Connect FM has disappeared from its local DAB multiplex because of a “very substantial price increase” from Arqiva, the station has told RadioToday. The station, owned by Adventure Radio, has been on DAB for five years, having been a launch partner when the Northampton multiplex launched in 2013. Connect FM also joined DAB in Peterborough, and Herts, Beds and Bucks.
Connect FM says that currently only 6.000 of its 51.000 weekly listeners tune in via DAB. On renewal of the contract, Arqiva proposed a very substantial increase in the cost of DAB transmission on both of its multiplexes which would have made the station economically unviable.
It is with deep regret that Connect FM has had to withdraw its services from the Northampton and Peterborough DAB multiplexes from the 1st January 2018, said
Mark Jeeves, Operations Director of Connect FM of this decision. I don’t think this action by Arqiva sends a good message for smaller radio stations and clearly demonstrates the pricing power of multiplex owners over radio licence operators and their willingness to put profit over service, despite there being plenty of capacity on the Northamptonshire and Peterborough multiplexes.
Read the full story in RadioToday
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