Local digital radio to launch next year after Ofcom awards licence
Listeners will next year be able to tune in to a broad range of new local digital radio stations.
Ofcom has awarded a 12-year licence for a new local radio multiplex for the Channel Islands to Bailiwick Broadcasting Limited. A multiplex is the means by which DAB digital radio stations are broadcast.
Bailiwick is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nation Broadcasting Ltd, the UK’s third largest operator of local radio licences, and it beat off competition from two other operators.
The company intends to use three transmitters to provide ‘outdoor’ coverage of 93.4% of the licensed area of the Channel Islands, and 81.9% ‘indoor’ coverage.
The service will launch in October 2020 with all of its proposed programme services.
This award will bring local digital radio services to the Channel Islands for the first time, with Bailiwick launching 22 new digital stations.
The line-up includes a number of music-led stations, ranging from 1980’s rock and pop, classic and contemporary pop, melodic easy listening and chill-out tracks. Other new stations include:
• Angel Radio; providing music and information for the over 60s
• Gaydio; providing programmes for the LGBT community
• Little Radio; providing programmes for children
• Skylab Radio; providing chill-out music
• Visitor Radio; providing tourist information
The service also intends to transmit digital simulcasts of Channel 103 and Island FM, as well as the services provided by BBC Radio Guernsey and BBC Radio Jersey.
The Channel Islands local radio multiplex licence was advertised in April 2019.
The other applications were received from Tindle muxCo Channel Islands Ltd, who would have provided talkSport and Virgin Radio among their 15 channels, and Small Digital Planet Ltd, a consortium that was formed of CI businessmen and radio managers.
