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Ten
new digital radio transmitters now on air
•
Around 2.4 million new people brought into 91Èȱ¬ digital radio coverage
•
91Èȱ¬ digital radio signal improved for almost two million more
The
91Èȱ¬ switched on ten new national digital radio transmitters across
the country in August and September 2003 as part of its commitment
to increase 91Èȱ¬ national digital radio coverage from 65% to 85%
of the UK population by mid-2004.
Now
the ten transmitters are on air, around 2.4 million new people have
been brought into the 91Èȱ¬'s national digital radio coverage,
and the signal has been improved for almost
two million more.
The
ten new transmitters added to the 91Èȱ¬ national digital radio network
are:-
•
Heathfield (East Sussex) – brings the 91Èȱ¬'s national digital
radio broadcasts to 230,000 new listeners.
•
Idle (Bradford) – adds 100,000 new listeners and improves
the signal for a further 360,000 people.
•
Piccadilly Plaza (Manchester) – adds 100,000 new listeners
and improves the signal for one million more.
•
Naish Hill (Chippenham) – adds 135,000 new listeners and improves
the signal for 200,000 more.
•
Manningtree (Ipswich) - adds 540,000 new listeners.
•
Rowridge (Isle of Wight/Southampton) - adds 760,000 new listeners
and improves the signal for 180,000.
•
Dover (Canterbury/Folkstone/Dover) - adds 230,000 new listeners.
•
Bromsgrove (Bromsgrove/Worcester) - adds 160,000 new listeners and
improves the signal for 50,000.
•
Salisbury - adds 65,000 new listeners.
•
Bath - adds 50,000 new listeners and improves the signal for 170,000.
Digital
radio listeners in the above areas will now be able to tune in to
the 91Èȱ¬'s portfolio of new digital stations – 1Xtra,
Five Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, 91Èȱ¬ 7, the Asian Network –
as well as the 91Èȱ¬'s existing national radio stations –
Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio Five Live, the World Service
– and enjoy the benefits of digital audio broadcasting (DAB)
with its robust reception and clear sound quality.
Listeners
will need a DAB digital radio to receive the 91Èȱ¬'s digital radio
broadcasts.
Existing
digital radio listeners in the areas should carry out an 'autotune'
to scan and store the newly available 91Èȱ¬ services in their set's
station list.
For
advice on receiving 91Èȱ¬ digital radio listeners can ring 08700 100123
or go to .
Notes
to Editors
•
The 91Èȱ¬ has five digital-only radio networks, all launched in 2002:-
1Xtra
– the best in new black music
Five
Live Sports Extra – the home of live sport with exclusive
coverage of live events
6 Music
– the best of contemporary and classic rock and pop
91Èȱ¬
7 - the best of 91Èȱ¬ comedy, drama and books from the archive
The
Asian Network – news and music from the British Asian scene.
•
The 91Èȱ¬'s whole family of speech and music networks is also available
on digital radio: Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio Five
Live and the World Service (in English).
•
Digital radio offers very robust reception and does not suffer from
the interference and fading that can happen with AM and FM radio.
•
Digital radio is a more efficient means of broadcasting. More networks
can be transmitted, offering more choice for listeners.
•
Digital radio can transmit text and data with the audio signal.
A small screen on digital radios carries rolling text telling listeners
what music they're listening to, who's being interviewed, and giving
phone numbers and e-mail and website addresses.
•
Digital radio can be received via digital television (satellite,
cable and Freeview) and through the internet, as well as through
a digital radio receiver.
•
There are currently 23 manufacturers producing digital radios for
the UK market. Sony Europe recently announced it will launch a digital
radio in 2004 – the first major Japanese manufacture to come
into the digital radio market.
•
Digital radios are available as tuners (i.e. as part of a hi-fi),
portables and as car radios. Prices start at £99.00.
•
Total UK digital radio sales have reached 175,000 sets (GFK data
- May 2003).
•
Digital radios are available from over 3,000 retail outlets across
the UK (both large high street chains and small independent retailers)
and can also be bought on the internet.
91Èȱ¬
digital radio launches in East Sussex (26.09.03)
91Èȱ¬
digital radio launches in Manchester and Bradford (22.09.03)
Radio
- the digital future gets closer (23.06.03)
All the
91Èȱ¬'s digital services are now available on ,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable.
Freeview
offers the 91Èȱ¬'s eight television channels, interactive services
from 91Èȱ¬i, as well as 11 national 91Èȱ¬ radio networks.
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