Digital radio listeners in Manchester are being urged to retune their digital radios to ensure they continue to receive their favourite stations.
The retune is necessary because of changes to transmitters which are needed improve coverage.
Around 385,000 listeners will be able to hear Manchester’s local radio stations for the first time with DAB.
The expansion of DAB coverage means 95% of Manchester area households can receive local digital radio. Two new transmitters will be switched on to improve coverage for Littleborough, Rochdale, Saddleworth, Oldham and the East of Manchester.
Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, said: “The digital radio retune in Manchester is great news for both listeners and Manchester’s local radio stations. Government is committed to rolling out DAB digital radio, bringing listeners around the UK greater access, better coverage and an even wider variety of content.”
Stations affected by the change include BBC Radio Manchester, Capital Manchester, Heart North West, Gold Manchester, Smooth North West, Key 103, Key 2, Key 3, KISS FRESH, Absolute 90s and Asian Sound.
Three new stations for Manchester
Next week three new digital radio stations will be available in Manchester.
Sunrise Radio, which plays Asian music, is already available in Yorkshire and will be available in the city from Saturday 28th May.
A station playing cheesy music will also launch in the next few days. Already available online, Cheesy FM describes itself as being “home to all things cheesy”. Cheesy FM plays pop, dance, boy-bands and party anthems from the 70s to today.
The stations will be available on the ‘trial’ multiplex in Manchester. This is a collection of digital radio stations available whilst the broadcast regulator examines how ‘small-scale’ multiplexes can work in areas around the UK. Other services already available include Chris Country, Manchester Business Radio, Gaydio and the temporary Magic Abba.