United Kingdom - Services on Air - History
24.03.2017
Total number of DAB/DAB+ services on air
1. DAB simulcast 329
2. DAB exclusive 158
3. DAB+ simulcast 1
4. DAB+ exclusive 7
Additionally, approx. 122 local DAB and DAB+ stations are operating as part of Ofcom’s small-scale DAB mini-muxes trial in 10 cities.
Growth in digital content
Ofcom's Sixth Annual Digital Radio Report highlights the growth in digital radio content with 283 unique stations now broadcasting on DAB, and from Spring 2016 there are no less than 40 national DAB stations available after the launch of the second national commercial DAB network. As per RAJAR Q2 2016 results, over all digital reach increased by 2.3 million listeners year on year, boosted by encouraging first books from stations on Sound Digital, the second commercial DAB network launched in March 2016 with 18 national stations.
Growth in local and national DAB listening
Following the transformation of the coverage of local DAB stations to reach 91% of the population by the end of Q3 2016 (from 75%), digital listening to local stations this quarter exceeded 30% for the first time, growing to 31.4% (from 26.8% in Q2 2015), a growth of 17% year on year. Digital share of national station listening also continues to grow, increasing to 53.5% (from 47.9% in Q2 2015). Source: RAJAR Q2 2016
Feature of services on air
Digital-only stations continue to grow and now account for over 30% of all digital listening (RAJAR Q1 2016). In the UK, Absolute Radio has launched a set of additional radio stations on DAB - using brand extensions to earn more revenue - launching more radio stations to broaden its output and increase its audience. It has seen significant increases in listening hours, audience and in revenues as a result.
Smooth Radio has also launched Smooth Radio 70s, a national digital-only station.
In 2014, Global Radio’s LBC became the first national full news talk commercial radio station to be broadcast across the UK. In March LBC hosted a well-publicised leadership debate on Europe between UKIP Leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. The debate, in partnership with Sky News attracted national and international media coverage for LBC.
During the 2014 and 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, a digital-only pop-up station BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, offered comprehensive coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 2014 Brazil World Cup was fully covered on DAB digital radio, with every match being covered by talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 live/BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
During the 2015, 2016 and 2017Country to Country festival in London, a country music pop up station available on DAB, online and mobile was launched by the BBC. Named Radio 2 Country, the station broadcasted music, documentaries and archive content. Listen to the Radio 2 Country audio advert. BBC Radio 2 Country launched on 10 March 2017 over four days. More information
Leading London station Magic went national on DAB digital radio from January 2015. This is a major milestone for digital radio as Magic is one of London's top radio stations, with nearly 2 million listeners in London alone. This will be the first time that the Magic brand and their popular breakfast show 'Foxy in the Morning' will be available nationally. Outside London if you want to listen to Magic you will need to listen on digital radio.
10.01.2017
Total number of DAB/DAB+ services on air
1. DAB simulcast 329
2. DAB exclusive 158
3. DAB+ simulcast 1
4. DAB+ exclusive 7
Additionally, approx. 122 local DAB and DAB+ stations are operating as part of Ofcom’s small-scale DAB mini-muxes trial in 10 cities.
Growth in digital content
Ofcom's Sixth Annual Digital Radio Report highlights the growth in digital radio content with 283 unique stations now broadcasting on DAB, and from Spring 2016 there are no less than 40 national DAB stations available after the launch of the second national commercial DAB network. As per RAJAR Q2 2016 results, over all digital reach increased by 2.3 million listeners year on year, boosted by encouraging first books from stations on Sound Digital, the second commercial DAB network launched in March 2016 with 18 national stations.
