Photo Nathaniel Ziering

Blimey RTE are quick!

I was only in Cork last week giving a talk to journalist students about DAB and based on a recent newspaper article told them all with conviction that DAB was coming to Cork before the end of the year. They blinkin’ well have it today!

RTE have turned on their DAB transmitter from Spur Hill which will give good coverage to the city. Sadly it’s only Mux One so no commercial services yet but lots of new RTE content including the rolling news and sports channels, Junior, Gold, Choice, 2XM and their latest retro-dance station.

Turn on Cork and embrace - the future has arrived!

Industry shocking announcement today from the UK that GCap are going to close down DAB.

Before we get too excited, we have to remember that GCap as a company is under threat of a hostile takeover by Global Radio. What better way to protect the company than reduce costs as quickly as possible. So yes, this will involve GCap getting out of their involvement with multiplex company Digital One and the sad loss of two of their stations. They’ve also announced they’re closing not one, not two but three of their regional FM stations. Have you heard anyone cry “death of FM” ? Eh no! Neither have the doom-sayers mentioned that GCap will continue running other DAB exclusive stations such as Chill in addition to simulcasting their existing stations on DAB.

Headlines aside, todays announcement could actually be a good thing. Commercial radio in the UK has invested as much in DAB as the BBC so evidentially they believe in it as a commercial platform. Channel 4 are coming on stream with a new national multiplex later this year and have publicly re-stated their commitment and excitement about the project.

What I hope is todays announcement will spur the debate on where DAB goes next? Drop all FM simulcasts and do DAB exclusive content only? Or drop FM altogether? One thing is for sure, direction is needed as no-body can simulcast FM stations on DAB indefinitely. It makes no business sense and certainly no sense to the listening public.