Local Digital Radio Launches In The UK

Local digital radio was born today as the first local multiplexes launched in the UK. CE Digital, the digital broadcasting consortium comprising Capital and Emap, rolled out its multiplexes across London, Birmingham and Manchester.

A total of 23 radio services will begin broadcasting to a potential audience of 14 million listeners. In London the first digital licence for the area will include Capital stations, 95.8 FM and Capital Gold, Emap’s dance station Kiss 100 and easy listening service, Magic, as well as News Direct, LBC and Asian broadcaster Sunrise Radio. The multiplex licence for the area was the only one to be contested and was awarded to the consortium last year (see Capital And EMAP Win First London Digital Licence).

In the Midlands current services BRMB, Capital Gold and Radio XL will migrate to the digital platform and will be joined by new launches for the area including Xfm and Magic. The Manchester multiplex will include offerings from Key 103, Asian Sound, Xfm, The Big AM and rock and sports channel The Lounge.

Sally Oldham, managing director of group radio at Capital, said: “We believe the future is digital and being able to talk to our existing audiences about the choice and quality of digital listening is a significant step forward. It will soon become even more apparent to consumers, manufacturers and retailers that we are committed to driving digital forward and it is something they cannot ignore.”

Local BBC services will be simulcast in digital for the first time as part of the roll-out of services: Radio WM in the Midlands and GMR in Manchester will be given carriage on their respective regional consortia and will be joined by London Live when the second digital local multiplex for the area goes live later this month (see Switch Digital Wins Second London Licence).

CE Digital: 020 7 766 6484