Tuesday 10 March 2015

Britain Is Not Ready For a DAB Radio Switchover

Pessimistic minister admits people are wedded to their FM radio
Ed Vaizey, the UK minister for culture, communications and creative industries, has admitted that the public’s limited uptake of DAB radios has harmed industry across the country. Vaizey said that government plans for an all-digital radio future have been knee-capped by DAB radio’s slow penetration in the UK market.

Vaizey said: It’s a big ask for people with 5-10 FM radios in their house to go out and buy ten digital radios. On a potential FM to DAB switchover, he commented: We want all the building blocks in place before we make a final decision. There has been a lack of investment in DAB technologies in the UK and that the public were resistant to change: It’s an emotive subject. People are quite understandably wedded to their FM radio. People really love radio in this country.

Read more in The Drum

Also read