[cma-l] [comradio-l] Digital Broadcasting: Radio DCMS Written answers and statements, 22 October 2010

[jaqui devereux]

Dear all

Like many of you the CMA is not happy with the language being used about the
move by national stations to digital radio and the Digital Radio Action
Plan.  However, the government has charged DRUK to take the lead on driving
up uptake of digital radio in the UK, so we will work with them to ensure
the best possible outcomes for all small radio and for citizens in the wider
sense.  To that end I attended the DRAP communications meeting yesterday.
Several outcomes:

That the government does recognise that if digital radio is to become a
reality then one of the things that prevents that is the confusion by many
that "switchover" (yes, we agree that that should not be the word being used
and have made strong representations on that subject) means switch off of
FM.  It does NOT mean that.

That people once they understand that FM is being retained would be more
likely to buy a digital radio if they could be assured that they will be
able to receive ALL the stations they currently listen, including community
radio, plus some more digital only channels.

That in order for people to have that assurance, all digital radios sold in
the UK should also be future proofed and have FM as a standard chip along
with DAB, DAB+, DMB etc

That in order to achieve that they need some sort of kitemark that
guarantees that if you buy a radio with a kitemark it will conform to
minimum technical standards and specification - the minimum standards will
include that FM is in the radio and manufacturers have committed to
producing kit to those specs.

That coverage is still a huge issue!

We have pushed for them to clarify the language used and will continue to
press for the inclusion of community radio within any digital radio EPG
(they are not against this in principle but the devil is always in the
detail).

I hope to see many of you at the Stakeholders meeting on Monday, sure it
will be a lively session!

Best wishes

Jaqui



On 26 October 2010 18:36, Richard Hilton <Richard.Hilton at bitc.org.uk> wrote:

> A couple of questions; exactly why is the Government working 'to ensure all
> future digital sets incorporate FM'.  And how are they going to enforce
> this?!
>
> Richard
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:
> cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of CMA-L
> Sent: 26 October 2010 10:57
> To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk; comradio-l at commedia.org.uk
> Subject: [cma-l] Digital Broadcasting: Radio DCMS Written answers and
> statements, 22 October 2010
>
> Jake Berry (Rossendale & Darwen, Conservative):
>
> To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what
> his policy is on steps to protect the interests of smaller commercial radio
> stations during digital switchover.
>
>
> Edward Vaizey (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Culture,
> Communications and Creative Industries), Business, Innovation and Skills;
> Wantage, Conservative):
>
> Government recognise the importance of local commercial radio stations to
> the communities they serve and have committed to reserving part of the FM
> spectrum as a platform for local and community radio stations, for as long
> as it is needed.
>
> In addition the vast majority of digital receivers already receive FM and
> Government will work to ensure all future digital sets incorporate FM.
>
> Hansard source: http://bit.ly/9uvKqY
>
> \\
>
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-- 
Jaqui Devereux
Director, Community Media Association
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