ABC Australia ritarda sul DAB+

Il settore della radio digitale a standard DAB+ guarda all'Australia come al possibile El Dorado della grande svolta: un'intera nazione-continente impegnata in una spettacolare migrazione delle radiofonia pubblica e commerciale verso il digitale, forse per la prima volta con una pianificazione e uno sforzo di sensibilizzazione degni di questi nomi. Il progetto australiano potrebbe essere la prova del fuoco per la radio digitale, sfiancata da quindici anni di promesse mancate, scarsa visibilità e una concorrenza sempre più spietata sul fronte dei net media.
Si doveva partire a maggio, ma ABC, l'ente pubblico australiano, ha comunicato al giornale Courier che da parte sua non ci saranno programmi DAB on air prima del prossimo luglio. Ci sarebbero ritardi infrastrutturali dovuti alle incertezze sui finanziamenti statali e soprattutto, non ci sono abbastanza ricevitori nei negozi. Le emittenti commerciali presenti sui multiplex DAB+ invece, dicono di voler partire lo stesso. In questi giorni Commercial Radio Australia ha fissato le date per una campagna pubblicitaria che inizierà ad aprile nei maggiori centri urbani australiani.

Delay on ABC switch to digital radio in Brisbane
Michael Lund
March 04, 2009

HI-TECH digital radio from the ABC will hit the airwaves three months after commercial radio in Brisbane because of equipment delay. The public service broadcaster today confirmed it would not be up and running in time for the May switch on. It said a "delay in funding confirmation" had pushed back equipment orders and the installation of new equipment.
Commercial Radio Australia says it is pressing ahead with plans for commercial stations to be available in digital quality from May. That will see stations including ratings leader Nova, Triple M, B105, 4BC and other stations in Brisbane available on the digital airwaves ahead of 612 ABC Brisbane and other ABC stations. Digital radio promises listeners a higher quality sound than existing AM and FM broadcasts. Stations will be able to broadcast existing programs on their digital channels, and broadcast extra programs on channels only available on the digital airwaves. Digital radio's launch in Australia is already years behind other countries.
The ABC was working with public service rival SBS and commercial radio on a May rollout of the new service. However, there have been rumours for some weeks that the ABC may not be ready for that deadline. Australia's late entry into digital radio has allowed the industry to opt for a new DAB+ format That has led to a delay in availability of digital radio receivers in stores. Existing DAB receivers from overseas will not be able to pick up Australia's DAB+ signal.
Manufacturers say they are busy upgrading their receivers which should be available in stores in time for the May switch on. The radio industry, retailers and manufacturers met earlier this week for talks on how the switch on would work in Brisbane and other capital cities. Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner said: "It is important that we let our listeners know about digital radio, that digital radio is coming, and provide good on-air support to the retailers who will be stocking receivers."
The ABC said it hoped to begin test signals in May but a full launch of programs would not happen until July, to meet a Federal Government deadline for digital programming. The broadcaster is planning three extra digital channels for dig: Music, Jazz and Country, on top of its existing five national and local channels.