Usha & Raj Parmar Spotlight UK Digital Radio Growth at WorldDAB Summit, Highlighting Their Role in Winning SSDAB Multiplex Licences

At the WorldDAB Summit in Antwerp on 20 November 2025, Usha Parmar and Raj Parmar delivered a high-impact presentation showcasing their leadership in DAB+ innovation and their pivotal involvement in securing Small-Scale DAB (SSDAB) multiplex licences across multiple UK regions.

British Asian media leaders Usha Parmar and Raj Parmar received a warm reception at the prestigious WorldDAB Summit 2025, where they were invited to present their insights on digital radio growth, listener engagement and the future of DAB+ broadcasting in the UK.

Speaking in a session titled “A DAB+ business success: Sunrise Radio,” the Parmars highlighted how their strategic direction has helped position Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire) as one of the UK’s most successful and forward-thinking digital broadcasters.

As a station proudly launched in Bradford — the UK City of Culture 2025 — Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire) continues to champion the voices, creativity and cultural identity of the region, carrying this pride onto the international stage in Antwerp.

They also highlighted Sunrise Radio’s rapidly expanding broadcast footprint, with the station now heard on FM via 103.2 and 100.6FM across West Yorkshire, and on DAB+ across Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, East Lancashire and Milton Keynes — with a Halifax DAB+ launch coming soon.

The Summit also featured a wide range of influential speakers shaping the future of audio and digital broadcasting: Jacqueline Bierhorst, President of WorldDAB, opened the event with a keynote on global DAB+ deployment; Laura Fisher, Audio & Entertainment Analyst at MIDiA Research, shared insights on AI in radio and the interplay of technology and human connection; and Laurence Harrison, Chief Partnerships Officer at Radioplayer Worldwide, spoke about the critical role of metadata and automotive partnerships in keeping radio relevant in the connected car era.

Pictured: Jacqueline Bierhorst, President of WorldDAB & Bernie O'Neill, Project Director, WorldDAB

A major focus of their presentation centred on their personal involvement in the wave of 11 Small-Scale DAB multiplex licence awards across the UK. Usha and Raj played a significant hands-on role in developing bid strategies, and coordinating partnerships to help secure SSDAB licences in key regions. Their work is enabling greater access, diversity and representation across the digital radio landscape.

Usha Parmar:

“Our work on SSDAB licences has always been driven by purpose. For us, it’s about ensuring British Asian audiences and other underserved communities have the same digital access, choice and visibility as everyone else. It’s something we are incredibly passionate about.”

Raj Parmar added:

“Winning these multiplex licences wasn’t simply a business milestone — it was about building a digital future that reflects the UK’s cultural richness. We wanted to open the door for more stations, more voices and more stories that deserve to be heard.”

Their contribution aligned closely with discussions across the Summit, where attendees examined Europe’s rapidly expanding DAB+ networks, rising listener adoption and the need for innovative digital strategies.

As Directors of Sunrise Radio (Yorkshire), Usha and Raj Parmar continue to demonstrate how dedicated community-focused vision, combined with strategic digital investment, can deliver exceptional audience growth and long-term industry impact.

Their appearance in Antwerp further cements their standing as influential voices shaping the future of UK digital broadcasting.

Photo Credits: WorldDAB/Thomas Geuens