Category: World Service
Date: 01.09.2005
Printable version
Since the earliest days of radio, the 91Èȱ¬ has been at the forefront of the innovation and technology needed to deliver programmes to millions of listeners, both nationally and worldwide.
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Now its international radio and online division, 91Èȱ¬ World Service, has teamed up with other broadcasters in Europe to introduce audiences to the next generation of digital radio sets.
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These will be on show at a special stand at IFA 2005, featuring services delivered through Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM).
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DRM is a new broadcasting standard which shares the advantages of digital radio (DAB), whilst providing the complementary ability to broadcast in the AM bands.
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The result: wide coverage and digital sound quality, ideal for a variety of audio services including music, multi-lingual speech, and data.
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91Èȱ¬ World Service has around 150 million radio listeners across the world.
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Many are listening through the 91Èȱ¬'s own AM and FM transmitters and around 30% through partner stations which carry 91Èȱ¬ content.
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But the 91Èȱ¬ is always looking at new ways of reaching its audience - both current and future listeners - and on 1 September 2005 it launched a digital radio service in English to the Benelux countries and neighbouring parts of France and Germany.
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A medium-wave frequency, 1296kHz, provides the core service 18 hours a day, supplemented by digital transmissions on short wave.
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Transmission providers for the new service are Telenor in Norway, and VTC in the UK, who operate and manage both the 91Èȱ¬'s analogue and digital networks internationally.
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91Èȱ¬ World Service regards DRM as a major opportunity, as John Sykes, 91Èȱ¬ Project Director, Digital Radio, explains: "Digital Radio is about increased listener choice, and a revolution in the way we use radios.
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"No more fiddling around with frequency dials and wavebands: you select your station by name, and the radio will find the best frequency automatically.
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"We're also planning to introduce an electronic programme guide, which will allow listeners who are using radios with a record function to effectively create their own schedule.
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"We'll be working closely with the radio industry to foster and encourage innovative products which our listeners will find easy to use."
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Mike Cronk, World Service's Controller, Distribution & Technology, adds: "We're also looking forward to seeing digital radio fully integrated into mobile phones and PDAs.
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"We're keen to open up a dialogue with our audience, and the back-channel provided by 3G and GSM telephony means we can stay in touch with people on the move."
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About digital radio
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Digital radio has really taken off in the UK. More than 1.5 million receivers have been sold to date and numerous digital radio services have launched on DAB, including five new national services from the 91Èȱ¬.
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With DRM capability added to DAB radios, both the audience and content on Digital Radio should grow significantly.
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About 91Èȱ¬ World Service
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91Èȱ¬ World Service broadcasts programmes around the world in 43 languages and is available on radio and online.
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91Èȱ¬ World Service is available on short wave; and on FM in 144 cities.
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Selected programmes are carried on around 2,000 FM and MW radio stations plus selected digital satellite and cable channels around the world.
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The 91Èȱ¬ World Service websites receive more than 330 million page impressions every month.
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About DRM
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To speed take-up and smooth the technological implementation of digital radio internationally, 91Èȱ¬ World Service was a founder member of the DRM Consortium - an organisation with members from all industry sectors who, like the 91Èȱ¬, recognise the opportunities which DRM and Digital Radio present.
