 Radio Station 2 TBA Channel 4 Radio
Colourful News and Afro-Caribbean community radio Colourful Media Limited
Confidential 50+ radio station Confidential
Confidential Adult-Album Confidential
Confidential Asian radio station Confidential
Confidential Love songs Confidential
Confidential Rolling news Confidential
Fun Radio Children's programming (13 hours) Children's Radio UK Limited
Premier Christian Radio Christian programming London Christian Radio Limited
Radio Luxembourg Youthful alternative and indie music CLT/UFA
Radio Play Interactive participation radio (6 hours) Somethin' Else

Digital Radio Development Bureau

The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) is a trade body whose primary objective is to promote the use and take up of digital radio in the United Kingdom.[24] DRDB's stakeholders include the BBC, GCap Media, Digital One, EMAP and MXR.[25] Part of DRDB's plans to promote digital radio uptake is to set up a website for consumers as well as print and radio advertising.[26]

Digital Audio Broadcasting

See also: List of radio stations in the United Kingdom and DAB ensemble

DAB radio stations in the United Kingdom are broadcast on a number of frequency blocks on VHF Band III. The original plan devised in Wiesbaden for the framework of DAB in Europe was to allocate frequency blocks 11B to 12D for UK DAB broadcasting. However, as part of its Review of Radio, Ofcom has expanded the frequency allocations for DAB and has advertised local and a national ensemble licence on blocks outside the original Wiesbaden plan on 10A to 10D and 11A.[27]

Block Frequency England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland
10A 209.936 MHz None None None
10B 211.648 MHz Local ensembles None None
10C 213.360 MHz Local ensembles None None
10D 215.072 MHz Local ensembles None None
11A 216.928 MHz Second national ensemble Second national ensemble Second national ensemble
11B 218.640 MHz Local ensembles Local ensembles None
11C 220.352 MHz Local ensembles Local ensembles None
11D 222.064 MHz Digital One Local and regional ensembles None
12A 223.936 MHz Local and regional ensembles (except West Wales) Digital One None
12B 225.648 MHz BBC national DAB ensemble BBC national DAB ensemble BBC national DAB ensemble
12C 227.360 MHz Local and regional ensembles (except the south coast) Local and regional ensembles None
12D 229.072 MHz Local ensembles (except the south coast) Local ensembles Local ensembles

Under a Maastricht plan in 2002, the UK also has L band allocations for local terrestrial DAB,[28] though there are no plans to broadcast any digital radio stations on L band.

BBC National DAB

Main article: BBC DAB National

The BBC's national DAB ensemble broadcasts on frequency block 12B (225.648 MHz) across the United Kingdom,[29] with coverage currently at 85%.[30] The multiplex is owned and operated by the BBC and is transmitted from a number of transmitter sites across the country; it only carries BBC national radio stations. Local BBC radio stations are carried on the relevant local DAB ensemble where commercial DAB licences are operating.[31]

Commercial DAB ensembles

There are a number of commercial DAB ensemble operators in the UK who run 48 local and regional DAB ensembles across the United Kingdom. operators include the national operator, Digital One, regional operator MXR and local ensemble operators including NOW Digital, EMAP, UTV and Switch Digital.

DAB+

The Digital Radio Development Bureau released a press statement in January that it is likely that the UK will add the DAB+ standard towards 2013.[32][33] Ofcom have said that the UK will switch to DAB+, but not until the vast majority of radio sets can work with DAB+.[34]

Digital Multimedia Broadcasting

In 2006, National Grid Wireless carried out a technical trial of T-DMB and DAB-IP on the UTV-EMAP Stoke-on-Trent ensemble.[35] The trial assessed the reception qualities of both technologies in urban and rural areas as well as the mobile television and radio services which could be delivered.[36]

Digital Radio Mondiale

Digital Radio Mondiale is being considered by Ofcom for introduction in Britain in 2012 on the present AM medium wave band.

