Advertising on DAB radio

rcunning03

Hi,

I'm really enjoying listening to all80's on the internet and am thinking of getting a dab radio. I know DAB is on trial at the moment but when it goes fully national will it become like other stations with annoying dj's and adverts. I like it the way it is now, no dj's no adverts just 80's music.

Will it stay like that ? I can understand adverts as they need to make money, but will they have news on the hour, really irritating loud dj's and annoying morning programs ?

DMC

We won't know for now. Once the BCI have sorted out Digital Terrestrial TV licensing (late July) they have said that they will look at DAB licensing. So there may be movement before the end of the year.

tbh

am I right in thinking that DAB as a format might be on it's way out? I think I read somewhere that Channel 4 and E4 were planning on starting a DAB station, but were worried that the uptake wasn't good and that the format would be obsoleted. Apparently there are plans to produce a phone attachment (branded of course) that would allow you to listen on the go. I'll see can I find the story.

edit:

The UK’s Channel 4 Radio is in talks with electronics manufacturers to create a branded plug-in DAB device that would enable mobile phone and iPod users to access digital radio. The news comes as the broadcaster prepares to launch digital station E4 Radio later this year. It is keen to develop an E4 or Channel 4-branded device that would cost no more than £20, sources said.

The development comes as DAB radio take-up has been slow, with only 6.5 million digital radio sets in use compared to 100 million analogue sets. DAB suffered a setback in February as a result of the announcement of the planned departure of GCap, Britain’s largest commercial radio group, from digital radio. Enders Analysis suggested in a recent report that DAB could become the new Betamax.

(Source: Reuters)

wow, good memory tbh!

rcunning03

DMC wrote: »

We won't know for now. Once the BCI have sorted out Digital Terrestrial TV licensing (late July) they have said that they will look at DAB licensing. So there may be movement before the end of the year.

Thanks, I just hope they leave it the way it is, I don't want current affairs or news just music

DMC

tbh wrote: »

am I right in thinking that DAB as a format might be on it's way out? I think I read somewhere that Channel 4 and E4 were planning on starting a DAB station, but were worried that the uptake wasn't good and that the format would be obsoleted. Apparently there are plans to produce a phone attachment (branded of course) that would allow you to listen on the go.

Depends who you ask. There are lots of issues with DAB in the UK. The 6.5 million figure is a glass half empty/full situation.

Channel 4 have won the right to launch the UK's second commercial DAB mux, but plans for it might be stillborn, due to funding issues at Channel 4 due to DSO for TV.

Also, Digital One, the current commercial mux operator, is owned by GCap, were are in crisis and have been bought out by Global Radio, headed by Charles Allen, the beancounter who I feel ruined ITV. GCap have been recently concentrating on their FM output, while closing its DAB stations on that mux. But this is more down to the malaise commercial radio finds itself in the UK than an issue with DAB itself, who spend much of their time bitching at Wogan and Moyles and the rest of BBC Radio.

Another thing is the codec used on DAB, its MP2, and a lot of people have issues with it. There is a better codec available, called DAB+, which uses aac+ which can squeeze in more stations than the current MP2 codec can, with better quality. Newer model DAB radios coming onto the market should be software/firmware upgradeable to the new codec, if it becomes standard.

But, just as we thought DAB might be having a crisis, a wee device has come onto the market which might save the day.

One market that DAB had issues with was the in-car sector. Factory-fitted DAB radios were prohibitively expensive as a extra in a new car, and devotees of the technology would have to rip out their existing head-unit (and maybe voiding warranties) for an after market model.

But the Pure Highway appears to be the answer for this. Its a suction mounted DAB radio, like a sat-nav, which works through your existing radio using a free FM frequency like a iTrip. I've read very good reports on it, its flying out of stores, and got a good mention on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 LW, where it is simulcast on 5 Live Sports Extra on DAB, but without the shipping forecast

If this can crack probably the biggest market for radio listening, in car, then DAB will live to fight another day.

Radio Mad.

rcunning03 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm really enjoying listening to all80's on the internet and am thinking of getting a dab radio. I know DAB is on trial at the moment but when it goes fully national will it become like other stations with annoying dj's and adverts. I like it the way it is now, no dj's no adverts just 80's music.

Will it stay like that ? I can understand adverts as they need to make money, but will they have news on the hour, really irritating loud dj's and annoying morning programs ?

Excuse me if I am interpreting your message incorrectly, but you say you listen to radio on the internet, therefore you are thinking of buying a DAB radio. Why? DAB won't give you the vast choice you currently enjoy listening on-line. Get yourself an internet/wi-fi radio instead.

Internet radio stations aren't regulated, so no problem on that score either.

Again, sorry if I am missing the point you are making.