New digital radio transmitters for Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and Whitehaven in Cumbria have been switched on this week, extending the digital radio choice to an extra 100,000 people. The launch of DAB in Whitehaven comes at the same time as digital television switchover.
Talking about the new transmitter is Whitehaven, Quentin Howard the Chief Executive of Digital One said: “This is the first part of Britain to complete the switch to digital for television, and it’s fitting that we’re making national radio stations available at the same time.”
Listeners in both regions will now be able to receive the national commercial radio stations: Classic FM, Virgin Radio, talkSPORT, theJazz, Core, Planet Rock, Capital Life and Oneword, as well as the BBC's national digital radio services: BBC 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC 5 live sports extra, Asian Network, BBC 7 and the World Service along with Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 live.
Mark Friend, the Controller for Multiplatform & Interactive at the BBC said “the BBC has been committed to DAB digital radio since its launch and we are delighted to announce our plans to expand coverage further. We hope listeners in these areas will now discover the benefits and additional choice that digital radio offers”.