Bristol Digital Radio and Severnside Digital Radio have launched this morning in a joint operation to bring two new DAB multiplexes to the Greater Bristol area.
During a live broadcast from Bristol Beacon on Monday morning, community radio stations started broadcasting on the digital platforms.
Bristol and Severnside Digital Radio is a collaboration of three established community radio stations – Ujima Radio, BCfm and Bradley Stoke Radio.
Also going digital will be Somer Valley Radio (Midsomer Norton), KTCR (Keynsham), Base Radio (Filwood) and Hub Radio, the student radio station of the University of the West of England (UWE).
Two local radio stations based in Stokes Croft will also start to broadcast digitally; NOODS Radio, with independent radio streaming from around the world, and Decadance, playing Dance and Urban music with a strong support for local Bristol artists.
As well as community and local radio stations, Angel Vintage, Fun Kids Naps, Radio Maria England, Tomorrowland, and Gaydio will join in January 2023.
Patrick Hart, CEO BCfm Radio, said: “This is a really important milestone for independent media as we take control of our own digital future.”
Kevin Philemon, Chair of Ujima Radio, said: “This is a perfect example of excellent collective work between community radio stations in Bristol. It’s a landmark that will be treasured by the city and generations to come.”
James Witcombe, Station Manager of Bradley Stoke Radio, said: “We’re so happy that this has launched. It gives us some freedom over our future and ensures the communities of Bristol and the wider area are served with local content when that sector is being cut.”
Nick Piggott, Project Manager: “I’m incredibly proud of the way our community radio stations have worked together to get onto digital radio, and in a way that will benefit the stations with better accessibility for listeners and by providing community media an ongoing financial benefit. It’s a great outcome.”
This is what it looks like as we build out digital radio for the communities of Bristol and B&NES. On-Air very soon, supported brilliantly by @BristolBathRCap , @BCfmRadio @Ujimaradio and @KTCRadio pic.twitter.com/ylUnzMVFBo
— Bristol Digital Radio (@bristoldabradio) November 3, 2022
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk