Listeners on the island of Alderney in the Channel Islands can now listen to 28 radio services on DAB+ digital radio for the first time following the launch of a transmitter serving the island as part of the new local digital radio network for the Channel Islands. The network, operated by Nation Broadcasting, significantly increases listener choice as only seven services have been available until now on FM for Alderney listeners.
The 28 new services include existing local favourite Quay FM, services from other Channel Islands broadcasters BBC Radio Jersey and BBC Radio Guernsey, Channel 103 and Island FM, plus a host of new digital formats covering speech radio, oldies, easy listening and current hit music.
The Channel Islands’ local DAB network, which launched at the beginning of August, broadcasts all services in DAB+, an upgraded and more efficient version of DAB that enables a greater number of stations to be broadcast, and is the first of its kind to launch fully in DAB+, delivering a greater range of choice with more services than any of the UK’s equivalent local multiplexes.
Jason Bryant, Founder of Nation Broadcasting, said: “With a population of 2000 people, Alderney becomes the smallest community to gain access to DAB digital radio services in the British Isles. The launch of our new Alderney transmitter completes our Channel Islands local DAB+ multiplex plans, submitted to Ofcom in 2019. I am particularly pleased to have over-delivered on the number of available services, and we will shortly announce the final new audio service for the Channel Islands.”
Ash Elford, Nation’s DAB Platform Manager added: “We’d like to thank Quay FM, Factum Radioscape and Commtronix for their innovative partnership with Nation Broadcasting to launch the Alderney transmitter. Out of the box thinking is what makes Nation Broadcasting a leader in DAB+ digital radio broadcasting.”