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Digital radio in Australia

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Digital radio in Australia uses the DAB+ standard and is currently available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Darwin.[1] The national government owned networks, the ABC and SBS, provide their current services and a few digital-only services on the new platform, while the commercial radio stations in each market have also been given digital bandwidth. Australia uses the AAC+ codec provided with upgraded DAB+ standard.[2]

History

Despite testing in Sydney and Melbourne as early as 1999, the first genuine plan for digital radio was released in October 2005, as Helen Coonan, the then Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, announced that Australia would adopt the Eureka 147 system. The Australian Government had set a launch date for digital radio in the six state capital cities, originally 1 January 2009, but this launch date was subsequently shifted back to no later than 1 July 2009 [3] and the list of cities starting digital radio excluded Hobart. The peak industry body, Commercial Radio Australia, began coordinating the tests as well as organising the commercial multiplexes.

The major radio networks commenced a staged roll-out of commercial DAB+ services during May 2009 with Perth launching on 4 May 2009; Melbourne on 11 May 2009; Adelaide on 20 May 2009; Brisbane on 25 May 2009; and Sydney on 30 May 2009 (later delayed to 15 June due to weather conditions and kept on low power until 30 June). The roll-out of DAB+ services by the Government-owned ABC and SBS networks was delayed until 1 July 2009 due to funding delays and management issues.[4] Testing has been planned for other major cities, with a trial multiplex in Canberra commencing broadcasting on 14 July 2010,[5] and a trial multiplex running in Darwin since August 13, 2010.[6] Similar trials are being considered for Townsville and Hobart. However, it is expected that it will be some years before digital radio is extended to the bulk of the Australian continent. Australia's vast distances and low population density are not well suited to the propagation characteristics of DAB+ and it is therefore likely that a standard other than DAB+ will be adopted for serving areas outside the major cities (leading to customer acceptance issues with receivers that can only receive one of the likely two standards).

Current services

National Broadcasters

The ABC and SBS operate digital radio services on all current DAB+ broadcasting markets on frequency block 9C (206.352MHz), except for Canberra, where only the SBS services are available, on frequency block 10B (211.648MHz), and Darwin, where they are currently unavailable.[7] While most services are national, the ABC provides the local ABC Local Radio station for their respective location.

The local radio services are mostly a simulcast of their AM radio equivalents, however alternate programming is aired pre-empting most sports coverage (which is moved to digital-only station ABC Grandstand). This programming is also on the ABC's online streams, where sporting rights may prevent international coverage. The ABC also have a number of digital only radio stations,[8] including special events station ABC Extra,[9] which is used to provide additional coverage for special events, otherwise not able to be covered.

9C National Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
ABC Local Radio Talk Labelled as the name of the local station, e.g. 702 ABC Sydney or 891 ABC Adelaide ABC
ABC Radio National National talk and arts radio AM Simulcast ABC
ABC Classic FM Classical Music FM Simulcast ABC
ABC NewsRadio News and Parliamentary Broadcasts AM Simulcast ABC
Triple J Youth focused music station FM Simulcast ABC
ABC Dig Music Adult Contemporary Music Digital Only ABC
ABC Country Country Music Digital Only ABC
ABC Jazz Jazz Music Digital Only ABC
ABC Grandstand Live Sports Coverage Digital Only ABC
ABC Extra Special Event Radio Digital Only ABC
SBS Radio 1 Multilingual Radio SBS AM Service SBS
SBS Radio 2 Multilingual Radio SBS FM Service SBS
SBS Chill World Chillout Music Digital Only SBS
SBS Pop Asia Asian Pop Music Digital Only SBS
SBS Radio 6 BBC World Simulcast. Some opt outs, including sports coverage & special events. [10] Digital Only SBS

Commercial

Commercial services on digital radio include simulcasts of both AM and FM stations, as well as new digital-only services. While most commercial radio services in Australia are provided by a small number of companies, there are no true national commercial stations. However, since these commercial broadcasters have been given extra bandwidth on the digital platform, some new digital-only stations are available nationally, including NovaNation (DMG), Radar and U20 (both Austereo).

Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been provided with two commercial multiplexes, which broadcast on frequency blocks 9A (202.928 MHz) and 9B (204.640 MHz), allowing a greater number of stations, while Adelaide and Perth currently have just one commercial multiplex each, both broadcasting on frequency block 9B. Canberra has only one frequency block, 10B (211.648 MHz) which is shared with SBS, and Darwin's trial multiplex also broadcasts on frequency block 10B.

Adelaide

9B Adelaide Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
Cruise 1323 Classic hits/easy listening Simulcast of 1323 AM ARN
Mix 102.3 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 102.3 FM ARN
The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 ARN
Mix 102.3 Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN
FIVEaa Talk radio Simulcast of 1395 AM DMG
Nova 91.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 91.9 FM DMG
Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG
NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG
Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 104.7 FM Austereo
SAFM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 107.1 FM Austereo
Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo
The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo
Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo
U20 Station that airs audience generated shows by people 20 or younger. Digital only Austereo

Brisbane

9A Brisbane Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
4KQ Classic hits Simulcast of 693 AM ARN
97.3 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 97.3 FM ARN/DMG joint venture
The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 ARN
4KQ Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN
Classic Hits Live Live recordings of classic hits Digital only ARN
Nova 106.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 106.9 FM DMG
NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG
Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG
Radio TAB Horse racing, sport Simulcast of 1008AM UNITAB
9B Brisbane Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 104.5 FM Austereo
B105 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 105.3 FM Austereo
Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo
The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo
Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo
U20 Station that airs audience generated shows by people 20 or younger. Digital Only Austereo
4BH Easy listening Simulcast of 882 AM Fairfax
4BC Talk radio Simulcast of 1116 AM Fairfax
The Buckle Country music Digital only Fairfax

Canberra

10B Canberra Trial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
2CA Classic hits Simulcast of 1053 AM Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
My Canberra Digital Easy Listening Digital Only Capital Radio Network
2CC Talk radio Simulcast of 1206 AM Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
Hot Country Country music Digital Only Grant Broadcasters
104.7 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 104.7 FM ARN/Austereo joint venture
Radar Radio Indie Digital Only Austereo
Mix 106.3 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 106.3 FM ARN/Austereo joint venture
Mix 106.3 Plus Classic Hits Digital Only ARN
Note: The Canberra multiplex (10B) is shared with SBS, with no ABC stations. However, ABC stations will be added to Canberra and Darwin digital radio services.

