Digital community radio in the terrestrial network
18.11.2009
Digital community radio in the terrestrial network Through participation in an industry-wide digital radio pilot project, it is now possible for Studentradion 98,9 in Uppsala to broadcast via the future radio network. Studentradion 98,9 is the first to debut of the community radio channels, which share a programming slot in the digital pilot network. "We are looking forward to taking part in the testing and evaluation of future radio technology along with our listeners, which has been made possible through the pilot project that will be implemented," says Niklas Norén, Station Manager at Studentradion 98,9 in Uppsala. The planned pilot project is a cooperative effort between the program companies and Teracom. The aim is to, among other things, discover what listeners think about the expanded content and supplementary services that are made possible by digital radio. It will also be possible for the program companies to evaluate quality, content and services prior to the planned widespread launch of digital radio. At the present time, Radio Sweden broadcasts four channels with DAB+ to the Stockholm region via the digital test network. These channels are: SR P2 Musik, SR P3, SR P4 Stockholm and SR Metropol. In addition, nine other channels are being broadcast by private and non-profit stations. They are: RIX FM, BANDIT, NRJ, Lungna Favoriter, Radio Deejay, Skärgårdskanalen, Dansbandskanalen, Radioseven and now Studentradion 98,9 as well. Once the pilot project is initiated, broadcasts will take place in Gävle and Uppsala as well as in the Stockholm area. It will be possible for these broadcasts to be received by the listeners who have been selected to participate in the pilot project. "The digital technology opens up new possibilities for community radio and we are pleased that Studentradion 98,9 wants to participate in the pilot. With digital radio, there are no longer any technical barriers for a non-commercial, regionally decomposable Open Channel. That would enable the community radio channels to reach more listeners than they currently are able to," says Lars-Erik, Chairman of NRO, the national organization for community radio. In a future digital radio network there will be space for public service, community radio and commercial channels. The technology that will be used is DAB+. During the fall, more channels will join the pilot project broadcasts. For more information, please contact: Lotta Darlin, Press Officer at Teracom, +46 (0) 708 91 21 07. Niklas Norén, Station Manager of Studentradion 98,9, +46 (0) 18 69 60 62, +46 (0) 704 61 65 94. Lars-Erik Backström, Chairman of NRO, +46 (0) 73 413 23 22. Facts about Studentradion 98,9 Studentradion 98,9 began broadcasting on a small scale in 1984. Now, 25 years later, the organization is Uppsala's largest student media and it broadcasts every day between 13.00 and 20.00 on the FM radio 98,9, as well as around the clock at www.studentradion.com. Currently, Studentradion 98,9 has approximately 80 employees and each week it broadcasts radio "by students, for students." Studentradion 98,9 strives for variety in its program schedule, as well as being an exciting, ardent alternative to other radio channels. Facts about NRO Närradions Riksorganisation, NRO, was established in 1996. Most community radio associations are members of NRO and we are the only nationwide organization for community radio that exists in Sweden. Together, we represent approximately 600-700 local permit holders of the approximately 1,000 local associations that broadcast community radio in Sweden. For more information, please visit www.nro.se.