BBC National DAB is a digital audio broadcastingmultiplex in the UK, for a number of radio stations which have UK wide coverage. The multiplex is owned and operated by the BBC and is transmitted from a number of transmitter sites across the country; it only carries BBC radio stations.
As of the end of 2017, more than 97% of the UK's population are within reach of the multiplex following the completion of the switching on of a fourth set of new transmitters over the previous two years which had seen the reach increase from 93%.[2] Any further expansion of DAB radio is awaiting a decision by Government on any possible digital radio switchover.
Stations carried
The following channels are receivable on any digital-equipped DAB radio in the BBC National DAB coverage area:
On Radio 4 frequencies between 01:00 and 05:20 daily
BBC Guide
E1C79E5E
16-32 kbit/s
Data
Hidden service, EPG data
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Part time services
The BBC National DAB multiplex makes use of dynamic ensemble reconfiguration to allow a number of part-time services to broadcast. While these additional services are on air the bit rates of (one or more of) BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, and data services are reduced.
Live sport - broadcasts either Test Match Special or a second sporting event when BBC Radio 5 Live is also broadcasting live sport.
Former services
Two regularly-scheduled BBC Radio 4 long-wave programmes were, prior to April 2024, provided to DAB listeners by way of dynamic daily opt-outs which popped up on the national DAB multiplex. With the cessation of separate scheduling on long wave from 1 April 2024, these programmes were relocated to broadcast on Radio 4 Extra, ending use of the dynamic pop-ups for these.
Christian Music and Worship, Radio 4 LW opt-out simulcast; weekdays 09:45-10:00.
"Pop-up" services
The BBC has experimented with short-term "Pop-up" digital radio stations, each broadcasting for approximately four days at a time, covering music festivals and other special events. The first to broadcast was BBC Radio 5 Live Olympics Extra in 2012, then BBC Radio 2 Eurovision launched for the first time in 2014, and was joined by BBC Radio 2 Country, BBC Music Jazz in 2015 and BBC Radio 2 50s in April 2016. When these temporary stations are on air, there is normally a reduction in bit rate of their parent station.
Station Name
Description
BBC 5 Live Olympics Extra
Available during 2012 Summer Olympics with coverage consisting of sports commentaries.
Launched in March 2015 to provide coverage of London's C2C: Country to Country Country music festival. Returned in 2016 to cover the 2016 festival and again in 2017.
Launched in April 2016 as a celebration of the music and entertainment of the 1950s.
BBC Radio 1 Vintage
Available in September 2017 as a celebration of BBC Radio 1's 50th anniversary.
BBC Radio 2 Beatles
Launched in September 2019 as a celebration of 50 years of the Beatles album Abbey Road featuring interviews on how the album was created and how it influenced the next generation of music artists.
Planned station closures
In 2010, the BBC published plans to close BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Asian Network.[3] These plans were later rejected, saving both stations from closure. Radio 6 Music was retained after listening figures increased and a campaign was set up on Facebook, which gained 180,000 supporters.[4]
Future services
In February 2024, the BBC proposed launching four services on DAB+ and BBC Sounds. The services will be sister stations to BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3, plus BBC Radio 1 Dance. The plans are subject to the relevant regulatory approvals, including a Public Interest Test for the proposal to launch the stations via DAB+, a process which the BBC will start in the coming weeks and is expected to run until the end of 2024.[5]