In 2005, tests of DRM on shortwave radio from European transmitters broadcasting into the United Kingdom were performed by Virgin Radio, Classic Gold, Premier Christian Radio, Virgin Radio Classic Rock, Asian Sound and CVC.[37]

The British Broadcasting Corporation BBC started broadcasting the BBC World Service on shortwave and mediumwave radio for a few hours a day[38] across Europe from Orford Ness in Suffolk and Kvitsøy in Norway, the latter being receivable across England, Wales and Southern Scotland.[39][40]

The BBC has announced that it is to undertake a trial of the digital radio mondiale (DRM) technology, which will allow it to explore digital radio using medium-wave frequencies. The trial will broadcast BBC Radio Devon using the new technology in the Plymouth area and will last for a year from the end of April 2007.[41]

Digital television

In the United Kingdom, 41% of digital radio users listen to digital radio through a television platform.[1]

Digital terrestrial

See also: Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom

Digital radio on the digital terrestrial platform started on October 30, 2002[42] with the launch of the BBC's digital only radio services, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Five Live Sports Extra, BBC 6 Music, BBC 7 and the BBC Asian Network as well as existing stations BBC Radio Five Live and the BBC World Service. All the stations broadcast on the BBC's multiplex B.

On the same day, EMAP launched three radio stations, Smash Hits, Kerrang! and Kiss. Two other commercial radio stations also launched, oneword and 102.2 Jazz FM.[43]

The BBC later launched BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4 FM on multiplex A on February 14, 2003.[44]

Currently, the digital terrestrial platform has twenty seven radio stations broadcasting from broadcasters including the BBC, EMAP, GMG Radio and Virgin Radio.[45]

Digital satellite

Radio stations broadcasting via Satellite to the United Kingdom usually use the SES Astra 2 series of satellites at 28.2°E or the Eutelsat Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. Radio stations broadcast free-to-air via the Sky Digital, Freesat from Sky, the planned Freesat platforms and any DVB-S compliant set-top box.[46]

Digital cable

A number of digital radio stations also broadcast through digital cable platforms, including Virgin Media and WightCable. [47]

Internet radio in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, over 350 of the UK's radio stations also stream their stations online, not including Restricted Service Licenced radio stations, Hospital radio stations and stations who solely broadcast online.[48] 24.3% of digital radio users listen to radio online.[1]

In 2006, the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) announced that it would charge additional royalty fees on UK Internet radio stations if they broadcast outside the UK.[49] Radio stations which stream online including GCap Media and GMG Radio[50], who have implemented IP blocking to prevent listeners outside the UK from listening to their radio stations and therefore avoid the increased fees.[49][51]

In March 2007, a BBC News article reported that the PPL were re-negotiating royalty fees paid by UK Internet radio stations, and the result of the negotiations would be that fees would increase.[52]

