BBC to review digital only radio stations..

[Stuart]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02..._no_listeners/

According to the above article, the BBC may be ready to start axing Digital radio stations that don't get a lot of listeners.

The article says that they are considering axing both the Asian Network (which costs £25m a year to entertain under 400,000 listeners) and 6music, which has actually shown some improvement this year at 695,000 listeners.

Rather more ominiously for the rest of the industry, the latest RAJAR report highlights the fact that despite increasing sales of DAB radios, the number of listeners to digital radio has stayed static.

Now, this could mean that some people have stopped listening to the radio on their TV Set Top Box or on the web and started listening to DAB,

It could also mean that people (as happened in my experience) found that DAB is OK, but is too sensitive to interference and doesn't handle it well when it happens.

[Tony.]

I drive for a living (different work vehicles with no radio fitted) and tried DAB but they just eat the battries

Had to go back to FM

[Stuart]

That was the other reason I stopped using DAB.. I have to admit, there are some stations I miss listening to on the train. BBC 7 being one.

[Taf]

One local station is modulated so low that I have to crank up the volume to hear what's going on... they don't respond to queries about this either.

[Charlie_Bubble]

I've got DAB in my car and I find it to be fine.

[Stuart]

Well, let me illustrate my experience of DAB by saying this.

I listen to the radio going to and from work. With DAB, I get a bad signal on over 60% of the journey. You may argue that environmental conditions are the cause and beyond the control of the companies providing DAB. Both are true.

However, both FM and O2's data network (which is far from perfect) have to contend with the same conditions and deliver a good signal on over 90% of the journey.

[colin25]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Well, let me illustrate my experience of DAB by saying this.

I listen to the radio going to and from work. With DAB, I get a bad signal on over 60% of the journey. You may argue that environmental conditions are the cause and beyond the control of the companies providing DAB. Both are true.

However, both FM and O2's data network (which is far from perfect) have to contend with the same conditions and deliver a good signal on over 90% of the journey.

Agreed. I use a small dab radio..either it is good..or there is nothing, no in between. With fm, even when it gets weak, you can hear something.

the number of times I've listened on dab, and got a good bit, then signal dies and I'm left wondering.

Enjoy talksport when I can hear it

[Cobbydaler]

Sad to see 6 Music go, but about time the BBC realised we're in a recession and they can't expect funds for continuing expansion...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8538130.stm

(Yes, yet another Licence Fee thread!)

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

Sad to see 6 Music go, but about time the BBC realised we're in a recession and they can't expect funds for continuing expansion...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8538130.stm

(Yes, yet another Licence Fee thread!)

If this is the case and they continue to make documentaries as good as "How the earth made us" then i for one might even change my perception of the BBC.

The BBC have needed a good kick up there corporate rear for a while and it looks like they might just get that now. If the money we pay them via the TV tax is used to fund documentaries like the one i mentioned then i have no problem paying my tax to them.

If these cuts mean that the BBC stop paying massive salaries to performers that don't warrant that sort of money or have a habit of embarrassing us because they think they are above the law, Then again it will mean that i will not mind paying my Tv tax.

However if these cuts mean they cut the content and continue to line there own corporate pockets then it would mean its time to re look at the BBC and its very existence.

The Union warned of strikes if cuts went ahead.

Typical bloody unions

[Taf]

Just because there is extra space for TV and radio channels doesn't mean you have to fill it up BBC!

Quality NOT quantity.

[Hiroki]

Shame if 6 music went as I know a lot of people who rely on that to help them through the day.

I've listened to it myself once or twice and it's the one and only positive for me in the bbc.

[Media Boy UK]

The BBC are to close BBC 6 Music and BBC Asian Network Radio Channels as well as BBC Switch and BBC Blast plus some online things.

BBC Local Radio will become an part-time BBC Radio England (The BBC vision of Heart Radio).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8544150.stm

[Kymmy]

Already discussed somewhere in the forum I think

Threads merged as one continues on from the other

[Lord Nikon]

For those who use DAB in a mobile situation, how does it handle retuning to a better transponder when you move out of the area of the first transponder?

I'm glad to see 6 and AN are biting the dust. The BBC has expanded rather a lot in the name of embracing and encouraging takeup of digital services, but TBH I think it will be better if it spends more time concentrating on doing fewer things, but doing them exceptionally well.