My TV or Freeview box will not find Gold or Smooth Extra using a loft mounted aerial. My kitchen radio will pick these up dependent on position.
– Alan
Unfortunately it is not currently possible to receive Gold or Smooth Extra with a Freeview television or Freeview box.
Gold and Smooth Extra are broadcast using the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) digital radio standard. Your kitchen radio will have a DAB tuner and be able to receive these stations.
Digital televisions and Freeview receivers use a different standard, known as DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial).
As these standards are not compatible it isn’t possible to receive DAB stations with a Freeview box, or radio stations on digital terrestrial television with a DAB radio.
Smooth Radio on Freeview and Smooth Extra on DAB digital radio broadcast the same programmes and music between 7pm and 10am. Between 10am and 7pm on weekdays Smooth Extra on DAB plays “Your Refreshing Music Mix” while Smooth Radio on Freeview has programmes from the national version of Smooth Radio. On weekends this applies between 10am and 6pm.
Gold and Smooth Extra on digital radio
Gold is broadcast in several parts of the UK on DAB digital radio, while Smooth Extra is available across the UK on DAB.
You mentioned Cornwall in your question, so it is likely you receive Gold on your kitchen radio from one of the following twelve transmitters:
Bude, North-East Cornwall (from Caradon Hill), Gulval, Helston, Newquay, Devon (from North Hessary Tor), Bodmin (from Penaligon Down), South-West Cornwall (from Redruth), St Austell, St Just, St Mawes and Truro.
These transmitters also carry Pirate FM, Heart Cornwall, Gold, KISS, BBC Cornwall, Capital UK and My Music Radio.
Availability of Smooth Extra and Gold
The availability of radio channels on DAB digital radio, Freeview, Freesat, Sky and other platforms is not consistent.
Smooth Extra is available on:
- DAB digital radio across the UK
- Sky channel 0146
- Online and in smartphone and tablet apps
Gold is available on:
- DAB digital radio in parts of the UK, including Cornwall
- Sky channel 0121
- Freesat channel 722
- Virgin Media channel 923
- Online and in smartphone and tablet apps