article date: 08 February 2008

ref: 293

The world's biggest network of DAB digital radio transmitters has achieved another milestone. Digital One, which broadcasts the national commercial radio stations, has announced that 90% of the population of Great Britain now live within its coverage area.

Digital One's Chief Executive, Quentin Howard, commented: "With the switch on of the 133rd transmitter in Whitby this week we broke another record and commercial radio is leading the way in delivering DAB digital radio to more people than ever before."

Digital One's footprint in Great Britain covers over 90% of the population. This compares with:
• Freeview which "exceeds 73% of the UK population" (source: Freeview website);
• BBC DAB digital radio which "covers 85% of the UK population and has plans to extend coverage to 90% of the UK" (source: BBC website);
• and Five's analogue TV signal which reaches "around 80% of the population" (source: Five website).


Quentin Howard added: "This announcement reflects the reality that DAB digital radio is indeed in rude health. We had record Christmas sales figures from GfK, the RAJAR results show that DAB digital radio commands 10% of all radio listening and total sales have reached six and a half million sets. Digital One's announcement that we now reach over 90% of the British population is another hard fact, demonstrating digital radio's strong position and firm foundations."

Note: Digital One currently has 133 transmitters on air (including the 133rd, serving Whitby and the Yorkshire coast). Digital One's licence from Ofcom is a national licence covering Great Britain i.e. Wales, England and Scotland. Digital One's transmitter network is operated by Arqiva.

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