Jump to content

Digital radio in the Republic of Ireland

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from DAB in Ireland)

"Digital radio in Ireland" redirects here. For Digital radio in Northern Ireland, see Digital radio in the United Kingdom.
Digital radio services are broadcast from sites such as Three Rock Mountain (pictured)

Digital radio in Ireland is currently broadcast on DAB+ and a number of digital terrestrial, cable and internet platforms.

Until 31 March 2021, official broadcasts of the full complement of radio services of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) using the DAB standard were available in the state.[a]

In April 2025, a twelve-month DAB+ trial covering Dublin and the wider Leinster area was launched by FáilteDAB with the support of Coimisiún na Meán and ComReg. In January 2026 it was announced that beginning in April, the trial would be extended for a further 12 months and expanded beyond the original area to cover more than 85% of the population.[b]

Digital Audio Broadcasting

[edit]
See also: Digital Audio Broadcasting and List of radio stations in the Republic of Ireland

Until 31 March 2021, the national public service broadcaster, RTÉ, operated a full-service DAB multiplex across a five transmitter network covering all major population centres and a total 52% of the population of the state.[1][2][3]

Following the end of its DAB transmissions, RTÉ's digital stations – RTÉ Gold, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ Pulse, and RTÉjr Radio – which were originally created for the DAB network, remained available on Saorview and online.[4][5] In November 2019,[6] and again in November 2023,[7] RTÉ announced that these stations (except RTÉ Gold) would be closed in order to reduce costs; they were finally closed on 31 December 2025.[8][9]

Prior to this, a number of national multiplexes in the republic have ceased transmissions. A small number of unlicensed low-powered, small-scale DAB multiplexes did run in the state after the cessation of the RTÉ DAB multiplex, but they had all ceased by the summer of 2024.[10]

Some areas near the border with Northern Ireland can receive overspill of BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle.[11][12]

FáilteDAB

[edit]

In February 2025, a new DAB+ service operated by FáilteDAB was granted a licence by ComReg to commence a one-year trial starting in April for a multiplex that will cover six transmitter sites across the eastern part of the republic with the view to expand nationally during the trial period.[13][14][15]

The trial is supported by Ireland's media regulator Coimisiún na Meán.[16]

Prior to its launch, both Wireless Ireland and Bauer Media Audio Ireland announced plans to operate services on the platform.[17]

In January 2026, it was announced that beginning in April, the trial would be extended for a further 12 months and expanded beyond the original area to cover more than 85% of the population with.[18][19][20]

Currently six transmission sites are being utilised using frequency blocks 5B, 7D and 10D.[citation needed]

Services on Fáilte DAB

[edit]

Former National Multiplexes

[edit]

DAB Ireland Mux1 (RTÉ - 2006 to 2021)

[edit]

The first national public service multiplex operated on Block 12C (227.360 MHz) by RTÉ from just five transmitters: Three Rock, County Dublin; Kippure, Co. Wicklow; Clermont Carn, Co. Louth; Spur Hill, Co. Cork; and Woodcock Hill, Co. Limerick. Hence the service was only available in parts of Ireland. Its line-up varied considerably since its launch on 1 January 2006. All stations were provided by RTÉ. It carried the following stations:[3]

It was proposed to close the RTÉ DAB service as well as the digital-only RTÉ radio stations as part of the November 2019 cost saving plan.[21][6] This proposed closure was set to take place in April 2020 but was delayed pending review through the outcome of a commissioned report.[citation needed]

In March 2021, RTÉ announced that it was to cease transmission of its radio services on the Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) network on 31 March 2021.[22] A report commissioned by the broadcaster found that just 0.5% of adults in Ireland listened to radio via DAB while 77% of adults in Ireland listened on FM.[22]

DAB Ireland Mux2 (2007–08)

[edit]

No longer operating since November 2008, this multiplex launched in mid-March 2007 and operated from Three Rock Mountain and Clermont Carn on Block 12A (223.936 MHz). It carried ten services: four stations supplied by Communicorp, two by Digital Audio Productions, two by UTV Radio, and two privately held. As of July 2008, it consisted of:[3]

Radio stations licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ceased broadcasting on Ireland's second digital radio multiplex (Mux 2) on Sunday, 30 November 2008.[citation needed] The stations were broadcasting on Mux 2 as part of a digital radio trial.ComReg and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland are currently[when?] exploring regulatory frameworks for digital radio multiplex licensing and broadcast licences.[23][verification needed]

