Despite the expansion of digital radio services, analogue platforms such as FM and AM continue to play a significant role in the UK’s media landscape. Recent data indicates that analogue radio accounts for 27% of all radio listening, underscoring its enduring presence.
Given this sustained relevance, it is essential that audiences retain the freedom to choose between digital and analogue platforms. This choice ensures that listeners can access content through their preferred mediums, accommodating diverse preferences and technological capabilities.
Furthermore, service providers should have the autonomy to broadcast via analogue or digital platforms as they deem appropriate, provided they adhere to the established Broadcast Code. Allowing broadcasters to operate on their chosen platforms, at their own expense, fosters a diverse and competitive media environment, ultimately benefiting the public by offering a wider array of content options.
In light of these considerations, isn’t it time that DCMS and the UK Government reassess any plans for a mandatory digital switchover in radio broadcasting, and give up on compelling radio listeners and broadcasters to use platforms they have no direct control over or affinity for? Why is the government not being pragmatic by maintaining support for both analogue and digital services, in a way that respects listener choice and upholds the principles of a pluralistic media ecosystem?
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has adopted a cautious approach regarding the digital switchover for radio in the UK. The 2021 Digital Radio and Audio Review concluded that it would be premature to consider a formal switch-off of analogue services before 2030. The government concurred with this assessment, recognising that while digital listening is on the rise, a significant portion of the population, particularly older and vulnerable individuals, continues to rely on FM radio. Consequently, the government has decided to maintain FM services until at least 2030, ensuring that all listeners retain access to radio broadcasts.
The review also noted that analogue listening is projected to decline to approximately 12-14% of total radio listening by 2030. In light of this trend, the government plans to reassess the situation in 2026 to determine appropriate next steps. This strategy reflects a commitment to a gradual transition, allowing time for digital platforms to become more universally accessible and for listeners to adapt to new technologies.
DCMS aims to support a gradual and inclusive transition to digital radio, ensuring that the needs of all listeners are considered and that everyone retains access to essential radio services during the switchover process. As of November 2023, however, approximately 40% of BBC Radio 2’s audience still listens via FM broadcasts. Given the station’s total weekly reach of around 13.28 million listeners, this equates to about 5.3 million people tuning in to Radio 2 on FM each week. This is a figure that won’t change much in the next couple of years, with FM and AM listening retaining a high level of acceptance.
The UK Government’s strategy for transitioning from analogue (FM and AM) to digital radio broadcasting is driven by several key objectives:
- Enhanced Audio Quality and Service Diversity: Digital platforms offer superior sound quality and the capacity to host a greater number of stations, thereby providing listeners with a broader array of content.
- Efficient Spectrum Utilisation: Migrating to digital broadcasting allows for more effective use of the radio spectrum, facilitating the introduction of new services and technologies.
- Alignment with Evolving Listener Habits: There is a notable shift towards digital listening among audiences. The government aims to support this transition by ensuring that broadcasting infrastructure keeps pace with public preferences.
- Economic Considerations: Operating dual transmission systems for both analogue and digital broadcasts is financially burdensome. Phasing out analogue services is anticipated to reduce costs for broadcasters and consumers alike.
- Environmental Impact: Digital transmissions are generally more energy-efficient than their analogue counterparts, contributing to environmental sustainability goals.
The Digital Radio and Audio Review concluded that it would be premature to consider a formal switch-off of analogue services before 2030, acknowledging that a significant segment of the population, particularly older and vulnerable individuals, continues to rely on FM radio. Consequently, FM services are expected to remain operational until at least 2030, with a reassessment planned for 2026 to determine appropriate next steps.
This approach is purported to ensures that the shift to digital broadcasting is inclusive, allowing all listeners adequate time to adapt to new technologies without losing access to essential radio services.
The government’s delay in enforcing the transition to digital broadcasting for radio in the UK is not only timid but also an example of unnecessary hand-wringing. This hesitancy is creating a detrimental hangover effect that skews innovation within the radio market. As a result, new entrants face significant barriers to accessing the media economy.
While Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and Small-Scale DAB (SSDAB) roll-outs continue to be a focal point for Ofcom, the lack of significant analogue radio licensing since 2016 underscores a concerning oversight. The current obsession with SSDAB is stifling new opportunities and hindering the growth of the industry. It is imperative for regulatory bodies to address these issues promptly to ensure a vibrant and competitive radio market that embraces both digital advancements and the foundational aspects of analogue broadcasting.
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) in the UK has faced several criticisms since its inception:
- Audio Quality Concerns: Many stereo stations on DAB broadcast at bit rates as low as 24 kbps using the MP2 codec, resulting in audio quality often perceived as inferior to FM transmissions. This compression can lead to a loss of audio fidelity, especially noticeable in music broadcasts.
