Radio Horton, the health and wellbeing broadcaster for Banbury and surrounding areas, will soon be available across North Oxfordshire and parts of South Northamptonshire on small scale DAB, after local group, NOXDAB was awarded the areas digital radio licence by regulator Ofcom.
NOxDAB, the local applicant hoping to operate a digital radio multiplex for Banbury, Brackley and Bicester, has today been awarded the licence by the broadcast regulator Ofcom. The announcement was one of four awards made for areas around the country this morning.
Ofcom received two applications to operate the multiplex in the Banbury, Brackley and Bicester area.
NOxDAB is a not-for-profit company, formed through a partnership between four local broadcasters: Banbury FM, Puritans Radio, Radio Horton and 3Bs Radio. The licence allows NOxDAB to broadcast a number of digital services which will be received by digital radios in the three towns and the surrounding areas. When launched all four partners will be available to local digital radio listeners, together with up to 20 other radio stations.
Banbury FM’s Andy Green said: “We are delighted that the NOxDAB application has been successful and would like to thank all those people who have loyally supported us through our very long campaign to be heard on traditional radios. At Banbury FM we can’t wait to allow digital radio listeners to join the many people who already listen to us on their smart speakers and connected devices.”
Sam Smette, Radio Horton Chair, said: “We are excited about the potential of Small Scale DAB in North Oxfordshire. Not only will the NOXDAB multiplex offer listeners real choice for local people, it will also create new opportunities for up and coming local talent.
“Specifically, Small Scale DAB will provide Radio Horton the opportunity to reach a wider audience across North Oxfordshire, offering a variety of programming, designed to help promote a range of health and wellbeing content to the local community.”
Ian Fleming from Puritans Radio said: “It has been great to work together with other local radio stations on a common project to bring good local and community radio to Banbury, Brackley and Bicester. I am pleased that we can all now take this to the next level and reach more of our local community.”
Keith Lewis from 3Bs Radio said: “The 3Bs Radio team are delighted to receive the announcement from OFCOM about the DAB licence award. This will improve our coverage even further to the Brackley and Bicester areas and we cannot wait to commence broadcasting.
“It is also a double day of celebrations for 3Bs Radio as we are part of the North Bucks DAB licence award, covering our remaining B, Buckingham.”
NOxDAB must now agree specific technical details with Ofcom and begin building the three transmission sites they proposed to cover the area. A launch date is yet to be announced, but Ofcom rules state all multiplexes must be on-air within 18 months of award.
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