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).
“It is a mighty step forward”, said Radio Newark director of operations, Phil Johnson.
“It’s a massive, massive difference in our potential reach, but we have to remember that we are still Radio Newark – we are not here to take on Nottingham, because Nottingham probably won’t be that interested.
“We are not building a Radio Nottingham Two, so anything that goes on has to relate back to Newark.
“This is about making Radio Newark more available to Newark people, or to people who see themselves as having some connection 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.
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.
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.”
