The main talking point relating to radio in the last 24/48 hours has been the latest announcement by the UK government about the move from AM/FM to DAB. Yesterday, our Culture Secretary (Ben Bradshaw) announced plans for all national stations to be upgraded to DAB by 2015.
It has become apparent that the government has reccomended that all new car radios sold in the UK will be digital by the end of 2013. This is similar to legislation that already exists in France and I think it will turn out to be a good move for the UK radio industry.
I listen to a number of radio stations including BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Gloucestershire. However I can’t listen to BBC 6 Music in the car as it currently only supports AM, FM and CDs. The move to digital radio would certainly help existing ‘digital only’ stations such as 6 Music build on their listener numbers, making them more available to different people, like those who currently don’t have digital radio.
I think it is great news that the FM spectrum will still be used for ‘local radio’, hopefully Corinium Radio will still be able to continue broadcasting that way. I can’t see Cirencester’s smallest radio station broadcasting on such an expensive digital platform!
Let me know your thoughts on the move from FM/AM to DAB. How will it effect you? Leave your comments below, or e-mail me via the contact page. If you would like more information, you can read the full report about the move on RadioToday.co.uk.
