6 replies to this topic

[tok]

Digital radio is now switched on in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Broadcasting in DAB+, Digital Radio Channel Plans (DRCPs) released by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) show one of the highest levels of coverage from day one of the new technology – with nearly 60% of the Australian population being able to access digital radio in the five launch cities. Digital radio switch on is another landmark achievement for the industry in Australia. The switch on of digital radio is a culmination of seven years work with the Federal Government, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), commercial broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, together with retailers and manufacturers of digital radios to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated switch on of a compelling new way of listening to radio. More here. A major and historic listener event will be held on 6 August, once ABC and SBS services join commercial radio services on air in all cities. This event will be held simultaneously across all five state capital launch cities. More here.

New Radio Stations Launch for Digital
Digital radio is the radio you know and love plus new programming such as Austereo’s Radar and Pink Radio and DMG’s NovaNation and Koffee, digital quality sound and interference free reception, the ability to tune to the station by name, rather than frequency, and on some radios, the ability to pause and rewind a few minutes, plus scrolling news, sport and weather text and some receivers will have the capacity to transmit on screen a picture of a radio host, cover of a CD or a product picture. Now that digital is up and running, listeners can expect a number of new stations to be launched soon. Be the first to know here at digitalradioplus.com.au.

Stream new Stations live
If you haven’t been out to buy a new digital radio as yet, you can still listen to all of the new digital radio stations, right now. They are all streamed here by city. Just click the name of the city in the + section to listen live. All current stations, can also be heard here too on the live player.

Digital Radios in Retail
Harvey Norman recently held their inaugural global electrical franchisee conference in Sydney. Commercial Radio Australia was a key participant in the Expo along with over 75 major global electronic brands. Apart of the exclusive 12 stream workshops program, Digital Radio Plus was the topic of one of the streams with close to twenty 30 minute workshops held showcasing all that’s new about digital radio. Retailers have been quick to embrace the new technology with many of the major retailers now stocking digital radios in the 5 launch cities. For a full list, check the website here or just click the 'Find Retailers' section of the website off the home page here and select a region.

Digital Radio Buyers Guide
Not sure what digital radio to buy? There’s a free guide you can access right now. Gadget Guy Pete Blasina gives his views on the latest receivers right here.

Radio Industry to Track Sales of Digital Radios
Commercial Radio Australia recently announced that the sales of DAB+ digital radio receivers will be tracked and monitored from the launch of the new technology. It is important to understand from day one, not only the numbers of digital receivers purchased but also the types of receivers that are purchased so we can gain a unique profile of digital radio listeners in Australia from the beginning. We will use this information, together with digital radio platform of listening data. Iincluded in the Nielson radio ratings from May, to further understand the audience. Digital radio sales will initially be tracked by GfK Retail and Technology’s sell-in service and eventually be complemented by GfK’s sell-through sales data in the following categories: Clock Radios, Radio Only Products, Portable Systems, Personal Audio, Hi-Fi Components and Hi-Fi Systems. More here.

Digital Radio Campaign in full swing
The Australian radio industry is underway with a digital radio multi-million dollar on-air and online awareness campaign across all commercial radio stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Developed by the independent creative agency SMART in conjunction with Commercial Radio Australia and with the support of all the commercial stations, plus the ABC and SBS, the on-air awareness campaign for digital radio illustrates that radio is about to give listeners more of what they know and love. Worth an estimated $10 million, the campaign is being rolled out in three phases, with ads that specifically outline the benefits and capabilities of digital radio starting soon. “Digital Radio – it’s radio as you know it…plus”, forms the basis of the campaign. A plus (+) feature acts as a constant memory aid in all – radio, online, point of sale and visual media and a distinctive audio sonic mnemonic will identify the brand on radio, television and online. More here.

Digital Radio Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know something specific about digital radio? Chances are, it’s been answered here in the FAQ’s section of the website or you may be able to get additional information from the tutorials section of the site here.

Can I Get Digital in my Area?
There is one very simple way to find out. Click here, then type in your post code from the “Can I get Digital” on the top left hand side of the homepage. You can then check to see what Stations are broadcasting in that area. Alternatively, select a broadcasting area from the map here to see what stations provide digital coverage.

SMS Textback - Can I Get Digital?
Consumers can SMS their postcode to the mobile phone number 0409DRPLUS (0409 377 587) to find out if they will be able to receive digital radio in their area. They will almost immediately get a message back to advise them if digital will be broadcasting in their area. More here.

Digital Radio Production Standards to be Finalised
Commercial Radio Australia recently announced that significant progress has been made on the finalisation of innovative technical and advertising production specifications for the synchronisation of “visual” and audio components of DAB+ digital radio. At the end of 2008 a set of draft specifications, proposed to Commercial Radio Australia by Fairfax Digital and Adstream, was distributed for comment and input from advertising creative directors, technical engineers, members of the digital radio advertising advisory group, and the digital technical advisory committee (DTAC). Now that commercial digital services are switched on across the country, a committee representing broadcasters and digital courier companies has been formed to further develop and finalise the draft specifications for the production of digital content. More here.

Digital Radio Plus Sonic
The Digital Radio Plus campaign features a sonic mnemonic feature and is a subtle 'plus' vocal using the voice of a child. The sonic is the most important part of the brand as its designed to serve as an audio shorthand for the brand. Listen on the website here.

Digital Radio Plus Website
The consumer website, digitalradioplus.com.au has become the digital radio information gateway where listeners, retailers and all key stakeholders can easily access information about digital radio. The site incorporates training modules for retailers and the advertising industry highlighting what digital radio can deliver. All communication in the new campaign directs listeners, readers and viewers to the new consumer website. The first phase of the digital radio awareness raising campaign on now encourages consumers to find out more about what digital radio means for them and to even undertake a postcode search to find out where the broadcasts will be available and which retailers will stock digital radios. More here.

