Hereford and Worcs DAB mux launches 6 Dec

MuxCo has confirmed that the digital radio multiplex for Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be officially launched on Friday 6th December.

Free Radio, Sunshine Radio and BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester will all become available in the area on DAB.

Test transmissions have begun recently from transmitters at Ridge Hill in Herefordshire and Malvern in Worcester. A third transmitter is expected to be added at Bromsgrove just off the M5/M42 interchange.

The big switch-on on 6th December will be done by Harriet Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, and will be done at Worcester Warriors’ rugby ground, the Sixways Stadium.

Just over half of homes (51.4%) in Hereford and Worcester currently have a DAB radio, and in the Q3 2013 RAJAR figures, 32.2% of radio listening in the area was via digital platforms.

Matt Deegan from MuxCo told RadioToday: “It’s been a busy year for MuxCo, with the launch of four DAB multiplexes, and a fifth happening later in December. The launches have been good for both listeners and radio stations, with RAJAR already showing a positive impact on stations’ hours. We’re also pleased that these first five launches have been able to involve a cross-section of the industry with station launches from the BBC, Global Radio, Orion, UTV, UKRD, Real and Smooth, Town and Country Broadcasting, Murfin Media, Dee 106.3 and Redstone FM.”