Digital radio in Australia explained

Digital broadcast radio in Australia uses the DAB+ standard and is available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. However, after 11 years, regional large cities such as Townsville and Ballarat still do not have DAB.[1] The national government owned television/radio networks, the ABC and SBS, and the commercial radio stations in each market provide many of their services and a few digital-only services on the digital platform. All but a few DAB+ services use the AAC+ codec, with a limited number using standard AAC.[2]

History

Despite testing in Sydney and Melbourne from as early as 1999, the first genuine plan for digital broadcast radio was released in October 2005, as Helen Coonan, the then Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, announced that Australia would adopt the Eureka 147 system. The Australian Government had set a launch date for digital broadcast radio in the six state capital cities, originally 1 January 2009, but this launch date was subsequently shifted back to no later than 1 July 2009[3] and the list of cities starting digital broadcast radio excluded Hobart. The peak industry body, Commercial Radio Australia, began coordinating the tests as well as organising the commercial multiplexes. The Australian Film Television and Radio School supported the development of digital radio by holding training seminars[4] and test broadcasts in various cities, organised by then Head of Radio Steve Ahern.

The major radio networks commenced a staged roll-out of commercial DAB+ services during May 2009, with Perth launching on 4 May 2009; Melbourne on 11 May 2009; Adelaide on 20 May 2009; Brisbane on 25 May 2009; and Sydney on 30 May 2009 (later delayed to 15 June due to weather conditions and kept on low power until 30 June). The roll-out of DAB+ services by the Government-owned ABC and SBS networks was delayed until 1 July 2009 due to funding delays and management issues.[5] Testing has been planned for other major cities, with a trial multiplex in Canberra commencing broadcasting on 14 July 2010,[6] and a trial multiplex running in Darwin since 13 August 2010.[7] Similar trials are being considered for Townsville and Hobart, and, as of December 2010, commercial broadcasters in regional markets have begun planning to introduce digital broadcast radio into regional population centres, possibly as soon as 2011 or 2012.[8] However, it is expected that it will be some years before digital broadcast radio is extended to the bulk of the Australian continent. Australia's vast distances and low population density are not well suited to the propagation characteristics of DAB+ and it is therefore likely that a standard other than DAB+ will be adopted for serving areas outside the major cities (leading to customer acceptance issues with receivers that can only receive one of the likely two standards).

Community digital broadcast radio services were rolled out to capital cities in late 2010 to May 2011 and were formally launched in May 2011.[9] The roll out of community digital broadcast radio services represents the largest ever infrastructure project conducted by the community broadcasting sector in Australia. The project was managed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.

On 14 December 2017, the ABC and SBS services in Canberra moved to a separate multiplex (both on 9C, 206.352 MHz) providing the same services as in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.[10] Services in Hobart began in 2019, as a national multiplex for ABC and SBS stations launched on 19 March 2018[11] and commercial multiplex launched on 3 April 2019.[12]

On 23 December 2019, two commercial stations in Mandurah launched its digital service on a new multiplex 8C (199.360 MHz),[13] becoming the first market in regional Australia to have DAB services.[14] This was followed by the launch of digital radio in Gold Coast on multiplex 9D (208.064 MHz)[15] on 4 April 2022.[16]

Current services

National broadcasters

The ABC and SBS operate digital broadcast radio services in all current DAB+ broadcasting markets on frequency block 9C (206.352 MHz).[17] While most services are national, the ABC provides local ABC Local Radio stations for their respective locations.

The local radio services are mostly a simulcast of their AM radio equivalents (FM in the case of Darwin); however, alternate programming is aired pre-empting most sports coverage (which is moved to digital-only station ABC Sport). This programming is also on the ABC's online streams, where sporting rights may prevent international coverage. The ABC also has a number of digital-only radio stations,[18] including ABC Jazz,[19] Double J,[20] ABC Country,[21] and special-events station ABC Extra,[22] which is used to provide additional coverage for special events which may otherwise not be able to be covered.

