Digital radio in Australia

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[which?] DAB+ services use the AAC+ codec, with a limited number using standard AAC.[2]

## History

[edit]

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

[edit]

### National broadcasters

[edit]

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.[dubious – discuss]

9C National Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner  | Service ID  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|
|

ABC Classic | Classical music  | FM Simulcast  | ABC  | 0x3007  | 80kbit/s
ABC Country | Country music  | DAB+, DTV, Online | ABC  | 0x3003  | 80kbit/s
~~ABC Extra~~ | ~~Special-event radio~~ | ~~Digital Only~~ | ~~ABC~~ | ~~0x3004~~ | ~~72kbit/s~~
ABC Sport | Live sports coverage  | Digital Only  | ABC  | 0x3008  | 40kbit/s
ABC Jazz | Jazz music  | DAB+, DTV, Online | ABC  | 0x3002  | 80kbit/s
ABC Kids Listen  | Children's radio  | Digital Only, Online | ABC  | 0x3004  | 72kbit/s
ABC Local Radio | Talk, news, music and more.  | Labelled as the name of the local station, e.g., ABC Radio Sydney or ABC Radio Adelaide | ABC  | 0x3005  | 64kbit/s
ABC NEWS | News and parliamentary broadcasts  | AM Simulcast  | ABC  | 0x3000  | 48kbit/s
ABCRadioNational | National talk and arts radio  | AM Simulcast  | ABC  | 0x3006  | 64kbit/s
Double J | Adult contemporary music station  | DAB+, DTV, Online | ABC  | 0x3001  | 80kbit/s
Triple J | Youth-focused music station  | FM Simulcast  | ABC  | 0x3009  | 80kbit/s
triplej Unearthed | Australian independent music station  | Digital Only  | ABC  | 0x300A  | 72kbit/s
SBS Arabic24 | News and information in Arabic  | Digital Only  | SBS  | 0x3804  | 48kbit/s
SBS Chill | World chillout music  | Digital Only  | SBS  | 0x3802  | 72kbit/s
SBS PopAsia | Asian pop music  | Digital Only  | SBS  | 0x3803  | 72kbit/s
SBS PopDesi | South Asian pop music  | Digital Only  | SBS  | 0x3805  | 64kbit/s
SBS Radio 1 | Multilingual radio  | SBS AM Service (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra), AM 1485 (Wollongong), DAB+, DTV  | SBS  | 0x3800  | 40kbit/s
SBS Radio 2 | Multilingual radio  | SBS FM Service (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra), AM 1035 (Wollongong), DAB+, DTV  | SBS  | 0x3801  | 40kbit/s
SBS Radio 3 | BBC World Service simulcast  | DAB+, DTV  | SBS  | 0x3806  | 48kbit/s

### Commercial and community radio

[edit]

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),[23]

Community Radio stations with a citywide licence have reserved spectrum, equalling 2/9s of the capacity on each commercial multiplex.[24] 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,[25] followed by Adelaide's community radio stations on 15 April 2011,[26] Brisbane's on 14 May 2011,[27] and Sydney's on 24 May 2011.[28] 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.[28]

#### Adelaide

[edit]

9B Adelaide Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner  | Service ID  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|
|

Cruise1323 | Oldies  | Simulcast of 1323 AM  | ARN | 0x1062  | 48kbit/s
Mix102.3 | Classic hits / Hot adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 102.3 FM  | ARN | 0x1061  | 48kbit/s
Mix 102.3 80s  | '80s music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x1060  | 32kbit/s
Mix 102.3 90s  | '90s music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x1064  | 32kbit/s
Chemist Warehouse Remix | Classic hits / Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x106A  | 32kbit/s
The Edge  | Rhythmic contemporary  | Digital only, related to Edge 96.1 | ARN | 0x1063  | 32kbit/s
Elf Radio  | Christmas music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | ARN | 0x1065  | 32kbit/s
FIVEaa | Talk radio  | Simulcast of 1395 AM  | Nova | 0x1089  | 64kbit/s
Nova 91.9 | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 91.9 FM  | Nova | 0x1088  | 64kbit/s
Coles Radio[23] | Pop music  | Digital and Coles stores  | Nova | 0x108B  | 40kbit/s
Smoothfm | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Nova | 0x108A  | 88kbit/s
Triple M | Classic rock  | Simulcast of 104.7 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1075  | 48kbit/s
SAFM | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 107.1 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1074  | 56kbit/s
Hit Buddha[29] | Chill-out music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1079  | 32kbit/s
MMM Greatest Hits Digital  | Rock music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1078  | 48kbit/s
Hit Easy  | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1076  | 32kbit/s
Hit Oldskool  | Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x107D  | 32kbit/s
Hit Urban  | RnB and Urban  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x107E  | 32kbit/s
Hit Dance  | Dance  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x107F  | 32kbit/s
Triple M Aussie  | Australian music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x107A  | 32kbit/s
Kinderling Kids  | Children's radio  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x106B  | 32kbit/s
IRIS | Radio reading service  | Digital only  | Community | 0x10AC  | 32kbit/s
RPH Adelaide | Radio reading service  | Simulcast of 1197 AM  | Community | 0x10A7  | 32kbit/s
EBI Digital World | Multicultural  | Simulcast of 103.1 FM  | Community | 0x10AB  | 64kbit/s
Fresh Digital | Dance music  | Simulcast of 92.7 FM  | Community | 0x10A8  | 64kbit/s
Three D Radio | Progressive  | Simulcast of 93.7 FM  | Community | 0x10AA  | 64kbit/s
Radio Adelaide | Varied  | Simulcast of 101.5 FM  | Community | 0x10A6  | 64kbit/s
1079 Life | Adult contemporary / Christian  | Simulcast of 107.9 FM  | Community | 0x10A9  | 64kbit/s

#### Brisbane

[edit]

9A Brisbane Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner  | Service ID  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|
|

Nova 106.9 | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 106.9 FM  | Nova | 0x1254  | 48kbit/s
Coles Radio[23] | Pop music  | Digital and Coles stores  | Nova | 0x1055  | 32kbit/s
Nova Nation | Dance, House Music  | Digital Only  | Nova | 0x1256  | 32kbit/s
Smooth FM  | Chill-out music  | Digital only  | Nova | 0x1257  | 48kbit/s
Coles TAS | Pop music  | Digital and Coles stores (TAS)  | Nova | 0x1258  | 16kbit/s
Coles CBD  | Pop music  | Digital and Coles stores (CBD)  | Nova | 0x1259  | 16kbit/s
Nova 90s  | Pop music (90s)  | Digital Only  | Nova | 0x125a  | 32kbit/s
Radio TAB | Horse racing, sport  | Simulcast of 1008 AM  | UNITAB | 0x125e  | 40kbit/s
4TAB 2 | Horse racing, sport  | Digital only  | UNITAB | 0x125f  | 40kbit/s
NICHE 1 / Italian  | Multicultural - Mono version  | Digital only  |  | 0x1260  | 24kbit/s
4TAB 4 | Horse racing, sport  | Digital only  | UNITAB | 0x1261  | 24kbit/s
Kiis97.3 Brisbane  | Hot adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 97.3 FM  | ARN/Nova joint venture  | 0x1268  | 32kbit/s
CADA  | Hop hop, R&B / Rhythmic contemporary  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x126a  | 32kbit/s
97.3 '90s  | '90s Music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x126b  | 32kbit/s
Chemist Warehouse Remix | Classic hits / Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only and Chemist Warehouse Stores  | ARN | 0x126c  | 32kbit/s
97.3 '80s  | '80s Music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x126d  | 32kbit/s
TikTok Trending  | Pop music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x106e  | 32kbit/s
iHeartCountry  | Country  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x126f  | 32kbit/s
Elf Radio  | Christmas music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | ARN | 0x1070  | 32kbit/s
Vision Christian Radio | Christian  | Simulcast of multiple frequencies  | Vision Christian Radio | 0x1272  | 64kbit/s
SEN FANATIC  |  | Digital only  |  | 0x1273  | 32kbit/s
NICHE 1 / Italian  | Multicultural - Stereo version  | Digital only  |  | 0x1274  | 24kbit/s
NICHE 2 / Multicultural  | Multicultural  | Digital only  |  | 0x1275  | 24kbit/s
MMM 80s  | Rock (80s)  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x12a5  | 32kbit/s
MMM Classic Rock  | Classic Rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x12a6  | 32kbit/s
MMM 70s | Rock (70s)  | Digital Only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x12a7  | 32kbit/s
90s SOFT POP  | Soft Pop  | Digital Only  |  | 0x12a8  | 32kbit/s
Global (4EB) | Ethnic programming and world music  | Digital only  | Community | 0x12cc  | 48kbit/s
96.5 Inspire DAB | Christian  | Digital only, related to 96five Family FM | Community | 0x12cd  | 48kbit/s
4AAA 989 Murri Country | Indigenous  | Simulcast of 98.9 FM  | Community | 0x12ce  | 64kbit/s
Reading Radio | Reading Service  | Simulcast of 1296 AM  | Community | 0x12cf  | 48kbit/s
Christmas Hope  | Christmas Music  | Digital Only  |  | 0x12d0  | 48kbit/s
Sky News Radio  | News  | Digital Only  | Sky News  | 0x125b  | 32kbit/s
9B Brisbane Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner  | Service ID  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|
|

Triple M | Active rock  | Simulcast of 104.5 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1246  | 32kbit/s
Triple M Classic Rock  | Classic rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1241  | 32kbit/s
B105 | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 105.3 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1240  | 32kbit/s
B105 Buddha[29] | Chill-out music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1248  | 32kbit/s
B105 Oldskool  | Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1244  | 32kbit/s
B105 Easy  | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x124c  | 32kbit/s
4BC | Talk radio  | Simulcast of 1116 AM  | Nine Radio | 0x127c  | 48kbit/s
4BH | Music  | Simulcast of 882 AM  | Macquarie | 0x127d  | 96kbit/s
Zed Digital | Independent music  | Digital only, related to 4ZZZ | Community | 0x12e0  | 48kbit/s
Switch 1197 | Various  | Simulcast of 1197 AM  | Community | 0x12e1  | 48kbit/s
4MBS Light  | Classical music  | Digital only  | Community | 0x12e2  | 64kbit/s
4ZZZ | Independent music  | Simulcast of 102.1 FM  | Community | 0x12e3  | 48kbit/s
Family FM | Christian  | Simulcast of 96.5 FM  | Community | 0x12c4  | 48kbit/s

#### Canberra

[edit]

8D Canberra Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner

|
|
|

2CA | Classic hits  | Simulcast of 1053 AM  | Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
2CC | Talk radio  | Simulcast of 1206 AM  | Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
Hit 104.7 | Contemporary hit radio / Top 40  | Simulcast of 104.7 FM  | Canberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture
Mix 106.3 | Hot adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 106.3 FM  | Canberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture
Kix Country | Country music  | Digital only  | Grant Broadcasters
My Canberra Digital | Hot Adult Contemporary  | Digital only  | Capital Radio Network
Hit Buddha  | Chill-out music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
Snow Digital  | Contemporary hit radio  | Simulcast of Snow FM in the Snowy Mountains with Canberra advertising.  | Capital Radio Network
The Edge Digital  | Contemporary hit radio  | Simulcast of 96.1 FM Western Sydney digital-only in Canberra  | ARN
Coles Radio | Classic hits / Adult contemporary  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment via leased space from Capital Radio Network
Club Lime | High energy gym music  | Digital only  | Canberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo / Viva Leisure joint venture
NIGE! | Rock music  | Digital only  | Canberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture

#### Darwin

[edit]

9A Darwin Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner

|
|
|

Hot 100 FM | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 100.1 FM  | Grant Broadcasters
Mix 104.9 | Hot adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 104.9 FM  | Grant Broadcasters
Kix Country Digital | Country music  | Digital only version of KIX Country | Grant Broadcasters
Radio TAB | Horse racing, sport  | Simulcast of 1242 AM*  | UNITAB
Classic Rock Digital  | Rock music  | Digital only  | Grant Broadcasters
Note: KIX Country and Radio TAB broadcast on limited licences, and as a result are treated as digital only stations.

#### Gold Coast

[edit]

9D Gold Coast Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner

|
|
|

90.9 Sea FM | Top 40 CHR  | Simulcast of 90.9 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo
Easy 80s Hits | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
OLDSKOOL 90s Hits | Old-school hits  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
RnB Fridays | Urban Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
Triple M Gold Coast | Mainstrean Rock  | Simulcast of 92.5 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo
Triple M Classic Rock | Classic rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
Triple M 80s | 80s Rock Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
Triple M 90s | 90s Rock Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
Hot Tomato | Adult Contemporary  | Simulcast of 102.9 FM  | ARN
Hot Tomato Gold  | Classic Hits  | Digital Only  | ARN
Hot Tomato Ripe  | CHR  | Digital Only  | ARN
CADA | Rhythmic CHR
Urban contemporary  | Digital Only  | ARN

#### Hobart

[edit]

9A Hobart Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner  | Service ID  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|
|

7HOFM | Adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 101.7 FM  | Grant Broadcasters | 0x1380  | 48kbit/s
Hit 100.9 | Top 40 (CHR)  | Simulcast of 100.9 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1391  | 48kbit/s
Triple M Hobart | Adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 107.3 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1390  | 48kbit/s
Hit Easy | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1397  | 40kbit/s
Hit Oldskool | Classic hits / Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1396  | 40kbit/s
MMM Classic Rock | Rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1393  | 40kbit/s
MMM Country | Country  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1398  | 40kbit/s
7HO Classic Hits | Adult contemporary  | Digital Only  | Grant Broadcasters | 0x1382  | 40kbit/s
KIX Country | Country  | Digital only  | Grant Broadcasters | 0x1381  | 40kbit/s
7RPH Print Radio | Radio reading service  | Simulcast of 864 AM  | Community | 0x13B0  | 64kbit/s
Hobart FM | Community  | Simulcast of 96.1 and 92.1 FM  | Community | 0x13B3  | 64kbit/s
Ultra 106.5 | Christian  | Simulcast of 106.5 FM  | Community | 0x13B1  | 64kbit/s

#### Mandurah

[edit]

8C Mandurah Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner  | Service ID  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|
|

97.3 Coast FM | Top 40 CHR  | Simulcast of 97.3 FM  | West Coast Radio  | 62C1  | 96kbit/s
91.7 The Wave | Classic Hits / Contemporary  | Simulcast of 91.7 FM  | West Coast Radio  | 62C2  | 96kbit/s
KIX Country South West | Country  |  | West Coast Radio  | 62C3  | 64kbit/s
SEN Peel | Sport  |  | Sports Entertainment Network (SEN)  | 62C4  | 32kbit/s

#### Melbourne

[edit]

Listing current at 13 November 2020

9A Melbourne Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Network  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|

