- Digital radio in Australia
-
Digital radio in Australia uses the DAB+ standard and is currently available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Darwin.[1] The national government owned networks, the ABC and SBS, provide their current services and a few digital-only services on the new platform, while the commercial radio stations in each market have also been given digital bandwidth. Australia uses the AAC+ codec provided with upgraded DAB+ standard.[2]
Contents
History
Despite testing in Sydney and Melbourne as early as 1999, the first genuine plan for digital radio was released in October 2005, as Helen Coonan, the then Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, announced that Australia would adopt the Eureka 147 system. The Australian Government had set a launch date for digital radio in the six state capital cities, originally 1 January 2009, but this launch date was subsequently shifted back to no later than 1 July 2009 [3] and the list of cities starting digital radio excluded Hobart. The peak industry body, Commercial Radio Australia, began coordinating the tests as well as organising the commercial multiplexes.
The major radio networks commenced a staged roll-out of commercial DAB+ services during May 2009 with Perth launching on 4 May 2009; Melbourne on 11 May 2009; Adelaide on 20 May 2009; Brisbane on 25 May 2009; and Sydney on 30 May 2009 (later delayed to 15 June due to weather conditions and kept on low power until 30 June). The roll-out of DAB+ services by the Government-owned ABC and SBS networks was delayed until 1 July 2009 due to funding delays and management issues.[4] Testing has been planned for other major cities, with a trial multiplex in Canberra commencing broadcasting on 14 July 2010,[5] and a trial multiplex running in Darwin since 13 August 2010.[6] Similar trials are being considered for Townsville and Hobart, and, as of December 2010, commercial broadcasters in regional markets have begun planning to introduce digital radio into regional population centres, possibly as soon as 2011 or 2012.[7] However, it is expected that it will be some years before digital radio is extended to the bulk of the Australian continent. Australia's vast distances and low population density are not well suited to the propagation characteristics of DAB+ and it is therefore likely that a standard other than DAB+ will be adopted for serving areas outside the major cities (leading to customer acceptance issues with receivers that can only receive one of the likely two standards).
Community digital radio services were rolled out to capital cities in late 2010 to May 2011 and were formally launched in May 2011. [8] The roll out of community digital radio services represents the largest ever infrastructure project conducted by the community broadcasting sector in Australia. The project was managed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.
Current services
National Broadcasters
The ABC and SBS operate digital radio services on all current DAB+ broadcasting markets on frequency block 9C (206.352MHz), except for Canberra, where only the SBS services and two ABC stations (666 ABC Canberra and Radio National) are available, on frequency block 10B (211.648MHz), and Darwin, where they are currently unavailable.[9] While most services are national, the ABC provides the local ABC Local Radio station for their respective location.
The local radio services are mostly a simulcast of their AM radio equivalents, however alternate programming is aired pre-empting most sports coverage (which is moved to digital-only station ABC Grandstand). This programming is also on the ABC's online streams, where sporting rights may prevent international coverage. The ABC also have a number of digital only radio stations,[10] including special events station ABC Extra,[11] which is used to provide additional coverage for special events, otherwise not able to be covered.
9C National Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner ABC Local Radio Talk, News, Music and more. Labelled as the name of the local station, e.g. 702 ABC Sydney or 891 ABC Adelaide ABC ABC Radio National National talk and arts radio AM Simulcast ABC ABC Classic FM Classical Music FM Simulcast ABC ABC NewsRadio News and Parliamentary Broadcasts AM Simulcast ABC Triple J Youth focused music station FM Simulcast ABC ABC Dig Music Adult Contemporary Music Digital Only ABC ABC Country Country Music Digital Only ABC ABC Jazz Jazz Music Digital Only ABC ABC Grandstand Live Sports Coverage Digital Only ABC ABC Extra Special Event Radio Digital Only ABC Triple J Unearthed Australian independent music station Digital Only ABC SBS Radio 1 Multilingual Radio SBS FM Service (Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra), Digital only (elsewhere) SBS SBS Radio 2 Multilingual Radio SBS AM Service (Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra), Digital only (elsewhere) SBS SBS Chill World Chillout Music Digital Only SBS SBS Pop Asia Asian Pop Music Digital Only SBS SBS Radio 6 BBC World Simulcast. Some opt outs, including sports coverage & special events. [12] Digital Only SBS Commercial and Community Radio
Each region with access to digital radio has a number of multiplexes set aside for commercial and community radio services. In these multiplexes, two-ninths of the bandwidth are reserved for community broadcasters, while the rest is used for commercial broadcasters. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been provided with two such multiplexes, which broadcast on frequency blocks 9A (202.928 MHz) and 9B (204.640 MHz), allowing a greater number of stations, while Adelaide and Perth currently have just one commercial/community multiplex each, both broadcasting on frequency block 9B. Canberra has only one frequency block, 10B (211.648 MHz) which is shared with SBS, and Darwin's trial multiplex also broadcasts on frequency block 10B.