Because the Australian Government chose to give the number of DAB channels (and hence revenue) priority over technical and quality factors, the bitrates available per channel are very low by international standards. The audio quality of Australian DAB is correspondingly low - only 80 kbps for ClassicFM, for example, and most channels have much lower bitrates than this. So DAB is in general well below the 128 kbps traditionally accepted as CD quality, and an interference-free FM broadcast will almost certainly provide better audio.

9C National Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
ABC ClassicClassical musicFM SimulcastABC0x300780kbit/s
ABC CountryCountry musicDAB+, DTV, OnlineABC0x300380kbit/s
ABC ExtraSpecial-event radioDigital OnlyABC0x300472kbit/s
ABC SportLive sports coverageDigital OnlyABC0x300840kbit/s
ABC JazzJazz musicDAB+, DTV, OnlineABC0x300280kbit/s
ABC Kids ListenChildren's radioDigital Only, OnlineABC0x300472kbit/s
ABC Local RadioTalk, news, music and more.Labelled as the name of the local station, e.g., ABC Radio Sydney or ABC Radio AdelaideABC0x300564kbit/s
ABC NEWSNews and parliamentary broadcastsAM SimulcastABC0x300048kbit/s
ABCRadioNationalNational talk and arts radioAM SimulcastABC0x300664kbit/s
Double JAdult contemporary music stationDAB+, DTV, OnlineABC0x300180kbit/s
Triple JYouth-focused music stationFM SimulcastABC0x300980kbit/s
triplej UnearthedAustralian independent music stationDigital OnlyABC0x300A72kbit/s
SBS Arabic24News and information in ArabicDigital OnlySBS0x380448kbit/s
SBS ChillWorld chillout musicDigital OnlySBS0x380272kbit/s
SBS PopAsiaAsian pop musicDigital OnlySBS0x380372kbit/s
SBS PopDesiSouth Asian pop musicDigital OnlySBS0x380564kbit/s
SBS Radio 1Multilingual radioSBS AM Service (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra), AM 1485 (Wollongong), DAB+, DTVSBS0x380040kbit/s
SBS Radio 2Multilingual radioSBS FM Service (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra), AM 1035 (Wollongong), DAB+, DTVSBS0x380140kbit/s
SBS Radio 3BBC World Service simulcastDAB+, DTVSBS0x380648kbit/s

Commercial and community radio

Each region with access to digital broadcast radio has a number of multiplexes set aside for commercial and community radio services. In these multiplexes, two-ninths of the bandwidth are reserved for community broadcasters, while the rest is used for commercial broadcasters. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been provided with two such multiplexes, which broadcast on frequency blocks 9A (202.928 MHz) and 9B (204.640 MHz), allowing a greater number of stations, while other cities only use a single multiplex: 8C (199.360 MHz) in Mandurah, 8D (201.072 MHz) in Canberra, 9A (202.928 MHz) in Darwin and Hobart, 9B (204.640 MHz) in Adelaide and Perth, and 9D (208.064 MHz) in Gold Coast.

Commercial services on digital broadcast radio include simulcasts of both AM and FM stations, as well as new digital-only services. While most commercial radio services in Australia are provided by a small number of companies, there are no truly national commercial stations. However, since these commercial broadcasters have been given extra bandwidth on the digital platform, digital-only stations launched, including Triple M Classic Rock (Southern Cross Austereo) The Edge Digital (ARN) and NovaNation (formerly DMG),

Community Radio stations with a citywide licence have reserved spectrum, equalling 2/9s of the capacity on each commercial multiplex.[23] The Federal Government promised $10.1 million in funding to help community broadcasters with the costs of beginning digital broadcasts. During late 2010 and early 2011 most of the eligible community stations in Melbourne and several in Sydney and Brisbane began test transmissions. Melbourne's community radio stations officially launched their digital services on 14 April 2011,[24] followed by Adelaide's community radio stations on 15 April 2011,[25] Brisbane's on 14 May 2011,[26] and Sydney's on 24 May 2011.[27] Services in Perth are broadcasting in digital. Community Digital Broadcast Radio services were formally launched by Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on 13 May 2011 in Melbourne.[27]

