81-553: BBC Radio Somerset is the BBC's local radio station serving the county of Somerset , England. It broadcasts on FM , AM , DAB , digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios in the Blackbrook area of Taunton . According to RAJAR , the station has a weekly audience of 55,000 listeners and a 7.2% share as of December 2023. The first BBC service for the county of Somerset was established in 1978, as an emergency measure following storms in
162-608: A Freeview tuner may offer standard Freeview or Freeview HD. Freeview Play is a more recent addition which adds direct access to catch-up services via the Internet . The technical specification for Freeview is published and maintained by the Digital TV Group , the industry association for digital TV in the UK which also provide the test and conformance regime for Freeview, Freeview + and Freeview HD products. DMOL (DTT Multiplex Operators Ltd.),
243-482: A brand new custom-made jingle package by Reelworld, based in MediaCity UK , Salford . The new jingle package was rolled out to all BBC Local Radio stations over the course of the year, alongside a refreshed "on air" sound to help encourage younger listeners to the station. The new station branding also incorporates a new tag line, "The Sound of *area of coverage*, and all the music you love". The new jingle package marked
324-461: A company owned by the operators of the six DTT multiplexes (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Arqiva) is responsible for technical platform management and policy, including the electronic programme guide and channel numbering. Freeview officially launched on 30 October 2002 at 5 am, when the BBC and Crown Castle (now Arqiva ) officially took over the digital terrestrial television (DTT) licences to broadcast on
405-760: A full power service) and Crystal Palace (as a reduced power temporary service). It operates on multiplex BBC B (aka Multiplex B or PSB3). The service was broadcast to all regions by the end of 2012. Channel 4 HD commenced test broadcasts on 25 March 2010 with an animated caption, ahead of its full launch on 30 March 2010, coinciding with the commercial launch of Freeview HD. S4C Clirlun launched on 30 April 2010, in Wales, where Channel 4 HD did not broadcast. STV HD launched in Scotland, where ITV HD does not broadcast, on 6 June 2010. S4C Clirlun closed on 1 December 2012, allowing Channel 4 HD to begin broadcasting in Wales. Five HD
486-858: A further eight BBC Local Radio stations - BBC Essex , BBC Radio Cambridgeshire , BBC Radio Devon , BBC Radio Leeds , BBC Radio Sheffield , BBC Hereford & Worcester , BBC Radio Stoke and BBC Radio Lancashire - stopped broadcasting on MW. As of May 2024, only BBC Radio Cumbria (in North Cumbria and South Cumbria), BBC Radio Derby , BBC Radio Gloucestershire , BBC Radio Guernsey , BBC Radio Jersey , BBC Radio Norfolk (in West Norfolk ) and BBC Radio Somerset , still broadcast on MW. Due to sports rights broadcasting restrictions, some commentaries are not available on BBC Sounds. In this instance, an alternative national programme will usually be broadcast on Saturday afternoons. Overnight events are replaced by
567-598: A further roll-out during 2014. The temporary multiplexes are Arqiva-owned multiplexes called COM7 and COM8, DVB-T2 multiplexes for Freeview HD capable devices carrying some channels including HD channels. COM7 is made up of mostly +1s and HDs such as More4+1 and BBC News HD. COM8 consisted of +1s, HDs and other channels such as NOW 80s , PBS America+1 and BBC Four HD . Over the decade these multiplexes are being shut off with COM8 closing on 6 June 2020, with many +1 and HD channels like 5Star+1 and 4seven HD closing and others (like Now 80s) moving to COM7. On 10 August 2021,
648-409: A high-gain external aerial mounted high above the ground with an electronic amplifier at its top may be needed. Aerial requirements for analogue (the old standard) and digital reception in the UK are identical; there is no such thing as a special "digital aerial", although installers and suppliers often falsely say one is necessary. As the signal degrades, the analogue picture degrades gradually, but
729-406: A large number of digital television channels to be received on a compatible television receiver, set-top box, or personal video recorder. An electronic programme guide was available. Freeview channels are not encrypted and can be received by anyone in the UK. There is no additional charge to receive Freeview but it is a legal obligation to hold a current television licence to watch or record TV as it