Commercial services on digital radio include simulcasts of both AM and FM stations, as well as new digital-only services. While most commercial radio services in Australia are provided by a small number of companies, there are no true national commercial stations. However, since these commercial broadcasters have been given extra bandwidth on the digital platform, some new digital-only stations are available nationally, including NovaNation (DMG), Radar (Austereo) and The Edge Digital (ARN).
Community Radio stations with a city wide licence have reserved spectrum, equalling 2/9s of the capacity on each commercial multiplex.[13] The Federal Government has promised $10.1 Million in funding to help community broadcasters with the costs of beginning digital broadcasts. During late 2010 and early 2011 most of the eligible community stations in Melbourne and several in Sydney and Brisbane began test transmissions. Melbourne's community radio stations officially launched their digital services on 14 April 2011,[14] followed by Adelaide's community radio stations on 15 April 2011,[15] Brisbane's on 14 May 2011,[16] and Sydney's on 24 May 2011.[17] Services in Perth are broadcasting in digital. Community Digital Radio services were formally launched by Senator the Hon. Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on Friday 13 May 2011 in Melbourne. [18]
Adelaide
9B Adelaide Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner Cruise 1323 Classic hits/easy listening Simulcast of 1323 AM ARN Mix 102.3 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 102.3 FM ARN The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 ARN Mix 102.3 Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN FIVEaa Talk radio Simulcast of 1395 AM DMG Nova 91.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 91.9 FM DMG Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 104.7 FM Austereo SAFM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 107.1 FM Austereo Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo 5RPH Radio reading service Simulcast of 1197 AM Community Fresh FM (Australia) Dance music Simulcast of 92.7 FM Community Three D Radio Varied Simulcast of 93.7 FM Community 5MBS Classical music Simulcast of 99.9 FM Community Radio Adelaide Varied Simulcast of 101.5 FM Community Life FM (Adelaide) Adult Contemporary/Christian Simulcast of 107.9 FM Community Brisbane
9A Brisbane Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner 4KQ Classic hits Simulcast of 693 AM ARN 97.3 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 97.3 FM ARN/DMG joint venture The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 ARN 4KQ Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN Mix 80's 80's Music Digital only ARN Chemist Warehouse Mix 90's 90's Music Digital only ARN Nova 106.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 106.9 FM DMG NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG Radio TAB Horse racing, sport Simulcast of 1008 AM UNITAB Switch 1197 Various Simulcast of 1197 AM Community 96.5 Inspire DAB Christian broadcast of inspire Digital Community Global (4EB) Ethnic Simulcast of 98.1 FM Community 9B Brisbane Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 104.5 FM Austereo B105 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 105.3 FM Austereo Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo 4BH Easy listening Simulcast of 882 AM Fairfax 4BC Talk radio Simulcast of 1116 AM Fairfax The Buckle Country music Digital only Fairfax 4AAA 989 Country Indigenous Simulcast of 98.9 FM Community 4ZZZ Digital Radio Various Simulcast of 102.1 FM Community 4MBS Classical music Simulcast of 103.7 FM Community Canberra
10B Canberra Trial Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner 666 ABC Canberra Talk, News, Music and more. Simulcast of 666 AM ABC ABC Radio National National talk and arts radio Simulcast of 846 AM ABC 2CA Classic hits Simulcast of 1053 AM Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture 2CC Talk radio Simulcast of 1206 AM Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture Hot Country Country music Digital Only Grant Broadcasters My Canberra Digital Hot adult contemporary Digital only Capital Radio Network 104.7 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 104.7 FM ARN/Austereo joint venture Mix 106.3 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 106.3 FM ARN/Austereo joint venture Classic Hits Plus Classic Hits Digital Only ARN Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo SBS Radio 1 Multilingual Radio Simulcast of 105.5 FM SBS SBS Radio 2 Multilingual Radio Simulcast of 1440 AM SBS SBS Chill World Chillout Music Digital Only SBS SBS Pop Asia Asian Pop Music Digital Only SBS Note: The Canberra multiplex (10B) is shared with SBS and ABC. Darwin
