Digital technology is not only the future, it’s here already and being used by the radio industry for all manner of recording and transmissions. How does the radio listener get the most from the digital radio revolution and from the audio systems that replaced analogue technology? Furthermore, some say non-terrestrial broadcasting systems will eventually replace all earth based distribution systems. So what benefits does new technology offer?
Ways to Listen to Digital Radio.
Previously, the radio listener’s equipment would pick up their station(s) of choice on AM, FM or even Long Wave and occasionally a long time ago on Short Wave. Digital Technology now offers more choice of listening by a variety of means:
- DAB Radio - radio through a digital signal supplied via a terrestrial based Digital Hub.
- The digital signal - different countries throughout the world have chosen to supply the signal using slightly differing technology.
- Digital TV – channels of cable and satellite TV providers dedicated to radio provision.
- Broadband – many broadband providers worldwide provide access to radio direct to their customers’ home computers.
- The Web – nearly all major radio stations transmit their output through the internet, giving radio listeners access to thousands of stations, worldwide.
- Personal Radio – the personal radio market has exploded in recent years. Now listeners can choose to listen through their phone or of course I-phone, MP3 player, portable DAB radio, or other personal audio system.
- Satellite Radio – some suggest as receivers get smaller, radio delivered from a satellite will cover the globe.
The possibilities of the digital signal have given rise to even more development in new technology and more new products. Wherever the consumer wants to listen to their radio, a manufacturer will try and find a development to fit this demand. Demand has also been created by the introduction of new audio products themselves.
The Choice of Digital Radio Stations.
The DAB signal not only offers better quality audio for the listener but the system and the width of the frequencies it supports allows delivery of a vastly increased number of radio stations. Digital radio has developed the offering that radio companies can provide and these can be categorised into some of the following genres:
- Music - there are now as many radio stations as there are music genres.
- Talk – from the ubiquitous radio phone-in to serious chat and documentary programming.
- Entertainment - a mixture of celebrity chat, to health and living programmes, showbiz gossip to film and music reviews.
- News – current events either station generated or from established news providers, political comment, and legislative bodies live broadcasts
- Sport – different sports are more popular in different countries, so the station choice will reflect these.
Local Content.
As radio becomes more global in nature, with take-overs, amalgamations and mergers, so the impact of localness of many of the stations in some cases lessens. As this global nature becomes more prevalent in some territories, a new tier of more community based stations may develop.
Community and not-for-profit stations have by their nature less money for investment so their development of digital technology will be restricted. Their broadcasts therefore will tend to be based on older technology until it becomes more affordable.
Regulation and Legislation.
The rules impacting on broadcasting vary from country to country. By and large they tend to follow new developments in technology as they occur and attempt to control or regulate them and the companies or parties involved in them rather than precede them.
Conclusion.
The global nature of any new development in technology, particularly in satellite and internet broadcasting makes new regulations difficult to enforce. It would have been difficult to foresee the broadcasting landscape that exists today, a decade ago. Likewise foreseeing changes likely in the next ten years is equally as difficult. The development of technology as it happens gives some clues.
Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...
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