810-515: A looping message explaining this is broadcast. A list of the forty local radio stations by region . In addition to these stations, BBC Radio Solent operates an opt-out service covering Dorset . There were also opt-out services covering Milton Keynes ( BBC Three Counties Radio ), Peterborough and the Fens ( BBC Radio Cambridgeshire ), Plymouth ( BBC Radio Devon ), and Swindon ( BBC Wiltshire ); but these ceased in 2012 due to cutbacks as part of
891-492: A number of broadcasters. The full range of channels broadcast via digital terrestrial television includes some pay television services such as BoxNation and Racing UK . These channels, although available only to subscribers with appropriate equipment, are listed in the on-screen electronic programme guides displayed by many Freeview receivers but cannot be viewed. The link above gives a full up-to-date list of channels, but, as of January 2020, excluding channels such as S4C or
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#1732848655354972-612: A number of hours with E4+1 and 4Music still off air on Monday 27 September (though 4Music's channel 30 slot was relaying the output of The Box , with its back-to-back music video format, on that date). The Freeview service broadcasts free-to-air television channels , radio stations and interactive services from the existing public service broadcasters. Channels on the service include the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 terrestrial channels, as well as their digital services. In addition, channels from other commercial operators, such as Sky and UKTV , are available, as well as radio services from
1053-452: A three note jingle package produced by Mcasso Music Production was gradually rolled out across the network, and was in use by all BBC Local Radio stations. Mcasso also updated the imaging in October 2015 which was launched by BBC Radio London (on the day of the station's 45th anniversary) replacing the three-note package with a six-note package. In January 2020, BBC Radio Leicester launched
1134-623: A variety of compatible TV and set-top boxes via the user's standard broadband Internet connection. Its main purpose is to provide easy access to catch-up services by scrolling backwards on the traditional electronic programming guide (EPG); YouView is a similar but competing combination of live Freeview and catch-up using the EPG. The technology is an open standard , but with prominent Freeview Play branding. The service launched in October 2015 on compliant equipment, initially 2015 Panasonic TV receivers and Humax set-top boxes, including existing models with
1215-660: Is a programme broadcast across England and the Channel Islands from either London or Manchester. 6am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday programmes are broadcast across the BBC West region. Saturday sport (2pm to 6pm) is a shared programme with BBC Radio Bristol with the option to broadcast local commentaries. Saturday evenings are region wide shared programmes, Sunday afternoons are shared with BBC Radio Bristol. After 6pm all programmes are national. Overnight, BBC Radio Somerset simulcasts BBC Radio 5 Live between 1am and 6am. The service
1296-493: Is available as a listen-again service on BBC Sounds . England Unwrapped was launched in 2019 and shares stories made by Local Radio teams. Freeview (UK) Freeview is the United Kingdom 's sole digital terrestrial television platform. It is operated by Everyone TV and DTV Services Ltd , a joint venture between the BBC , ITV , Channel 4 , Channel 5 and Sky . It was launched on 30 October 2002, taking over
1377-644: Is being broadcast. A subscription -based DTT service, Top Up TV , launched in March 2004. The Top Up TV service was not connected with the Freeview service, but ran alongside it on the DTT platform and was included in the Freeview EPG; programmes could be received on some Freeview set-top boxes and televisions equipped with a card slot or CI slot. The service also worked with existing ex- ONdigital / ITV Digital boxes that received
1458-663: Is broadcast across Somerset on 95.5 FM from the Mendip transmitting station located on the summit of Pen Hill , part of the Mendip Hills . The station also broadcasts on 1566kHz medium wave. BBC Radio Somerset broadcasts DAB from different transmitters, including Mendip , Taunton, Coker Hill, and Hutton. The station also broadcasts on Freeview TV channel 714 in the BBC South West and BBC West regions and streams online via BBC Sounds . Bath , North and North East Somerset
