Digital Radio

15 July 2009

SBS Radio is going digital!

Digital radio is an exciting new way for listeners to tune in to SBS Radio.

Digital radio offers a range of features to enhance your listening experience, including:

Digital quality sound
Improved reception for existing AM services
Extra channels, time-shifted services, and the ability to pause and rewind live radio
Tuning in by station name, not frequency, making SBS Radio easy to find no matter where you live.

To tune into digital radio you will need a new receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Click here to find your local digital radio stockist.

What's new on SBS Digital Radio?

SBS will be officially launching its new Digital Radio services on Thursday 6 August 2009 in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

SBS Digital Radio offers you more quality news, features, information and sports coverage in your language, at times that suit you.

Listeners in Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane are now able to hear all of SBS Radio’s programs – so that means you have double the number of programs you can listen to, every week!

SBS Digital Radio has 14 new language services, including:

Listeners in Melbourne and Sydney are able to tune into a number of new language programs, and more programming hours.

All SBS Radio programs are re-broadcast two hours later on our digital +2h channels. Our '+2h' time shifted digital channels play the same content as standard channels - just two hours behind for your convenience.

Listening to Digital Radio

To enjoy the benefits of digital radio you will need to purchase a DAB+ digital receiver.

Digital Radios come in all shapes and sizes and have an array of functions. Some are DAB+ only and some have FM included, some work on batteries and others are electric only.

Others offer special features like Pause, Rewind and Record; and others come with CD player, MP3 and/or ipod dock included. DAB+ digital receivers are available now.

Prices start at around $150 for a simple digital clock radio.

Click here to find your local digital radio stockist.

Digital Radio Coverage

Listeners in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane should all be able to receive digital radio. To find out if you can listen to digital radio in your area, click here .

Re-tuning your digital radio for new stations
As new digital radio stations switch on, receivers should be re-tuned. Re-tune your radio regularly so that you don't miss any new Stations! Simply follow the prompts on your receiver menu, or click here for a summary guide which may assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did digital radio become available in Australia?

Australian commercial digital radio services were officially switched-on progressively throughout May, 2009 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Will I be able to receive digital radio?

Listeners in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane should all be able to receive digital radio. To find out if your suburb is covered, click here .

Will digital radio cost listeners anything?

No. Listeners simply have to buy a receiver to listen to digital radio with products priced from $150 and above. There are no other costs - just tune in.

What extra features will digital radio provide?

Digital radio will provide some new stations. Digital radio also means you can listen to your existing favourite radio stations but with digital sound quality. There are many advantages to digital radio – it can provide better reception, more information on discussion topics, news items, sports and racing via text, graphics, pictures and animation. Features like pause and rewind will be available on some digital receivers and you can tune in by station name, not frequency, making it easy to find your favourite stations.

What radio receivers are available?

To listen to digital radio, you will need a new receiver. Digital radios will come in all shapes and sizes, including MP3 devices, hi fi systems, portable players and clock radios. PC radios, which plug into a computer and allow receiver functions to be controlled from the computer screen, are becoming available. In-car adaptors and upgrades are also expected to be available and there are likely to be adaptor kits for mobile phones.

Where can I buy a new DAB+ radio?

Major retailers stock a range of digital radios; these include Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, The Good Guys, Myer, David Jones, Clive Peeters, Big W, Target, Retravision and specialist retailers.

How much will a DAB+ radio cost?

Digital radio prices will vary depending on the features and capabilities. Entry-level receivers (with scrolling text) start from around $150 and receivers with all capabilities start at around $299.

Who makes DAB+ digital radios?

Pure, Roberts, Sangean, Bush, Revo, Grundig, Teac, Yamaha and iRiver are just some of the manufacturers making DAB+ digital radios. Other manufacturers will be introducing more products throughout 2009/10.

Will AM and FM radio be switched off soon?

The introduction of digital radio will have no effect on the availability of AM and FM analog radio services. Analog radio services will not be 'switched off' to facilitate digital radio broadcasting. Consumers do not need to buy a new radio to continue to listen to their current favourite analog stations.

I sometimes get crackling on my AM signal - will this happen with digital radio?

Digital radio will provide interference free, digital quality sound and your radio will automatically find the best signal in your area.

Can I receive AM and FM on my new digital radio?

Digital radios will come in a range of different models. To ensure your radio receives digital radio services in Australia it must be DAB+ enabled. Some DAB+ radios will also receive FM. However you’ll be able to hear your favourite AM and FM stations simulcast on DAB+. Look for the logo on the product pack or in store.

When will I be able to receive digital radio in areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth?

Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) has already started planning the digital radio rollout in other areas throughout Australia. A regional trial of digital radio will commence in late 2009 and CRA is calling on the Federal Government to allocate VHF Band III spectrum in regional areas for the rollout of digital radio services across Australia.

Is digital radio the same as internet radio?

No, digital radio is broadcast free to air over the airwaves via DAB+ technology. Internet-only radio services are streamed over the telecommunications networks and incur a download cost, which varies depending on the internet service provider package. Free-to-air broadcast radio stations will also stream their current radio programs plus any new digital services on the internet as well as broadcasting, so the content can be accessed on both platforms.

How are you telling listeners about digital radio?

An advertising campaign promoting the switch on of digital radio services to listeners has commenced on all commercial radio stations and on SBS Radio in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. The first phase of the $10 million dollar on-air campaign raises listeners’ awareness that radio is going digital. It also promotes the website: digitalradioplus.com.au which contains extensive information about digital radio for consumers. Phase two of the ad campaign outlines the new capabilities and benefits of digital radio and is designed to generate heightened listener interest, and phase three will encourage listeners to actively engage with digital radio and seek out retail outlets for digital radio receivers as the switch on takes place.

Can I receive digital radio through my digital TV set top box?

Not at the moment, however, manufacturers are currently working on integrating DAB+ into a digital TV set top box. As new DAB+ products become available they will be featured on the digitalradioplus.com.au website.

How do I receive digital radio in my car?

Although not currently available, there are plans for digital radio to be made available in cars. These options include a specific in-car adaptor, the ability to link your portable DAB+ receiver via Bluetooth in your car or through GPS car navigation systems.