DB Digital Broadcasting (2012–2017)

[edit]

DB Digital Broadcasting launched a national multiplex in some areas of Ireland in July 2012.[3][24] Plans to expand to Limerick were dropped in 2014.[24] The multiplex closed on 30 June 2017 due to a lack of enthusiasm for DAB from the commercial sector and after its licence from ComReg expired.[25] The operator was[when?] attempting to relaunch a national service after the announcement of the closure of the first national multiplex.[26]

Former Trial Multiplexes

[edit]

DAB was launched to the public on 30 November 2006, with a number of trials taking place in 1998, 2001 and 2006. Before April 2021, 52% of Ireland's population[27] — mainly in Counties Cork and Limerick and the North East – could receive permanent DAB services. Geographic coverage on a portable or car radio was much less.[28] The service began to be marketed in May 2007 by a collective of commercial broadcasters, digitalradio.ie.[29]

Since 2010, a number of privately run trial broadcasts have been made.[citation needed]

South-East (TOTAL-DAB) DAB trials (2010 to 2012)

[edit]

DAB and DAB+ trials were begun in April 2010 in the South-East area of Ireland on channel 9B (204.64 MHz) by Total Broadcast Consultants Ltd, a broadcast engineering company. The company initially obtained a 1-year test and trial licence from ComReg to perform tests from sites, initially just in Waterford City. But from mid May, the trial multiplex was expanded to cover much of the South East of Ireland via a high site in the Blackstairs Mountains, providing coverage in Co. Wexford, Co. Carlow, Co. Kilkenny and East Co. Waterford. In March 2011, a 1-year extension was granted. This was the first DAB multiplex in Ireland to be operated by an independent/private organisation (RTÉ NL operating previous multiplexes), and the first known broadcasts of DAB+ content in Ireland. In addition to all local and regional radio stations, it was carrying several stations previously unavailable in the region. Past trial participants have included Christmas FM, Zenith Classic Rock & Raidió Rí-Rá.[citation needed]

Dublin 2018 trial

[edit]

A test service in Dublin served parts of the city on Channels 5A and 5B carrying both RTÉ and Independent local radio services from both Dublin and Cork.[citation needed]

Cork City 2018–19 DAB Trial (éirdab)

[edit]

A small scale DAB trial, launched in August 2018 in Cork City, Ireland on channel 11A (216.928 MHz). It was operated by Viamux Ltd (éirdab), a DAB/DAB+ digital radio solutions company.[30] éirdab received a 1-year test and trial licence from Comreg to perform tests from a site in Cork City.[31] éirdab has invited all local and regional radio stations to join the multiplex. It also carried stations previously unavailable to listeners in the area.[citation needed] Stations included:

Former unlicensed DAB multiplexes

[edit]

A small number of unlicensed independent DAB multiplexes were available in a few locations until the summer of 2024.[3]

FreeDAB

[edit]

The FreeDAB network carried a number of low-powered multiplexes in Cork, Dublin,[34] the north and north east of Ireland and Sligo. The broadcaster was raided by the Garda in 2020[35] and resumed broadcasting in Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk, Limerick. These transmissions have ceased.[citation needed]

Digital Terrestrial Television

[edit]
See also: Saorview § Radio

All of RTÉ's digital radio services, and the private radio service Radio Maria Ireland, are available on Saorview.[36][37]

Digital Satellite

[edit]
See also: Saorsat § Radio

A number RTÉ radio services are available nationwide on Saorsat, FreeSat and Sky.[38][39][40]

Internet Radio

[edit]