Easy Music 3MP | Easy listening  | Simulcast of 1377 AM  | Ace Radio | 64kbit/s
Smooth 91.5 | Easy listening  | Simulcast of 91.5 FM  | Nova Entertainment | 64kbit/s
Nova 100 | Top 40 CHR  | Simulcast of 100.3 FM  | Nova Entertainment | 64kbit/s
Nova Noughties  | 2000s Music  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment |
Smooth Relax | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment | 40kbit/s
Coles Radio | Classic Hits / Adult contemporary  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment (commercial partnership with Coles Supermarkets)  | 40kbit/s
Radio Maria | Religious  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment (leased by Radio Maria)  | 48kbit/s
RSN Racing & Sport | Racing  | Simulcast of 927 AM  | Racing Victoria | 64kbit/s
RSN Carnival | Racing / Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)  | Digital only  | Racing Victoria | 48kbit/s
RSN Carnival 2 | Racing  | Digital only  | Racing Victoria | 24kbit/s
TAB Live | Racing / sport  | Digital only  | Racing Victoria (leased by Sky Racing)  | 24kbit/s
Little Fox | Children's Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
Triple M Classic Rock | Classic rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
Triple M Country | Country music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 40kbit/s
Triple M Hard N Heavy | Hard Rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
Triple M Soft Rock | Soft Rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
1116 SEN | Sports / talk  | Simulcast of 1116 AM  | Sports Entertainment Network | 40kbit/s
SEN2 | Sports / talk  | Digital only  | Sports Entertainment Network | 32kbit/s
SEN Sydney | Sports / talk  | Simulcast of 1170 SEN Sydney  | Sports Entertainment Network | 40kbit/s
Rythmos | Greek-language music and entertainment  | Digital only  | Sports Entertainment Network (leased by Rythmos)  | 56kbit/s
Rete Italia / Niche Radio  | Italian-language  | Digital only, formerly simulcast of 1593 AM  | Sports Entertainment Network (leased by Rete Italia)  | 40kbit/s
3MBS | Classical music  | Simulcast of 103.5 FM  | Community | 64kbit/s
3RRR Digital | Varied  | Simulcast of 102.7 FM  | Community | 64kbit/s
3ZZZ | Ethnic  | Simulcast of 92.3 FM  | Community | 64kbit/s
Light 899 | Christian contemporary  | Simulcast of 89.9 FM  | Community | 32kbit/s
Light Mix | Christian contemporary  | Digital only, related to 89.9 Light FM | Community | 32kbit/s
Light Christmas | Christian contemporary  | Digital only, during Christmas season, related to 89.9 Light FM | Community | 48kbit/s
Vision Christian Radio | Christian  | Simulcast of multiple frequencies  | Vision Christian Radio | 64kbit/s
9B Melbourne Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Network  | Bitrate

|
|
|
|

Gold 104.3 | Better Music & More Of It  | Simulcast of 104.3 FM  | ARN | 48kbit/s
KIIS 101.1 | Top 40 CHR  | Simulcast of 101.1 FM  | ARN | 48kbit/s
The Edge Digital | Rhythmic contemporary  | Digital only, related to The Edge 96.ONE | ARN | 32kbit/s
Gold 80s | '80s music  | Digital only  | ARN | 32kbit/s
KIIS 90s | '90s music  | Digital only  | ARN | 32kbit/s
Elf Radio  | Christmas music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | ARN | 32kbit/s
CW Remix  | Classic hits / Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | ARN (commercial partnership with Chemist Warehouse)  | 32kbit/s
Kinderling Kids Radio[30] | Children's radio  | Digital only  | ARN (leased by Kinderling Kids Radio)  | 32kbit/s
TikTok Trending | Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | ARN |
3AW | Talk  | Simulcast of 693 AM  | Nine Radio | 96kbit/s
Magic 1278 | Music  | Simulcast of 1278 AM  | Nine Radio | 96kbit/s
News Talk Sport (NTS) | Talk  | Digital only  | Nine Radio | 48kbit/s
Fox FM 101.9 | Hot adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 101.9 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 40kbit/s
Triple M | Active rock  | Simulcast of 105.1 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 40kbit/s
Buddha[31] | Chill-out music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
Easy 80s | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
OLDSKOOL 90s | Old-school music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
Urban | Rhythmic / Classic hits radio  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 40kbit/s
Dance | Dance music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 40kbit/s
Triple M 90s | 90s Rock Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
SANTA  | Christmas Music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | Southern Cross Austereo | 32kbit/s
SoundCloud Radio  | New music discovery  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo (partnership with SoundCloud)  | 32kbit/s
3CR | Varied  | Simulcast of 855 AM  | Community | 64kbit/s
3KND Kool N Deadly | Indigenous  | Simulcast of 1503 AM  | Community | 48kbit/s
PBS Digital | Varied  | Simulcast of 106.7 FM  | Community | 64kbit/s
SYN | Youth / Student  | Simulcast of 90.7 FM  | Community | 64kbit/s
VAR Digital | Reading Radio  | Simulcast of 1179 AM  | Community | 32kbit/s
IRIS | Radio reading service  | Digital only  | Community | 32kbit/s
Joy | LGBT-based / Hot adult contemporary  | Simulcast of 94.9 FM  | Community (Sub-metro licence assigned to spare community spectrum)  | 48kbit/s