References and notes

  1. ^ a b c Oatts, Joanne (2007-05-10). "Digital radio owners up 43%". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  2. ^ "Milestones - 1990s". BBC Research and Development. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  3. ^ "The Status of T-DAB implementation in Europe". The Catalyst. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  4. ^ "Broadcasting Act 1996". Office of Public Sector Information. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  5. ^ a b "APPENDIX 3.6 - Digital audio broadcasting" (pdf). Competition Commission. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  6. ^ "World DAB Forum - DAB: a digital revolution for Europe and the World" (pdf). Radio Televisión Española. World DAB Forum. 1999. Retrieved 2007-04-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); line feed character in |title= at position 10 (help)
  7. ^ a b c "THE RADIO AUTHORITY : ITS LICENCES AND LICENSING PROCEDURES". Ofcom. Radio Authority. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  8. ^ "TV Licensing - Digital terrestrial television". Ofcom. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  9. ^ "RADIO AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES ADVERTISEMENT DATE FOR NATIONAL COMMERCIAL MULTIPLEX". Ofcom. Radio Authority. 1998-03-05. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  10. ^ "RADIO AUTHORITY RECEIVES ONE APPLICATION FOR FIRST AND ONLY NATIONAL COMMERCIAL DIGITAL MULTIPLEX LICENCE". Ofcom. Radio Authority. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  11. ^ "ANNEX - PART I - Conditions relating to simulcast services and digital sound programme services" (doc). Ofcom. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  12. ^ "Browse directory of Digital Multiplexes". Ofcom. Radio Authority. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  13. ^ "RADIO AUTHORITY AWARDS FIRST LOCAL DIGITAL MULTIPLEX LICENCE, FOR BIRMINGHAM". Ofcom. Radio Authority. 1999-15-10. Retrieved 2007-05-05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "DAB Ensembles Worldwide - United Kingdom & the Isle of Man". Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  15. ^ "RADIO AUTHORITY AWARDS LOCAL DIGITAL MULTIPLEX LICENCE FOR CENTRAL SCOTLAND". Ofcom. Radio Authority. 2000-10-06. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  16. ^ "Ofcom set to advertise new DAB muxes". Digital TV Group. 2006-10-25. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  17. ^ "Oxfordshire DAB advertised". Radio Today. 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  18. ^ "GCap bottle out of taking Ofcom to court". Digital Radio Tech. 2006-03-30. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  19. ^ "Advertisement of National Radio Multiplex Licence" (pdf). Ofcom. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-04-21. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 26 (help)
  20. ^ "Ofcom receives two applications for the DAB National Radio multiplex licence". Ofcom. 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  21. ^ "Second UK-wide national DAB digital radio multiplex draws two applicants". Radio-now.co.uk. 2007-04-15. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  22. ^ "The Services". 4 Digital Group. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  23. ^ "List of Applications for Radio Multiplex Licence: National". Ofcom. 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  24. ^ "Welcome to the Digital Radio Development Bureau". Digital Radio Development Bureau. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  25. ^ "Our Partners". Digital Radio Development Bureau. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  26. ^ "Consumers". Digital Radio Development Bureau. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  27. ^ "Radio – Preparing for the Future - Appendix D: Options for DAB replanning – A report to the DRDB - Analogue Radio Switchover Group" (PDF). Ofcom, Arqiva. p. 9-10format=pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  28. ^ "L-band Allocations". Retrieved 2007-04-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "National radio stations in the United Kingdom". radio-now.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  30. ^ "Does DAB give better reception?". Frequency Finder UK and Ireland. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  31. ^ "BBC local radio on DAB - transmitter information". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  32. ^ "Optional high efficiency audio codec in the UK" (PDF). Digital Radio Tech. Digital Radio Development Bureau. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  33. ^ "UK DAB industry admits DAB+ will be used in the UK". Digital Radio Tech. 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  34. ^ "President of WorldDMB was dishonest about DAB+ on BBC TV". Digital Radio Tech. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  35. ^ "Mobile media test at Stoke (T-DMB and DAB-IP service)" (pdf). National Grid Wireless. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  36. ^ "National Grid Wireless begins DAB-IP and T-DMB trial". National Grid Wireless. 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  37. ^ "DRM UK". DRMRadio. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  38. ^ "BBC Launches DRM Service In Europe". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2005-09-07. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  39. ^ "Live Broadcasts Schedule". Digital Radio Mondiale. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  40. ^ "DRM Schedule - Kvitsoy". DRM DX. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  41. ^ "Digital Medium Wave". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  42. ^ Although not strictly classed as a digital radio service, BBC Parliament broadcast on digital terrestrial in audio only up until the launch of Freeview on October 30, 2002
  43. ^ "Freeview to launch on 30 October". BBC Press Office. 2002-10-03. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  44. ^ Wilkes, Neil (2003-02-12). "Freeview launch for Radio 1 - 4". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  45. ^ "Freeview - Radio". DTV Services Limited. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  46. ^ "Sky Digital - Freesat: Channel Lineup". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  47. ^ "Digital cable". RJ Productions. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  48. ^ Lo, Vincent. "UK Radio Stations broadcasting on the Internet". Radiofeeds.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  49. ^ a b Hilton, Kevin (2006). "UK streamed radio blocked by copyright" (pdf). Pro Sound News Europe. p. 25. Retrieved 2007-04-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  50. ^ The exception to this is jazzfm.com, which continues to be streamed outside the UK
  51. ^ "Will licensing kill the radio star?". The Guardian. 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  52. ^ "Royalties threaten internet radio". BBC News. 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2007-04-19.

See also

Official sites

National and regional multiplex sites

UK Internet radio

Other sites

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