DAB blow as Q Radio backs out

Q Radio, the DAB-only radio station, has quietly slipped off the DAB network opting - in a blow to DAB's future - for internet and digital TV carriage only, the Telegraph reports.

The Bauer Media-owned station, which is a spin-off from the popular music magazine Q, came off the air on Friday May 21 but will continue to broadcast online and via Freeview.

The company refused to be drawn further on why the digital-only station had been pulled off the DAB London multiplex. However, DAB is a costly platform, with a slot on the national multiplex costing close to one million pounds a year, according to a radio executive and still has yet to be the dominant listening platform.

“DAB has yet to prove itself. I am not sure it will ever account for the majority of radio listening share in this country, as lots of people prefer using the web as their digital platform of choice. It’s expensive for the radio companies to sustain stations on both FM and DAB,” explained the senior radio executive.

Read the full Telegraph article 'DAB blow as Q Radio backs out' at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7779608/
DAB-blow-as-Q-Radio-backs-out.html

Our thanks to Lee, M0HOK for spotting this item

Practical Wireless editor Rob Mannion G3XFD has serious doubts about the rush to digital radio, and was amongst the first to highlight the problems that he believes will ensue.

He has launched a national campaign aimed at maintaining essential traditional analogue broadcast radio for everyday listening and for use in times of national emergencies.

Read Save Analogue Radio campaign
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/
save_analogue_radio.htm

• Click here to support the Save Analogue Radio Campaign

Related URLs:

'Radio Amnesty' begins today
A 'scrappage scheme' is being launched in the UK to encourage people to upgrade their old analogue radios with new digital sets
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2010/radio_amnesty.htm

Peers warn of backlash fears over digital radio
The government could face a public backlash over its plans to switch national radio stations over to digital transmission, peers have warned http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2010/
digital_radio_backlash_fears.htm

UK prepares for digital switchover
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2010/
digital_radio_switchover.htm

Digital radio switchover gets poor reception
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2010/
digital_radio_poor_reception.htm

Doubts raised about Analogue Radio switch-off
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2010/
doubts_over_analogue_switchoff.htm