I was pleased to join the launch of new digital transmitters that have transformed the availability of local radio services on DAB digital radio for listeners throughout Cornwall.
The expansion of coverage means that many listeners can now receive six further radio stations - BBC Radio Cornwall, Heart South West, Pirate FM, My Music Radio, Capital and Gold - on DAB digital radio for the first time.
New transmitters have transformed DAB digital radio coverage throughout Cornwall. The ten transmitters bring the county’s popular local stations to 325,000 more listeners on DAB digital radio in Cornwall and have expanded local DAB coverage to 91% of households from 41%.
Although DAB digital radios are in over 55% of homes in Cornwall and almost 90% of new cars many listeners in Cornwall were unable to receive their favourite local stations on DAB digital radio before the new transmitters, which have been built by communications infrastructure company Arqiva, launched.
Listeners in Cornwall are encouraged to retune their digital radios to ensure they receive all their available stations, including the county’s local stations, on DAB.
Cornwall’s ten new digital transmitters are part a programme of work co-funded by Government, BBC and commercial multiplex operators to expand coverage of local DAB stations from 75% to 90% of UK households, in line with FM coverage for commercial radio. Over 200 local DAB transmitters have been built nationwide and the local DAB expansion programme is largely complete with the last remaining few transmitters to launch by the summer. In total, an additional 10 million adults and over 4,000 miles of the UK road network have been brought into coverage for local DAB stations.