ABC RADIO IS GOING DIGITAL.
All your favourite ABC Radio services have started broadcasting on digital radio along with three new music stations — ABC Dig Music, ABC Country and ABC Jazz, the ABC Grandstand sports channel and special event radio stations.
Digital Radio is an established broadcast platform in the UK, Europe and parts of Asia and now it's Australia's turn to switch on to digital radio, the next generation of radio broadcasting.
Initially, Digital Radio is available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth with plans underway for the future extension of services to other capital cities and regional areas.
Digital Radio is not replacing current services; it simply provides another choice in how to receive your ABC Radio.
Please note that, in Melbourne, all ABC digital radio services are operating at low power while work is being done on the antenna. Full power will be resumed on Saturday March 20th when this stage of the work is completed.
This link takes you to a map showing the coverage of digital radio for Melbourne.
ON-AIR. ONLINE. ON DIGITAL RADIO.
To listen to the ABC on digital radio you will need to purchase a digital radio receiver. These are also known as DAB+ receivers. DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting and DAB+ is the digital radio technology standard for Australia. Digital radios are being stocked by leading electronics retailers and the ABC Shop online.
It's not just the ABC that is available on digital radio. SBS, commercial and community broadcasters are also part of this digital evolution.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL RADIO?
GREAT SOUND
Digital radio delivers better sound quality than traditional AM and FM radio.
BETTER RECEPTION
Digital radio offers interference-free, digital-quality sound. The digital radio receiver locks onto the strongest signal in your area to provide crystal clear reception.
MORE CHOICE
As well as its existing stations, the ABC is offering three new music stations—ABC Dig Music, ABC Country and ABC Jazz, the ABC Grandstand sports channel and special event radio stations. More stations will be on air on digital radio over time.
EASY TUNING
No need to remember your favourite station's frequency. You can tune by station name. Simply scroll through the list of stations and with one touch, you're tuned and listening to your ABC.
PAUSE AND REWIND
Some digital radio receivers are able to store the program you're listening to and let you pause and rewind the program for a few minutes. It is also possible to store it for later listening via a memory card. No need to miss the news, sports results or weather. Just pause and rewind.
ON SCREEN INFORMATION
Digital radios have small screens which can display program-related information, such as 'now playing' details, in text and—on some receivers—graphics. News headlines, weather details, traffic updates and so on can also be provided on-screen.
WHAT'S ON OFFER FROM ABC?
ABC is providing simulcasts of its existing ABC Radio services plus three new music stations: ABC Dig Music, ABC Jazz and ABC Country and special sports coverage on ABC Grandstand. The ABC is also broadcasting temporary "pop-up" radio stations for special events.
DIGITAL RADIO EXTRA
The ABC's new special events national digital radio channel brings you extra coverage of events and ideas that matter.
Every day there are things happening locally and around the world that attract the interest and attention of Australians all over the country. Festivals, speeches and addresses, celebrations and commemorations, big unfolding stories and small conferences discussing big ideas.
Across its networks ABC Radio covers many of these events but often there just isn't the time or space to cover everything.
This new part-time digital radio service comes alive to give you extra coverage of special events beyond what can be provided by other ABC Radio networks.
Generally, each special broadcast on the channel is named for the event, and that's how you find it on your digital radio receiver. There might be some short broadcasts where the service will be labelled as "ABC Extra".
If you're in a mainland State capital city and have a digital radio receiver then, so far, you've had the chance revisit the historic Apollo 11 moon mission through "ABC Moon Landing" - a special broadcast that commemorated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing and Neil Armstrong's first steps onto the surface of the moon. "ABC East Timor" took listeners to our neighbouring nation to mark the 10th anniversary of its Independence Referendum. "ABC Melbourne Festival" was two weeks covering the best of the festival - interviews, music, features, reviews and performance. During November there was "triple j unearthed" - a 24/7 service devoted to music hand selected from triplejunearthed.com.
These webpages carries news of future special digital radio broadcasts. You can also stay up to date with future events by subscribing to the ABC Digital Radio RSS feed about extra services, or signing up to the ABC Digital Radio Newsletter.
RE-TUNE YOUR RADIO FOR NEW STATIONS
As new services come on the air, you may find your digital radio needs to be re-tuned. This manufacturer summary may assist you, should you find this is necessary.
FAQ
Link to Digital Radio frequently asked questions
COVERAGE
Adelaide:
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Brisbane:
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Melbourne:
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Perth:
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Sydney:
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INDUSTRY LINKS
For more information on digital radio, these links will take you to Australian and overseas websites of broadcasters, regulators and industry bodies that are involved in digital radio broadcasting and development.
DigitalRadioPlus
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy – Australian Government
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on Digital Radio
The World Forum for Digital Audio Broadcasting
Disclaimer: ABC Online is not responsible for the material and does not endorse the opinions presented on external sites.