- Coverage Limitations: DAB coverage can be inconsistent, particularly in rural areas, leading to reception issues. Listeners have reported signal dropouts and interference, which can disrupt the listening experience. Small-Scale DAB, for example, has engineering specifications for mobile reception rather than indoor reception.
- Technological Obsolescence: The original DAB standard, developed over two decades ago, is considered outdated. While DAB+ offers improvements, its adoption has been slow, and many existing DAB receivers are incompatible with DAB+, necessitating equipment upgrades for listeners.
- Energy Consumption: DAB radios, particularly older models, tend to consume more power than their FM counterparts, leading to shorter battery life in portable devices. This increased energy usage raises concerns about environmental impact and operational costs. The cost of purchasing a DAB radio can be prohibitive, with availability limited to a small number of department stores.
- Delayed Implementation of DAB+: The UK’s gradual transition to DAB+ has been criticised for causing fragmentation in the digital radio market. Some stations have adopted DAB+, while others remain on the original DAB standard, leading to compatibility issues for listeners and hindering a unified digital radio experience.
These criticisms highlight challenges in the UK’s digital radio strategy, suggesting a need for technological updates and more comprehensive coverage to meet listener expectations.
Governments worldwide have facilitated transitions from analogue to digital platforms across various media forms, primarily to enhance service quality, optimise spectrum use, and align with technological advancements.
- Television Broadcasting: Many countries have completed the shift from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT). For instance, the United States ceased analogue TV broadcasts in 2009, while the United Kingdom finalised its digital switchover in 2012. This transition has enabled improved picture quality, increased channel offerings, and more efficient spectrum utilisation.
- Telecommunications: The UK is transitioning from analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) services to digital Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, with plans to complete the switchover by 2025. This move aims to modernise the telecommunication infrastructure, offering more reliable and versatile services.
Despite the prevalence of digital formats, certain non-digital platforms remain popular:
- Vinyl Records: Vinyl has experienced a resurgence, particularly among younger generations, due to its unique sound quality and tangible nature. This revival reflects a broader appreciation for analogue experiences in a digital age.
- Film Photography: Traditional film cameras have regained popularity, especially among millennials and Generation Z, who value the distinctive aesthetic and hands-on process of film photography. This trend has led to increased demand for vintage cameras and film supplies.
- Print Media: Physical books and magazines continue to hold significant market share, as many readers prefer the tactile experience and ease of use associated with print. The enduring appeal of print media underscores the limitations of digital formats in replicating certain sensory experiences.
These examples illustrate that, while digital platforms offer numerous advantages, analogue formats persist due to their unique qualities and the distinct experiences they provide to users. Moreover, despite over three decades of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) in the UK, FM and AM radio remains prevalent due to several factors:
- Listener Preferences: A significant portion of the UK population continues to favour analogue radio. As of the fourth quarter of 2023, AM/FM accounted for 28% of all radio listening hours.
- Coverage Limitations: DAB coverage can be inconsistent, particularly in rural areas and densely built-up urban areas, leading to reception issues. Listeners have reported signal dropouts and interference, which can disrupt the listening experience.
- Technological Transition: The gradual adoption of DAB+ has led to a fragmented digital radio market. Some stations have adopted DAB+, while others remain on the original DAB standard, leading to compatibility issues for listeners and hindering a unified digital radio experience.
- Vehicle Integration: Many vehicles, especially older models, are equipped solely with analogue radios. Retrofitting or replacing these systems can be costly and inconvenient, leading drivers to continue using FM/AM services.
- Regulatory Considerations: Recognising the ongoing reliance on analogue services, the UK government has decided to maintain FM services until at least 2030, ensuring that all listeners retain access to radio broadcasts, but it is now nearly ten years since analogue licencing was available at scale in the UK.
These factors collectively contribute to the sustained prevalence of FM and AM radio in the UK, even as digital platforms continue to expand.
As an independent media consultant specialising in grassroots community media development, I urge the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to reconsider the proposed digital switchover for UK broadcast radio. Analogue radio remains a vital component of our media landscape, offering accessible and reliable services to diverse audiences, particularly those in underserved communities.
The expectation of an imminent digital switchover has distorted the market and stifled innovation. Under the current framework, broadcasters can discontinue services and relinquish spectrum, yet alternative providers are often unable to offer new services for either commercial gain or community benefit. This policy restricts the creative use of available spectrum and hampers the development of diverse, locally relevant content.
I would suggest that DCMS adopts a pragmatic and pluralistic licensing approach that allows both digital and analogue platforms to coexist, ensuring that audiences retain the freedom to choose their preferred medium. Service providers should have the autonomy to broadcast on platforms that best serve their communities, within the bounds of the Broadcast Code, and at their expense.
Maintaining the pretence of an impending digital switchover not only undermines the plurality of our media ecosystem but also neglects the needs of listeners who rely on analogue services. The government really must reassess this policy direction, and focus instead on fostering an environment where innovation thrives, and diverse voices are heard across all broadcasting platforms.