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Press Releases
91Èȱ¬ announces extension to DAB digital radio network
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Jenny Abramsky, 91Èȱ¬ Director of Audio & Music, has announced the build-out of the next phase of the 91Èȱ¬'s DAB digital radio transmitter network.
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This confirms the location of the next nine transmitters, to be provided by Arqiva, which the 91Èȱ¬ hopes will be on-air by the end of April.
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Two of the new DAB enabled transmitters are already radiating the 91Èȱ¬'s services, having been commissioned into service over the last couple of weeks.
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These two – one located at Christchurch and the other at Sergeant's Law – extend the coverage of the DAB network around Newport, Gwent and South West Glasgow and Dumbarton respectively.
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The other seven transmitters are planned to enter service gradually over the next few months as the final project work is completed. These will serve the following areas:
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- Bury St Edmunds (Puttocks Hill)
- Norwich and parts of East Norfolk (Stoke Holy Cross)
- Arundel and the South Downs (Burton Down)
- Alnwick and East Northumberland (Chatton)
- Newhaven (Newhaven)
- Mansfield (Fishponds Hill)
- York and the East Riding of Yorkshire (Acklam Wold)
In addition, Jenny Abramsky confirmed that the 91Èȱ¬ was hoping to bring its DAB service to the Isle of Man and was working towards establishing a transmitter covering Douglas and the southern part of the island.
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It is planned that this transmitter should come on stream over the summer, subject to planning approval and engineering constraints.
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Digital radio listeners will be able to tune in to the 91Èȱ¬'s portfolio of digital-only stations: 1Xtra; Five Live Sports Extra; 6 Music; 91Èȱ¬ 7; and the 91Èȱ¬ Asian Network; as well as the 91Èȱ¬'s national radio stations: Radio 1; Radio 2; Radio 3; Radio 4; Radio Five Live; and the 91Èȱ¬ World Service – and enjoy the benefits of digital audio broadcasting and the additional choice it offers.
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Listeners will need a DAB digital radio to receive the 91Èȱ¬'s digital radio broadcasts.
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Existing digital radio listeners in each area should carry out an "autotune" to scan and store the newly available 91Èȱ¬ services in their radio set's station list.
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For advice on receiving 91Èȱ¬ digital radio and to check coverage, listeners can call the 91Èȱ¬ Digital Helpline on 08700 10 10 10 or visit bbc.co.uk/digitalradio. Ìý
All ten transmitters are being built and will be operated for the 91Èȱ¬ by Arqiva. They represent the first of the new transmitters to be ordered under the £1.8billion transmission agreement put in place between the two companies in September 2006.
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Jenny Abramsky said: "I'm delighted to be able to announce these new transmitters. They represent a real and worthwhile improvement to the coverage of our DAB digital radio network. It shows the 91Èȱ¬'s continuing commitment to making our services available on DAB digital radio."
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Paul Eaton, Head of Broadcast Radio at Arqiva, said: "For many years we've built and operated transmitters for independent radio stations but these are the first we've provided for the 91Èȱ¬.
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"It's the start of a new digital era which will see us roll-out a completely new digital TV network for the 91Èȱ¬ and, if approved, a substantial increase to their DAB network.*
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"We look forward to working closely with the 91Èȱ¬ throughout and beyond Digital Switch Over."
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Notes to Editors
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*Any expansion to the 91Èȱ¬'s DAB network beyond the transmitters mentioned in this release is subject to the further approval from the 91Èȱ¬ Trust.
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