News

Ofcom has today awarded small-scale DAB multiplex licences for three more UK areas. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist music services to take to the digital airwaves. Following a competitive process, where each applicant was judged against specific criteria, multiplex licences have been awarded for the following areas: Carlisle & Penrith: licence awarded to Cumbria Digital; Corby & Kettering: licence awarded to Kettering and Corby Broadcasting Company; East Devon: licence awarded to ExeDAB. Further licence awards for the remaining areas that were advertised in Round 6 will be announced in the coming weeks.

A Sheffield-based media organisation has launched their digital radio station this week. African Voices Platform officially launched its community DAB radio station on 1 April. To commemorate the launch, the team held a radio studio tour, joined by community leaders in Sheffield, providing a space for people to engage in creative discussions about the programmes. Enoch Karimba, director of partnerships and community engagement at AVP, said: “Our primary goal is to foster community engagement and promote cultural exchange across the continent, as well as the diaspora. By focusing on local stories, social issues and cultural expression, we hope to empower our listeners and provide them with a space where their experiences and perspectives can be heard and valued.”

Community radio stations in Northumberland are celebrating with the launch of a new small-scale DAB transmitter. This development, supported by AkzoNobel’s Ashington facility, enables multiple local stations, including Koast Radio, Lionheart Radio, and Radio Northumberland, to broadcast via the DAB network. Richard Finch of Northumberland Community Digital highlighted the benefits of this expansion, noting that it strengthens connections between listeners and their local stations. He said: “For the first time in Northumberland, we will be highlighting the voices of local people, bringing their stories and perspectives to the airwaves in crystal clear DAB.”

The Poole, Purbeck and Wimborne small-scale DAB multiplex has launched within six months of winning its licence. The service will see established FM community radio stations, including Hope FM, Hot Radio, Forest FM, Radio Wimborne, and Southampton’s Unity 101, available on DAB+ in the area for the first time. Dorset Coast Radio is also set to join the platform soon, from the team behind Hospital Radio Bedside. Steve Saville, Station Manager at Forest FM, described the launch as a significant milestone, looking forward to engaging with new listeners in the area. The project is made possible through a partnership between Poole-based telecommunications company Wide FM, Poole community radio station Hot Radio, and Bournemouth’s Hope FM.

This exciting development means listeners can now enjoy Vibe 107.6 FM in crystal-clear digital sound, offering a new and enhanced way to experience the station. In addition to broadcasting on FM from Watford, Vibe 107.6 FM now also transmits via the South Herts DAB digital radio multiplex. This expansion allows the station to reach a wider audience across Hertfordshire—north of London—where more than 813,047 people live, travel, work, study, and play. Ryan Thrussell, General Manager of Vibe 107.6 FM, shared his enthusiasm for the station’s digital expansion: "Broadcasting on DAB+ gives the people of Watford and Hertfordshire a new way of listening to Vibe 107.6 in cars, shops, and on DAB+ radios at home."

The Local DAB Multiplex Association met Ian O’Neill OBE, Head of Radio and Audio at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport recently to talk about industry challenges. Local DAB Multiplex Association Directors Chris Hurst and David Duffy engaged in a discussion with Ian, focusing on the successes, opportunities, and challenges faced by the rapidly evolving small-scale DAB sector. “It was a pleasure to meet with Ian and discuss the bright future of small-scale DAB,” said Chris Hurst. “The sector has made incredible progress, and it’s vital that we continue working collaboratively to ensure its long-term success. We greatly appreciate the engagement and support from DCMS in tackling key industry challenges and unlocking new opportunities.”

MIX 92.6 has launched on DAB+ in addition to its community radio FM licence in South Hertfordshire. Station Manager Nick Hazell emphasised the strategic importance of this development, stating: “I am really delighted that we’ve been able to take this next big step in growing our local radio station. At a time when others are retrenching and moving away from local radio, this move makes a clear statement about how important we think it is to support and serve our local community.” The station, previously known as Radio Verulam, has been serving the area via various methods since the 1990s.

North east DAB service Frisk Radio is launching a service in the north west of England. The dance music station will be on small-scale DAB platforms in central and west Lancashire from April. The move aligns with the mass rollout of digital out-of-home billboards by Frisk Radio’s parent company, Smart Outdoor Media. Stuart Landreth, Director of Frisk Radio said: “We are very excited to introduce the Frisk brand to Lancashire. Our rapid growth, and success in the North East has shown there is a clear demand for an upbeat, dance-music focussed station in local markets.”

Applications are now open for the seventh round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for 29 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In total, the small-scale DAB programme will enable the launch of over 100 multiplexes. So far, 70 multiplexes have launched and the guidance notes for small-scale DAB multiplexes has also been updated for anyone submitting a fresh application.

Applications have opened for the seventh round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for 29 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Each Ofcom-licensed small-scale multiplex allows grass-roots community services, specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences to take to the digital airwaves. In total, the small-scale DAB programme will enable the launch of over 100 multiplexes. So far, 70 multiplexes have launched broadcasting to listeners across all four nations of the UK. The closing-date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.