What is DAB? DAB stands for 'Digital Audio Broadcasting' - it's the next generation of radio listening. As well as being interference-free, it opens up exciting new opportunities for existing broadcasters and online stations as well as those who want to launch their own radio station on-air - schools, colleges, retailers, businesses, etc. Here in Cheshire we’re planning to put lots of new stations on-air and create a diverse ‘ecosystem’ of radio formats catering for a wide range of tastes, interests, communities and age groups.
Why do stations broadcast on DAB?
Radio is as popular as ever with 89% of the adult population tuning in each week
67% of the population tune-in to digital radio every week.
The vast majority of digital listening is via DAB.
How does it work? FM radio is broadcast as a single analogue transmission on an individual frequency. DAB radio works differently. DAB brings together lots of radio stations and broadcasts them on a single digital frequency which is 'unpacked' when it arrives at your radio. Using DAB we will be able to send many new stations to radio receivers in homes, cars, workplaces across our area.
Because DAB is digital it has some extra benefits, too. For one thing, stations can send out additional information which appears on the radio receiver. This includes things such as:
Station name;
Studio phone or txt number;
Social media info;
Song title & artist;
Album artwork and images;
Presenter name; and
Advertiser business name and details.
When will be able to listen? Subject to approval by Ofcom, the DAB multiplex carrying all these new stations will launch in Summer 2022. Keep checking back here for the latest updates.
