Highlights of press stories on DAB digital radio in newspapers, magazines and online for the week ending March 28, 2008.
Global Radio’s views on the future of digital radio have become clearer as sources close to the owner of Heart 106.2 say that the group does not share the outlook of Fru Hazlitt, GCap’s chief executive. While Global is understood to be cautious about the future of DAB, it would not have given up on the platform and would have waited until the industry had a clearer picture of its future before making such a radical decision.
The Times, 20/3
After only three months as chief executive of GCap Media, Fru Hazlitt is expected to walk away from the group with almost one million pounds - if the sale to Global Radio on Wednesday is successful. Global’s 371m winning offer is expected to be announced on the day of the takeover deadline, March 26th.
Sunday Times 23/3, Radio Today 24/3
The Takeover Panel has offered Global Radio an extension to make a firm offer for GCap Media. The extension request has been made by GCap, in the hope that Global can announce a final bid for the company. The deadline has been extended to 5pm on Monday 31st March 2008.
Radio Today 27/3
Planet Rock will continue broadcasting beyond the original closure date offered by GCap chief executive Fru Hazlitt. The station was due to shut down on March 28th along with theJazz from digital platforms including Digital One and Sky.
The news of the extension comes from Rick Wakeman during his Saturday morning programme on March 22nd. "Planet Rock will continue for another month to allow time for discussions to take place with a potential buyer," he said.
Radio Today 24/3, Radio Magazine 26/3
Head of broadcasting for volunteering charity CSV, Damian Radcliffe, says DAB offers the consumer many benefits, but "it’s also suffered from poor marketing, expensive kit, variable reception and strong unpredicted competition from both digital TV and the internet."
Still, he says, don’t give up on digital. "I still can’t help but feel it’s a technology worth sticking with, and one that the [charity] sector should get more involved in."
"Third sector groups should take advantage of this new market so that we’re already established with the major players when the technology really takes off."
Third Sector magazine, 26/3
Frontier Silicon has unveiled its latest receiver: Venice 5.1, a DAB+ version of the digital radio module. The introduction of Venice 5.1 coincides with this week’s Australian Broadcasting Summit in Sydney, where there will be debates on the future direction of digital radio, specifically on the progress of digital broadcasting trials and the management of its roll-out.
"The new module gives audio manufacturers the ability to quickly release a range of DAB+ capable products based on existing radio designs."
Frontier Silicon chief exec, Anthony Sethill, says "This will ensure that retailers can swiftly stock a line up of attractive DAB+ products as broadcasters roll out new services."
Daniel Todd, Managing Director of Bush Australia, says, "The Bush brand has already enjoyed considerable success in the European DAB market and we intend to build on this in Australia as DAB+ launches."
Electronics Talk, 26/3
UKRD and MuxCo have teamed up to apply for the digital radio multiplex covering Surrey and Northern Sussex. Seven commercial services are proposed, including Traffic Radio, Shuffle, Eagle Radio, County Sound, Easy Radio, Mercury FM and a local outlet for new digital brand NME Radio. Local BBC Southern Counties Radio will also be on the multiplex, and MuxCo hopes to launch all services by July 2009 should they win the bid.
Radio Today, 27/3
The Daily Express rounds up clock radios, including the ROBERTS Sound 37, and Sony’s XDR CD70DAB. 22/3
Total DAB Digital Radio cuts in 2008 ---- 1,451
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