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Extension for DAB+ Trials in Canberra, Darwin THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS and Media Authority (ACMA) has extended the DAB+ digital radio trial licences in Canberra and Darwin for a further 12 months. The scientific licences have been extended to allow ongoing bench and field testing and continued coverage modelling to be used in achieving a cost effective DAB+ rollout to other regional areas. Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) chief executive, Joan Warner, said, “Australia is a unique market for the rollout of digital radio and careful planning is needed to get it right. Much has been learnt throughout the year of trial activity about receiver sensitivity which could influence transmission planning and the number of services offered, which also affects the rollout costs. Despite the research to date, more work is needed to ensure regional audiences enjoy great quality and reception and that the broadcasters can deliver that at a reasonable cost.” CRA is the trial licensee and on behalf of the ABC, SBS, and all commercial broadcasters, requested extensions to the Canberra and Darwin trial scientific licences to allow the industry to continue its commitment to the roll out of digital radio to regional. “The Canberra trial is a useful and active collaboration of commercial and public broadcasters and government agencies. It is a good test of a single shared multiplex model, which is being considered for regional areas and
Radio Industry Opens Up Audience Measurement
some important technical, as well as operational, knowledge has been gained,” said Ms Warner. Commercial radio stations 2CA, 2CC, Mix 106.3, 104.7, My Canberra, Hot Country, Canberra 100, and Radar, plus multicultural and multilingual stations - SBS Radio 1 and SBS Radio 2, SBS Pop Asia, and SBS Chill continue to broadcast on the low power DAB+ trial. ABC stations – 666 ABC Canberra, ABC Jazz, Radio National, triple j Unearthed, and ABC Grandstand - joined the trial in 2011. Hot 100 and Mix 104.9 and digital only services - Top Country Digital, Classic Rock, and Radio TAB - will continue DAB+ trial services in Darwin. Canberra and Darwin DAB+ trials have been the first outside the metropolitan capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. The DAB+ trial signal in both cities is at low power, but tests have indicated coverage at low power has been able to extend to a large part of the Canberra and Darwin areas. A boost was required to retransmit the trial signal into Parliament House. This has provided additional testing opportunities for “in building” coverage in a challenging structure. The trial services continue to be subject to occasional interruptions and changes in power for ongoing technical testing. Visit www.digitalradioplus.com.au
Digital Debut for Triple M in Perth
ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND RADIO stations will no longer be tied to a single radio analysis software package with the announcement that Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) has started the process for Gold Standard Accreditation of radio audience measurement software. From 1 January 2014, when audience measurement provider GfK commences the new contract for radio audience survey measurement in Australia, subscribers will be able to access a range of Gold Standard accredited software packages for use with radio survey data. Currently, all subscribers of radio audience measurement data are only permitted to use Nielsen’s Radio Advisor software. Gold Standard accredited software will use a common calculation base and standard industry language, terms and parameters. CRA CEO, Joan Warner, said, “The industry has introduced the Gold Standard accreditation to open up the radio analysis software market to ensure choice for advertising and media agencies, advertisers and radio stations using radio audience data. This will enable agencies to integrate radio analysis into their current software systems, while still providing consistent calculations.” The new three-year radio audience contract with GfK introduces an e-diary for computers, tablets and mobile phones, synchronised across the platforms and compatible with all operating systems. GfK is currently conducting industry parallel pilot testing to ensure validity of the new processes when the contract commences. Organisations can apply for Gold Standard certification by emailing goldstandard@commercialradio.com.au A full list of certified software suppliers will be made available in fourth quarter of this year after the initial round of accreditation. Visit www.commercialradio.com.au
USING DAB+ DELIVERY AS a means of geographic expansion, Southern Cross Austereo has launched Triple M live across Perth for the very first time. Linda Wayman, General Manager, SCA Perth, said, “We’re thrilled to now be able to offer the people of Perth access to what is one of Australia’s most iconic stations ever. It’s a very exciting addition to SCA’s radio portfolio.” Southern Cross Austereo says it is leading the charge on digital radio, with an ever growing portfolio of successful digital offerings, broadcast around Australia. With over 1.3 million digital radios sold around the country to date, broadcasting an ever growing number of stations to 1.6 million listeners each week, digital radio is “the perfect platform to extend Triple M’s reach around Australia”. Jaime Chaux, Digital Radio Content Director, SCA, said, “SCA has invested in digital radio to build a great portfolio of new stations and new sounds for audiences. Our next step, bringing Triple M to Perth, gives the city a real music alternative and Australia’s best AFL coverage.” Visit www.triplem.com.au/perth/
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