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1 December 2021

More Radio Choice for Listeners in Cumbria as Bauer Launches New Local DAB Network

Listeners in Cumbria and Morecambe Bay are waking up to a digital radio revolution this morning thanks to the launch of two new local DAB networks bringing local digital radio to the region for the first time and a huge expansion of radio listening choice.

The new networks collectively carry 28 digital radio services including local FM favourite CFM, broadcasting in DAB or DAB+ for the first time alongside a host of new and additional services.

The new DAB digital transmitters went live this morning from nine sites across the two networks, with one network, operated by Bauer Digital Radio Ltd, covering North and West Cumbria including Carlisle, Penrith, Workington, Whitehaven and Keswick; and a second network, operated by MuxCo Cumbria Ltd, covering South Cumbria and Morecambe Bay including Morecambe, Lancaster, Ulverston, Kendal and Windermere.

Each network carries different services, apart from BBC Radio Cumbria which is available on both. Listeners are advised to confirm which stations are available where they live by checking their postcode at www.getdigitalradio.com and may need to retune their digital radio to receive the stations for the first time [See Notes to Editors – 1].

Some services will be broadcast in DAB+, an upgraded and more efficient version of DAB that enables a greater number of stations to be broadcast. To listen to these services listeners will need a DAB+ enabled digital radio [See Notes to Editors – 2].

Bauer’s Digital Radio Cumbria network has launched with five transmitters in North and West Cumbria carrying twenty services, including BBC Radio Cumbria and CFM, plus a number of national commercial stations previously unavailable in the area – Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Greatest Hits Radio, Planet Rock, Scala Radio and Jazz FM.

Additionally, the network features further stations dedicated to a huge variety of musical genres, including Magic at the Musicals, KISS Dance, Absolute Classic Rock, Magic Chilled and Hits Radio Pride [For full line up see Note to Editors – 3].

Mux Co Cumbria has launched with four transmitters in South Cumbria and Morecambe Bay carrying eight services, including BBC Radio Cumbria, Heart North Lancashire and Cumbria, Smooth Radio Lake District,and Nation 80s, plus additional local services CandoFM a community radio station in Barrow; Bay Trust Radio, the hospital radio station for Lancaster, Morecambe and Kendal hospitals; Beyond Radio, a local station for North Lancashire; and Fun Kids, a station specially for children [For full line up see Note to Editors – 3].

The launch of the two new digital networks will be celebrated this morning at a special switch on event at Robert Ferguson School in Carlisle with the school’s children helping popular local presenters BBC Radio Cumbria’s Mike Zeller and CFM’s Robbie Dee countdown the moment of launch live on air.

Ben Cooper, Chief Content and Music Officer, Bauer Media Audio UK, said: “Today brings a new fantastic choice of radio stations from classical music to classic rock. You can now get better accessibility to your local station CFM, as well as now being able to hear Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show on Greatest Hits Radio or Lemar on Magic Soul.”

Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said: The launch of local digital radio across Cumbria and the Lake District is an important milestone and enables listeners to receive their favourite local stations such as BBC Radio Cumbria and CFM on DAB for the first time. This launch also brings a wealth of choice to listeners in Cumbria with a range of much-loved commercial stations alongside new digital stations available on DAB for the first time anywhere in the UK. Stations in different areas do vary, so to check which stations are available in any particular area listeners should check the postcode checker at getdigitalradio.com and make sure they retune their digital radio.”

 

– ENDS –

 

Notes to Editors

  1. Retuning a DAB/DAB+ digital radio is a simple process. Simply press the auto tune or auto scan button or go to the menu and press auto tune. If this does not locate all services, then listeners are recommended to run a full scan. More information can be found at:  www.getdigitalradio.com/retune.
  1. Whilst many older DAB digital radios will only receive DAB stations, the majority of new devices can receive DAB+ stations as well as DAB, and there are lots of DAB/DAB+ radios available. Most new radios available to buy now are DAB+ compatible but to make sure look for the Digital Tick Mark on packaging or check the product specification. Virtually all cars pre-fitted with a DAB radio will also receive DAB+.
  1. The full list of services available on Cumbria’s new DAB networks are:

Bauer Digital Radio Cumbria (North and West Cumbria): BBC Cumbria (DAB+); CFM; Greatest Hits Radio; Scala Radio; Absolute Radio Country (DAB+); Jazz FM (DAB+); Absolute Classic Rock; Magic Chilled (DAB+); Magic Soul (DAB+); Planet Rock; Mellow Magic; Absolute 80s; Absolute Radio 90s; Hits Radio Pride (DAB+); Magic at the Musicals (DAB+); Absolute Radio 20s (DAB+); KISS Dance (DAB+); KISS Garage (DAB+); Magic at the Movies (DAB+); KISS Bliss (DAB+).

MuxCo Cumbria (South Cumbria and Morecambe Bay): BBC Cumbria (DAB+); Heart North Lancashire and Cumbria; Smooth Radio Lake District; Nation 80s; Fun Kids (DAB+); Beyond Radio (DAB+); CandoFM (DAB+) TBC; Bay Trust Radio (DAB+).

About Digital Radio UK

Digital Radio UK works with Government, broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers, and a wide range of stakeholders to make digital radio the natural choice at home, in car and on the move, and to help secure UK radio’s digital future. Digital Radio UK’s Board comprises representatives from the BBC, Arqiva, Global, Bauer Media, Radiocentre and techUK.

For further information

Yvette Dore, Communications Director, Digital Radio UK

07887 682 909
yvette.dore@digitalradiouk.com 

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