开云体育

Absolute Radio abandon AM Radio

Mike Terry All Messages By This Member #32 开云体育 6 February 2023 · News Alan Hughes looks at Absolute Radio’s decision to abandon AM radio. Absolute Radio, owned by Bauer Media, has switched off 21 AM transmitters. It does not have any FM transmitters but has 10 program streams on DAB. They did this of their own volition and their stated reason is “Why can I no longer listen to Absolute Radio on AM? “We think we sound better on digital, as it offers a much stronger signal and cuts out background noise. “Lots of you agree, which is why nearly all our audience listen to us digitally. Broadcasting on AM requires running an additional transmitter which is environmentally unfriendly and not cost-efficient given the small numbers of those listening here. “We’re sorry for those affected by the change, but we hope you find an alternative listening experience that works for you.” In Norway Bauer Media own 10 nationwide advertising-funded radio channels, Radio Norge, Radio Rock, Radio Topp 40, Radio Vinyl, Norsk Pop, P24-7, MIX, FUN and KOS, KISS and PODPLAY RADIO. Norway has no AM radio and in 2017 closed all networked FM leaving DAB+ and low powered FM community stations on air. They along with Government owned NRK have experienced the rise in the ratings back to previous levels within 12 months of the switch off, as Norwegians bought DAB+ radios. You cannot buy a new car which is not DAB+ radio equipped. None of the electric vehicles sold in Australia will receive AM radio, so how long will it be before they drop FM as well? DAB+ is the cheapest way when compared to the internet, FM and AM to distribute programs in high population density areas. The capacity of mobile phone towers is determined by their average traffic at each site. If radio was switched off there would not be enough spectrum to give each listener their own individual program feed particularly at breakfast and drive times. The lesson that Australian capital city broadcasters should learn is that we have had high powered DAB+ broadcasting all AM/FM programs and more since 2009. When will broadcasters decommission the 83 AM transmitters and 136 FM transmitters most of which are high powered? Then the savings of money and greenhouse gas production will be felt just like Norwegians have found. It should be noted that for all capital cities, Gold Coast and Mandurah require the installation of 21 standby main DAB+ transmitters because a failure would cause a loss many programs to a large audience. Read more at: https://radioinfo.com.au/news/absolute-radio-abandon-am-radio/ ? RadioInfo Australia

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