Ofcom is to advertise a new local radio digital multiplex licence for the Channel Isles in early 2019.
Only the national BBC stations – Radios 1 to 5 Live, 1Xtra, 4 Extra, 5 Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, Asian Network and World Service – are available on DAB in the Channel Isles currently, with local services provided by the BBC and Tindle on FM only.
Tindle CI Broadcasting and Folder Media will be teaming up with to apply for the multiplex.
James Keen, Pan Island Station Director for Channel 103 and Island FM, said: “We welcome today’s announcement that Ofcom will be advertising a local radio multiplex for the Channel Islands. With this additional multiplex, there is finally a route to digital for the islands’ local services as well as room for either more radio stations or higher quality existing stations.”
Gregory Watson, Managing Director at Folder Media, added: “We’re excited to be teaming up with the owners of Channel 103 and Island FM to apply for this multiplex – finally one of the last remaining areas of DAB ‘white space’ in the British Isles will be covered. Whilst national BBC radio stations like BBC Radio 4 have been available to the Channel Islands on digital radio for a number of years, this will be the first opportunity that listeners to local radio will be able to hear their favourite station on digital radio.”