Digital One
Encyclopedia
Digital One is a national commercial digital radio
multiplex in the United Kingdom
, owned by Arqiva
. , the multiplex covers more than 90% of the population
from a total of 137 transmitters. A lack of available frequencies means there is no coverage in Northern Ireland
; this is due to the nearby VHF analogue TV signals used in the Republic of Ireland
(however these signals are due to be phased out, possibly when the digital switchover of television happens in 2012).
, talkSPORT
and Virgin Radio
. The licence was awarded to the sole applicant, GWR Group and NTL Broadcast to form Digital One. The original licence application included the following stations:
Digital One was due to launch on 1 October 1999, but this was postponed until 15 November 1999.
The "Classic Gold Rock" service eventually went on air as Planet Rock, which remains on air and is now the longest-established digital-only service on the platform. The "plays, books and music" service went on air as Oneword
. The "Teen & Chart Hits" service became Core
, and the "Soft AC" service - which was ultimately provided by the then Capital Radio Group (now part of Global Radio) was launched as Capital Life
. The "Sports Channel" proposal was dropped as a separate entity and instead combined with Talk Radio in 2000 to form the current talkSPORT
as broadcast on MW and digital. ITN's rolling news service ultimately went on air as part of the multiplex, later joined by a business news service provided by Bloomberg. "Club Dance", however, never made it to air. The space released by the absence of the Club Dance and Sports Channel services from the eventual lineup was used to allow the Oneword service to end at midnight rather than the proposed 7pm, and also freed up a slot for a melodic easy listening music service aimed at an older audience, the Saga-operated PrimeTime Radio
.
After the closure of PrimeTime Radio
in 2006, the original licence was amended to allow the launch of a new classic and contemporary jazz service, theJazz
which was launched on 25 December 2006, before the 31 December 2006 deadline set in the licence amendment.
On 11 February 2008 GCap announced that it was selling its interest in Digital One to Arqiva
and that "non-core" DAB stations Planet Rock
and theJazz
would be closing by the end of March 2008. Planet Rock however, has been saved whilst theJazz ceased broadcasting at midnight, on 30 April 2008.
In April 2009, Global Radio, which had acquired GCap Media - part owner of Digital One, sold its 63% stake in the ensemble to Arqiva, making them the sole owner and operator of the ensemble.
In addition to the audio services listed above a number of data services, short lived temporary audio services, and mobile video channels have been broadcast on this multiplex.
When the magazine-format digital radio station Oneword
ceased in January 2008, the birdsong audio once again returned to the multiplex on the Oneword channel and the service name of the DAB channel changed to "Birdsong", until Amazing Radio launched on 1 June 2009.
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
multiplex in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, owned by Arqiva
Arqiva
Arqiva is a telecommunications company which provides infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The present company, with headquarters located at Crawley Court in the village of Crawley, Hampshire, was formed by National Grid Wireless...
. , the multiplex covers more than 90% of the population
from a total of 137 transmitters. A lack of available frequencies means there is no coverage in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
; this is due to the nearby VHF analogue TV signals used in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
(however these signals are due to be phased out, possibly when the digital switchover of television happens in 2012).
