News

Two additional stations are launching on local DAB digital radio multiplexes serving Cambridge, Kent, Norwich, Nottinghamshire and Sussex from January 2015. Listeners in these areas will be able to listen to Bauer Media's Heat and Kisstory stations broadcast alongside local radio stations in their respective areas.

Local DAB is set to launch in North Yorkshire on the 17th December 2014 with three local radio stations on the launch line-up. Broadcasting initially from transmitters at Bilsdale, Acklam Wold and Hildebrand Barracks, the multiplex will carry BBC Radio York and two new DAB offshoot stations from UKRD's local stations Minster FM and Stray FM.

President of the CSA, Patrice Gélinet, addressed the reasons used by the larger radio stations for not going digital: "…four radio stations are already paying dual transmission costs, FM and long wave, at a price significantly higher than via DAB+, and for a poor quality of signal. Radio France spends €6m for its long wave transmissions, which would cost three times less via DAB+”.

What Hi-Fi? has announced its 2014 list of the best DAB radios to buy this Christmas – and all of the selected models are based on Frontier Silicon technology. The devices, from manufacturers Arcam, Geneva, Philips, Pure, Roberts, Revo and Ruark, include portable, handheld and desktop digital radios, hi-fi tuners and in-car DAB radios. Prices range from under £50 up to £600.

Terrestrial digital radio is an issue that will not go away. It was agreed upon by Parliament, that digital radio would contribute significantly to freedom of expression by permitting a greater number of frequencies.

Three million people are now listening to DAB digital radio in the five metropolitan capitals each week, according to GfK survey 7 figures released by Commercial Radio Australia. DAB+ figures show listening and sales of digital radios continue to outperform expectations. There are now over 23% of people in the five state capitals where DAB+ is available, listening on a DAB+ digital radio device.

For those who prefer to listen to, rather than watch their entertainment, a DAB digital radio is the ideal companion. A whole host of stations are available to stream with high-quality audio. We take a look at the best models on offer in 2014. If you fancy a new digital radio, there's a baffling selection to choose from. To make it easier to pick the right model, we've gone through our digital radio reviews and picked out the best DAB radios to buy in 2014.

On Wednesday 12th November a future DAB technology event took place at MediaCityUK. Delegates from Motoring Magazines, Absolute Radio, University of Salford, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC 6 Music, Musicians, Motoring enthusiasts and press were all present.

WorldDMB held its largest ever General Assembly in Rome last week (4-5 November). The 20th Assembly attracted a record 190 delegates (up 15% on last year) from 119 organisations and 23 countries and saw several important announcements.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has announced that London leads the world in digital radio with over 60 digital radio stations, the most of any major city in the world. The Mayor joined forces with Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy and key senior figures from the UK’s radio industry in London’s Leicester Square, to celebrate the diversity of London digital stations and to announce the launch of three new London stations and a new national station.