Darwin

10B Darwin Trial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
Hot 100 FM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 100.1 FM Grant Broadcasters
Mix 104.9 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 104.9 FM Grant Broadcasters
Top Country NT Country music Simulcast of 92.3 FM Grant Broadcasters
Unknown New station planned Digital only Grant Broadcasters

Melbourne

9A Melbourne Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
Sport 927 Racing Simulcast of 927 AM Racing Victoria
SEN 1116 Sports/talk Simulcast of 1116 AM Pacific Star
MTR 1377 Talk Simulcast of 1377 AM Macquarie/Pacific Star
3MP MyMP Soft adult contemporary Digital only Pacific Star
Aussie Australian Rock Music Digital only Pacific Star
Classic Rock 91.5 Classic Rock Simulcast of 91.5 FM DMG
Nova 100 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 100.3 FM DMG
Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG
NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG
9B Melbourne Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
3AW Talk Simulcast of 693 AM Fairfax
Magic 1278 Easy listening Simulcast of 1278 AM Fairfax
The Buckle Country music Digital only Fairfax
Mix 101.1 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 101.1 FM ARN
Gold 104.3 Classic hits Simulcast of 104.3 FM ARN
The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 ARN
Gold Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN
Classic Hits Live Live recordings of classic hits Digital only ARN
Fox FM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 101.9 FM Austereo
Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 105.1 FM Austereo
Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo
The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo
Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo
U20 Station that airs audience generated shows by people 20 or younger. Digital only Austereo

Perth

9B Perth Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
6PR Talk Simulcast of 882 AM Fairfax
96fm Mainstream rock Simulcast of 96.1 FM Fairfax
The Buckle Country music Digital only Fairfax
6IX Classic hits Simulcast of 1080 AM Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
My Perth Digital Hot adult contemporary Digital only Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
Hot Country Country music Digital only Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
Nova 93.7 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 93.7 FM DMG
NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG
92.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 92.9 FM Austereo
Mix 94.5 Modern adult contemporary Simulcast of 94.5 FM Austereo
Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo
The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo
Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo
U20 Station that airs audience generated shows by people 20 or younger. Digital only Austereo

Sydney

9A Sydney Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
2UE Talk Simulcast of 954 AM Fairfax
Sky Sports Radio 1 Racing/sport Simulcast of 1017 AM Sky
Sky Sports Radio 2 Racing/sport Digital only Sky
Sky Racing World Racing/sport Digital only/Audio only simulcast of subscription television channel Sky
2SM Talk Simulcast of 1269 AM Broadcast Operations Group
Gorilla Radio Dance music Digital only Broadcast Operations Group
Zoo Super Digi Soft Rock Digital only Broadcast Operations Group
2Day FM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 104.1 FM Austereo
Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 104.9 FM Austereo
Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo
The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo
Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo
U20 Station that airs audience generated shows by people 20 or younger. Digital only Austereo
9B Sydney Commercial Multiplex
Station Name Format Details Owner
2GB Talk Simulcast of 873 AM Macquarie
2CH Easy listening Simulcast of 1170 AM Macquarie
The Crack Music and comedy Digital only Macquarie
Classic Rock 95.3 Classic Rock Simulcast of 95.3 FM DMG
Nova 96.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 96.9 FM DMG
Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG
NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG
WSFM Classic hits Simulcast of 101.7 FM ARN
Mix 106.5 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 106.5 FM ARN
The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Simulcast of 96.1 FM ARN
WSFM Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN
Classic Hits Live Live recordings of classic hits Digital only ARN

Community Radio

Community Radio stations with a city wide licence have reserved spectrum, equalling 2/9s of the capacity on each commercial multiplex.[11] No community broadcasts have begun as of August 2010, however stations expect to be on air by the end of 2010.

As at 8 October 2010, one "test" station is broadcasting in Sydney, being Test 2 (on 9B) which is Inspire Digital, the digital only station of Hope 103.2. As of 29 October 2010, two "test" stations are been transmitted in Melbourne; being 3MBS/Test 1 (on 9A), and 3CR/Test 2 (on 9B).

The Federal Government has promised $10.1 Million in funding to help community broadcasters with the costs of beginning digital broadcasts.

References

  1. ^ Canberra digital radio trial update
  2. ^ Commercial radio Australia: The Future
  3. ^ http://www.dbcde.gov.au/media_broadcasting/radio/digital_radio/rollout_of_digital_radio_in_australia
  4. ^ ABC Radio National, May 14, 2009
  5. ^ "Digital radio trial to begin in Canberra". 2010-05-05. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  6. ^ "Digital radio trial on in Darwin". 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  7. ^ ACMA - List of licensed broadcasting transmitters
  8. ^ ABC launches digital radio stations, The Australian, 1 July 2009
  9. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/radio/digital/extra/
  10. ^ http://www.sbs.com.au/radio/article/717/Live-commentary-schedule
  11. ^ http://www.cbaa.org.au/content/Digital-Radio-A-Go-Go
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