How many of these do you own? pic.twitter.com/kEBW6E5Hq4

— Absolute 80s (@Absolute80s)

This wonderful retune allegedly brings better quality sound over the digital radio network to 75% of the UK, which is how it got past Ofcom, the regulator. The reality is that the 25% that are no longer able to receive these transmissions comprise some of the most populous areas. Most of south Kent and much of south west England are without reception. And whilst it’s not as densely populated, as much as 80% of Scotland just got switched off too.

For (ex) listeners in those areas, there’s a limited choice now. In my area, we drop to just 23 channels, 11 of which are the dear old BBC. As significant proportion are available on FM radio, so what pray, was the point of making us go out and buy expensive DAB radios that are now effectively redundant?

Bauer Media, the group that owns Planet Rock and sister station Absolute 80s (which is also moving), appears resolute and simply recommends that we try alternative ways of listening. That’s just not practical for a large chunk of their listeners, who aren’t at home or in a fixed working location; a516digital called that out in their news blog at the end of February: -

“But for listeners not in the 75% of the UK able to receive Sound Digital services, a switch to alternative platforms is required, such as the internet or mobile apps. While internet radio offers a viable alternative for listening to stations at home or at work, mobile reception is subject to the three Cs: coverage (3G/4G), congestion (in some areas on some networks, there are crunch points where speeds plummet and connectivity is poor) and cost - ask anyone who has just been kicked off 3’s All-You-Can-Eat data plan.”

It makes no difference. From tomorrow, as many as quarter of a million listeners wake up the harsh reality that their favourite, award-winning rock station is effectively off the air… and there simply isn’t an alternative.

There’s a petition up on change.org here - if you haven’t signed it yet, please add your name to the more than 2,000 already on there. Even if you’re in an area where you can still receive most or all of the now Sound Digital multiplex channels, adding your voice may help those who aren’t so lucky.

Hello To A Mad Affair

As I popped the CD into the player, I wasn’t sure what to expect. ‘Mad Affair’ is the first solo album by Bob Bradbury, former frontman of Glam Rock band Hello, whose hits “Tell Him” and “New York Groove” graced the UK Top 10 during the mid-Seventies. I hit the Play button on my stereo, and sat down to write. Some chance of writing!

L-R: Vic Faulkner, Bob Bradbury, Keith Marshall & Jeff Allen

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