Switchdigital
Switchdigital is an operator of DAB ensembles in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1998 by the Wireless Group, Virgin Radio and Clear Channel International[1] and is owned by News Broadcasting.[2][3] As of October 2000, it was 55% owned by Wireless Group, 20% owned by Capital Radio and Clear Channel International each and 5% owned by Carphone Warehouse.[4]
Multiplexes
[edit]Aberdeen
[edit]Switchdigital was one of two applicants for the licence to broadcast in the Aberdeen area along with Scottish Radio Holdings-owned Score Digital,[5] ultimately being granted the licence on 6 April 2001.[6][7] The multiplex started broadcasting on 3 December of that year.[8]
Central Scotland
[edit]On 6 October 2000, Switchdigital was granted the licence to broadcast in the Central Scotland area covering the Central Belt – including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling[9][10] – having been the only candidate for the regional multiplex.[11][12] It started broadcasting on 5 July 2001[13] and is the last regional DAB multiplex in the UK following the cessation of MXR's Yorkshire ensemble in June 2015.[14][15]
London
[edit]Switchdigital operates one of three London-wide multiplexes alongside CE Digital[16] and DRG London.[17] While its initial application for a licence to broadcast in the area was unsuccessful, it was ultimately successful in a subsequent bid on 7 April 2000.[18] It started broadcasting on 26 June of that year.[19]
Other applications
[edit]The company applied for the licence to broadcast in Tayside on 18 May 2001,[20] which was ultimately awarded to Score Digital on 6 September of that year.[21]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Simon Donohue (14 April 1999). "Talk and GMG in joint Manchester radio bid". Manchester Evening News. p. 64. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Switchdigital". Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Our Other Services". News UK. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Carphone expects bumpy ride". The Scotsman. 23 October 2000. p. 24. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Arthur Macdonald (27 January 2001). "Group sends out digital signal". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 17. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Mike Lowson (7 April 2001). "MacKenzie consortium wins Aberdeen digital licence". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 19. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Andrew Turpin (7 April 2001). "Wireless taps into Scottish digital market". The Scotsman. p. 28. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Commercial Radio Pocket Book 2007 (PDF). Radiocentre. p. 140. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2009.
- ^ David Shand (26 July 2000). "Top players combine in radio battle". The Scotsman. p. 15. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Wireless Group". The Scotsman. 7 October 2000. p. 38. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Digital radio bidder". Shropshire Star. 16 August 2000. p. 34. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Just one bid for digital radio licence". The Scotsman. 17 August 2000. p. 17. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Commercial Radio Pocket Book 2007 (PDF). Radiocentre. p. 143. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2009.
- ^ "Regional DAB signals commence shut-down". Radio Today. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "DAB radio changes in Yorkshire as MXR closes". Radio Today. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022.
- ^ Andrew Leach (4 September 1999). "Capital-EMAP wins radio licence". The Scotsman. p. 24. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Alli secures kids' radio". The Stage. 14 June 2001. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Media moguls get London licence". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 8 April 2000. p. 18. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Commercial Radio Pocket Book 2007 (PDF). Radiocentre. p. 144. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2009.
- ^ Arthur Macdonald (19 May 2001). "Consortium launches digital bid for Dundee and Perth". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 21. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Digital radio licence handed out for Tayside". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 7 September 2001. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