1539-511: Is called Freeview HD . Reception of Freeview requires a DVB-T / DVB-T2 tuner , either in a separate set-top box or built into the TV set. Since 2008 all new TV sets sold in the United Kingdom have a built-in Freeview tuner. Freeview HD requires an HDTV-capable tuner. Digital video recorders (DVRs) with a built-in Freeview tuner are labelled Freeview+ . Depending on model, DVRs and HDTV sets with
1620-418: Is not mandatory); later equipment must be capable of surround sound compatible with most suitable audio equipment. In early February 2011, it was announced that one million Freeview HD set-top boxes had been sold. In August 2009 the BBC wrote to Ofcom after third-party content owners asked the BBC to undertake measures to ensure that all Freeview HD boxes would include copy protection systems as required by
1701-502: Is served by BBC Radio Bristol . However, those areas can still receive BBC Radio Somerset through DAB and Freeview TV. BBC Somerset got a new mobile radio studio in the shape of a single-decker bus in May 2007. The role of the BBC Somerset bus across the county includes: Programming for the bus, as well as the day-to-day operation and technical support was managed by Paul George. In 2016,
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#17328486553541782-487: Is the BBC 's local and regional radio division for England and the Channel Islands , consisting of forty stations. As of December 2023, the network broadcasts to a combined audience of 6.9 million, with a listening share of 4.9%, according to RAJAR . The popularity of pirate radio was to challenge a change within the at the time very "stiff" and blinkered management at the BBC. The most prominent concession by
1863-517: Is transmitted at 384 kb/s for 5.1 surround sound, with stereo audio at 128–192 kbit/s; audio description takes up 64 kbit/s, subtitles 200 kbit/s and the data stream, for interactive applications 50 kbit/s. Recording sizes for Freeview HD television transmissions average around 3 GB per hour. Between 22 and 23 March 2011, an encoder software change allowed the Freeview version of BBC HD to automatically detect progressive material and change encoding mode appropriately, meaning
1944-573: The DVB-T2 standard. This standard is incompatible with DVB-T, and can only be received using compatible reception equipment. Some television receivers sold before the HD launch claimed to be "HD-ready", but this usually implies that the screen can display HD, rather than that DVB-T2 signals can be received – a suitable tuner (typically built into a STB or PVR) is additionally required. Freeview HD set-top boxes and televisions are available. To qualify for
2025-518: The FM waveband , and not on the more widely available AM waveband . This was eventually rectified a few years after the creation of these new channels. Independent Local Radio (ILR) launched nationally in 1973, with nineteen stations; more followed in subsequent years. As a result, many of the BBC Local Radio stations found themselves in direct competition with commercial competitors that utilised many of
2106-442: The digital picture holds up well then suddenly becomes unwatchable ; an aerial which gave poor analogue viewing may give unwatchable, rather than poor, digital viewing, and need replacing, at a cost of typically £80 to £180, most of which is fitting cost. An aerial intended for external use may be fitted indoors if there is space and the signal is strong enough. The Digital TV Group, the industry association for digital television in
2187-449: The "best of the rest" of the BBC in HD. However, BBC HD was replaced by BBC Two HD on 26 March 2013. Until 17 October 2011, the commercial public service broadcasters had the opportunity to apply to Ofcom to provide an additional HD service from between 28 November 2011 and 1 April 2012. Channel 5 HD was the sole applicant, with the aim of launching in spring or early summer 2012. On 15 December 2011, Channel 5 dropped its bid to take
2268-511: The 2005 Frank Gillard Awards for BBC Local Radio, the corporation hired two actors to represent the fictional couple and award a prize to the "Receptionist of the Year". Mia Costello of BBC Radio Solent wrote a controversial internal memo in October 2006, re-stating the importance of these characters. She wrote: "Whatever job you do on station, make sure this week, you broadcast to Dave and Sue – people in their fifties. Only put on callers sounding in