Adelaide

9B Adelaide Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
Cruise1323OldiesSimulcast of 1323 AM ARN0x106248kbit/s
Mix102.3Classic hits / Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 102.3 FMARN0x106148kbit/s
Mix 102.3 80s'80s musicDigital onlyARN0x106032kbit/s
Mix 102.3 90s'90s musicDigital onlyARN0x106432kbit/s
Chemist Warehouse RemixClassic hits / Hot adult contemporary Digital onlyARN0x106A32kbit/s
The EdgeRhythmic contemporaryDigital only, related to Edge 96.1ARN0x106332kbit/s
Elf RadioChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonARN0x106532kbit/s
FIVEaaTalk radioSimulcast of 1395 AMNova0x108964kbit/s
Nova 91.9Top 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 91.9 FMNova0x108864kbit/s
Coles Radio[28] Pop musicDigital and Coles storesNova0x108B40kbit/s
SmoothfmEasy listeningDigital onlyNova0x108A88kbit/s
Triple MClassic rockSimulcast of 104.7 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x107548kbit/s
SAFMTop 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 107.1 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x107456kbit/s
Hit Buddha[29] Chill-out music Digital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107932kbit/s
MMM Greatest Hits DigitalRock musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107848kbit/s
Hit EasyEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107632kbit/s
Hit OldskoolHot adult contemporaryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107D32kbit/s
Hit UrbanRnB and UrbanDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107E32kbit/s
Hit DanceDanceDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107F32kbit/s
Triple M AussieAustralian musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x107A32kbit/s
Kinderling KidsChildren's radioDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x106B32kbit/s
IRISRadio reading serviceDigital onlyCommunity0x10AC32kbit/s
RPH AdelaideRadio reading serviceSimulcast of 1197 AMCommunity0x10A732kbit/s
EBI Digital WorldMulticulturalSimulcast of 103.1 FMCommunity0x10AB64kbit/s
Fresh DigitalDance musicSimulcast of 92.7 FMCommunity0x10A864kbit/s
Three D RadioProgressiveSimulcast of 93.7 FMCommunity0x10AA64kbit/s
Radio AdelaideVariedSimulcast of 101.5 FMCommunity0x10A664kbit/s
1079 LifeAdult contemporary / ChristianSimulcast of 107.9 FMCommunity0x10A964kbit/s

Brisbane

9A Brisbane Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
97.3Hot adult contemporary: 1980s to nowSimulcast of 97.3 FMARN/Nova joint venture
The Edge DigitalRhythmic contemporaryDigital only, related to Edge 96.1ARN
97.3 '80s'80s MusicDigital onlyARN
97.3 '90s'90s MusicDigital onlyARN
97.3 '00s2000s MusicDigital onlyARN
Chemist Warehouse RemixClassic hits / Hot adult contemporaryDigital only and Chemist Warehouse StoresARN
Nova 106.9Top 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 106.9 FMNova
Smooth ChillChill-out musicDigital onlyNova
Smooth RelaxOldiesDigital onlyNova
Radio TABHorse racing, sportSimulcast of 1008 AMUNITAB
4TAB 2Horse racing, sportDigital onlyUNITAB
Global (4EB)Ethnic programming and world musicDigital onlyCommunity0x12cc48kbit/s
96.5 Inspire DABChristianDigital only, related to 96five Family FMCommunity0x12cd48kbit/s
4AAA 989 Murri CountryIndigenousSimulcast of 98.9 FMCommunity0x12ce64kbit/s
Reading RadioReading ServiceSimulcast of 1296 AMCommunity0x12cf48kbit/s
Elf RadioChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonARN0x106532kbit/s
Vision Christian RadioChristianSimulcast of multiple frequenciesVision Christian Radio0x0000127264kbit/s
9B Brisbane Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
Triple MActive rockSimulcast of 104.5 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x124632kbit/s
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124132kbit/s
B105Top 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 105.3 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x124032kbit/s
B105 BuddhaChill-out music Digital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124832kbit/s
B105 OldskoolHot adult contemporaryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124432kbit/s
B105 EasyEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124c32kbit/s
4BCTalk radioSimulcast of 1116 AMNine Radio0x127c48kbit/s
4BHMusicSimulcast of 882 AMMacquarie0x127d96kbit/s
Zed DigitalIndependent musicDigital only, related to 4ZZZCommunity0x12e048kbit/s
Switch 1197VariousSimulcast of 1197 AMCommunity0x12e148kbit/s
4MBS LightClassical musicDigital onlyCommunity0x12e264kbit/s
4ZZZIndependent musicSimulcast of 102.1 FMCommunity0x12e348kbit/s
Family FMChristianSimulcast of 96.5 FMCommunity0x12c448kbit/s

