September 30, 2022 - 2595 views
Listeners in areas including Llandudno, Leicester, Darlington and Devizes, will be able to enjoy more of the local radio they love.
Ofcom, the industry regulator has today awarded five further small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences.
Each multiplex will allow many stations to take to the digital airwaves, including grass-roots community services, specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.
Bayside Radio owner CCRM CIC and Sound Radio Limited joined forces to apply for the licence to operate across Conwy County (Llandudno and Betws-y-Coed) and their application was confirmed as successful in a special announcement on Friday (30 September 2022).
Under the name of Sound Bay Community Digital, the group will provide an additional choice of radio stations and sound programmes from transmitter sites on the Great Orme and at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
In partnership with a number of third sector organisations such as Crest Radio, the not-for-profit company has been set up to provide an affordable way for small and large broadcasters to keep important local issues, the Welsh language and the areas vibrant culture very much front of mind.
Small scale DAB is technology which enables new radio services to be broadcast at very low cost to digital radio sets at home or in the car, complementing listening on smart speakers such as Alexa or online.
“We aim to provide coverage to a high percentage of the Conwy county population from launch and although it is a relatively small broadcast area, where the coast meets the country, it’s a place with so much going on across the year and over the tourist season, that we are confident small scale DAB has a role to play in helping make sense of it all for visitors and locals alike,” said Director Simon Wynne.
“Conwy County is Wales’ top tourist destination with 9 million people coming to visit every year and with unbeatable attractions and a wonderful welcoming culture, it’s not hard to see why the area is so incredibly popular.
"However, with a high reliance on tourism and agriculture which gives seasonality to the jobs market, we do have communities that can sometimes struggle with social issues, money and longer-term employment. This is where the wonderful work of community stations such as Sound Radio and Bayside, come into their own and these will broadcast on the multiplex along with a number of new services.”
The company is led by a team of highly experienced radio professionals including former BBC executive and Independent Radio Group Director Simon Wynne and Gary Carr, who has many years of experience leading local and community radio broadcasting.
Gary said: “These are really exciting times for digital radio in North Wales, as it will bring an affordable way to provide opportunities to broadcast to our area, something which has not been available before."