#### Perth (Can also use selected Mandurah stations)

[edit]

9B Perth Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Owner

|
|
|

6PR | Talk  | Simulcast of 882 AM  | Macquarie
96fm | Mainstream rock  | Simulcast of 96.1 FM  | ARN
6IX | Classic hits  | Simulcast of 1080 AM  | Capital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
My Perth Digital  | Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | Capital Radio Network
KIX Country Digital | Country music  | Digital only  | Grant Broadcasters
Nova 93.7 | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 93.7 FM  | Nova
Smoothfm | Easy listening  | Digital only  | Nova
Triple M | Mainstream rock  | Simulcast of 92.9 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo
X Digital  | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Digital only  | Capital Radio Network
Magic  | Music  | Digital only  | Nine Radio
Mix 94.5 | Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Simulcast of 94.5 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo
Buddha Radio[29] | Chill-out music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
Triple M Classic Rock  | Classic rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo
990 6RPH Information Radio  | Information  | Simulcast of 990 AM  | Community
RTRFM | Public radio / Music and arts community  | Simulcast of 92.1 FM  | Community
6EBA | Ethnic radio  | Simulcast of 95.7 FM  | Community
Inspire Digital | Christian music  | Digital only—related to Hope 103.2 FM—replaced 98.5 Sonshine FM  | Community
Curtin FM | University community radio / Music, talk, news  | Simulcast of 100.1 FM  | Community
Noongar Radio 100.9 | Indigenous  | Simulcast of 100.9 FM  | Community
Capital 101.7FM  | Seniors community  | Simulcast of 101.7 FM  | Community
Elf Radio  | Christmas music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | ARN | 0x1065  | 32kbit/s

#### Sydney

[edit]

Listing current at 13 November 2020

9A Sydney Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Network  | Service ID  | Bitrate  | Forward Error Correction (FEC)

