A new service has launched on a number of DAB digital radio multiplexes in the UK with information on the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
Health Info Radio has been put together by radio professionals Simon Hardwick, Dean Kavanagh, Duncan Barkes and Ash Elford. A website has been created by Aiir and software supplied by PlayoutONE.
The station started its rolling information service on Monday evening with help and advice on the current pandemic.
Health Info Radio is on Aldershot & Woking, Brighton, Hove and East Worthing, Birmingham, Glasgow, Portsmouth and Norwich SSDAB multiplexes, with more to be added in the coming days.
Simon Hardwick explains how the station came about: “I felt frustrated that the important science-based prevention messages that could save lives were being lost in the background noise of speculation, discussion and opinion.
“As an existing SSDAB station operator I already knew the benefits of Small Scale DAB, but wondered if a simple information station would be possible?
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of radio industry colleagues and suppliers we’ve proved it is, and that the SSDAB platform is flexible enough to launch a radio station on a number of multiplexes within two days of the original idea!”
Any commercial multiplex operator wishing to carry the station or any radio station wishing to broadcast content from the service should make contact with the team.
Podcast Radio is also re-broadcasting Health Info Radio at 10am, 1pm and 5pm daily for an hour.
Podcast Radio CEO Gerry Edwards says: “We’re really impressed by the inspired team that have created Health Info Radio so quickly to put over science-based prevention information without speculation, discussion or opinion. As a new station, we have the format flexibility to react quickly and provide a DAB+ platform for the new station throughout the crisis.”
Consultant Paul Chantler, who is also a director of Podcast Radio, says: “We broadcast across much of London and Surrey on DAB+ and we felt it vital that we play our part in helping to relay Health Info Radio to listeners in the capital. Clear and authoritative public service information is essential to helping fight the pandemic.”
Fun new radio to wake upto today #Hove #Brighton #covid_19 #covidー19uk pic.twitter.com/1JymmHCkCE
— Iain Gowers ?? ?? ?️? (@disrember) March 16, 2020
Wanted to use my radio experience to give something back. Health Info Radio has arrived & launches this wk. No discussions debates or opinion, just facts on how we can help keep each other safe. DAB Digital Radio in various parts of the country and online https://t.co/XDb8O3o2zY pic.twitter.com/75xhpddD0v
— Simon Hardwick (@simonhardwick) March 15, 2020
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Posted on Monday, March 16th, 2020 at 11:00 pm by Roy Martin