LONDON In the event of a digital radio switchover across the UK, the BBC will be required to build out its national DAB network even further, according to the government White Paper on BBC Charter Renewal, published recently.
The BBC’s national DAB multiplex is already on course to reach 97% of the UK population this year. The BBC would also be required to boost coverage of its radio stations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so that DAB coverage matches FM coverage. Currently, these stations are carried on commercial DAB multiplexes, and their coverage concentrates on highly-populated, commercially viable areas, according to a516digital.com.
While the government has said that a decision on the switchover is not going to be made immediately, it does say that it’s “likely to be taken by the government at some point during the next Charter Period.”
The Royal Charteris the constitutional basis for the BBC; it sets out the public purposes of the BBC, guarantees its independence, and outlines the duties of the Trust and the Executive Board. The charter period is 10 years; and, the current Charter runs until Dec. 31, 2016.