|
|
|
|
|
|

2SM Talk / Sport  | Talk  | Simulcast of 1269 AM  | Broadcast Operations Group | 0x1194  | 64kbit/s  | 3A
GorillaDanceHits  | Dance music  | Digital only  | Broadcast Operations Group | 0x1195  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
Dance Super Digi  | Dance music  | Digital only  | Broadcast Operations Group | 0x1197  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
FUN Classic Hits  | Hot adult contemporary: 1960s-1980s  | Digital only  | Broadcast Operations Group | 0x1198  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
ZOO MusicVariety  | Hot adult contemporary: 1990s / Top 40 / Classic hits radio  | Digital only  | Broadcast Operations Group | 0x1196  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
2DayFM | Adult contemporary radio  | Simulcast of 104.1 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x119E  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M | Active rock  | Simulcast of 104.9 FM  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x119F  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
Easy Hits | Easy Listening/Chilled music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x11A3  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
OLDSKOOL 80s | 80s music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x11A2  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
OLDSKOOL 90s | Old-school hits  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x11A5  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
RnB Fridays Radio  | Urban | Urban Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo |  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Dance Hits  | Dance | Dance Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo |  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M 80s  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x11A0  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M Classic Rock | Classic rock  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x11A0  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M 90s | 90s Rock Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x11A1  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M 2000s | 2000s Rock Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo |  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M Country | Country music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo |  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M 70s | 70s Rock Music  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo |  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
SANTA  | Christmas Music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | Southern Cross Austereo |  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
SkySportsRadio1 | Racing / sport  | Simulcast of 1017 AM  | Sky | 0x11E4  | 64kbit/s  | 3A
Rete Italia / Niche Radio  | Italian-language  | Digital only  | Sky (lease by Rete Italia through agreement with SEN)  | 0x11E5  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
Sky Thoroughbred Central  | Racing / sport  | Digital only  | Sky | 0x11E6  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
1170 SEN | Sports/talk  | Simulcast of 1170 AM  | Sports Entertainment Network |  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
2CH | Classic hits  | Digital Only  | Sports Entertainment Network |  | 64kbit/s  | 4A
SEN Melbourne  | Sports/talk  | Simulcast of 1116 SEN Melbourne  | Sports Entertainment Network |  | 32kbit/s  | 4A
SEN Track | Racing / sport  | Simulcast of 1539AM  | Sports Entertainment Network |  | 32kbit/s  | 4A
2RPH Digital | Radio Reading  | Simulcast of 1224 AM and 101.5 FM  | Community | 0x120E  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
2000 Languages | Ethnic  | Simulcast of 98.5 FM  | Community | 0x121F  | 64kbit/s  | 3B
Fine Music Sydney | Classical music  | Simulcast of 102.5 FM  | Community | 0x120C  | 64kbit/s  | 3A
Koori Radio | Indigenous programming  | Simulcast of 93.7 FM  | Community | 0x120D  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
Christmas Hope | Christmas music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | Community |  | 48kbit/s  | 4A  |
Vision Christian Radio | Christian  | Simulcast of multiple frequencies  | Vision Christian Radio | 0x00001272  | 64kbit/s  |
9B Sydney Multiplex Station Name  | Format  | Details  | Network  | Service ID  | Bitrate  | Forward Error Correction (FEC)

|
|
|
|
|
|

101.7 WSFM | Preamble: Better Music & More Of It  | Simulcast of 101.7 FM  | ARN | 0x1180  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
KIIS 90s | 90s hits  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x1181  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
KIIS 106.5 | Top 40 CHR  | Simulcast of 106.5 FM  | ARN | 0x1181  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
CADA | Rhythmic contemporary  | Simulcast of 96.1 FM  | ARN | 0x1182  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
WSFM 80s | '80s Music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x1185  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
KIIS 90s | '90s Music  | Digital only  | ARN | 0x1183  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
ELF Radio  | Christmas Music  | Digital only, during Christmas season  | ARN |  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
CW Remix  | Classic hits radio / Hot adult contemporary  | Digital only  | ARN (commercial partnership with Chemist Warehouse)  | 0x1184  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
Kinderling Kids Radio | Children's music  | Digital only  | ARN (leased by Kinderling Kids Radio)  |  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
2GB | Talk  | Simulcast of 873 AM  | Nine Radio | 0x11D0  | 80kbit/s  | 2A
2UE | Music  | Simulcast of 954 AM  | Nine Radio |  | 72kbit/s  | 2A
News Talk Sport (NTS)  | Talk  | Digital only  | Nine Radio |  | 40kbit/s  | 2A
Smooth 95.3 | Easy listening  | Simulcast of 95.3 FM  | Nova Entertainment | 0x11BC  | 64kbit/s  | 3A
Nova 96.9 | Top 40 CHR  | Simulcast of 96.9 FM  | Nova Entertainment | 0x11BD  | 64kbit/s  | 3A
Smooth Relax | Oldies  | Digital Only  | Nova Entertainment |  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Coles Radio | Supermarket radio  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment (commercial partnership with Coles Supermarkets)  | 0x11BE  | 40kbit/s  | 3A
Radio Maria | Religious  | Digital only  | Nova Entertainment (leased by Radio Maria)  |  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
Triple M Country | Modern country  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo | 0x1208  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
SoundCloud Radio  | New music discovery  | Digital only  | Southern Cross Austereo (partnership with SoundCloud)  |  | 32kbit/s  | 3A
2MFM Muslim DR  | Islamic programming  | Simulcast of 92.1 FM  | Community | 0x1222  | 48kbit/s  | 4A
FBi Radio | Independent music  | Simulcast of 94.5 FM[32] | Community | 0x1223  | 56kbit/s  | 3A
2SER 107.3 | Varied  | Simulcast of 107.3 FM  | Community | 0x1221  | 64kbit/s  | 3A
Inspire Digital | Christian music  | Digital only—related to Hope 103.2 FM  | Community | 0x1220  | 48kbit/s  | 3A
Hope 1032 | Hot adult contemporary / Easy listening  | Simulcast of 103.2 FM  | Community | 0x1224  | 48kbit/s  | 3A