Stations carried
| Service | Service ID | Bit rate | Audio channels | Description | DAB launch date | Analogue availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Radio | C1C0 | 112 kbit/s | Joint stereo | Adult contemporary music Adult contemporary music Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music.... , carries London output during programme splits, but with national news and advertising |
1215 kHz 105.8 MHz (London) |
|
| Absolute Radio 80s | C4C1 | 112 kbit/s | Joint stereo | Adult contemporary music Adult contemporary music Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music.... |
— | |
| Absolute Radio 90s | C4C0 | 64 kbit/s | Mono LSF | Britpop Britpop Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s... , Indie, and Rock Rock music Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music... from the 1990s, shared space with Absolute Radio Extra |
— | |
| Absolute Radio Extra Absolute Radio Extra Absolute Radio Extra is a part time radio service similar to BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. The station was launched to broadcast the exclusive live coverage of the Premier League Games under the Rock n Roll Football brand, also broadcast on the main Absolute station and Absolute Radio 90s... |
C0C1 | 64-112 kbit/s | Mono | Part time live Football and concerts, live sport also broadcast nationally on 1215 kHz, shared space with Absolute Radio 90s | — | |
| Amazing Radio Amazing Radio Amazing Radio is a national radio station broadcasting on digital radio in the United Kingdom. The station plays new music from a number of music genres including pop, rock, indie, hip hop, electronica and jazz... |
C7C0 | 64 kbit/s | Mono LSF | New indie, urban, jazz and pop music, initially broadcasting at 128 kbit/s Stereo, the bit rate was reduced to 64 kbit/s Mono upon the launch of Absolute 80s | — | |
| BFBS Radio British Forces Broadcasting Service The British Forces Broadcasting Service provides radio and television programmes for HM Forces, and their dependents, in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Germany, Gibraltar, Kosovo, the Middle East, Northern Ireland and Tristan da Cunha as well as a live satellite... |
C3C0 | 80 kbit/s | Mono | Contemporary music, broadcast a three month trial service which ended on 31 March 2008, test transmissions began on 17 April 2009 and the station launched as a full-time service at 07:00 on 20 April 2009 | — | |
| Classic FM Classic FM (UK) Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:... |
C2A1 | 160 kbit/s | Joint stereo | Classical music Classical music Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times... |
99.9–101.9 MHz | |
| Jazz FM | C0C2 | 80 kbit/s | Mono | Jazz music, initial test transmissions labelled as "Karma" | — | |
| Planet Rock | C2C0 | 112 kbit/s | Joint stereo | Rock music Rock music Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music... , privately owned semi-automated radio station |
— | |
| Premier Christian Radio Premier Christian Radio Premier Christian Radio is a British Christian radio station wholly owned by the charity Premier Christian Media Trust.Premier Christian Radio broadcasts Christian programming including news, debate, teachings and Christian music to London and the surrounding areas.It operates on three frequencies... |
C7C1 | 64 kbit/s | Mono LSF | Christian music, was able to launch after a fundraising Fundraising Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies... effort from listeners to meet the £650,000 annual cost to broadcast on Digital One on 21 September 2009. |
— | |
| Smooth Radio | C6C0 | 80 kbit/s | Mono LSF | Easy Listening, replaced regional broadcasts from regional digital multiplexes; the original regional stations are still available on the channel list however, which is most of the time just a simulcast of Smooth Radio UK | 97.5, 100.4, 101.4, 102.2, 105.2, 105.7, 106.6 MHz | |
| Smooth Radio Christmas | C3C4 | 80 kbit/s | Mono LSF | Christmas music, temporary station until 27 December 2011 | — | |
| Talksport TalkSPORT Talksport , owned by UTV radio, is one of the United Kingdom's three terrestrial analogue Independent National Radio broadcasters, offering a sports and talk radio service broadcast from London to the United Kingdom.... |
C0C0 | 64 kbit/s | Mono LSF | Sport Sports radio Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and... and talk Talk radio Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live... |
1089, 1053 kHz | |
| UCB UK United Christian Broadcasters United Christian Broadcasters is an international Christian broadcasting and media group. Through affiliates in twenty five countries, it operates radio and television stations and publishes and broadcasts Bob Gass's free daily devotionals The Word for You Today and word4u2day... |
C4CA | 64kbit/s | Mono LSF | Christian music | — | |
| MILE(UK) ITIS | E1C000BA | 16 kbit/s | Data | Hidden service | — | — |
| Traffic Master | E1C000B8 | 8 kbit/s | Data | Hidden service | — | — |
| What's On | E1C000B1 | 8 kbit/s | Data | Hidden service | — | — |
History
On 24 March 1998, the Radio Authority advertised for the first national ensemble to be broadcast on DAB. The three national commercial services on FM and mediumwave had to be included as part of the ensemble, Classic FMClassic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
, talkSPORT
TalkSPORT
Talksport , owned by UTV radio, is one of the United Kingdom's three terrestrial analogue Independent National Radio broadcasters, offering a sports and talk radio service broadcast from London to the United Kingdom....
and Virgin Radio
Virgin Radio
Absolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music...
