Page 40 - Spring 2024
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and music publishers). All broadcasters need A recent step of independence has come with
this licence for each media they use, however Ofcom granting a small scale DAB licence
where they “simulcast” (simultaneously (SSDAB) to major towns across the UK. SSDAB
broadcast) multiple transmissions of the same uses wide-bandwidth broadcast technology
content concurrently via different media, in Band III (174 – 240 MHz). So far 78 towns in the
allowing them to reach a wider audience, the UK now have these broadcasts (and there are
extra licence is heavily discounted. Ofcom now 157 community radio stations with C-DSP
encourages community radio stations to licenses). SSDAB is considerably cheaper than
seek advertising revenue, and allows them to the original high power regional DAB because
cover up to half of their annual expenditure the onset of DAB+ multiplexing enables a
from advertising revenue. However PRS/PPL service provider to squeeze more channels
licence fees are proportional to advertising into a multiplex. Being only city-wide, with a
revenue. Another disadvantage of PRS/PPS is multiplicity of locations, it avoids the use of the
the need to provide monthly reports on music few expensive regional broadcasting towers.
used on one chosen day in the month (unless It operates on tall buildings with low power
agreement can be reached that a larger station (typically 100 watts) and limited range. Antenna
is representative of the music played and PRS/ need to be on tall buildings because the higher
PPL agrees to waive the “reporting requirement”). frequency of DAB, compared to FM, means
blackspots and shadows. This can be annoying
WE SAY THAT Flame CCR is “online” ... in detail with sudden short dropouts when travelling
that means Flame CCR webcasts via its service
through the area, and typically coverage is
provider Canstream. Flame CCR can be accessed
only for 25 miles which is shorter than some
from a variety of online sources such as www. commuting distances. There is a hidden snag in
radioplayer.co.uk (or our www.flameradio.org
the DAB+ multiplexing means that the old DAB
website which gives direct access to Radioplayer
radios need replacing, so look out for the “ready
via the LISTEN LIVE button). There are at least 10 for DAB+” tick on the box when buying a new DAB
other internet portals that carry Flame (such
radio.
as www.tunein.com). Another easy way is via
smart speaker saying “find Flame Christian and Locally WE SAY THAT Flame CCR is “on DAB+”
Community Radio” to AlexA or one of her friends. – in detail that means that Flame CCR is one
Our mobile phone APP takes listeners directly to channel (amongst 32) on the Liverpool 2
Flame CCR. All of that is another dream realised, multiplex, broadcast by Liverpool DAB Ltd www.
with the ability to listen to Flame CCR on a mobile liverpoolDAB.com from St John’s Beacon in
phone whilst on the move. Central Liverpool and also from Woolton. Flame
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