BBC increases digital radio coverage

The BBC has confirmed that 30 new digital radio transmitters were established around the UK in 2010, bringing digital stations to a further 750,000 people and improving DAB coverage for 8.5 million.

This year, residents in the Rhondda Valley, Windermere, north Northamptonshire, Rochdale, Littleborough, the Sevenoaks Weald, north Kent and South Hams have been able to receive digital radio for the first time.

Scotland has also seen a significant improvement in DAB coverage, after transmissions began in Oban, Fort William, throughout Dumfries and Galloway, and in Aberdeenshire.

The BBC has also established five new transmitters in Northern Ireland, extending the network into Enniskillen, Ballymena, Coleraine and Larne. A new transmitter in North Belfast has further helped improve coverage in the province from 75% to 85%.

In England, DAB reception has been improved for households in Cornwall, Plymouth, Dartmoor, Suffolk, north Essex and London.

Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio and Music, said: "It is excellent news that more listeners will be able to enjoy the full range of BBC services. Driving up national DAB coverage is an important part of building a digital future for radio."

The digital radio rollout will continue into 2011, with new transmitters in Saffron Walden, east Devon, Sunderland and High Wycombe due to come online in the first few weeks of the year. The BBC said that it remains on-track to meet its aim of increasing DAB coverage to 92% of the population by the end of next year.

Alix Pryde, controller of the BBC Distribution team that works with Arqiva to launch the transmitters, said: "We're committed to guaranteeing access to the BBC's digital radio services and the rollout of our DAB network is a key part of that.

"We've had a great year and are looking forward to a busy 2011, with a further 40 transmitters to bring into service."

In July, Davie unveiled the BBC's plans to boost digital radio in the UK, including more funding for digital platforms and the rebranding of Radio 7 as Radio 4 Extra.