WIREDGOV

With the milestone 50% listening figure now breached (Source: Rajar). techUK call on a timetable for switchover.

techUK calls on Government for a definitive plan for digital radio switchover and to finish the job it started

• Majority of UK Radio listening (50.9%) is now via a digital platform (Source: RAJAR, May 2018)
• 62.8% of the UK population now listen to radio via a digital platform (Source: RAJAR)
• Industry has met the Government criteria on digItal coverage and listening, triggering a switchover review
• Over 35 million DAB digital receivers have been sold in the UK to date (GFK, SMMT/CAP).
• techUK calls on Government and Broadcasters to agree a clear plan and timeline for a fully digital radio future
• Radio listeners are urged to buy digitally-enabled devices to ensure they can receive the full breadth of stations and continue to receive their favourite stations after switchover

Digital Radio has come a long way since its UK launch in 1995. The industry has collectively invested heavily in developing content, devices and terrestrial (DAB) and IP distribution networks that now reach over 97% of UK homes for national BBC stations, over 90% of homes for local DAB coverage and over 75% of the UK road network (Ofcom). In the UK, more than 35 million digital radios have been sold and more than 90% of new cars now come with DAB.

Digital Radio offers listeners more choice. DAB Digital radio offers double the number of stations compared to FM/AM, with more than 250 broadcasting across the UK. Listeners can also benefit from better sound quality and on-screen/ display information.

Digital Radio has always been positioned as the future of radio, a replacement to the aging analogue network. The additional costs (in part borne by the BBC licence fee payer) of dual analogue/ digital transmissions were planned to be removed once a full transiition to digital only distribution could be achieved.

In a letter to ministers Paul Hide, Director of Market Engagment and Membership, emphasised that “Now is the time to put plans in place to finish the job we have started. A clear decision, date and timetable needs to be put in place to allow the listener and industry to prepare for an eventual switchover. A failure to follow through and finish the job started will damage the credibility and attractiveness of radio and risks damaging the UK radio industry. Industry needs certainty to plan for a digital future and listerners need clarity to encourage them to purchase devices that will continue to work in a digital only world.”