BBD Digital wins Blackburn, Burnley and Darwen (East Lancashire) SSDAB Multiplex licence

Thursday, 12 May 2022 11:25

A new system of broadcasting is due to descend on Blackburn, Burnley and Darwen. OFCOM has awarded the Small-Scale Digital Radio (SSDAB) Multiplex for the area to BBD Digital Media Limited.

Blackburn, Burnley and Darwen’s new SSDAB platform will reach some 350,000 adults in and around the area and the ambition is to provide an affordable long-term digital future for many existing broadcasters (community and commercial), as well as new entrants.

BBD Digital Media Limited brings together a range of specialist skills, local knowledge and combined radio experience of more than 70 years from key members including Simon Brierley, Blackburns 102.2, Ribble FM, Burnley College and Sunrise Radio.

Simon Brierley, Director of BBD Digital Media said “I’m delighted that we’ve been trusted by OFCOM to deliver the Small-Scale DAB infrastructure for East Lancashire. I know how much East Lancashire values true local radio and we’ll now work hard to make DAB accessible to existing and new community and commercial operators in the region which will greatly enhance listener choice.”

Jonathan Lee, Director of Blackburn’s 102.2FM said “We are thrilled that Ofcom has awarded the SSDAB Mux to our BBD Digital consortium, which Blackburn’s 102.2FM is delighted to be a key part of. As Blackburn with Darwen’s only local FM station we look forward to also broadcasting on the DAB platform which will bring our service to even more people, while remaining focused on local output. We also welcome the expansion of radio services for local listeners that the SSDAB will offer across ages, interests and ethnicity. We will be spoilt for choice.”

Lee Roe, Station Manager of Ribble FM “Anyone that knows me knows how passionate I am about local radio, and about East Lancashire. Through our successful partnership with BBD Digital, we can not only bring Ribble FM to a wider audience but also develop new propositions to serve the communities of Burnley, Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Pendle”

Karen Buchanan, Principal of Burnley College “Burnley College Radio has been the soundtrack to the success of our students for almost 4 years. Through our involvement with BBD Digital, we are delighted that we can now bring the service to a much wider audience”

Raj Parmar, Director of Infocus Digital Media and Sunrise Radio said: “We are excited to have been awarded the licence to run the Multiplex for Blackburn, Burnley and Darwen. It has been a pleasure working alongside the key partners on the application. We plan to bring a variety of radio formats including Sunrise Radio to East Lancashire as well as other services catering for a wide range of tastes, interests, communities and age groups.”

Work on the technical plan will now begin with an aim to launch the multiplex in 2023.

For more information visit

www.eastlancashiredab.com or email info@eastlancashiredab.com

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

The Golden Era

The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm
Bhangra Nights

Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm
Legal Show

Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.