. The licence was awarded to the sole applicant, GWR Group and NTL Broadcast to form Digital One. The original licence application included the following stations:
| Digital One Ltd (original application) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Classic FM Classic FM (UK) Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:... |
Classical music | GWR (now part of Global Radio Global Radio Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen... ) |
| Classic Gold Rock | Rock music | NTL |
| Club dance | Dance music | TBA |
| Plays, books and music | Comedy, drama and serials | TBA |
| Rolling news service | Rolling news | ITN |
| Soft AC | Female contemporary music | TBA |
| Sports channel | Live sports and comment | Talk Radio UK |
| Talk Radio TalkSPORT Talksport , owned by UTV radio, is one of the United Kingdom's three terrestrial analogue Independent National Radio broadcasters, offering a sports and talk radio service broadcast from London to the United Kingdom.... (now talkSPORT) |
Talk radio | Talk Radio UK (now owned by UTV Radio UTV Radio UTV Radio is a UK media company, and owner of several radio stations in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It is a growing branch of UTV Media.... ) |
| Teen and chart hits | Pop and dance music | GWR |
| Virgin Radio Virgin Radio Absolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music... (now Absolute Radio) |
Complementary rock music | SMG plc SMG plc STV Group plc is a Scottish media company. It is a constituent of the FTSE Fledgling Index. Originally formed as Scottish Television, it changed its name to Scottish Media Group in 1996 when it acquired Caledonian Publishing, owners of Glasgow-based newspapers The Herald and Evening Times... |
Digital One was due to launch on 1 October 1999, but this was postponed until 15 November 1999.
The "Classic Gold Rock" service eventually went on air as Planet Rock, which remains on air and is now the longest-established digital-only service on the platform. The "plays, books and music" service went on air as Oneword
Oneword
Oneword Radio was a British commercial digital radio station featuring books, drama, comedy, children's programming, and discussion. The station was available in the UK via digital radio and digital television and was streamed on the internet 24 hours a day worldwide...
. The "Teen & Chart Hits" service became Core
Core (radio station)
Core was a digital radio station broadcasting across the UK on the Digital One and streamed online. It was aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds with a focus on new music.-Station history:Core was originally owned by GWR Group, now GCap Media...
, and the "Soft AC" service - which was ultimately provided by the then Capital Radio Group (now part of Global Radio) was launched as Capital Life
Capital Life
Capital Life, also known as Life, was a digital radio station broadcasting across the UK on the Digital One network and streamed online.-About:...
. The "Sports Channel" proposal was dropped as a separate entity and instead combined with Talk Radio in 2000 to form the current talkSPORT
TalkSPORT
Talksport , owned by UTV radio, is one of the United Kingdom's three terrestrial analogue Independent National Radio broadcasters, offering a sports and talk radio service broadcast from London to the United Kingdom....
as broadcast on MW and digital. ITN's rolling news service ultimately went on air as part of the multiplex, later joined by a business news service provided by Bloomberg. "Club Dance", however, never made it to air. The space released by the absence of the Club Dance and Sports Channel services from the eventual lineup was used to allow the Oneword service to end at midnight rather than the proposed 7pm, and also freed up a slot for a melodic easy listening music service aimed at an older audience, the Saga-operated PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio was a national UK radio station. It was once part of although it became independent in 2004. It operated as a sister station to Saga Digital radio. The line up featured a variety of presenters including David Hamilton, Don Durbridge, David Allan, Dave Cash, Tony Myatt and Sheila...
.
After the closure of PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio was a national UK radio station. It was once part of although it became independent in 2004. It operated as a sister station to Saga Digital radio. The line up featured a variety of presenters including David Hamilton, Don Durbridge, David Allan, Dave Cash, Tony Myatt and Sheila...
in 2006, the original licence was amended to allow the launch of a new classic and contemporary jazz service, theJazz
TheJazz
theJazz was a British commercial jazz digital radio station. The station was run by GCap Media and launched on Christmas Day 2006. originally as a non-stop jazz station on the Digital One DAB ensemble, Sky Digital, Virgin Media and the Internet....
which was launched on 25 December 2006, before the 31 December 2006 deadline set in the licence amendment.