10B Darwin Trial Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner Hot 100 FM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 100.1 FM Grant Broadcasters Mix 104.9 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 104.9 FM Grant Broadcasters Top Country NT Country music Simulcast of 92.3 FM* Grant Broadcasters Radio TAB Horse racing, sport Simulcast of 1242 AM* UNITAB Classic Rock Digital Rock music Digital Only Grant Broadcasters Note: Top Country and Radio TAB broadcast on limited licenses, and as a result are treated as digital only stations. Melbourne
9A Melbourne Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner Radio Sport National Racing Simulcast of 927 AM Racing Victoria SEN 1116 Sports/talk Simulcast of 1116 AM Pacific Star MTR 1377 Talk Simulcast of 1377 AM Macquarie/Pacific Star 3MP MyMP Soft adult contemporary Digital only Pacific Star Aussie Australian Rock Music Digital only Pacific Star 91.5 FM Classic Rock Simulcast of 91.5 FM DMG Nova 100 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 100.3 FM DMG Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG Light FM Christian Contemporary Simulcast of 89.9 FM Community 3ZZZ Ethnic Simulcast of 92.3 FM Community 3RRR Varied Simulcast of 102.7 FM Community 3MBS Classical Music Simulcast of 103.5 FM Community 9B Melbourne Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner 3AW Talk Simulcast of 693 AM Fairfax Magic 1278 Easy listening Simulcast of 1278 AM Fairfax The Buckle Country music Digital only Fairfax Mix 101.1 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 101.1 FM ARN Gold 104.3 Classic hits Simulcast of 104.3 FM ARN The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 ARN Gold Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN Mix 80's 80's Music Digital only ARN Chemist Warehouse Mix 90's 90's Music Digital only ARN Fox FM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 101.9 FM Austereo Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 105.1 FM Austereo Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo 3CR Varied Simulcast of 855 AM Community 3KND Indigenous Simulcast of 1503 AM Community SYN FM Youth/Student Simulcast of 90.7 FM Community PBS FM Varied Simulcast of 106.7 FM Community Iris Adult Contemporary Digital only Community - Vision Australia Perth
9B Perth Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner 6PR Talk Simulcast of 882 AM Fairfax 96fm Mainstream rock Simulcast of 96.1 FM Fairfax The Buckle Country music Digital only Fairfax 6IX Classic hits Simulcast of 1080 AM Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture My Perth Digital Hot adult contemporary Digital only Capital Radio Network Hot Country Country music Digital only Grant Broadcasters Nova 93.7 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 93.7 FM DMG NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG 92.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 92.9 FM Austereo Mix 94.5 Modern adult contemporary Simulcast of 94.5 FM Austereo Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo 990 6RPH Information Radio Information Simulcast of 990 AM Community RTRFM Public Radio and Music & Arts Community Simulcast of 92.1 FM Community 6EBA Ethnic radio Simulcast of 95.7 FM Community 98.5 Sonshine FM Christian Community Radio Simulcast of 98.5 FM Community Curtin FM University Community Radio (Music, Talk, News) Simulcast of 100.1 FM Community Noongar Radio 100.9 Indigenous Simulcast of 100.9 FM Community Capital 101.7FM Seniors community Simulcast of 101.7 FM Community Sydney
