Capital Calls For Analogue Radio Switch-Off Date

Chief executive of Capital Radio, David Mansfield, has called on the government to demonstrate its committment to digital radio by announcing a switch-off for analogue radio. Speaking at a reception to mark the launch of Capital’s new digital radio station, Life (see Capital Launches New Digital Station On National Network), he encouraged the swift development of the new medium.

“The UK is at the forefront of digital radio development around the world. The commercial radio companies have been encouraged to invest in this new technology, and the major radio groups have all made significant commitments to simulcast existing stations digitally as well as to launch new ones. The commercial radio industry will have to bear these simulcasting costs indefinitely, and revenue from digital radio will be limited until take-up of digital radio reaches critical masses,” he said.

The government, too, must play its part. “We are convinced that digital radio is our future, and the commercial radio industry is working hard with the BBC to get it off the ground. We are asking the government to show its commitment to digital by releasing more digital spectrum to increase UK coverage, encouraging manufacturers to produce digital radios at a reasonable price, and above all, by announcing a switch-off date for analogue radio,” he said.

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