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Several new digital radio stations are about to launch in South Devon. The date has been set for DAB digital broadcasting network TorDab to go live, meaning local organisations can bring radio services to a wider audience. It will launch on Wednesday 1 November, from transmitters in Torquay, Bovey Tracey and at Teignmouth Golf Club, subject to approval by broadcast regulator Ofcom. TorDab's technical partner Viamux worked with on neighbouring service ExeDab and is due to fit Devon's other DAB service PlymDab, which has yet to announce a launch date. Devon's Radio Exe is a partner in all three services.

With just 122 days to go to Christmas, Devon has a new radio station! Radio ExeMas has gone on air exactly four months ahead of the big day, to bring happiness and joy as the nights drawn in, children return to school and Santa starts getting his act together. The station, from Devon’s Radio Exe, broadcasts on DAB+ in Exeter and the surrounding area, as well as being streamed on its own website and on the Radio Exe app and website too. As well as being available on Exeter’s DAB+ network, Radio ExeMas will launch on Torbay and Plymouth’s forthcoming digital radio networks when they go on air before the big day.

House Party Radio has launched on the small-scale DAB multiplex in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn. The digital service started three years ago by Station Director John Beddows, also known as Johnny Bee, who has been hosting a radio show of the same name for over 15 years. John commented: “We are extremely excited to bring House Party Radio to DAB across Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn from the 18th August. With thanks to David Duffy and the team.” The station says Warrington is just the second small-scale DAB+ multiplex it is planning to appear on in the Northwest, after launching in Blackpool in December last year.

Victory Radio is now broadcasting on a second multiplex, this time in Winchester. The station is the latest to join the Winchester multiplex, which is owned and operated by UK DAB Networks. Victory Radio began broadcasting in 2021 as an online station, then joined the Portsmouth multiplex in April last year. Bob Bruce, Victory Radio’s owner and Managing Director said: “The future of the radio landscape is constantly evolving and at Victory we want to play our part in that."

Happy Radio UK is to further expand its coverage on DAB across the north-west of England later this month. The station, which is currently on DAB in Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, North Wales and Blackpool, will be available on the new DAB small-scale multiplexes for Stockport, Preston, Warrington and mid Cheshire. Co-founders Darren Proctor and Max Eden said: “We are focused on getting uninterrupted DAB coverage of Happy Radio throughout the north-west."

Some of the original team behind BRMB in Birmingham is bringing the radio station name back to the city. Ofcom has approved a name change for Big City Radio to BRMB which will broadcast on 89.1 FM and DAB on the north and south DAB small-scale local multiplexes. Big City Radio will move to online only, to make way for the new service. On Monday 4th September at 11:52am, Les Ross MBE will officially relaunch BRMB on FM and DAB across Birmingham along with the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.

The South Durham small-scale DAB multiplex has launched with seven digital stations broadcasting to Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe. Alpha Radio, Aycliffe Radio, Dance Revolution, Durham OnAir, Frisk Radio, Prince Bishops Hospital Radio and Sun FM are all based in the northeast. Bishop FM will follow at a later date. Local community broadcasters worked with specialists in the field to launch Durham Digital which is running the transmitters. Gary Burgham, Programme Director at Bishop FM said: “I’m thrilled to be part of a great team presenting the opportunity to bring a community-based DAB service to Bishop Auckland, Aycliffe and my hometown of Darlington.”

UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Honourable Lucy Frazer MP has visited Cheshire’s MIX 56 ahead of its launch on DAB later this month. Lucy was joined by Warrington South MP Andy Carter. Cheshire’s MIX 56 is launching later this month on the new Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn small-scale digital multiplex and has also signed up for East Cheshire and Stockport. Andy Carter, Warrington South MP said: “The government have played a big part in extending DAB to small communities, it’s the future of radio so more listeners have access to digital radio services. We wish Cheshire’s MIX 56 the best of luck with the switch on later this month.”

A local Derby radio station has made the jump from online to radio broadcasting as part of a boost for the city's radio stations. The people of Derby will soon be able to tune in to a wider range of radio stations via their DAB (digital audio broadcasting) radios thanks to a new plan bringing dedicated coverage for the city. The new DAB network will carry up to 30 new radio services, including Derby Sound, that will be heard right across the city. Derby DAB will reserve space for not-for-profit stations at a discounted rate.

The final two locations from Round 4 of the small-scale DAB licence roll-out have been awarded by Ofcom. Both areas, one for East Fife, and one for Berwickshire and North Roxburgh, have been awarded to Lanarkshire based C.I. Broadcasting Ltd and its subsidiary company Tower DAB Ltd. C.I. Broadcasting’s Director Spencer Pryor told Radio Today: “We’re extremely pleased that OFCOM have decided to award these licences to us to give us the opportunity to increase DAB coverage in two very underserved areas."