Growth in local and national DAB listening
Following the transformation of the coverage of local DAB stations to reach 91% of the population by the end of Q3 2016 (from 75%), digital listening to local stations this quarter exceeded 30% for the first time, growing to 31.4% (from 26.8% in Q2 2015), a growth of 17% year on year. Digital share of national station listening also continues to grow, increasing to 53.5% (from 47.9% in Q2 2015). Source: RAJAR Q2 2016
Feature of services on air
Digital-only stations continue to grow and now account for over 30% of all digital listening (RAJAR Q1 2016). In the UK, Absolute Radio has launched a set of additional radio stations on DAB - using brand extensions to earn more revenue - launching more radio stations to broaden its output and increase its audience. It has seen significant increases in listening hours, audience and in revenues as a result.
Smooth Radio has also launched Smooth Radio 70s, a national digital-only station.
In 2014, Global Radio’s LBC became the first national full news talk commercial radio station to be broadcast across the UK. In March LBC hosted a well-publicised leadership debate on Europe between UKIP Leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. The debate, in partnership with Sky News attracted national and international media coverage for LBC.
During the 2014 and 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, a digital-only pop-up station BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, offered comprehensive coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 2014 Brazil World Cup was fully covered on DAB digital radio, with every match being covered by talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 live/BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
During the 2015 and 2016 Country to Country festival in London, a country music pop up station available on DAB, online and mobile was launched by the BBC. Named Radio 2 Country, the station broadcasted music, documentaries and archive content. Listen to the Radio 2 Country audio advert. BBC Radio 2 Country will launch on 10 March 2016 over four days.
Leading London station Magic went national on DAB digital radio from January 2015. This is a major milestone for digital radio as Magic is one of London's top radio stations, with nearly 2 million listeners in London alone. This will be the first time that the Magic brand and their popular breakfast show 'Foxy in the Morning' will be available nationally. Outside London if you want to listen to Magic you will need to listen on digital radio.
04.08.2016
Growth in digital content
Ofcom's Sixth Annual Digital Radio Report highlights the growth in digital radio content with 283 unique stations now broadcasting on DAB, and from Spring 2016 there are no less than 40 national DAB stations available after the launch of the second national commercial DAB network. As per RAJAR Q2 2016 results, over all digital reach increased by 2.3 million listeners year on year, boosted by encouraging first books from stations on Sound Digital, the second commercial DAB network launched in March 2016 with 18 national stations.
Growth in local and national DAB listening
Following the transformation of the coverage of local DAB stations to reach 91% of the population by the end of Q3 2016 (from 75%), digital listening to local stations this quarter exceeded 30% for the first time, growing to 31.4% (from 26.8% in Q2 2015), a growth of 17% year on year. Digital share of national station listening also continues to grow, increasing to 53.5% (from 47.9% in Q2 2015). Source: RAJAR Q2 2016
Feature of services on air
Digital-only stations continue to grow and now account for over 30% of all digital listening (RAJAR Q1 2016). In the UK, Absolute Radio has launched a set of additional radio stations on DAB - using brand extensions to earn more revenue - launching more radio stations to broaden its output and increase its audience. It has seen significant increases in listening hours, audience and in revenues as a result.
Smooth Radio has also launched Smooth Radio 70s, a national digital-only station.
In 2014, Global Radio’s LBC became the first national full news talk commercial radio station to be broadcast across the UK. In March LBC hosted a well-publicised leadership debate on Europe between UKIP Leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. The debate, in partnership with Sky News attracted national and international media coverage for LBC.
During the 2014 and 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, a digital-only pop-up station BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, offered comprehensive coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 2014 Brazil World Cup was fully covered on DAB digital radio, with every match being covered by talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 live/BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
During the 2015 and 2016 Country to Country festival in London, a country music pop up station available on DAB, online and mobile was launched by the BBC. Named Radio 2 Country, the station broadcasted music, documentaries and archive content. Listen to the Radio 2 Country audio advert. BBC Radio 2 Country will launch on 10 March 2016 over four days.
Leading London station Magic went national on DAB digital radio from January 2015. This is a major milestone for digital radio as Magic is one of London's top radio stations, with nearly 2 million listeners in London alone. This will be the first time that the Magic brand and their popular breakfast show 'Foxy in the Morning' will be available nationally. Outside London if you want to listen to Magic you will need to listen on digital radio.