Better sound, more choice.
Commercial radio is now broadcasting on DAB+ digital radio in Hobart, with three new DAB+ commercial stations now on air, KIX Country, Easy Hits and Triple M Classic Rock.
Consumers will need a DAB+ radio to receive the new services, but listeners who have purchased a new car recently may already have one as 65% of all new cars sold in Australia are now factory fitted with a DAB+ radio. Listeners simply need to press scan or auto tune on the radio to see the new stations appear in the station list.
Commercial Radio Australia CEO, Joan Warner said, “We are pleased listeners in Hobart now have the option to listen on AM, FM and DAB+. They can enjoy the benefits of digital radio, including better sound quality and more station choice, listen to their favourite station and try some of the new stations on offer.”
More than 4.21 million people aged 10 and over, listened to DAB+ digital radio each week in the five metro capital cities in 2018. The total number of DAB+ radios in Australia, including those in cars, rose to 4.73 million at the end of 2018.
DAB+ radios feature small screens with text information such as program information, the name of the song currently playing, and news and weather updates. They are easier to use as stations are selected by name from a menu, with no need to tune by frequency. Some also feature LCD screens with images.