9A Sydney Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner 2UE Talk Simulcast of 954 AM Fairfax Sky Sports Radio 1 Racing/sport Simulcast of 1017 AM Sky Sky Sports Radio 2 Racing/sport Digital only Sky Sky Racing World Racing/sport Digital only/Audio only simulcast of subscription television channel Sky 2SM Talk Simulcast of 1269 AM Broadcast Operations Group Gorilla Radio Dance music Digital only Broadcast Operations Group Zoo Super Digi Soft Rock Digital only Broadcast Operations Group 2Day FM Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 104.1 FM Austereo Triple M Active rock Simulcast of 104.9 FM Austereo Barry Comedy Digital only Austereo The Main Stage Touring artists music Digital only Austereo Radar Radio Indie music Digital only Austereo 2PRH Digital Radio Reading Simulcast of 1224 AM and 101.5 FM Community 2MFM Islamic programming Simulcast of 92.1 FM Community 2000 Languages Ethnic Simulcast of 98.5 FM Community 2MBS Classical Music Simulcast of 102.5 FM Community 9B Sydney Multiplex Station Name Format Details Owner 2GB Talk Simulcast of 873 AM Macquarie 2CH Easy listening Simulcast of 1170 AM Macquarie The Crack Music and comedy Digital only Macquarie 95.3 FM Classic Rock Simulcast of 95.3 FM DMG Nova 96.9 Top 40 (CHR) Simulcast of 96.9 FM DMG Koffee Chill-out music Digital only DMG NovaNation Dance music Digital only DMG WSFM Classic hits Simulcast of 101.7 FM ARN Mix 80's 80's Music Digital only ARN Chemist Warehouse Mix 90's 90's Music Digital only ARN Mix 106.5 Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 106.5 FM ARN The Edge Digital Rhythmic contemporary Simulcast of 96.1 FM ARN WSFM Plus Classic hits, monthly featured artist Digital only ARN Koori Radio Indigenous Simulcast of 93.7 FM Community FBi Radio New music (50% Australian), emerging culture Simulcast of 94.5 FM Community 2SER Digital Varied Simulcast of 107.3 FM Community Inspire Digital Christian Digital only - related to Hope 103.2 FM Community References
- ^ Canberra digital radio trial update
- ^ Commercial radio Australia: The Future
- ^ http://www.dbcde.gov.au/media_broadcasting/radio/digital_radio/rollout_of_digital_radio_in_australia
- ^ ABC Radio National, 14 May 2009
- ^ "Digital radio trial to begin in Canberra". 2010-05-05. http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1013&display_news_id_1104=1047. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ "Digital radio trial on in Darwin". 2010-08-13. http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1048&display_news_id=1060. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
- ^ "Regional radio broadcasters meet to discuss rollout of digital radio". 2010-12-08. http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/files/uploaded/file/Media/Regional%20Broadcaster%20Meeting8Dec2010.pdf. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "National Community Launch". 2011-05-23. http://digital.radius.org.au/news/national-community-launch-0.
- ^ ACMA - List of licensed broadcasting transmitters
- ^ ABC launches digital radio stations, The Australian, 1 July 2009
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/radio/digital/extra/
- ^ http://www.sbs.com.au/radio/article/717/Live-commentary-schedule
- ^ http://www.cbaa.org.au/content/Digital-Radio-A-Go-Go
- ^ "Melbourne community radio stations go digital next month". 2011-03-21. http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2011/03/21/melbourne-community-radio-stations-go-digital-next-month/. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "Adelaide Launching Digital Community Radio in April". http://groovemag.com.au/events/20110415278-adelaide-launching-digital-community-radio-in-april. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
- ^ "Brisbane Stations Launch Digital Services". http://digital.radius.org.au/news/brisbane-stations-launch-digital-services. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
- ^ "Sydney Community Digital Radio Stations Launch". http://digital.radius.org.au/news/sydney-community-digital-radio-stations-launch. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
- ^ "Sydney Community Digital Radio Stations Launch". http://digital.radius.org.au/news/national-community-launch-0. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
External links
Categories:- Australian radio
- Digital radio
- Digital radio in Australia
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