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Canberra digital radio trial update Archived 2 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 14 July 2010, Digital Radio Plus
2. ^ Commercial Radio Australia: The Future Archived 25 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ "Rollout of digital radio in Australia | Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy". Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009. \- redirects to http://www.communications.gov.au/, the home page of the Department of Communications.
4. ^ Radioinfo.com.au (19 June 2007). "First Adelaide Digital Radio Broadcast". Radioinfo.
5. ^ Tech review with Peter Marks: digital radio, 14 May 2009, ABC Radio National
6. ^ "Digital radio trial to begin in Canberra". 5 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
7. ^ "Digital radio trial on in Darwin". 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
8. ^ "Regional radio broadcasters meet to discuss rollout of digital radio" (PDF). Media release. Commercial Radio Australia (CRA). 8 December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
9. ^ White, Alex (23 May 2011). "National Community Launch". Community Digital Radio. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
10. ^ "New DAB+ stations in Canberra & Darwin".
11. ^ "ABC and SBS launch DAB+ services in Hobart". 17 March 2018.
12. ^ "Digital radio switches on in Hobart".
13. ^ "Radiocommunications (Foundation Category 1 Digital Radio Multiplex Transmitter Licence - Mandurah) Declaration 2019 (No.1)" (PDF).
14. ^ "Mandurah gets DAB+ for Christmas".
15. ^ "Radiocommunications (Digital Radio Channels – Queensland) Plan Variation 2020 (No. 1)". 14 December 2020.
16. ^ "DAB+ radio set to launch on the Gold Coast".
17. ^ List of licensed broadcasting transmitters Archived 25 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
18. ^ ABC launches digital radio stations, The Australian, 1 July 2009[dead link]
19. ^ Home page, ABC Jazz
20. ^ Home page, ABC Dig Music
21. ^ Home page Archived 27 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine, ABC Country
22. ^ Home page, ABC Extra
23. ^ a b c "dmg drop NovaNation/Koffee for Coles Radio". Radio Today. 29 December 2013.
24. ^ "Digital Radio a Go-Go | Community Broadcasting Association of Australia". Archived from the original on 9 March 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
25. ^ "Melbourne community radio stations go digital next month". 21 March 2011. Archived from the original on 26 March 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
26. ^ "Adelaide Launching Digital Community Radio in April". Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
27. ^ White, Alex (10 June 2011). "Brisbane Stations Launch Digital Services". Community Digital Radio. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
28. ^ a b White, Alex (10 June 2011). "Sydney Community Digital Radio Stations Launch". Community Digital Radio. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
29. ^ a b c Home page, Buddha Radio
30. ^ Kinderling Kids
31. ^ Buddha Hits
32. ^ "We're making changes to FBi on digital radio" FBi website, 6 June 2017

## External links

[edit]

* Community Digital Radio - Radius Website \- Community Broadcasting Association of Australia's digital radio website
* Digital Radio at the ABC website
* Digital Radio at the SBS website
* Digital Radio at the radioinfo website
* Digital Radio Plus Website