The BBC has launched a further 20 national DAB transmitters bringing the total number of transmitters to 299 and covering more than 95 percent of the UK population.
This is part of the current phase of their digital radio network expansion plan, bringing a further two million people into the coverage area and increasing coverage from 93 percent to 97 percent by the end of 2015. The roll out is not only adding new areas into the coverage of the network, but also improving reception for existing listeners in certain areas.
New transmitters have improved coverage in the following areas:
Mossley, Uppermill and Delph (Tameside)
Lyme Regis (Dorset)
Budleigh Salterton (Devon)
Coventry city centre
Ashburton (Devon)
Barnard Castle (Teesside)
The Norfolk Burnhams and Wells-next-the-Sea (Norfolk coast)
Braintree (Essex)
Chard (Somerset)
Stamford (Lincolnshire)
Harrogate (North Yorkshire)
Aberdeen
Huddersfield and Elland (West Yorkshire)
Folkestone (Kent)
The following areas will be served by BBC National DAB for the first time:
St Just (Cornwall)
Clun, Bishop’s Castle and Craven Arms (Shropshire)
Moffat (Dumfries and Galloway)
Innerleithen (Scottish Borders)
In total, the new transmitters bring 138,000 households into the BBC’s national coverage area and improves digital radio reception for a further two million households.
Kieran Clifton, Director of Distribution & Business Development, says: “We are delighted to announce the continuing build-out of our next phase of coverage, giving more listeners the opportunity to enjoy the full range of the BBC’s local radio services.”
Helen Boaden, Director of Radio, says: “It is fantastic that more listeners will be able to enjoy the full range of BBC services. Extending national DAB coverage is an important part of building a digital future for radio.”
Listeners can check their coverage here.
A full list of transmitters, rolled-out so far as part of this phase of BBC digital radio expansion, can also be found here.