Stockport is one a handful of UK towns earmarked for its own digital radio transmission platform which will transform radio listening in the area.
Currently radio stations are on FM, AM and DAB which is beamed from Manchester; ambitious Ofcom plans will see local DAB transmission sites placed in a number of key towns with Stockport being one of these coming online next year.
As Ofcom gradually phase out analogue in favour new digital technology, stations already on digital welcome the changes. One of these is Stockport’s Strawberry Radio currently broadcasting on the Manchester DAB network, director Chellce AJ says:
We are so excited that Stockport will have its own Digital Platform, it will give greater access to the airwaves for stations like ours and will be affordable for new stations which ultimately will give greater choice at a time when many local radio are either networking or being swallowed into the larger regional stations.”
Stockport Councillor Kate Butler believes it is the perfect time for Stockport to be getting its own Digital Platform:
Stockport town centre’s huge £1billion programme of regeneration has already attracted a swell of new business. Investors and developers are keen to be a part of Stockport’s transformation with many more new commercial and residential schemes planned. While we have benefitted from being a part of Manchester’s DAB network, with so much happening in Stockport, I think the timing for the borough to be allocated its own Digital Platform is spot on, a dedicated channel for local news and events, giving greater choice for the residents, visitors and businesses across the borough.”
Stockport’s Digital Radio platform will launch in 2021.