BBC National DAB

BBC National DAB is a digital audio broadcasting multiplex in the UK, for a number of radio stations which have UK wide coverage. The multiplex is owned and operated by the BBC and is transmitted from a number of transmitter sites across the country; it only carries BBC radio stations.

BBC National DAB
Licensed areaUnited Kingdom
Frequency12B (225.648 MHz)
Air date27 September 1995[1]
OwnerBBC
Websitewww.bbc.co.uk

As of the end of 2017, more than 97% of the UK's population are within reach of the multiplex following the completion of the switching on of a fourth set of new transmitters over the previous two years which had seen the reach increase from 93%.[2] Any further expansion of DAB radio is awaiting a decision by Government on any possible digital radio switchover.

Stations carried

The following channels are receivable on any digital-equipped DAB radio in the BBC National DAB coverage area:

Full time services
Service Service ID Bit rate Audio channels Description Analogue availability
BBC Radio 1 C221 128 kbit/s Joint stereo Youth-orientated popular music and speech 97.1, 97.7 - 99.8 MHz
BBC Radio 2 C222 128 kbit/s Joint stereo Adult-oriented pop music 88.0 - 90.2 MHz
BBC Radio 3 C223 160-192 kbit/s Joint stereo Classical Music 90.3 - 92.4 MHz
BBC Radio 4 (FM) C224 80-128 kbit/s Mono / joint stereo News & Speech 92.5 - 94.6 MHz
103.6 – 104.9 MHz
BBC Radio 5 Live C225 64-80 kbit/s Mono Live news and sport 909, 693, 990 kHz and selected BBC Regional Stations at night
BBC Radio 6 Music C22B 128 kbit/s Joint stereo Classic rock, alternative rock, funk, indie, jazz, hip-hop —
BBC Radio 4 Extra C22C 80 kbit/s Mono Comedy, drama and children's programming —
BBC Radio 1Xtra C22A 128 kbit/s Joint stereo New black / urban music —
BBC Asian Network C236 64 kbit/s Mono South Asian orientated Various MW
BBC World Service C238 64 kbit/s Mono English-language version of the BBC World Service On Radio 4 frequencies (01:00-05:20 only)
BBC Guide E1C79E5E 16-32 kbit/s Data Hidden service, EPG data —

Part time services

The BBC National DAB multiplex makes use of dynamic ensemble reconfiguration to allow a number of part-time services to broadcast. While these additional services are on air the bit rates of (one or more of) BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, and data services are reduced.

Station Name Description
5 Live Sports Extra Live sport - used to broadcast either Test Match Special or a second sporting event when BBC Radio 5 live is also broadcasting live sport.
Yesterday In Parliament Radio 4 LW opt-out simulcast; Weekdays 08:30-09:00; Saturdays 08:45-09:00.
Daily Service Christian Music and Worship, Radio 4 LW opt-out simulcast; Weekdays 09:45-10:00

"Pop-up" services

In recent years, the BBC has begun experimenting with short-term "Pop-up" digital radio stations, each broadcasting for approximately 4 days at a time, covering music festivals and other special events. The first to broadcast was BBC Radio 5 Live Olympics Extra in 2012, then BBC Radio 2 Eurovision launched for the first time in 2014, and was joined by BBC Radio 2 Country, BBC Music Jazz in 2015 and BBC Radio 2 50s in April 2016. When these temporary stations are on air, there is normally a reduction in bit rate of their parent station (Radio 1, Radio 2 or Radio 3).

Station Name Description
BBC 5 Live Olympics Extra Available during 2012 Summer Olympics with coverage consisting of sports commentaries.
BBC Radio 2 Eurovision Launched in May 2014 to extend the BBC's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest. Returned in 2015 to provide coverage of the 2015 contest.
BBC Radio 2 Country Launched in March 2015 to provide coverage of London's C2C: Country to Country Country music festival. Returned in 2016 to cover the 2016 festival and again in 2017.
BBC Music Jazz Launched in November 2015 as a joint venture between BBC Radio 3 and Jazz FM, with programming celebrating Jazz music in all its varied forms.
BBC Radio 2 50s Launched in April 2016 as a celebration of the music and entertainment of the 1950s.
BBC Radio 1 Vintage Available in September 2017 as a celebration of BBC Radio 1's 50th anniversary.
BBC Radio 2 Beatles Launched in September 2019 as a celebration of 50 years of the Beatles album Abbey Road featuring interviews on how the album was created and how it influenced the next generation of music artists.

Station closures

BBC Asian Network was due to be axed in around 2011 after plans to close down the station were published. The BBC also planned to close 6 Music.[3] Since then both stations have been saved from closure – 6 Music was retained after listening figures increased and a campaign was set up on Facebook which had 180,000 supporters.[4]

gollark: I am not joking. I do not trust you. You have repeatedly burned away the vague acceptance of me and a good deal of the regulars.
gollark: They do not.
gollark: Partly.
gollark: Also the new rules.
gollark: Your past actions and various comments imply that I DEFINITELY SHOULD.

See also
  • Timeline of Digital Audio Broadcasting in the UK

References
  1. "TV: September Through the Years". Unreality Primetime. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  2. Arqiva confirms BBC DAB rollout complete
  3. "BBC 6 Music and Asian Network face axe in shake up". BBC News. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  4. "BBC Trust rejects 6 Music closure plan". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
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