Liverpool, Warrington and Cardiff multiplexes get power increases

Small-scale DAB multiplexes in Liverpool, Cardiff and Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn have each had a power increase.

Viamux has turned up the wattage on all the services following approval from Ofcom.

The Cardiff multiplex, which covers the capital city of Wales, as well as Barry and Caerphilly, has a combined population of over half a million listeners.

Following the submission of a detailed coverage improvement request to Ofcom, Cardiff DAB was allowed to double the power at each of its three transmission sites.

Nathan Spackman from Bro Radio welcomed the news. “We’re thrilled that Cardiff DAB has been able to increase the output of their transmitters and improve DAB coverage across the area.

“Launching on DAB in May 2023 allowed us to reach new audiences across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, whilst bringing existing listeners over to DAB+. The improved coverage will help us to continue to grow our community service, increase revenue and reach even more listeners.”

A power increase was also granted to Liverpool DAB, which is the only small-scale multiplex serving Merseyside’s 1.4 million people.

“Ofcom agreed to allow us to more than double the power from one of the two sites” says Viamux’s David Duffy. “As a multicultural city with a diverse population, the power increases from the Woolton transmitter site will not only strengthen the signal across the south and east of the area but also fill in some places where coverage was intermittent or non-existent.”

The coverage improvement for Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn DAB sees the addition of an in-fill transmitter for the rapidly growing village of Lymm which lies in the south east of the area. The licenced area sits between Manchester with Liverpool – spanning the busy M62 and M56 motorways.

“Lymm is our broadcast home,” says Mix56 founder and Station Manager Paul Smith. “And due to the topography (we are in a small valley) we had areas locally where listeners were having major issues picking us up on DAB at home or in their car. The new infill transmitter has helped massively, and we’ve already had positive feedback and new listeners”.

Viamux continues to work with licensees across the UK on improving their coverage requirements.