Edinburgh

The unique character of Edinburgh is largely down to its unique geological setting defined by hills and a rocky natural landscape. Spectacular though this may be, it causes major issues for broadcasters seeking to cover the city.

The cityscape is dominated by ‘Castle Rock’ – famously the plug of an ancient volcano. The rock, which is composed of solid basalt, completely blocks broadcast signals, casting a large shadow away from the source. The Pentland Hills are just to the south of the city, and their lower slopes are within the city boundary, especially around Hillend, Swanston and Balerno. These serve to isolate the city from radio signals beaming up from the south. Arthur's Seat, just to the east of the city centre, is an extinct volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park. The hill rises above the city to a height of 250m. These are just a selection of the challenges we’ve encountered in configuring our transmission infrastructure for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh DAB is a partnership between Sam Radio, Niocast Digital and commercial radio executive, Chris Hurst, to run the small-scale DAB digital radio multiplex in Scotland's capital.

Sam Radio is Scotland's latest - and Edinburgh's only - community radio station. Launching soon on FM the station will broadcast to the city's Asian community with an interactive service of entertaining, informative and educational programmes in Hindustani, Punjabi and Arabic. Sam Radio is now embracing DAB as a means of forging even closer links with the communities excluded by mainstream media.
Niocast Digital operates the small-scale DAB multiplex in Manchester, one of ten across the UK taking part in a national trial of the new system. Having also run successful trials in Dublin and Cork, Niocast is one of the most experienced operators of small-scale DAB.

Chris Hurst operates successful, locally-focused radio stations in Cheshire, regional music genre stations in Manchester and Liverpool and a local multiplex. Chris knows Edinburgh well through his involvement in the launch of talk107 14 years ago in his role as MD of Wireless Group local stations..

Niocast Digital operates the small-scale DAB multiplex in Manchester, one of ten across the UK taking part in a national trial of the new system. Having also run successful trials in Dublin and Cork, Niocast is one of the most experienced operators of small-scale DAB.

What is DAB?
DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting. DAB opens up new opportunities for broadcasters and a dramatic increase in listener choice. Here in Edinburgh we’re planning to create a new ‘ecosystem’ of radio listening that caters for a wide range of tastes, interests, communities and age groups.

Why you should get your radio station 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.
Edinburgh DAB will be focused on the city so you won't be wasting money reaching places outside your immediate catchment area.
DAB is eco-friendly, sustainable and socially responsible.
It is more environmentally friendly than analogue AM/FM as it consumes 80% less electricity; requires 75% less capital investment; reduces operating expenditure and maintenance 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".

Contact Us!
Please feel free to contact us with any comments or queries If you’re a Programme Service Provider, we look forward to hopefully working with you on this exciting development for local radio in Edinburgh. To register your interest please complete the form below and we'll contact you in complete confidence.

Edinburgh DAB Ltd,
Third Floor, 3, Hill Street, Edinburgh,
Scotland, EH2 3JP

Company Number: SC666922

Edinburgh

Edinburgh DAB Enquiry​

Edinburgh DAB Enquiry