Digital One mutliplex is now full, and is currently made up of the following stations: Absolute Radio, Absolute Radio 80s, BFBS Radio, Classic FM, LBC, Magic, Planet Rock, Premier Christian Radio, Smooth Extra, Capital Xtra, Kiss UK, Talksport, TeamRock and UCB UK.
In summer 2014, Ofcom invited parties to apply for the new D2 licence to allow listeners to benefit from a bigger digital selection. All applicants would be assessed on a set of criteria. This was based on many factors, including proposed coverage area and timetable of coverage roll out, as well as how the service would be implemented and maintained, and the applicants plan to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests. There was also a wider responsibility, as to how the applicants would assist in the take-up of digital radio equipment, and that they allow ‘fair and effective’ competition
Two applications were received: Sound Digital and Listen2Digital. Sound Digital is made up of Bauer, UTV & transmission company Arqiva. Listen2Digtal includes Orion & Babcock’s Media Services Business.
In March 2015 Ofcom announced that Sound Digital would be awarded the second national commercial radio DAB multiplex (D2).
Sound Digital is likely to launch its new stations in March next year, and the portfolio is thought to include the return of Virgin Radio. Other new stations may include Talk Sport 2, Talk Radio, Talk Business, Mellow Magic and British Muslim Radio. Current choices, including Heat Radio & Kisstory should also be available. Some of the stations appearing on D2 are already available on the Digital One multiplex, and by moving services across to D2, capacity is likely to become available again on Digital One – potentially allowing future station launches.
This new multiplex is set to double the number of digital stations on offer. Sound Digital’s multiplex will broadcast from 45 transmitter sites serving 75 per cent of the UK population.
Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, said : “The award of the second national commercial DAB network to Sound Digital is a defining moment for digital radio and an unprecedented expansion, which will more than double the number of national commercial stations on DAB. Nearly 50 per cent of UK households already have a digital radio, and over 60 per cent of new car registrations have digital radio as standard, so if you don’t have digital radio at home or in your car, the time is now.”
MEC Summary
As there are no more FM licences and Digital One is at capacity, the D2 multiplex is a positive step for the industry, allowing consumer choice to increase. D2 is also vital to the growth of digital radio as currently radio listening is still dominated by AM/FM platform with a 56.2 per cent share, with All Digital listening taking a 37.9 per cent share. All Digital’s share is up 1.8 percentage points year-on-year, so growth is evident, but the new multiplex can only help to accelerate this further.
We have already seen brand extension with the launch of Smooth Extra on December 27th and Heart Extra on April 6th on Digital One, and so it will be interesting to see how Bauer will evolve its brands given its share in the Sound Digital Consortium.