Canberra

8D Canberra Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwner
2CAClassic hitsSimulcast of 1053 AMCapital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
2CCTalk radioSimulcast of 1206 AMCapital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
Hit 104.7Contemporary hit radio / Top 40Simulcast of 104.7 FMCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture
Mix 106.3Hot adult contemporarySimulcast of 106.3 FMCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture
Kix CountryCountry musicDigital onlyGrant Broadcasters
My Canberra DigitalHot Adult ContemporaryDigital onlyCapital Radio Network
Hit BuddhaChill-out musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Snow DigitalContemporary hit radioSimulcast of Snow FM in the Snowy Mountains with Canberra advertising.Capital Radio Network
The Edge DigitalContemporary hit radioSimulcast of 96.1 FM Western Sydney digital-only in CanberraARN
Coles RadioClassic hits / Adult contemporaryDigital onlyNova Entertainment via leased space from Capital Radio Network
Club LimeHigh energy gym musicDigital onlyCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo / Viva Leisure joint venture
NIGE!Rock musicDigital onlyCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture

Darwin

9A Darwin Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwner
Hot 100 FMTop 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 100.1 FMGrant Broadcasters
Mix 104.9Hot adult contemporary Simulcast of 104.9 FMGrant Broadcasters
Kix Country DigitalCountry musicDigital only version of KIX CountryGrant Broadcasters
Radio TABHorse racing, sportSimulcast of 1242 AM*UNITAB
Classic Rock DigitalRock musicDigital onlyGrant Broadcasters
Note: KIX Country and Radio TAB broadcast on limited licences, and as a result are treated as digital only stations.

Gold Coast

9D Gold Coast Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwner
90.9 Sea FMTop 40 CHRSimulcast of 90.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo
Easy 80s HitsEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
OLDSKOOL 90s HitsOld-school hitsDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
RnB FridaysUrban MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Triple M Gold CoastMainstrean RockSimulcast of 92.5 FMSouthern Cross Austereo
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Triple M 80s80s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Triple M 90s90s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Hot TomatoAdult ContemporarySimulcast of 102.9 FMARN
Hot Tomato GoldClassic HitsDigital OnlyARN
Hot Tomato RipeCHRDigital OnlyARN
CADARhythmic CHR
Urban contemporary
Digital OnlyARN

Hobart

9A Hobart Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
7HOFMAdult contemporarySimulcast of 101.7 FMGrant Broadcasters0x138048kbit/s
Hit 100.9Top 40 (CHR)Simulcast of 100.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x139148kbit/s
Triple M HobartAdult contemporarySimulcast of 107.3 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x139048kbit/s
Hit EasyEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x139740kbit/s
Hit OldskoolClassic hits / Hot adult contemporaryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x139640kbit/s
MMM Classic RockRockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x139340kbit/s
MMM CountryCountryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x139840kbit/s
7HO Classic HitsAdult contemporaryDigital OnlyGrant Broadcasters0x138240kbit/s
KIX CountryCountryDigital onlyGrant Broadcasters0x138140kbit/s
7RPH Print RadioRadio reading serviceSimulcast of 864 AMCommunity0x13B064kbit/s
Hobart FMCommunitySimulcast of 96.1 and 92.1 FMCommunity0x13B364kbit/s
Ultra 106.5ChristianSimulcast of 106.5 FMCommunity0x13B164kbit/s

