Switchdigital is an operator of DAB ensembles in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1998 by the Wireless Group, Virgin Radio and Clear Channel International [1] and is owned by News Broadcasting. [2] [3] As of October 2000, it was 55% owned by Wireless Group, 20% owned by Capital Radio and Clear Channel International each and 5% owned by Carphone Warehouse. [4]
Switchdigital was one of two applicants for the licence to broadcast in the Aberdeen area along with Scottish Radio Holdings-owned Score Digital, [5] ultimately being granted the licence on 6 April 2001. [6] [7] The multiplex started broadcasting on 3 December of that year. [8]
On 6 October 2000, Switchdigital was granted the licence to broadcast in the Central Scotland area covering the Central Belt – including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling [9] [10] – having been the only candidate for the regional multiplex. [11] [12] It started broadcasting on 5 July 2001 [13] and is the last regional DAB multiplex in the UK following the cessation of MXR's Yorkshire ensemble in June 2015. [14] [15]
Switchdigital operates one of three London-wide multiplexes alongside CE Digital [16] and DRG London. [17] While its initial application for a licence to broadcast in the area was unsuccessful, it was ultimately successful in a subsequent bid on 7 April 2000. [18] It started broadcasting on 26 June of that year. [19]
The company applied for the licence to broadcast in Tayside on 18 May 2001, [20] which was ultimately awarded to Score Digital on 6 September of that year. [21]