2349-471: The 315-metre (1033') Bilsdale transmitter caught fire leaving up to a million homes in the North East of England without a TV or radio signal. Work is ongoing to restore services, but delays to the granting of planning permission for an 80-metre (300') temporary mast sited at Bilsdale, and the lack of safe access to the site, have left up to half a million homes without a service as of 8 September 2021. On
2430-480: The 45–64 range. I don't want to hear really elderly voices. Only talk about things that are positive and appealing to people in this age range. Only do caller round ups about people in this age range." This was reprinted the following month in the Southern Daily Echo , following which a BBC spokesperson commented "Out of context these notes sound harsh and we apologise if they offend anyone." BBC Local Radio
2511-463: The 600Mhz band for additional DVB-T2 multiplexes, reaching up to 70% of the UK population. At the same time, the BBC announced that they would provide five new HD channels due to the newly available capacity: BBC Three HD, BBC Four HD, CBBC HD, CBeebies HD and BBC News HD. BBC Three HD and CBBC HD launched to all viewers on 10 December 2013 using the capacity released by the Red Button HD service, and
BBC Radio Somerset - Misplaced Pages Continue
2592-567: The BBC established it as a station in its own right. The BBC's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005/2006 stated: "The BBC is committed to extending its network of local radio stations to a limited number of under served areas, and BBC management is carrying out preparatory work for new stations in Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire ". On 6 October 2011, the BBC announced that it intended to close BBC Somerset's 1566 MW frequency as part of its Delivering Quality First (DQF) program of cutbacks. No decision on
2673-756: The BBC said that the trial switch-off attracted very few complaints from listeners. In 2018, the MW transmissions of BBC Radios Sussex , Surrey , Humberside , Wiltshire , Nottingham, Kent and Lincolnshire ended and MW coverage for Radios Devon, Lancashire and Essex was reduced. Altogether, thirteen MW transmitters were switched off. In 2020, the MW transmissions of BBC Radio Cornwall , BBC Radio Newcastle , BBC Radio Merseyside , BBC Radio Solent , BBC Three Counties Radio and BBC Radio York ended, BBC Radio Cumbria stopped broadcasting on MW in Whitehaven and BBC Radio Norfolk 's Norwich MW transmitter went silent. In 2021,
2754-428: The BBC was the creation of BBC Radio 1 to satisfy the ever-demanding new youth culture with their thirst for new, popular music. The other, however, was that these pirate radio stations were, in some cases, local. As a result, BBC Local Radio began as an experiment. Initially, stations had to be co-funded by the BBC and local authorities , which only some Labour -controlled areas proved willing to do. Radio Leicester
2835-550: The BBC's "Delivering Quality First" programme. The stations were launched progressively; starting with BBC Radio Leicester on 8 November 1967, with the last station to launch being the short-lived BBC Dorset FM on 26 April 1993. Since then, many stations have been merged and renamed but no new stations have been created where no service previously existed, as plans to launch stations in unserved areas, most notably in Cheshire , have not materialised. Between October 2009 and April 2012,
2916-449: The BBC's local stations were broadcast only on VHF. The start of the 1990s saw new stations, once again, launching only on FM and in 1992 and 1993, six MW transmitters - BBC Radio Cleveland , BBC Radio Northampton , BBC Radio Oxford , BBC GLR , BBC GMR and one of BBC Radio Nottingham and BBC WM 's transmitters - were switched off although three, including BBC GLR's MW frequency, were re-allocated for use by commercial radio. In 1996,
2997-458: The BBC. Each station produces local programmes on weekdays from 6am until 2pm. Depending on location and population, afternoon, evening and weekend schedules will vary from shared regional programmes to being fully local although sports coverage continues to remain local. Since October 2023, all stations take the all England Late Show which originates in London or Manchester. and since November 2023,