Mandurah

8C Mandurah Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
97.3 Coast FMTop 40 CHRSimulcast of 97.3 FMWest Coast Radio62C196kbit/s
91.7 The WaveClassic Hits / ContemporarySimulcast of 91.7 FMWest Coast Radio62C296kbit/s
KIX Country South WestCountryWest Coast Radio62C364kbit/s
SEN PeelSportSports Entertainment Network (SEN) 62C432kbit/s

Melbourne

Listing current at 13 November 2020

9A Melbourne Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsNetworkBitrate
Easy Music 3MPEasy listeningSimulcast of 1377 AMAce Radio64kbit/s
Smooth 91.5Easy listeningSimulcast of 91.5 FMNova Entertainment64kbit/s
Nova 100Top 40 CHRSimulcast of 100.3 FMNova Entertainment64kbit/s
Nova Noughties2000s MusicDigital onlyNova Entertainment
Smooth RelaxEasy listeningDigital onlyNova Entertainment40kbit/s
Coles RadioClassic Hits / Adult contemporaryDigital onlyNova Entertainment (commercial partnership with Coles Supermarkets)40kbit/s
Radio MariaReligiousDigital onlyNova Entertainment (leased by Radio Maria)48kbit/s
RSN Racing & SportRacingSimulcast of 927 AMRacing Victoria64kbit/s
RSN CarnivalRacing / Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)Digital onlyRacing Victoria48kbit/s
RSN Carnival 2RacingDigital only Racing Victoria24kbit/s
TAB LiveRacing / sportDigital onlyRacing Victoria (leased by Sky Racing)24kbit/s
Little FoxChildren's MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Triple M CountryCountry musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Triple M Hard N HeavyHard RockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Triple M Soft RockSoft RockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
1116 SENSports / talkSimulcast of 1116 AMSports Entertainment Network40kbit/s
SEN2Sports / talkDigital onlySports Entertainment Network32kbit/s
SEN SydneySports / talkSimulcast of 1170 SEN SydneySports Entertainment Network40kbit/s
RythmosGreek-language music and entertainmentDigital onlySports Entertainment Network (leased by Rythmos)56kbit/s
Rete Italia / Niche RadioItalian-languageDigital only, formerly simulcast of 1593 AMSports Entertainment Network (leased by Rete Italia)40kbit/s
3MBSClassical musicSimulcast of 103.5 FMCommunity64kbit/s
3RRR DigitalVariedSimulcast of 102.7 FMCommunity64kbit/s
3ZZZEthnicSimulcast of 92.3 FMCommunity64kbit/s
Light 899Christian contemporarySimulcast of 89.9 FMCommunity32kbit/s
Light MixChristian contemporaryDigital only, related to 89.9 Light FMCommunity32kbit/s
Light ChristmasChristian contemporaryDigital only, during Christmas season, related to 89.9 Light FMCommunity48kbit/s
Vision Christian RadioChristianSimulcast of multiple frequenciesVision Christian Radio64kbit/s
9B Melbourne Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsNetworkBitrate
Gold 104.3Better Music & More Of ItSimulcast of 104.3 FMARN48kbit/s
KIIS 101.1Top 40 CHRSimulcast of 101.1 FMARN48kbit/s
The Edge DigitalRhythmic contemporaryDigital only, related to The Edge 96.ONEARN32kbit/s
Gold 80s'80s musicDigital onlyARN32kbit/s
KIIS 90s'90s musicDigital onlyARN32kbit/s
Elf RadioChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonARN32kbit/s
CW RemixClassic hits / Hot adult contemporaryDigital onlyARN (commercial partnership with Chemist Warehouse)32kbit/s
Kinderling Kids Radio[30] Children's radioDigital onlyARN (leased by Kinderling Kids Radio)32kbit/s
TikTok TrendingHot adult contemporaryDigital onlyARN
3AWTalkSimulcast of 693 AMNine Radio96kbit/s
Magic 1278MusicSimulcast of 1278 AMNine Radio96kbit/s
News Talk Sport (NTS)TalkDigital onlyNine Radio48kbit/s
Fox FM 101.9Hot adult contemporarySimulcast of 101.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Triple MActive rockSimulcast of 105.1 FMSouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Buddha[31] Chill-out musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Easy 80sEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
OLDSKOOL 90sOld-school musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
UrbanRhythmic / Classic hits radioDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
DanceDance musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Triple M 90s90s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
SANTAChristmas MusicDigital only, during Christmas seasonSouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
SoundCloud RadioNew music discoveryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo (partnership with SoundCloud)32kbit/s
3CRVariedSimulcast of 855 AMCommunity64kbit/s
3KND Kool N DeadlyIndigenousSimulcast of 1503 AMCommunity48kbit/s
PBS DigitalVariedSimulcast of 106.7 FMCommunity64kbit/s
SYNYouth / StudentSimulcast of 90.7 FMCommunity64kbit/s
VAR DigitalReading RadioSimulcast of 1179 AMCommunity32kbit/s
IRISRadio reading serviceDigital onlyCommunity32kbit/s
JoyLGBT-based / Hot adult contemporarySimulcast of 94.9 FMCommunity (Sub-metro licence assigned to spare community spectrum)48kbit/s

