On Friday April 15, Adelaide’s six Community Radio stations ‐ Radio Adelaide, Fresh 92.7, 5, EBI, RPH Adelaide, Three D and Life FM – will jointly launch six new Digital Radio services.
These stations will provide Adelaide with more choice and new ways to listen to the city’s most diverse and accessible media.
Adelaide has a rich history of community broadcasting and this is a huge moment in the development of community radio in Adelaide.
To commemorate this historic occasion, the six Adelaide Community stations will make their digital radio network debut when all six stations simultaneously broadcast live on Friday April 15th.
Adelaide’s Lord Mayor, Hon Stephen Yarwood and Deputy Premier, Hon John Rau will officially oversee proceedings.
The event will take place from 7am till 8am broadcasting live from the Adelaide Central Markets, chosen to represent the diversity of community radio services, bringing everyone together for this momentous occasion.
Adelaide stations are offering a range of exciting digital radio services including; ethnic and multicultural programs broadcast in over 45 languages, world music, magazine style readings, information, news, current affairs, engaging ideas, unique programming, and new local and international music for both connoisseurs and explorers.
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia General Manager, Kath Letch, welcomed the move to digital.
“The CBAA is delighted to see community digital radio launched in Adelaide for metropolitan services. It’s a critical step in maintaining the role of community media on free‐to‐air broadcast platforms, and community broadcasters will make a strong addition to the diversity and local content of digital radio services available to the Adelaide community.”
Local and independent community broadcasting has helped shape the media landscape in Australia, distinguishing itself from other media by providing local community participation in media production and management.
For many communities it is the only media producing local content in their area.
With the new digital broadcast launch imminent, community broadcasting is taking every opportunity to expand into the new free to air digital platform, reaching a wider audience in the process.
Adrian Basso, President of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia emphasized the importance of this occasion.
“Every week, millions of Australians tune into community radio to enjoy information and entertainment that speaks directly to their heart and their community.”
For those who are out of the loop with regard to the digital revolution ‐ Australia is one of the first countries to implement the new DAB+ format (Digital Audio Broadcasting using enhanced audio coding), which can offer text and pictures, as well as audio.
The launch of Community Radio Stations to the Digital platform will allow access to the wide variety of local content, news, information, music and much more, all in cleaner, clearer digital service.
Unlike digital television, the introduction of digital radio does not mean there will be a switch‐off date for analog radio services, instead it has been introduced as a complimentary service rather than replacement technology, but you do need a new radio to receive it.
With sales of digital radios in Australia doubling since the initial launch in March 2010, with the inclusion of community broadcasters into the mix, this figure can be expected to rise even more rapidly.
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