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Radio Newark signs new deal with Nottingham DAB to expand audience reach along A46 to more than three-quarters of a million people




A new broadcasting deal will offer Radio Newark the chance to grow its audience — as bosses hail a ‘mighty step forward’ for the station.

The community station’s board of directors have accepted an offer to have the station’s output relayed by Nottingham DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), with the potential to grow the current reach of about 60,000 to more than three-quarters of a million people.

This recently-established digital radio multiplex operator serves both the city and the surrounding area and will begin simulcasting Radio Newark programmes to digital listeners from Monday (April 8).

Phil Johnson, Radio Newark’s director of operations. Photo: Radio Newark.
Phil Johnson, Radio Newark’s director of operations. Photo: Radio Newark.

“It is a mighty step forward”, said Radio Newark director of operations, Phil Johnson.

It’s a massive difference in our potential reach, but we must remember that we are still Radio Newark.

“We are not here to take on Nottingham; anything that goes on air must relate back to Newark.

Listeners can tune in online anywhere in the UK by using the website, smart phone app or via smart speaker, but this is not the case for those that want to listen while driving.

Phil explained that car listeners driving down the A46 towards Nottingham currently drop out from the 107.8FM station after around five kilometres — but under the new deal radios automatically switch from FM to DAB.

FM radio works on height — the higher the placement of the antenna, the wider a station can reach — and Radio Newark’s antenna sits atop the spire of Newark Parish Church, 71 metres off the ground for maximum reach.

Map showing the area covered in the original Nottingham DAB application document .Photo: Radio Newark.
Map showing the area covered in the original Nottingham DAB application document .Photo: Radio Newark.

Phil emphasised that the station’s editorial and community focus will remain focused on Newark, although the expansion into Nottingham will come with benefits in the form of potential new listeners and advertisers.

“We’d also like to think that some of the council-run events will feel an extra boost in attendance, as being heard in the Nottingham city region could draw people into Newark to attend these events,” he said.

He added: “DAB brings increased listener choice to the largest urban area in the East Midlands and the second-largest in the Midlands - where more than 768,638 people live, travel, work, study and play.”



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