Analogue Radio Switch-Off Raised By Jowell
As audiences begin to migrate to digital technology, the prospect of switching off the analogue radio signals has been raised by the government for the first time.
Talk of future plans, similar to those for the television digital switch-over have been aired by Tessa Jowell, secretary of state for department of culture, media and sport.
In her written introduction to the second annual DAB digital radio report Jowell said: “Later this year, I will be reviewing the take-up of digital radio and considering how long it would be appropriate for sound digital broadcasting services to be provided in analogue form.”
The report reveals there are now more than 600,000 digital radios across the country and sales of digital radios are growing annually at 444%.
It also adds that in the UK alone, there are approximately 1.2 million people listening to radio via DAB digital radio sets, with more digital services on air than analogue, giving consumers a wider choice of listening.
However, it is unlikely analogue radio signals would be switched off in the near future or a switch-over date being set as it has for analogue TV signals because of the sheer number of analogue radios in use. Also, the amount of analogue spectrum freed up by a switch-over would be much less than with TV.
Ofcom’s review of the digital radio market will give rise to more questions, as may the independent review of the BBC’s digital radio services.
According to the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), the growing popularity of digital stations is set to have a significant upward impact on total radio listening hours over the next few years. RAB’s client services director, Michael O’Brien, predicted total listening hours could grow by as much as 10% within the next five years.
DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.dcms.gov.uk
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