Perth (Can also use selected Mandurah stations)

9B Perth Multiplex
Station NameFormatDetailsOwner
6PRTalkSimulcast of 882 AMMacquarie
96fmMainstream rockSimulcast of 96.1 FMARN
6IXClassic hitsSimulcast of 1080 AMCapital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
My Perth DigitalHot adult contemporaryDigital onlyCapital Radio Network
KIX Country DigitalCountry musicDigital onlyGrant Broadcasters
Nova 93.7Top 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 93.7 FMNova
SmoothfmEasy listeningDigital onlyNova
Triple MMainstream rockSimulcast of 92.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo
X DigitalTop 40 / Classic hits radioDigital onlyCapital Radio Network
Magic MusicDigital onlyNine Radio
Mix 94.5Modern adult contemporarySimulcast of 94.5 FMSouthern Cross Austereo
Buddha RadioChill-out music Digital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
990 6RPH Information RadioInformationSimulcast of 990 AMCommunity
RTRFMPublic radio / Music and arts communitySimulcast of 92.1 FMCommunity
6EBAEthnic radioSimulcast of 95.7 FMCommunity
Inspire DigitalChristian musicDigital only—related to Hope 103.2 FM—replaced 98.5 Sonshine FMCommunity
Curtin FMUniversity community radio / Music, talk, newsSimulcast of 100.1 FMCommunity
Noongar Radio 100.9IndigenousSimulcast of 100.9 FMCommunity
Capital 101.7FMSeniors communitySimulcast of 101.7 FMCommunity
Elf RadioChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonARN0x106532kbit/s

