Both Bauer and Global have recently launched further new stations on DAB+ digital radio. Setting aside (mostly) the debate on whether or not jukebox style automated stations can be called radio station, I thought a take a quick listen to three of them; Greatest Hits Radio 60s from Bauer, Capital Anthems from Global, and Smooth 80s from Global.
Continue reading Review: GHR 60s, Capital Anthems, Smooth 80sTag: Smooth Radio
Global Radio Fill DAB Capacity
The dominant monopoly that is Global Radio has expanded its presence on DAB. National duplicates of Capital, Heart and Smooth have been added to the Lincolnshire DAB multiplex and the Hereford and Worcester DAB multiplex.
These services are already available on the D1 national multiplex. Capital UK has a national 80 kbps mono slot, as does Smooth (labelled as Smooth Extra), and Heart has a 32kbps low quality stereo DAB+ slot (labelled as Heart Extra).
The new versions are all in stereo ‘original version’ DAB, with a bit rate of 112kbps, offering slightly better sound quality. These services are exactly the same as the national versions, and do not widen the choice of services available.