Monday, October 14, 2024
Home Digital More new DAB radio transmitters for Cornwall

More new DAB radio transmitters for Cornwall

by RadioToday UK
0 comment

The launch of new digital transmitters in Cornwall was celebrated at a special switch on event at Charlestown Primary School in St Austell this morning.

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay and Sarah Newton, MP for Truro and Falmouth, pressed the big green digital radio switch at 8.45am to signify the expansion of local DAB coverage in St Austell and across Cornwall in front of pupils and staff from Charlestown Primary School and representatives and presenters from Cornwall’s local radio stations.

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.

Nine new transmitters have launched in the past ten months – including one serving St Austell where this morning’s celebration took place – and a final transmitter will launch in Bude in the coming weeks.

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 Arqiva, launched.

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, said: “Today we are celebrating the launch of not just one, but ten transmitters, which have collectively transformed the coverage of local stations on DAB digital radio across the county. I am delighted that a further 325,000 listeners across Cornwall will now be able to hear these much-loved stations, which play such an important role in serving the local community, on digital radio.”

Ford Ennals, CEO Digital Radio UK, said: “This is a big day for radio and a big day for Cornwall. Now over 90% of households in the county will be able to receive their favourite local radio station on DAB digital radio – many for the first time. We are seeing a long-term transition to digital radio and digital listening and it’s great that Cornwall is part of this digital revolution.”

Daphne Skinnard, Assistant Editor, BBC Radio Cornwall, said: “BBC Radio Cornwall has been at the heart of Cornwall for over 30 years bringing news, local information and great music to people and local communities and it’s great that so many more will now be able to listen to us on their DAB digital radios which is something they have been asking for.”

Tristan Hunkin, Content Director, Pirate FM, said: “Pirate FM is proud to be the only local commercial station made in Cornwall for Cornwall and we are pleased to support today’s big switch-on in Charlestown as part of our 25th birthday celebrations. The launch of the new digital transmitters means more listeners will also be able to discover My Music Radio – the home of the seventies and more.”

Richard Spencer, Managing Editor, Heart South West, said: “At Global we’re excited to be introducing the UK’s biggest commercial radio stations, Heart and Capital, into even more of Cornwall’s homes on DAB digital radio. Alongside Gold, they have already proved to be popular in the county so we look forward to welcoming new listeners.”

Richard Johnston, Head of Commercial Radio, Arqiva, said: “Arqiva has been extremely busy over the last year building hundreds of additional national and local DAB transmitters across the UK to bring DAB digital radio into millions more homes and thousands of miles of the road network. We are delighted to complete the expansion of local DAB coverage in Cornwall enabling over 300,000 more people to receive their local stations on DAB.”

Photo at the stop of this story shows: Lucy Start (Pirate), Tristan Hunkin (Pirate), Sarah Newton MP, Ford Ennals (Digital Radio UK), Mark Clustom (Headteacher), Steve Double MP, James Dundon (Heart), Daphne Skinnard, BBC Radio Cornwall). Pupils (from left to right): Toby Clarke, Isabelle Isles, Camlin Birch, Jack Gibbin, Kaydon Birch, Rachel French.

Here are some more photos from the event, thanks to Digital Radio UK:



You may also like

Soledad is the Best Newspaper and Magazine WordPress Theme with tons of options and demos ready to import. This theme is perfect for blogs and excellent for online stores, news, magazine or review sites. Buy Soledad now!

u00a92022 Soledad, A Media Company – All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Penci Design