Sydney

Listing current at 13 November 2020

9A Sydney Multiplex!Station Name!Format!Details!Network!Service ID!Bitrate!Forward Error Correction (FEC)
2SM Talk / SportTalkSimulcast of 1269 AMBroadcast Operations Group0x119464kbit/s3A
GorillaDanceHitsDance musicDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119548kbit/s4A
Dance Super DigiDance musicDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119748kbit/s4A
FUN Classic HitsHot adult contemporary: 1960s-1980sDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119848kbit/s4A
ZOO MusicVarietyHot adult contemporary: 1990s / Top 40 / Classic hits radioDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119648kbit/s4A
2DayFMAdult classic hits radioSimulcast of 104.1 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x119E32kbit/s3A
Triple MActive rockSimulcast of 104.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x119F32kbit/s3A
BuddhaChill-out musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A340kbit/s3A
Easy 80sEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A240kbit/s3A
OLDSKOOL 90sOld-school hitsDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A540kbit/s3A
UrbanUrban MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s3A
DanceDance MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s3A
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A040kbit/s3A
Triple M 90s90s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A140kbit/s3A
Triple M Soft RockSoft RockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s3A
SANTAChristmas MusicDigital only, during Christmas seasonSouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s3A
SkySportsRadio1Racing / sportSimulcast of 1017 AMSky0x11E464kbit/s3A
Rete Italia / Niche RadioItalian-languageDigital onlySky (lease by Rete Italia through agreement with SEN)0x11E532kbit/s3A
Sky Thoroughbred CentralRacing / sportDigital onlySky0x11E632kbit/s3A
1170 SENSports/talkSimulcast of 1170 AMSports Entertainment Network40kbit/s3A
2CHClassic hitsDigital OnlySports Entertainment Network64kbit/s4A
SEN MelbourneSports/talkSimulcast of 1116 SEN MelbourneSports Entertainment Network32kbit/s4A
SEN TrackRacing / sportSimulcast of 1539AMSports Entertainment Network32kbit/s4A
2RPH DigitalRadio ReadingSimulcast of 1224 AM and 101.5 FMCommunity0x120E48kbit/s4A
2000 LanguagesEthnicSimulcast of 98.5 FMCommunity0x121F64kbit/s3B
Fine Music SydneyClassical musicSimulcast of 102.5 FMCommunity0x120C64kbit/s3A
Koori RadioIndigenous programmingSimulcast of 93.7 FMCommunity0x120D48kbit/s4A
Christmas HopeChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonCommunity48kbit/s4A
Vision Christian RadioChristianSimulcast of multiple frequenciesVision Christian Radio0x0000127264kbit/s
9B Sydney Multiplex!Station Name!Format!Details!Network!Service ID!Bitrate!Forward Error Correction (FEC)
101.7 WSFMPreamble: Better Music & More Of ItSimulcast of 101.7 FMARN0x118048kbit/s3A
KIIS 106.5Top 40 CHRSimulcast of 106.5 FMARN0x118148kbit/s3A
The EdgeRhythmic contemporarySimulcast of 96.1 FMARN0x118248kbit/s3A
WSFM 80s'80s MusicDigital onlyARN0x118548kbit/s3A
KIIS 90s'90s MusicDigital onlyARN0x118332kbit/s3A
ELF RadioChristmas MusicDigital only, during Christmas seasonARN32kbit/s3A
CW RemixClassic hits radio / Hot adult contemporaryDigital onlyARN (commercial partnership with Chemist Warehouse)0x118432kbit/s3A
Kinderling Kids RadioChildren's musicDigital onlyARN (leased by Kinderling Kids Radio)48kbit/s3A
2GBTalkSimulcast of 873 AMNine Radio0x11D080kbit/s2A
2UEMusicSimulcast of 954 AMNine Radio72kbit/s2A
News Talk Sport (NTS)TalkDigital onlyNine Radio40kbit/s2A
Smooth 95.3Easy listeningSimulcast of 95.3 FMNova Entertainment0x11BC64kbit/s3A
Nova 96.9Top 40 CHRSimulcast of 96.9 FMNova Entertainment0x11BD64kbit/s3A
Smooth RelaxOldiesDigital OnlyNova Entertainment40kbit/s3A
Coles RadioSupermarket radioDigital onlyNova Entertainment (commercial partnership with Coles Supermarkets)0x11BE40kbit/s3A
Radio MariaReligiousDigital onlyNova Entertainment (leased by Radio Maria)48kbit/s3A
Triple M CountryModern countryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x120832kbit/s3A
SoundCloud RadioNew music discoveryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo (partnership with SoundCloud)32kbit/s3A
2MFM Muslim DRIslamic programmingSimulcast of 92.1 FMCommunity0x122248kbit/s4A
FBi RadioIndependent musicSimulcast of 94.5 FM[32] Community0x122356kbit/s3A
2SER 107.3VariedSimulcast of 107.3 FMCommunity0x122164kbit/s3A
Inspire DigitalChristian musicDigital only—related to Hope 103.2 FMCommunity0x122048kbit/s3A
Hope 1032Hot adult contemporary / Easy listeningSimulcast of 103.2 FMCommunity0x122448kbit/s3A