On 11 February 2008 GCap announced that it was selling its interest in Digital One to Arqiva
Arqiva
Arqiva is a telecommunications company which provides infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The present company, with headquarters located at Crawley Court in the village of Crawley, Hampshire, was formed by National Grid Wireless...
and that "non-core" DAB stations Planet Rock
Planet Rock
Planet Rock may refer to:* "Planet Rock" , a 1982 song by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force* Planet Rock: The Album, a 1986 album containing the song...
and theJazz
TheJazz
theJazz was a British commercial jazz digital radio station. The station was run by GCap Media and launched on Christmas Day 2006. originally as a non-stop jazz station on the Digital One DAB ensemble, Sky Digital, Virgin Media and the Internet....
would be closing by the end of March 2008. Planet Rock however, has been saved whilst theJazz ceased broadcasting at midnight, on 30 April 2008.
In April 2009, Global Radio, which had acquired GCap Media - part owner of Digital One, sold its 63% stake in the ensemble to Arqiva, making them the sole owner and operator of the ensemble.
Former Services
Services previously carried on the multiplex include:- NME RadioNME RadioNME Radio is the radio station from NME magazine, that broadcasts in a new commercially oriented alternative music format. It first began broadcasting on 24 June 2008.- History :...
(ceased on 12 July 2010) - Panjab Radio (temporary service, ceased on 31 May 2010)
- Fun Kids (temporary service, ceased on 3 October 2009)
- BirdsongBirdsong (digital radio channel)Birdsong was a temporary radio channel which used to broadcast on national digital radio in the United Kingdom. The transmission consisted of a continuously looping recording of bird song. It was available via the Digital One DAB network. The recording is also available via the Digital One website...
(ceased on 1 June 2009, replaced by Amazing Radio) - theJazzTheJazztheJazz was a British commercial jazz digital radio station. The station was run by GCap Media and launched on Christmas Day 2006. originally as a non-stop jazz station on the Digital One DAB ensemble, Sky Digital, Virgin Media and the Internet....
(ceased on 31 March 2008) - Capital LifeCapital LifeCapital Life, also known as Life, was a digital radio station broadcasting across the UK on the Digital One network and streamed online.-About:...
(ceased on 31 March 2008) - CoreCore (radio station)Core was a digital radio station broadcasting across the UK on the Digital One and streamed online. It was aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds with a focus on new music.-Station history:Core was originally owned by GWR Group, now GCap Media...
(ceased on 11 January 2008, immediately replaced by BFBS Radio) - OnewordOnewordOneword Radio was a British commercial digital radio station featuring books, drama, comedy, children's programming, and discussion. The station was available in the UK via digital radio and digital television and was streamed on the internet 24 hours a day worldwide...
(ceased on 11 January 2008 because of financial problems, replaced by Birdsong - see the section below) - PrimetimePrimeTime RadioPrimeTime Radio was a national UK radio station. It was once part of although it became independent in 2004. It operated as a sister station to Saga Digital radio. The line up featured a variety of presenters including David Hamilton, Don Durbridge, David Allan, Dave Cash, Tony Myatt and Sheila...
(ceased on 24 May 2006, replaced by theJazz on 25 December 2006) - D1 Temp (ceased on 9 June 2005 - see the section below)
- Bloomberg (ceased on 6 December 2003, replaced by D1 Temp)
- ITN (ceased on 1 July 2003)
In addition to the audio services listed above a number of data services, short lived temporary audio services, and mobile video channels have been broadcast on this multiplex.
Birdsong
Birdsong was a transmission consisted of a continuously looping recording of bird song. When financial news station Bloomberg, and rolling news station ITN News Radio ceased to broadcast within several months of one another in 2003, replacement audio services were never found due to a commitment in Digital One's broadcasting licence to provide a news station. This resulted in a station playing a 36-minute, 56-second loop of birdsong and ambient sounds, entitled D1 Temp which broadcast until June 2005.When the magazine-format digital radio station Oneword
Oneword
Oneword Radio was a British commercial digital radio station featuring books, drama, comedy, children's programming, and discussion. The station was available in the UK via digital radio and digital television and was streamed on the internet 24 hours a day worldwide...
ceased in January 2008, the birdsong audio once again returned to the multiplex on the Oneword channel and the service name of the DAB channel changed to "Birdsong", until Amazing Radio launched on 1 June 2009.