NTL switches on 250th digital radio transmitter
29th Oct 2004
- Milestone marked at Caradon Hill in Cornwall
- Digital radio comes of age after intensive four-year roll-out
- Pirate FM, Plymouth Sound and Radio Cornwall now available digitally
NTL's Broadcast division has today switched on its 250th digital commercial radio transmitter after an intensive roll-out of multiplexing and transmission systems for both national and local stations lasting four years. Caradon Hill, near Liskeard in Cornwall, is the location for the 250th installation, which makes Pirate FM, Plymouth Sound and BBC Radio Cornwall available for the first time on DAB digital radio. The local multiplex also brings radio brands such as Classic Gold, The Storm and Kiss to the area for the first time.
The 250th installation is provided by NTL under contract to South West Digital Ltd, the local digital radio operator (majority owned by GWR and UKRD Group). James St Aubyn, High Sheriff of Cornwall and Chairman of UKRD, which also owns Pirate FM, said: "It's very good to see digital radio making inroads right across the country, and this celebration in Cornwall is all the more special for that. NTL has worked tirelessly to develop digital radio infrastructure throughout the UK and we're all very excited about the future of the medium."
Digital commercial radio first arrived in Cornwall in November 2001 with Digital One, which carries a popular range of national stations from Classic FM to Planet Rock. NTL's Caradon Hill site itself opened in 1961 for Westward Television and now carries four analogue TV channels plus digital TV and radio. The 800-foot mast stands on the edge of Bodmin Moor and dominates the skyline of south-east Cornwall.
Paul Eaton, Head of Radio at NTL's Broadcast division, said: "The radio industry is on the crest of a wave and it's a great tribute to all those involved that the medium has kept evolving with changes in lifestyle and technology to provide more services and choice to listeners. DAB digital radio has very much come of age now and we're all very proud of what's been achieved in such a short time."
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