[cma-l] the DAB debate

Tue Nov 18 00:50:12 GMT 2014

It's all in the way that figures are expressed: "anti-DAB"

1.7 million DAB radio sets sold, down year on year by 200,000 at end Q1
2014. Meanwhile sales of other digital listening devices (phones, tablets
etc) has increased by up to 20%. So perhaps we should move to the internet..

On the other hand, "pro-DAB"

The % of people with a DAB radio is about to go over 50% and sales of
analogue sets is down by 700,000 in the same period.

Maybe the more important issue is that listening hours are down, especially
in the younger age brackets. Whatever the medium, the product appears to be
losing appeal. 

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
[mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of office
Sent: 17 November 2014 23:11
To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
Subject: [cma-l] the DAB debate

Gentlemen. (and ladies) I really don't want this to become a 'digital spy'
kind of debate. That was really not my intention, but these figures are very
confusing - I quote from an article of yours James: 

Around 1.7 million digital radio sets were sold in the year to the end of
June 2014, making up over a third (36.2%) of all radio sets sold. 

Doesn't that mean over two thirds of Radio sets sold were Not DAB, therefore
FM?  And, although a lot of new cars are coming out with DAB (and FM)
radios, by far the vast majority of cars CURRENTLY on the road do NOT have
DAB.  Considering the length of time DAB has been around, it doesn't look
all that promising.

But I must take you to task for suggesting that I (and people like me) 'seek
to denigrate the whole platform'. This is just not true. I have been a fan -
and have followed the progress of DAB for many years, just waiting for it to
take off - but it hasn't - because, quite honestly it isn't very good, in
many parts of the country. 

So, please let's not have a duel about this, we are on the same side. I
would love to have a fabulous new-technology platform on which to broadcast,
packed with listeners. Trouble is, for many of the reasons discussed here,
we haven't, and it divides us. instead of uniting the enthusiastic,
dedicated and talented people in Community and Commercial radio
broadcasting.

We should, I repeat, be making good radio, because we can - and promoting it
as such to our audience, many of whom couldn't care less if it's DAB, FM or
even AM!

Phil Dawson
FANTASY RADIO
DEVZES
Wiltshire.

On 17/11/2014 21:45, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re:  The DAB debate (James Cridland)
   2. Re:  The DAB debate (Associated Broadcast Consultants)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 19:53:43 +0000
From: James Cridland  <mailto:james at cridland.net> <james at cridland.net>
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
   <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk> <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] The DAB debate
Message-ID:

<mailto:CADxZ7USqx1qmKkwcPv=QK51P6bSc2R0amio9ibK2URtbiTbLvQ at mail.gmail.com>
<CADxZ7USqx1qmKkwcPv=QK51P6bSc2R0amio9ibK2URtbiTbLvQ at mail.gmail.com>
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Sorry for sounding like a bit of a broken record, but you say "whilst DAB
may not be on a downward spiral" - thank you for admitting you were wrong -
you also say "it certainly isn't really in the ascendancy."

Hmm. Let's see. Year on year, it has more listeners, more listening hours,
sales of DAB sets outperforming sales of radio receivers as a whole, now in
70% of new cars (according to some numbers I heard last week in an event),
increased take up in much of Europe, two new UK national station launches
in the space of three months, a second national multiplex on the way with
multiple bidders... Certainly looks like it is in the ascendancy to me.

Yes, it is wholly unsuitable for community radio right now. Utterly
unsuitable, and cripplingly expensive: two things that DAB+ won't solve, by
the way, and I don't even believe that the little muxes will properly solve
that either.

But what irks me somewhat is that you, and people like you, seek to
denigrate an entire platform for everybody because it won't work for *you*.
Either you want to be on DAB (presumably you do, otherwise you'd not
rightly complain about the suitability and pricing), or you think DAB is
entirely unsuitable for any radio broadcasting (and in which case,
respectfully, you are wrong, as the figures show). Either way, you should
pick your side.

http://james.cridland.net

On Mon, 17 Nov 2014 18:56 fantasy office  <mailto:office at fantasyradio.co.uk>
<office at fantasyradio.co.uk> wrote:

Thank you James, for your response.

And respect to you for plugging the name of our station twice in your
reply! I didn't say that 6music was only available on DAB - I said it's
not on FM...which is rather different.
Whilst DAB may not be on a downward spiral, it certainly isn't really in
the ascendancy.
But the problem is - Money! DAB is very expensive to broadcast and the
receivers have been too expensive for too long. And now with DAB+ those
loyal DAB listeners are going to have to re-invest!
DAB broadcasting is far too expensive...and even with the new Ofcom
initiative, how many additional listeners would a community station be
able to attract, over and above what they already have on FM?

