Digital Radio Switchover Could Happen By 2020

A new long term plan should be created to move all radio services across to digital, according to a report from the government’s Digital Radio Working Group. The group’s initial assessment is that the move could be completed by 2020.

The DRWG said that in the medium term, all national, regional and large local stations should be moved to DAB, with FM being used by small local and community radio stations.

The added that it believes traditional radio business models will be unable to indefinitely support the increased transmission costs of broadcasting on both analogue and multiple digital platforms.

The Digital Radio Working Group, representing all sides of the industry, was set up in November 2007 to look at the future of digital radio.

Barry Cox, DRWG chairman, said: “At the end of May this year, sales of DAB sets exceeded seven million. We believe radio must have a digital future and that this will benefit both listeners and industry. Audiences will be able to enjoy increased functionality and more choice of channels, while the industry will no longer have to sustain the increased transmission costs of broadcasting on multiple platforms.

“If these benefits are to be achieved, then action must be taken to address the significant challenges which threaten the future growth of the market. There is a great deal to be done to address these issues, and I hope that this interim report will stimulate debate on how to achieve a digital future.”

Last month, figures from GfK showed that cumulative sales of DAB radios stood at 7.05 million following a record Christmas period and growth of 28% year-on-year in quarter one (see DAB Radio Sales Top Seven Million).

However, while digital radio has proved to be popular with listeners, with RAJAR figures showing that 10.8% of all radio listening is done via DAB (see Almost 18% Of All Radio Listening Now Via Digital), some radio groups have questioned the economic viability of digital radio in the long term.

Department for Culture, Media & Sport: www.culture.gov.uk