BBC - Digital Radio

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The latest DAB news The latest DAB transmitter news The most recent BBC DAB transmitters launched

The latest DAB news

Current problems with BBC EPG on DAB

The trial EPG service (Test BBC Guide) from the BBC is currently undergoing a period of intensive testing. The new specification for DAB EPGs from the World DAB Organisation (www.worlddab.org) has meant that we have had to make changes in the EPG transmission chain which require full and proper testing.

The current problems with the BBC EPG are due to these ongoing tests. We certainly appreciate the frustration caused by the problems some users have experienced recently. We will announce when the testing is completed and the service is once again fully functional.
We thank you for your continued patience.

January 2005 - DAB sales exceed the 1 Million figure

Sales of DAB digital radios in December exceeded expectations and pushed the cumulative total of products in UK homes past the one million mark, the DRDB (Digital Radio Development Bureau) said today (January 21).

Preliminary figures from electronics industry auditor GfK indicate cumulative sales through 2004 easily met the one million target set by the DRDB at the beginning of the year, and are expected to surpass the 1.2 million forecast in its Five Year Forecast published in October. An official sell-through figure will be announced by the DRDB in February.

Says DRDB Chief Executive, Ian Dickens: "The sales figures for 2004 are totally in line with expectations and, as such, add weight and confidence to the DRDB's Five Year Forecast for set sales. The forecast calls for a further 1.2 million DAB radios to be sold in 2005. Based on the volume of products we know is coming through this year, and an ever increasing consumer interest in DAB, we are confident this target can be met."

In a Christmas season where retailers struggled in traditional sales arenas, "everything digital" sold well with DAB digital radio sales more than doubling year-on-year. Says DRDB Marketing Director, Mike Spencer: "This is a trend we expect to see continue as consumer demand grows."

John Lewis Partnership's director of buying Dan Knowles said sales of digital radios were up by 57%, while Dixons MD Nick Woods said "Radio renaissance in the UK brought about by the development of digital radio technology has gathered pace this year."

The gap between sales of analogue radios and DAB digital models is closing. One retailer reported Christmas sales of 30% DAB versus 70% analogue; up from 15% DAB versus 85% analogue over Christmas 2003.

Several elements contributed to the surge in growth in the DAB digital radio market last year. An increase in the number and type of products available from 53 in 2003 to more than 130 in 2004, combined with a £50 price point on some models, for the first time put DAB digital radio squarely in the mass market.

Says Dickens: "Sales of DAB digital radios have been on a 'hockey stick' curve since it was commercially introduced with high-end, high priced hi-fi tuners in 2000. Now, with a wide range of models, brands and price-points to choose from, DAB is coming into its own."
www.simplyradios.com

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The latest DAB transmitter news

January 2005 - Peterborough transmitter - update:

Coverage in the Peterborough area is temporarily reduced due to a major incident at the transmitter site. Postcode reception check results for Peterborough reflect temporary coverage which is likely to improve in Spring/Summer 2005.
We will announce any futher update regarding this transmitter as soon as possible.

More transmitter news:
The BBC is pleased to announce further expansion of our local radio stations transmitted via DAB digital radio.

The three most recent local services launched:
BBC Radio Devon
BBC Radio Cornwall
BBC Radio Berkshire
BBC Radio Kent* (Please read the note at the bottom of this page)
BBC Radio Nottingham

Please note: Listeners within those regions should perform an 'autotune' in order to scan the newly available services into the station list.

To see the full list of national, local & regional BBC radio transmitted via DAB, online & digital television visit the BBC radio stations list.

Should you still experience problems receiving your local radio station on DAB visit:

www.bbc.co.uk/reception

*Radio Kent launched its DAB Digital Radio service on Friday 30 April. Listeners over much of the county should now be able receive R Kent if they perform an 'autotune' on their DAB radio. However, there are some areas where reception is difficult. These are:

NW Kent, notably Sevenoaks, Dartford and SE London borders

SE Kent including Folkestone and Dover

Tunbridge Wells area

This is because there are presently no transmitters to provide coverage to these areas. Because BBC Radio Kent is carried by a commercial platform operator, the BBC has no information when, or if, reception will be available in these areas. However, FM reception is generally good here, and listeners are advised to continue to listen on FM for the present

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The most recent BBC transmitters launched

We are very pleased to announce that as of 16th of December 2004, the BBC has brought on stream the new DAB transmitter at Carmel which brings the national BBC DAB multiplex to around 54,000 potential listeners across Carmarthenshire: Llandeilo, Ammanford, Pontyberen, Llandybie, Glanaman, Pontyates, Gorslas, Cross Hands and Penygroes.

Carmel is the 44th new BBC DAB transmitter to go live as part of the BBC's coverage expansion plan.

Please note - Existing DAB listeners in the above areas will need to perform an 'autotune' to scan and store the newly available BBC services in their DAB sets station list.

Should you still have problems receiving the BBC services please visit:

www.bbc.co.uk/reception

Other BBC DAB digital radio transmitters to recently go live:

43) Pur Down(Bristol) whichbrings the national BBC DAB multiplex to around 162,000 potential listeners across central, south and western parts of Bristol City, Greater Bristol and surrounding areas.

42) Crabwood Farm brings the national BBC DAB multiplex to around 175,000 potential listeners across Winchester, (Eastleigh, Twyford, Micheldever, & New Alresford).

41) Wickhambrook brings the national BBC DAB multiplex to around 188,000 potential listeners across Bury St Edmonds, Saffron Walden, Thetford & Newmarket areas.

40) Sandale brings the national BBC DAB multiplex to approximately 188,000 potential listeners across Carlisle, (Workington, Brampton & Gretna Green)

To see the full list of new BBC DAB transmitters launched go to the