A COUPLE of North Wales broadcasters are celebrating today (October 3) after broadcasting regulator Ofcom awarded the operational licence for a small-scale digital radio multiplex (DAB) to their joint company.

This means that Conwy County is soon to receive a selection of new radio services – from specialist music channels to community services and information-based stations.

“Sound Radio”, which broadcasts to East Conwy and the coastal belt between Conwy and Denbighshire on FM and Bayside Radio, which serves communities in the Bay of Colwyn on the North West Wales DAB multiplex, are working together as “Sound Bay Community Digital CIC” (Digidol Cymunedol Sain Bae).

In partnership with a number of third sector organisations, the not-for-profit company has been set up to provide an affordable way for small and large broadcasters to keep important issues, the Welsh language and the area’s culture front of mind.

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Small-scale DAB is technology which enables new radio services to be broadcast at low cost to existing digital sets at home or in the car, complementing listening on smart speakers such as Alexa or online.

Director Simon Wynne said: “We aim to provide coverage to a high percentage of the Conwy County population from launch.

“Although it is a relatively small broadcast area, where the coast meets the country, it’s a place with so much going on across the year and over the tourist season, that we are confident small-scale DAB has a role to play in helping make sense of it all for visitors and locals alike.

“Conwy County is Wales’ top tourist destination, with nine million people coming to visit every year.

“With unbeatable attractions and a wonderful welcoming culture, it’s not hard to see why the area is so incredibly popular.

“However, with a high reliance on tourism and agriculture which gives seasonality to the jobs market, we do have communities that can sometimes struggle with social issues, money and longer-term employment.

“This is where the wonderful work of community stations, such as Sound Radio and Bayside, come into their own.

“These will broadcast on the multiplex along with a number of new services.”

Bayside is also gearing up to broadcast a second service with a high percentage of content in the Welsh language and a place to capture the flavour of cultural events that pop-up across the county each year.

The company is led by a team of highly experienced radio professionals including former BBC executive and Independent Radio Group Director Simon Wynne, and Gary Carr, who has many years of experience leading local and community radio broadcasting.

Gary said: “These are really exciting times for digital radio in North Wales, as it will bring an affordable way to provide opportunities to broadcast to our area, something which has not been available before."

The Sound Bay team will continue to work closely with transmission experts Viamux on the roll-out of the service with transmitter locations already agreed on the Great Orme and at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

To find out more about Sound Bay in North Wales, please visit: www.soundbaydigital.co.uk.