Cheshire East DAB is a partnership between Silk FM, Canalside Community Radio, First Local DAB Ltd. and Phil England. The company has been formed to apply for the licence to bring small-scale DAB digital radio to East Cheshire.
Silk FM is the successful commercial radio operator that's been broadcasting to Cheshire East for over 23 years. Part of the Dee Radio Group which has locally focused radio stations in Cheshire and regional music genre stations in Manchester and Liverpool with expertise in DAB multiplex operations co-owning the local DAB multiplex for West Cheshire and NE Wales for over 8 years.
Canalside Community Radio ltd. is the community radio operator that's served north-east Cheshire since 2005. Canalside is dedicated to serving the needs of the residents of Cheshire East
First Local DAB ltd - Is operated by long standing seasoned radio and media professionals who bring a wealth of experience to the group. Finally, Phil England, a seasoned senior radio executive and Macclesfield resident with expertise in DAB operating Zest a DSP licence holder in Liverpool.
What is DAB?
DAB stands for 'Digital Audio Broadcasting' - the future of radio here in the UK and in many other countries around the world. As well as being interference-free it also opens up new opportunities for broadcasters and a dramatic increase in listener choice.
Here in Cheshire we’re planning to create a new ‘ecosystem’ of radio formats catering for a wide range of tastes, interests, communities and age groups.
DAB stands for 'Digital Audio Broadcasting' - the future of radio here in the UK and in many other countries around the world. As well as being interference-free it also opens up new opportunities for broadcasters and a dramatic increase in listener choice.
Here in Cheshire we’re planning to create a new ‘ecosystem’ of radio formats catering for a wide range of tastes, interests, communities and age groups.
How it Works
FM radio is sent out as a transmission on a particular frequency. Each one only has a very narrow frequency, so that the stations don’t overlap and interfere with each other. If you tune away from that frequency, you'll quickly be met by a wave of static. DAB radio works in a very different way. The digital transmission is made up of a string of ones and zeros. Since there are no frequency bands to stick to, that same signal can be sent out multiple times. This means that your radio has more chances to pick up the signal - making DAB far more reliable than FM.
The way DAB signals are sent brings some extra benefits, too. For one thing, stations can send out additional information along with the programme output. This includes things like the name of the station and the song that's currently playing. DAB signals are also better able to work around obstacles between your radio and the transmitter, like large buildings, and they carry their own protection against transmission errors.
FM radio is sent out as a transmission on a particular frequency. Each one only has a very narrow frequency, so that the stations don’t overlap and interfere with each other. If you tune away from that frequency, you'll quickly be met by a wave of static. DAB radio works in a very different way. The digital transmission is made up of a string of ones and zeros. Since there are no frequency bands to stick to, that same signal can be sent out multiple times. This means that your radio has more chances to pick up the signal - making DAB far more reliable than FM.
The way DAB signals are sent brings some extra benefits, too. For one thing, stations can send out additional information along with the programme output. This includes things like the name of the station and the song that's currently playing. DAB signals are also better able to work around obstacles between your radio and the transmitter, like large buildings, and they carry their own protection against transmission errors.
Why broadcast on DAB?
- Radio is as popular as ever in the digital age with 89% of the adult population tuning in each week - that's 48.9 million people!
- 67% of the population tune-in to digital radio every week.
- The vast majority of digital listening is via DAB.
- Cheshire East DAB will be focused on the key population centres around Macclesfield and Altrincham, so you won't be wasting money reaching places outside your immediate catchment area.
- DAB is eco-friendly, sustainable and socially responsible.
- It consumes 80% less electricity; requires 75% less capital investment; reduces operating expenditure and support costs by 65%.
A radio ecosystem is an interdependent community of transmission providers, broadcasters, advertisers and listeners - all connected for mutual gain and to maximise individual outcomes".
Join Us!
We'd love to talk about including your station in our line up of great formats for Cheshire East. For a chat about how we may be able to work together please complete the form below and we'll call you straight back in complete confidence.
We'd love to talk about including your station in our line up of great formats for Cheshire East. For a chat about how we may be able to work together please complete the form below and we'll call you straight back in complete confidence.