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1048&display_news_id=1057 Canberra digital radio trial update
  2. http://www.commercialradio.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1148 Commercial Radio Australia: The Future
  3. Web site: Rollout of digital radio in Australia | Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy . 20 May 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090522202307/http://www.dbcde.gov.au/media_broadcasting/radio/digital_radio/rollout_of_digital_radio_in_australia. 22 May 2009. - redirects to http://www.communications.gov.au/, the home page of the Department of Communications.
  4. Web site: First Adelaide Digital Radio Broadcast. Radioinfo.com.au. 19 June 2007. Radioinfo.
  5. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2009/2569954.htm Tech review with Peter Marks: digital radio
  6. Web site: Digital radio trial to begin in Canberra. 2010-05-05. 2010-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20110220070946/http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1013&display_news_id_1104=1047. 20 February 2011. dead.
  7. Web site: Digital radio trial on in Darwin. 2010-08-13. 2010-08-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20100902174459/http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1048&display_news_id=1060. 2 September 2010. dead.
  8. Web site: Regional radio broadcasters meet to discuss rollout of digital radio. 8 December 2010. 2010-12-19. Media release. Commercial Radio Australia (CRA). https://web.archive.org/web/20101214222203/http://digitalradioplus.com.au/files/uploaded/file/Media/Regional%20Broadcaster%20Meeting8Dec2010.pdf. 14 December 2010. dead.
  9. Web site: National Community Launch. 23 May 2011. Alex. White. Community Digital Radio. 3 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110830192304/http://digital.radius.org.au/news/national-community-launch-0. 30 August 2011. dead.
  10. Web site: New DAB+ stations in Canberra & Darwin.
  11. Web site: ABC and SBS launch DAB+ services in Hobart. 17 March 2018 .
  12. Web site: Digital radio switches on in Hobart.
  13. Web site: Radiocommunications (Foundation Category 1 Digital Radio Multiplex Transmitter Licence - Mandurah) Declaration 2019 (No.1).
  14. Web site: Mandurah gets DAB+ for Christmas.
  15. Web site: Radiocommunications (Digital Radio Channels – Queensland) Plan Variation 2020 (No. 1). 14 December 2020 .
  16. Web site: DAB+ radio set to launch on the Gold Coast.
  17. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_9150 List of licensed broadcasting transmitters
  18. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,25718225-7582,00.html ABC launches digital radio stations
  19. http://abcjazz.net.au/ Home page
  20. http://doublej.net.au/ Home page
  21. http://abccountry.net.au/ Home page
  22. http://www.abc.net.au/radio/digital/extra/ Home page
  23. Web site: Digital Radio a Go-Go | Community Broadcasting Association of Australia . 23 February 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100309074107/http://www.cbaa.org.au/content/Digital-Radio-A-Go-Go. 9 March 2010.
  24. Web site: Melbourne community radio stations go digital next month. 2011-03-21. 2011-03-29. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110326045253/http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2011/03/21/melbourne-community-radio-stations-go-digital-next-month/. 26 March 2011.
  25. Web site: Adelaide Launching Digital Community Radio in April. 2011-04-12. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817125908/http://groovemag.com.au/events/20110415278-adelaide-launching-digital-community-radio-in-april. 17 August 2011.
  26. Web site: Brisbane Stations Launch Digital Services. 10 June 2011. Alex. White. Community Digital Radio. 2011-06-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20110701074204/http://digital.radius.org.au/news/brisbane-stations-launch-digital-services. 1 July 2011. dead.
  27. Web site: Sydney Community Digital Radio Stations Launch. 10 June 2011. Alex. White. Community Digital Radio. 2011-06-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20110630111740/http://digital.radius.org.au/news/sydney-community-digital-radio-stations-launch. 30 June 2011. dead.
  28. Web site: dmg drop NovaNation/Koffee for Coles Radio. Radio Today. 29 December 2013.
  29. http://www.buddharadio.com.au/ Home page
  30. https://www.kinderling.com.au Kinderling Kids
  31. https://www.hit.com.au/buddha/ Buddha Hits
  32. http://fbiradio.com/news-were-making-changes-to-fbi-on-digital-radio/ "We're making changes to FBi on digital radio"