Glorious digital radio
Posted May 25th, 2009 by debritz
Test transmissions have been going on for a few weeks, but today apparently marks the official launch of digital radio in Brisbane. Only a few folks with deep pockets have receivers yet, but my sources say the improvement in sound - especially for AM music stations such as 4BH and 4KQ - will be worth the expense for audiophiles. The other advantage is that you'll get extra stations not available on the AM or FM bands. As I mentioned on 612ABC a couple of weeks ago, you might pick up a set cheaper by buying online than by going to your local retailer. Although, as Spencer Howson pointed out, you must make sure you get a compatible DAB+ set.
I've just been thinking Brett, what's the deal with 97.3's ownership? Obviously it could effect ratings, and strangely the new DAB+ channel Koffee.
Why? Koffee only appears in three markets, where DMG has two stations. I have figured out a solution to this dilemma for Brissie at least.
Whoever owns 97.3 sells the station to DMG, then DMG converts it to Vega, while the "new" Mix Brisbane, relaunches as 4KQ's 2nd digital station (in the process driving digital radio takeup as it will be a point of difference in a market that needs it), and Koffee can be on Vega 97.3 from day 1.
or River 94.9 would be allowed to compete with the Brisbane stations, with ARN buying 94.9 and finally laying the MIX issue to rest, and proceeding with the DMG half of the previous solution minus the digital Mix/4KQ.
But would it be a smart 97.3 to ditch what it has done?
I would leave this up to you, Brett.
Some interesting points, Kuttsy, and I'm going to have to have a think about this. The first thing that comes to mind, of course, is that under digital, the names of 7.3FM and B105 (and 612ABC for that matter) become meaningless. I don't think the MIX brand has been much of a great success for ARN, but they have nothing else at the moment. While I can imagine River being sold, I think there would be enormous pressure, especially politically from Ipswich, to stop it being "Brisbane-ised" as 4IP was all those years ago.
I think the days of the announcer are numbered because if Digital radio can give you news , sports results , weather and details of songs played (on a small screen ) then there won't be any need for an announcer. But I think analogue radio will always be with us maybe they will do away with AM but I think we will always have FM RADIO.
The government plans to switch off the analogue service and reallocate the spectrum, so - in theory - AM and FM will both eventually disappear (like analogue TV).