Switchdigital

Not to be confused with Digital switch.

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

Aberdeen

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

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

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

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

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Switchdigital". Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Our Other Services". News UK. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Carphone expects bumpy ride". The Scotsman. 23 October 2000. p. 24. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Andrew Turpin (7 April 2001). "Wireless taps into Scottish digital market". The Scotsman. p. 28. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ Commercial Radio Pocket Book 2007 (PDF). Radiocentre. p. 140. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2009.
  9. ^ David Shand (26 July 2000). "Top players combine in radio battle". The Scotsman. p. 15. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "Wireless Group". The Scotsman. 7 October 2000. p. 38. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "Digital radio bidder". Shropshire Star. 16 August 2000. p. 34. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Just one bid for digital radio licence". The Scotsman. 17 August 2000. p. 17. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ^ Commercial Radio Pocket Book 2007 (PDF). Radiocentre. p. 143. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2009.
  14. ^ "Regional DAB signals commence shut-down". Radio Today. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  15. ^ "DAB radio changes in Yorkshire as MXR closes". Radio Today. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022.
  16. ^ Andrew Leach (4 September 1999). "Capital-EMAP wins radio licence". The Scotsman. p. 24. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ^ "Alli secures kids' radio". The Stage. 14 June 2001. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ "Media moguls get London licence". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 8 April 2000. p. 18. Retrieved 30 June 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ Commercial Radio Pocket Book 2007 (PDF). Radiocentre. p. 144. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2009.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "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.
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