Government launches fresh campaign to persuade radio listeners to go digital
The government has moved to launch a fresh cmapaign to persuade radio listeners to ditch their analogue sets after beating a retreat from plans to announce a switch-off date for the UK’s analogue radio signals.
Communications minister Ed Vaizey signalled that both traditional FM and new Digital Audio Broadcasting signals would remain operating in tandem for the foreseeable future as a result.
As recently as 2009 the previous administration had called for analogue transmitters to be shut down by 2015 and the industry itself has been calling for 2018 to be set as an official switch date.
Instead Vaizey will refuse to countenance closing down analogue signals until DAB listening increases its share of listeners from a third today to over half.
To speed-up this process £21m will be spent improving digital radio coverage and even the DVLA will get in on the act by promoting in-car DAB in tax reminders. Ofcom will also release more licences for commercial stations to transmit digitally nationwide.