Accessing the DRPlus Corporate Identity
The industry has launched a simple to use “style guide” with all of the content descriptions for application of the new brand. It's available in both soft and hard copy. Storage of all content is via a secure site to ensure high quality visuals and broadcast quality. The Digital Radio Plus Corporate Identity may be used by broadcasters, strategic partners and third parties and can only be used in conjunction with the “Brand Guidelines” document. A “fee free” licence agreement must be viewed and signed acknowledging an understanding of the terms of use, prior to access of the content. You can access this Style Guide in soft copy here.

Free Training Tutorials
A number of free training tutorials are available here. Online tutorials suitable for Radio Station professionals, Retailers, Manufacturers, Car Manufacturers and Advertisers are available and each free tutorial has been specifically designed to let you know the important features and benefits of digital radio as it relates to your area of interest. There are also a number of free downloads to use alongside the tutorials and can be downloaded here.

Digital Radio Audience Data
Digital radio audiences in Australia are now being tracked. Whilst the data will not be immediately released, the enhanced metropolitan audience survey program with Nielsen will ensure listeners who are listening on DAB+ or even internet will be captured. Retail sales data is also now being tracked. Read more here.

Commercial Radio Industry Runs Free Digital Radio Creative Workshops
Commercial Radio Australia has started a series of free digital radio creative workshops in Sydney and Melbourne aiming to demonstrate to clients and advertising agencies the benefits of the digital radio platform. Developed by Commercial Radio Australia and implemented by creative director of Eardrum Australia, Ralph van Dijk, architect of the recent “Radio Advertising Economically Sound” radio brand campaign, the workshops are part of a continuing series developed by Commercial Radio Australia to help improve education and training for those involved in radio and ultimately deliver better radio ads. The free digital workshops also supported by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) outline the relevance of digital radio in meeting branding and advertising needs and demonstrate how to put effective and innovative digital radio advertising together. We want advertisers, sales managers, creative directors and media agencies to understand how the new technology can take radio advertisements to a new level using images and text. To book for upcoming half day free workshops in Sydney and Melbourne, open to advertising agencies and radio advertising clients, get the info here.

Working with Receiver Manufacturers
Commercial Radio Australia is working with digital receiver manufacturers world-wide to ensure Australian radio listeners have an extensive range of digital receivers to choose from when the new DAB+ technology launches midyear. To encourage receiver manufacturers to test and trial their products using DAB+, CRA has produced a comprehensive Ensemble Transport Interface (ETI) file that contains recorded material from the Australian digital radio trial that includes up to 32 channels, slide show images, Portable Network Graphic (PNG) logos and scrolling text. TEAC, Yamaha, Bush, Intempo, iRiver, PURE, Revo, Roberts Radio and Sangean have formally advised that they will have DAB+ receivers available in Australia and others are working on product development. Find out which receivers are on sale now here.

Planning for Regional Rollout of Digital Radio
Planning has started for the rollout of digital radio services to regional Australia. Regional commercial radio broadcasters from around Australia met in Sydney recently and agreed unanimously that digital radio services must be made available to all Australians, not just those in metropolitan areas. The broadcasters have called on the Federal Government to make an immediate public commitment to the allocation of VHF Band III spectrum to regional broadcasters for the rollout of digital radio services across Australia. At a digital radio preview function in Canberra recently, the radio industry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all Australians are able to access new and improved radio services via digital technology.

[Leroy Jethro Gibbs]

When will digital radio be available in
Regional nsw

[alanh]

Leroy,
There is now a report which has been tabled in Federal parliament on digital radio. The choices are DAB+ as used in capital cities or DRM which will give bigger area coverage. Once the act goes through both houses of parliament then an installation plan can be generated.

AlanH

[bradsom]

So living in Branxton NSW just west of Newcastle I should return my DAB+ radio that I received as a present?

[alanh]

Bradson,
Don't be too hasty.
There is a DBCDE recommendation for the technology to be used for digital radio in regional areas on the floor of Federal Parliament at the moment.
The recommendation appears to leave it open to use DAB+, DRM+ and DRM30.
In areas like Newcastle is is quite feasible to use DAB+.

AlanH

Edited by alanh, 09 November 2011 - 11:38 AM.

[bradsom]

alanh, on Nov 9 2011, 12:37 PM, said:

Bradson,
Don't be too hasty.
There is a DBCDE recommendation for the technology to be used for digital radio in regional areas on the floor of Federal Parliament at the moment.
The recommendation appears to leave it open to use DAB+, DRM+ and DRM30.
In areas like Newcastle is is quite feasible to use DAB+.

AlanH

Thanks I had read that, theoretically if it was approved this week how long before we could expect to see it switched on?

Realistically I think I'll take it back & get the $80- back & buy another when it's all go - prices may very well drop by then.

[GoForMoe]

It could potentially start in early 2014 as both 9D and 8A-D will be available after Sydney analogue TV switches off at the end of 2013, and I'd imagine that considering Newcastle is a major market they will be top priority for DAB. Newcastle was included with the initial planning for digital radio, so it has been on the mind of the regulators - a low power trial on analogue channel 7 was considered, but dropped due to coverage issues.

It will almost certainly be DAB+, but I'd certainly say there's no point holding on to a current gen digital radio, unless you want it for FM, because there will be a much better variety of receivers in 2014.

Edited by GoForMoe, 09 November 2011 - 02:22 PM.