Two applications expected for Poole, Purbeck and Wimborne DAB radio licence

Two groups have announced plans today to apply for the upcoming Poole, Purbeck and Wimborne small-scale DAB multiplex licence in Dorset.

Poole based telecommunications company, Wide FM, has teamed up with Poole’s Hot Radio and Bournemouth’s Hope FM to create a bid, who together are also applying for the nearby Bournemouth and Boscombe licence.

Wide Digital LTD says it has received support from ‘Wimborne FM’, AIR 107.2 in Weymouth, Unity 101 in Southampton and More Radio based in Sussex.

Wayne Simpson, Director of Wide Digital comments: “We are pleased to be working with local community radio stations to enable them and many other small stations to broadcast on DAB. This new platform will not only allow the local community radio stations to be enjoyed in crystal clear digital stereo, it will also increase choice for listeners in Poole, The Purbecks and Wimborne, by bringing new types of radio stations to the area for the first time.”

Kevin Scott and Daniel Withey, representatives of Poole and Bournemouth community radio stations Hot Radio and Hope FM respectively, say: “We’re so lucky to have such a wide range of community radio and local interest stations in our area. This SSDAB licence could finally give our community the best access to all local radio has to offer.”

See more at widedigital.net or email info@widedigital.net to get involved.

In addition, P&P Digital Media describe themselves as a team of committed broadcast professionals, many of whom are based in the local area.

P&P Digital Media’s Operations Director is Paul Sutton, who says DAB listening is higher than FM so now is a great time for the application, which is supported by local and regional stations including Radio Wimborne.

Glen Fowler, Director of Radio Wimborne commented: “The philosophy of P&P Digital Media is also Radio Wimborne’s philosophy – of providing radio services for our local communities here in Dorset. We are also confident in their experience, and that we believe they will run and maintain the SSDAB multiplex for the benefit of the community.”

Paul Sutton adds: “Poole Radio have also contacted us. They are applying for their own community licence to broadcast and will also be part of the P&P Digital Media multiplex, assuming we are successful with our OFCOM application.”

Forest FM, which broadcasts to the adjacent communities of Ferndown and Verwood, also say they would like to expand their service across the Poole area. Station Manager Steve Saville says they’re “interested in the possibility of broadcasting Forest FM on P&P Digital Media’s SSDAB Multiplex as proposed for Poole, Purbeck and Wimbome” and “We intend to apply for an OFCOM licence for this purpose”.

Salisbury Radio Station Manager Craig Hicks adds: “The fact that there is so much interest in the SSDAB applications for Bournemouth and Poole only goes to show what a passion there is from the listening public for more local, and more specialist, radio stations.”

Other stations who are supporting the bid include Bournemouth One, Hospital Radio Bedside, Gaydio, Sunrise Radio, Sunrise Radio Gold, FG Chic Radio, London Music Radio, and many more.

Contact Paul Sutton on 07736 283973 / admin@ppdigital.media or via ppdigital.media if you are interested in getting involved.

Elsewhere in Dorset, RadioToday understands there will also be three applications for the Bournemouth and Boscombe licence, but is not aware of any for the Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport licence in the west of the county.

Photo: Sandbanks, Poole, with Purbeck in the background.