Year: 2025

Ireland

Plans underway to bring back high powered DAB+ multiplexes to Ireland

February 17, 2025 radionewsfeeds Comments Off on Plans underway to bring back high powered DAB+ multiplexes to Ireland

Comreg has commissioned FáilteDAB to carry out a new high powered DAB+ trial in Dublin and surrounding areas for 12 months.
The experiment, starting in April, will be operated by Foothold Communications, which owns and operates transmission towers around Ireland and currently has over 1000 radio link and broadcast systems under management.
FáilteDAB says only Irish Coimisiun na Mean Licensed radio operators will be allowed to participate in the trial.
We’ve contacted the regulator to see if a process is in place to licence new DAB+ services.
A 20kw transmitter in Three Rock will cover Dublin, along with a number of 8kw and 10kw sites, giving coverage along the coast from Belfast to Rosslare, and inland to rach Kilkenny, but stopping short of reaching Limerick, Cork and Galway.

Stephen Foley, Managing Director of Foothold Communications, described the announcement as a historic moment for Irish radio: “Today marks a major milestone in Irish broadcasting as we work alongside ComReg to develop DAB+ services.
“With 80% of radio listening happening in vehicles, and all cars sold in Ireland since 2021 equipped with DAB+ as standard, the time is right to expand and enhance this technology to reach a wider audience.”
Foley also expressed gratitude to Ireland’s media and communications regulators, Coimisiún na Meán and ComReg for supporting the initiative: “We appreciate the opportunity to roll out this critical DAB+ service, which aligns with Ireland’s Broadcasting Services Strategy.
“This trial will showcase the immense potential of digital audio broadcasting for both listeners and broadcasters.”
Foothold Communications has partnered with GatesAIR and Paneda to power the FáilteDAB network.
DAB never managed to take off in Ireland, unlike its neighbours in the UK and Europe, where it is now the dominant broadcast platform.
Following years of tests, pirate, and local DAB multiplexes, the platform was officially retired on March 31 2021 when RTÉ switched off its DAB transmissions.
Bay Broadcasting has welcomed to move: “We in Radio Nova and Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio welcome the forthcoming DAB+ trial and we intend to embrace it, said CEO Kevin Branigan.
“Both Nova and Classic Hits are premium radio brands, with a strong track record of delivering great content, with award-winning personalities and we’re excited about the opportunity DAB+ will afford us to repurpose and create new content for a terrestrial and digital audience.
“We have significant experience in creating new radio services, having run many temporary licenses alongside our main Radio Nova and Classic Hits Radio services, and we’re looking forward to the DAB+ trial.” […]

UK

Sarita Sabharwal to host weekend show on Lyca Gold Radio

February 17, 2025 radionewsfeeds Comments Off on Sarita Sabharwal to host weekend show on Lyca Gold Radio

Veteran broadcaster Sarita Sabharwal is to return on-air with a regular weekend show on Lyca Gold Radio.

With over four decades experience in UK Asian media, Sabharwal previously worked with Lyca Radio and Dilse Radio (now known as Lyca Gold Radio) before stepping down in 2020 after six years.
Her radio career includes working at stations such as Radio Asia, Sunrise Radio, and after leaving Lyca Radio, she launched her own online station, Dhoom Radio. She also had a brief stint at Jeo Radio.
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Sarita Sabharwal back to the Lyca Radio Network. She is a true icon in the media industry, and I am certain our listeners will be equally excited to hear her on air again.
“Sarita will join our weekend programming on Lyca Gold later this month as part of our ongoing efforts to refresh and enhance our content.”

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UK

Rob Ellis joins Radio X 90s to host weekday show from Manchester

February 17, 2025 radionewsfeeds Comments Off on Rob Ellis joins Radio X 90s to host weekday show from Manchester

Radio X 90s has hired Rob Ellis to host weekdays 11am to 2pm from Global’s Broadcast Centre in Manchester.

The new mid-morning show, which launches on Monday 24th February, will be on 106.1 FM in Manchester and across the UK via Global Player and on smart speakers.
Rob said: “The 90s is one of the best decades to have lived through, and the biggest reason is – THE MUSIC! The 90s was my era, these are my tunes and radio is my trade.
“I’m absolutely buzzing and couldn’t feel more lucky to be part of Radio X 90s. To be broadcasting nationally from Manchester, the seminal home of 90s music, it couldn’t be more perfect. One word for it, MINT!”
Radio X 90s in Manchester will be owned and operated under a brand licence by Communicorp UK.

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UK

talkSPORT granted permission to turn off seven of its 18 transmitters

February 17, 2025 radionewsfeeds Comments Off on talkSPORT granted permission to turn off seven of its 18 transmitters

talkSPORT has been granted permission from Ofcom to turn off seven of its 18 transmitters.

The move will reduce its national AM radio coverage from 92% to 88.9% of the UK adult population.
The transmitter sites talkSPORT will close are; Clipstone (Nottinghamshire), Duxhurst (Surrey), Lisnagarvey (in County Antrim, Northern Ireland), Lydd (Kent), Stockton (Durham/North Yorkshire), Southwick/Brighton (West Sussex) and Rusthall (Tunbridge Wells).
During the consultation on whether or not to allow the request, Ofcom said it received one response agreeing with the proposal, one response questioning the rationale for the switch off of one specific transmitter and suggesting an amendment to one other, and two neither agreeing nor disagreeing to the specific proposals.
The reasons given by talkSPORT for these changes include declining listenership to its AM service as people turn to alternative platforms, considered against the ongoing viability of each transmitter site.
The 11 sites which remain consist of the following sites: Brookman’s Park (Hertfordshire), Droitwich (North Worcestershire), Moorside Edge (West Yorkshire), Westerglen (Falkirk), Washford (Somerset), Fareham (Hampshire), Dartford Tunnel (Kent), Wallasey (Cheshire), Boston (Suffolk), Wrekenton (Newcastle) and Postwick (Norfolk).
The station will remain available nationally on DAB and other platforms.
Absolute Radio, which held the only other national AM licence for commercial radio, switched off all its transmitters in January 2023 and was fined £25,000 for doing so.

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