The DAB/FM debate has been going on for a long time. If DAB could show a
clear advantage, in cost, in audio quality and in added listenership
potential, there would be no contest. However, DAB, for community radio
as well as for some commercial stations, can offer no such benefit.

I'm glad though, you agree that DAB has been poorly marketed, and that
we should all be getting behind RADIO for all the right reasons,
whatever platforms remain.

Sorry you can't get FM in your kitchen, James. Was it built within a
Faraday Cage?

Phil Dawson
FANTASY RADIO
Devizes,
Wiltshire

On 16/11/2014 22:04, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:

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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
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Today's Topics:

    1. Re:  Superstation in Orkney ceases broadcasting
       (shirleyludford at btinternet.co)
    2.  New Field Recorder / Mic (terry mechan)
    3. Re:  New Field Recorder / Mic (Associated Broadcast Consultants)
    4. Re:  The DAB debate (James Cridland)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:08:58 +0000
From:  <mailto:shirleyludford at btinternet.co> "shirleyludford at btinternet.co"
<mailto:shirleyludford at btinternet.com> <shirleyludford at btinternet.com>
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
       <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
<cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>,         <mailto:cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
"cma-l at commedia.org.uk"
       <mailto:cma-l at commedia.org.uk> <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Superstation in Orkney ceases broadcasting
Message-ID:
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<1416172138.46627.YahooMailNeo at web186003.mail.ir2.yahoo.com>
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I am so sorry to read this.

All our best wishes go to members of the Station from all at SWINDON

105.5

?
?Shirls
?

?Shirley Ludford

Mob:?07951 366289

High Sheriff's Award for Services to Community

Pride Of Swindon Award
Patron: Commonweal School?
Patron: DPAG

Station Manager. Trainer
SWINDON 105.5
www.swindon1055.com

________________________________
  From: James Cridland  <mailto:james at cridland.net> <james at cridland.net>
To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Sent: Sunday, 16 November 2014, 16:26
Subject: [cma-l] Superstation in Orkney ceases broadcasting

Apparently, it fell off the air at midday today.
http://media.info/radio/news/superstation-orkney-ends-

community-radio-broadcasting

J
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:03:53 +0000
From: terry mechan  <mailto:terrymechan at live.co.uk> <terrymechan at live.co.uk>
To:  <mailto:cma-l at commedia.org.uk> <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
Subject: [cma-l] New Field Recorder / Mic
Message-ID:  <mailto:DUB130-DS21EC00380623AC03069FFC9A8A0 at phx.gbl>
<DUB130-DS21EC00380623AC03069FFC9A8A0 at phx.gbl>
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Am going to treat myself to an new WAV recorder for location work when

doing my documentaries

It will replace the Roland R-05 I have had for a few years.

Ideally would like something with a waveform monitor to confirm levels

when recording

Any suggestions as to what works for you or your colleagues

terry mechan
www.terrymechan.com

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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:54:10 +0000
From: Associated Broadcast Consultants  <mailto:info at a-bc.co.uk>
<info at a-bc.co.uk>
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
       <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
<cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
Cc: cma-l  <mailto:cma-l at commedia.org.uk> <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] New Field Recorder / Mic
Message-ID:
      <CAG9-nrZ-EoAuW1kYv+QxydkMsfenCAkq51bz6jCZZDR6bwWR

wg at mail.gmail.com>

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The Zoom H4n is a nice bit of kit and has sound level metering.  I know

it

is good indoors for recording voiceovers, but not sure how good it is
outdoors in noisy environments.

Glyn

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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 21:21:28 +0000
From: Associated Broadcast Consultants  <mailto:info at a-bc.co.uk>
<info at a-bc.co.uk>
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
   <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk> <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] The DAB debate
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To be fair though James, DAB does not seem to have captured the imagination
of listeners, judging by adoption.  Most modern radio technologies have an
S-shaped adoption curve - that's to say a little slow at the beginning
while the early-adopters buy it, but then quickly seeing an exponential
growth as it becomes mainstream.  I may be wrong, but I don't think we've
seen this with DAB in terms of adoption/penetration of receivers.   We can
only hope that the slow adoption in not a sign of a deeper malaise with
radio in general, regardless of delivery technology.

Also what's this with the insidious re-naming from "Low cost DAB" to "small
scale DAB"?  Even Ofcom have started using the term in their latest
consultation!  In my opinion we need to focus more on the low cost, and
leave the size/scale decision to whatever is best to deliver low cost.

Glyn

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