Broadcast Minister and local MP Ed Vaizey has officially turned-on the local DAB multiplex for Oxfordshire at a special event at the Museum of the History of Science.
Breakfast shows from BBC Radio Oxford, Heart and JACK fm were all broadcasting live from same venue for the first time to mark the occasion.
Oxfordshire is the first of 13 new local DAB multiplexes that will be launched in the next year and a half under the terms of the Government and industry memorandum of understanding.
The multiplex will carry five stations from launch – BBC Radio Oxford, Jack FM, Heart, Capital and Gold.
Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries commented: “This launch marks a pivotal step in the journey towards digital radio switchover. This is great news for radio listeners in the Oxford area who will now be able to choose from a range of local digital radio stations at home and in their car.”
Paul Eaton, Director of Digital Radio at Arqiva said “Oxford is the first of four new local digital radio multiplexes which will deliver more choice and improved radio services to over 1.5 million people across the UK. Digital radio will open the door to smaller radio stations and local enterprises pushing local content and local talent to the forefront. By launching these multiplexes, we are demonstrating our commitment to the platform, driving improvements in coverage and increasing listening.”
Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, says: “We know that people love the extra choice on digital radio and as an Oxford man it gives me great pleasure that these new digital radio transmitters bring local digital radio to 300,000 Oxford households for the first time, meaning people can benefit from extra stations and digital quality sound. That’s another good reason to get a digital radio for Christmas.”
Posted on Friday, December 21st, 2012 at 9:38 am by RadioToday UK