Final line up announced for Doing the DAB in Birmingham

Radio Academy Midlands and Digital Radio UK are delighted to today announce the final confirmed speakers for Doing the DAB: Birmingham, a special event celebrating the city’s digital radio scene which will take place on Wednesday 3 May from 6 – 8pm.
Newly confirmed to speak at the event are Caroline Martin, lunchtime host of BBC West  Midlands; Brett Spencer, Editor, Digital, BBC Radio 1, 1 Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, BBC Asian Network at BBC Radio; Mike Newman, Regional Content Director, Free Radio; and Amy Southall, Midlands Officer, Student Radio Association.
They join a stellar line up from acoss Birmingham’s thriving radio community inlcuding Ed James, host of Heart West Midlands’ Heart Breakfast with Ed & Gemma; radio historian David Lloyd; Rupert Upshon, BBC West Midlands; Graham Bryce, Bauer City Network; Matt Deegan, Folder Media; Dean Kavanagh, Birmingham DAB mini-mux; plus Phil Stuchfield, Jaguar Land Rover and Ford Ennals, Digital Radio UK.
Doing the DAB will be hosted by Gareth Roberts, Radio Academy Midlands’ Branch Chair and Editor, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire. The event runs from 6pm until 8pm on Wednesday 3rd May at the Hotel La Tour, and includes a welcome drink, a prize draw for a Pure digital radio and the opportunity for networking.

Following the success of Doing the DAB in Manchester and Glasgow, this is proving to be a popular event so please put the date in your diary and register to attend by contacting:
Rosie.Kendrick@digitalradiouk.com

Digital radio is thriving in Birmingham with a choice of 70 stations as diverse as the city they serve, and digital listening growing strongly to 45.6% and DAB ownership at 64% – above the national averages.  Alongside over 40 nationally available stations, there are 11 stations on the local Birmingham DAB multiplex, and an additional 16 on the city’s small-scale trial mini-mux which is operated by Switch Digital and offers a distinct range of commercial and community stations. These include Radio Central, serving the local Pakistani community; Angel Vintage, a station for the over 60s; Gaydio, supporting the local LGBTQ community; and Unity FM, broadcasting to Birmingham’s Muslim community. Half of the stations on the minimux are broadcast in DAB+.
Gareth Roberts, Chair of Radio Academy Birmingham, said: “The Radio Academy Midlands are pleased to be hosting this special digital radio event in Birmingham on 3 May. Birmingham is one of the most dynamic radio markets in the UK and there is a great story to tell about the expansion of digital radio choice in the area and the growth of digital listening. We have  a strong  line-up of local speakers and think it’s going to be a great evening.”
Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said: “We are delighted to be heading to the great radio city of Birmingham to hear from broadcasters from the BBC, commercial radio and community radio about the secret of the success of digital radio in the area. Following the success of Doing the DAB in Manchester and Glasgow,  it’s great to be collaborating again with the Radio Academy and to confirm such a strong speaker line up.”
Dean Kavanagh, Director, Switch Radio, writes in Radio Today today: “In terms of small-scale, we get it – we are ourselves a community radio station located in the north-east of the city. However, we have tried to make our multiplex anything but “small” in terms of its aspirations.  Our services cover a wide variety of styles that mirror the great diversity of our local community. To have this variety on digital radio is an exceptional achievement and one that should be applauded – this medium has now become the place where stations thrive, not just survive.”
 
Doing the DAB: Birmingham will celebrate this dynamic Birmingham radio market and the role digital radio has played in growing radio listening in Birmingham.
Event details:
Wednesday 3 May, 6- 8pm
Hotel LaTour
Albert Street , Birmingham , B5 5JE
Doing the DAB is brought to you by  Digital Radio UK, in collaboration with Radio Academy Midlands, Radio Today and Pure. Radio Today will be reporting from the event.