RADIO stations and community organisations across Northampton are being invited to prepare a joint bid for the local DAB Radio Multiplex that is currently open for applications by UK regulator Ofcom.
The round closes in October and will see a new Small-Scale DAB platform launch across the town that will provide a way for dozens of radio stations to all broadcast on DAB to serve the people of Northampton.
Martin Steers, station manager of NLive Radio said “As a community-focused station, we are keen to bring the community together for a BID that will benefit all the local community of Northampton.”
NLive Radio and Embrace, two of the local radio stations, have started discussions on an entirely community owned and operated application BID for the multiplex and have invited other local stations such as Inspiration FM and Revolution Radio to join their bid for the benefit of all.
Embrace’s director Jim Byrne said: “As a local guy I believe in local radio and bringing people together to celebrate and promote Northampton.”
Their vision is for the multiplex to be owned by the community via local not-for-profit community-focused stations so that it is run to not only provide a platform for their local stations but also other local services, with the overall aim to benefit the Northampton community.
Paul Moore, station manager of Embrace, said: “Embrace is one of the local radio stations in the town and working alongside other local radio stations in collaboration makes perfect sense”
They have brought in the experience and expertise of Samuel Hunt, from Leicestershire community station Maxxwave, as technical consultant and technical provider.
The group is looking for established local community-based or not-for-profit radio stations to join as part of their bid and has appealed for any service, local, regional, or national interested in expressing an interest in broadcasting to Northampton to get in touch via or by visiting northamptondab.co.uk
Pictured top: (l-r) Jim Byrne, Paul Moore, Martin Steers and Samuel Hunt.
FACTFILE
- Northampton SSDAB is in round 4 of the national rollout alongside nearly 30 other areas across the country.
- When envisioned, SSDAB was designed as a means for local community radio stations to come together and provide a platform for them to broadcast on DAB Digital Radio and provide a cost-effective and affordable route to DAB.
- According to the latest RAJAR, 41% of weekly listening to radio is via DAB. There are currently four Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in Northampton.