[cma-l] Angel Radio leads the way in Portsmouth as Ofcom selects city for trial DAB service

[CMA-L]

Source:
http://www.a516digital.com/2015/06/angel-radio-leads-way-in-portsmouth-as.html

Ofcom, the Broadcast and Telecoms regulator, has today announced that
Portsmouth has been selected as a location for a ground breaking trial to
broadcast small scale DAB digital radio stations.

This means more choice on the digital airwaves for radio listeners in the
city.

The trial, led by Havant based Angel Radio, will see six new digital radio
stations broadcast to the City of Portsmouth from the end of Summer for up
to nine months. If successful it is hoped that Ofcom will form a policy to
enable long term broadcasts to be licenced.

The new services available will be:

   - Angel Xtra - a spin off service from Angel Radio broadcasting dance
   band music from the 1920s to 1950s by day and easy listening music from by
   night. The station will provide greater choice to the city's senior &
   discerning population.
   - Express FM - the popular local community radio service Portsmouth
   featuring music, talk and live Portsmouth FC commentary will be simulcast
   on digital radio.
   - JAMM Radio - a service from Highbury college playing chart hits with
   programmes made by students for students.
   - Mango Vibe - a dance music service for young adults playing upfront
   music with specialist dance programming.
   - The Flash - a classic rock service based in Havant, featuring blues
   and music from local bands.
   - Triple 100% Hits - a service aimed at 20 to 44 year olds playing
   current and classic hits.

A website at www.solentwireless.com provides more information about the new
digital services.

The trials being licenced by Ofcom are aimed at finding ways for smaller
stations to gain access to the DAB digital radio platform. The current DAB
structure involves stations selecting either national or local coverage.
But local coverage involves paying for carriage on a DAB multiplex that
serves an entire county, with limited capacity to take all local stations
within the area. The Solent Wireless bid, lead by Angel Radio, involves a
much lower cost distribution solution with coverage restricted to the
Portsmouth area.

*Reaction*
Nicola Phipps, Editor of Creative Learning Programmes at Highbury College,
said:

"Highbury College prides itself on being a cutting edge educational
establishment, and we are excited to showcase our student led radio service
JAMM Radio to digital radio listeners in Portsmouth. We look forward to
working with local broadcasters to broaden choice available to radio
listeners."

David Harber, Commercial Manager of Express FM, said:

"With nearly half of adults nationally having access to a DAB digital
radio, being on DAB digital radio in addition to FM, will enable our unique
local programming to be heard in Portsmouth on as many radios as possible."

Tony Smith, Station Manager of Angel Radio, said:

"Angel Radio has worked hard with its partners to provide a range of
stations that complement those already available in Portsmouth. We are
pleased that Ofcom has acknowledged we have a sensible proposal by granting
us just one of ten available trial licences for small scale DAB digital
radio services in the country."

\\

Community Media Association
-- 
http://www.commedia.org.uk/
http://twitter.com/community_media
https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation

Canstream Internet Radio & Video
http://www.canstream.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/canstream
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/pipermail/cma-l/attachments/20150612/1bfc9c4f/attachment.html>