A number of public and private radio services are available across the state from broadband internet and mobile phone networks receivable on smartphones, Internet radio devices and smart speakers.[41][42]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Crowley, Sinéad (2 March 2021). "RTÉ to cease radio transmission on DAB network". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Countries | Ireland". WorldDAB. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e "DAB Ensembles Worldwide | Ireland". wohnort.org. Archived from the original on 14 January 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  4. ^ RTÉ (2 March 2021). "RTÉ to cease DAB transmission, digital radio services to remain". About RTÉ. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  5. ^ "Farewell DAB, the radio technology we didn't need". The Irish Times. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b Crowley, Sinéad (7 November 2019). "RTÉ to cut jobs, pay and some services to address financial crisis". RTÉ. Retrieved 7 April 2026. RTÉ's digital radio stations - RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ Gold, RTÉjr Radio and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra - will cease.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Moore, Jane (14 November 2023). "'No one will earn more than the DG': Bakhurst outlines voluntary redundancies and salary caps at RTÉ". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 7 April 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Keep Listening - How to Listen to RTÉ's Radio Services". RTÉ. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026. RTÉ closed four digital radio services - RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉjr Radio on 31st December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Walsh, Andrew; Brophy, Daragh (20 November 2025). "RTÉ will permanently close four digital radio stations - including 2XM and Pulse - on 31 December". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 7 April 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "DAB Ensembles Worldwide | Ireland". wohnort.org. Archived from the original on 14 January 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  11. ^ Pepper, Diarmuid (21 July 2025). "The BBC Sounds app has been switched off for listeners in Ireland". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  12. ^ Wilson, Rebekah (12 April 2025). "Q&A: Why is BBC Sounds going to be unavailable in Ireland?". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  13. ^ "FáilteDAB Launch". FáilteDAB. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Plans underway to bring back high powered DAB+ multiplexes to Ireland". RadioToday. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  15. ^ Langan, Nick (5 March 2025). "DAB+ to Be Tested in Ireland This Spring". Radio World. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  16. ^ Heslin, Maeve (27 March 2025). "Coimisiún na Meán supports new DAB radio trial". Coimisiún na Meán. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  17. ^ AdWorld (21 February 2025). "Broadcasters Look to DAB's Second Coming With New Trials | AdWorld.ie". Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  18. ^ "FáilteDAB announces extension and expansion to its FáilteDAB trial network". FáilteDAB. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  19. ^ "FáilteDAB to extend DAB+ radio coverage across Ireland". RadioToday. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  20. ^ "DRAI Welcomes Extension and Expansion of DAB+ Trial as Clear Signal of Digital Radio Demand in Ireland". Digital Radio Alliance Ireland. 5 February 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  21. ^ Slattery, Laura (7 November 2019). "What exactly will be cut at RTÉ under its cost-saving plan?". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026. RTÉ's suite of digital radio services … will be closed.
  22. ^ a b Crowley, Sinéad (2 March 2021). "RTÉ to cease radio transmission on DAB network". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  23. ^ "Notice on www.digitalradio.ie". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  24. ^ a b "National DAB 2 multiplex returns after error". RadioToday. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  25. ^ "DAB radio multiplex to close as FM prospers". RadioToday. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  26. ^ "dB Digital Broadcasting – National DAB+ Mux Provider Ireland". Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Ireland | Countries | WorldDAB". www.worlddab.org. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  28. ^ "RTÉ trials DAB digital radio in Cork and Limerick cities". Radio Netherlands MediaNetwork. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  29. ^ "New industry group, digitalRadio.ie, welcomes public DAB trials". digitalradio.ie. Archived from the original on 3 May 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  30. ^ Martin, Roy (13 September 2018). "Small scale DAB digital radio launched in Cork". RadioToday. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  31. ^ Martin, Roy (25 May 2018). "Cork to get new DAB+ digital radio multiplex". RadioToday. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  32. ^ "8Radio Joins Cork DAB Trial". radio.ie. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Juice FM launches on DAB digital radio in Cork". RadioToday. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  34. ^ Martin, Roy (18 September 2018). "Pirate DAB multiplexes take to the air in Dublin and Cork". RadioToday. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  35. ^ "FreeDAB Dublin radio multiplex off-air after raid". RadioToday. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Television guide". Saorview. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  37. ^ "List of channels on Saorview (Ireland) § Radio". TV Channel Lists. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  38. ^ "Welcome to Saorsat". Saorsat. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  39. ^ "TV Guide". Freesat. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  40. ^ "List of channels on Sky Q (United Kingdom & Ireland)". TV Channel Lists. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  41. ^ Murphy, Kennet (January 2026). "Irish Radio's Digital Transition: Back to the Future". Irish Communication Review. 19 (1).
  42. ^ "Farewell DAB, the radio technology we didn't need". The Irish Times. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
[edit]

DAB+

[edit]

Digital Television

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digital_radio_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland&oldid=1356426551"