BBC National DAB is a digital audio broadcasting multiplex in the UK, for a number of radio stations which have UK wide coverage. The multiplex is owned and operated by the BBC and is transmitted from a number of transmitter sites across the country; it only carries BBC radio stations.
As of the end of 2017, more than 97% of the UK's population are within reach of the multiplex following the completion of the switching on of a fourth set of new transmitters over the previous two years which had seen the reach increase from 93%. Any further expansion of DAB radio is awaiting a decision by government on any possible digital radio switchover.
Stations carried The following channels are receivable on any digital-equipped DAB radio in the BBC National DAB coverage area:
Full time services ServiceService IDBit rateFormatAudio channelsDescriptionAnalogue availabilityBBC Radio 1C221112 kbit/sDABJoint stereoYouth-orientated popular music97.1 - 99.8 MHzBBC Radio 2C222112 kbit/sDABJoint stereoAdult-orientated popular music88.1 - 90.2 MHzBBC Radio 3C223160-192 kbit/sDABJoint stereoClassical music, jazz and opera90.3 - 92.6 MHzBBC Radio 4C22480-112 kbit/sDABMono / joint stereoSpeech-led programmes92.5 - 96.1 MHz103.5 - 104.9 MHz198 LW (until 27 June 2026)BBC Radio 5 LiveC22564-80 kbit/sDABMonoLive news and sport693, 909, 990 kHz and BBC Local Radio overnightBBC Radio 6 MusicC22B112 kbit/sDABJoint stereoAlternative music—BBC Radio 1XtraC22A112 kbit/sDABJoint stereoBlack contemporary music —BBC Radio 4 ExtraC22C80 kbit/sDABMonoArchive-led programmes—BBC Asian NetworkC23664 kbit/sDABMonoSouth Asian contemporary musicVarious MWBBC World ServiceC23864 kbit/sDABMonoInternational news and current affairsOn Radio 4 frequencies between 01:00 and 05:00 dailyBBC Radio 1 AnthemsC22D32 kbit/sDAB+StereoPopular music from late 90s to presentBBC Radio 1 DanceC22932 kbit/sDAB+StereoDance and electronic musicBBC Radio 3 UnwindC22E32 kbit/sDAB+StereoClassical and meditation musicBBC GuideE1C79E5E16-32 kbit/sDABDataHidden service, EPG data—
Part time services The BBC National DAB multiplex makes use of dynamic ensemble reconfiguration to allow a number of part-time services to broadcast. While these additional services are on air the bit rates of (one or more of) BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, and data services are reduced.
Station Name DescriptionBBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraLive sport - broadcasts either Test Match Special or a second sporting event when BBC Radio 5 Live is also broadcasting live sport.
Former services Two regularly scheduled BBC Radio 4 long-wave programmes were, prior to April 2024, provided to DAB listeners by way of dynamic daily opt-outs which popped up on the national DAB multiplex. With the cessation of separate scheduling on long wave from 1 April 2024, these programmes were relocated to broadcast on Radio 4 Extra, ending use of the dynamic pop-ups for these.
Station Name DescriptionYesterday In ParliamentRadio 4 LW opt-out simulcast; weekdays 08:30-09:00; Saturdays 08:45-09:00.The Daily ServiceChristian Music and Worship, Radio 4 LW opt-out simulcast; weekdays 09:45-10:00.
"Pop-up" services The BBC has experimented with short-term "pop-up" digital radio stations, each broadcasting for approximately four days at a time, covering music festivals and other special events. The first to broadcast was BBC Radio 5 Live Olympics Extra in 2012, then BBC Radio 2 Eurovision launched for the first time in 2014, and was joined by BBC Radio 2 Country, BBC Music Jazz in 2015 and BBC Radio 2 50s in April 2016. When these temporary stations are on air, there is normally a reduction in bit rate of their parent station.
Station NameDescriptionBBC 5 Live Olympics ExtraAvailable during 2012 Summer Olympics with coverage consisting of sports commentaries.BBC Radio 2 EurovisionLaunched in May 2014 to extend the BBC's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest. Returned in 2015 to provide coverage of the 2015 contest.BBC Radio 2 CountryLaunched in March 2015 to provide coverage of London's C2C: Country to Country Country music festival. Returned in 2016 to cover the 2016 festival and again in 2017.BBC Music JazzLaunched in November 2015 as a joint venture between BBC Radio 3 and Jazz FM, with programming celebrating jazz music in all its varied forms.BBC Radio 2 50sLaunched in April 2016 as a celebration of the music and entertainment of the 1950s.BBC Radio 1 VintageAvailable in September 2017 as a celebration of BBC Radio 1's 50th anniversary.BBC Radio 2 BeatlesLaunched in September 2019 as a celebration of 50 years of the Beatles album Abbey Road featuring interviews on how the album was created and how it influenced the next generation of music artists.
Planned station closures In 2010, the BBC published plans to close BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Asian Network. These plans were later rejected, saving both stations from closure. Radio 6 Music was retained after listening figures increased and a campaign was set up on Facebook, which gained 180,000 supporters.
See also Timeline of Digital Audio Broadcasting in the UK Digital One Sound Digital
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