3078-528: The Digital TV Group's D-Book, which sets technical standards for digital terrestrial television in the UK. The BBC proposed to ensure compliance with copy-protection standards on the upgraded Freeview HD multiplex by compressing the service information (SI) data, which receivers need to understand the TV services in the data stream. To encourage boxes to adopt copy protection, the BBC made its own look-up tables and decompression algorithm, necessary for decoding
3159-433: The EPG data on high-definition channels, available without charge only to manufacturers who implement the copy-protection technology. This technology would control the way HD films and TV shows are copied onto, for example Blu-ray discs, and shared with others over the internet. No restrictions will be placed on standard-definition services. In a formal written response, Ofcom principal advisor Greg Bensberg said that wording of
3240-456: The Freeview HD logo, receivers will need to be IPTV -capable and display Freeview branding, including the logo, on the electronic programme guide screen. The Freeview HD trademark requirements state that any manufacturer applying for the Freeview HD logo should submit their product to the Digital TV Group 's test centre (DTG Testing) for conformance testing. On 2 February 2010, Vestel became
3321-452: The Freeview package; subscribers with those boxes had to insert their TopUp TV card into the slot which was originally used for inserting ONdigital / ITV Digital smartcards. Top Up TV was replaced in 2006, by a service that did not run on Freeview equipment. In October 2013, the TopUp TV service was closed down. The Freeview logo certification for standard definition (SD) receivers and recorders
BBC Radio Somerset - Misplaced Pages Continue
3402-501: The MW frequencies of BBC Radio Leicester and BBC WM were handed over to the BBC Asian Network . MW transmitter closures began again in 2012, initially as a five-week trial to find out if listeners would miss or complain about the lack of AM services. Two of the four transmitters partaking in the trial - BBC Radio Nottingham's MW transmitter and BBC Radio Kent 's relay at Rusthall near Tunbridge Wells - remained off-air after
3483-498: The PSB3 multiplex which the BBC operates. However, BBC News HD would stop being broadcast on Freeview. The Digital TV Group publishes and maintains the UK technical specification for high-definition services on digital terrestrial television (Freeview) based on the new DVB-T2 standard. The specification is known as the D-book . Freeview HD is the first operational TV service in the world using
3564-563: The Sunday evening show is also carried on all stations. All local BBC radio stations simulcast BBC Radio 5 Live from 0100 until 0600. All of the BBC Local Radio stations broadcast on FM , digital radio , Freeview and BBC Sounds in their respective areas across England, but BBC Radio London is also available on Freesat and Virgin Media . Also, until the start of the 1990s, all BBC stations used to broadcast on medium wave although initially,
3645-409: The UK, is responsible for co-ordination between Freeview and other digital services. The original Freeview was later expanded with additional facilities (Freeview+), high-definition channels (Freeview HD), and Internet connectivity (Freeview Play). All services remain available; the original Freeview equipment will work (unenhanced) in the same way it always did. The original Freeview service allowed
3726-465: The bus became victim to cutbacks, and is no longer used by the station. In 2007, BBC Somerset took part in an initiative to create the first carbon-zero radio station in the UK known as The Challenge. Carbon auditors CO2balance analysed every aspect of the operation – from the mileage of the transport fleet down to what happens to the office tea bags. At the time of the audit, the station generated more than 64 tonnes of CO 2 each year. On hearing
3807-495: The call centre was inundated as a result of the problems. The change involved an update to the NIT (Network Information Table), which some receivers could not accommodate. Many thousands of people could not receive some channels. This included 460,000 fed from relay stations who lost access to ITV3 and ITV4 . Updates were broadcast to enable firmware changes, but in some cases the receiver must be left on and receiving broadcasts to accept
3888-454: The channel can switch to 1080p25. This was extended to all of the other Freeview HD channels in October 2011. To ensure provision of audio description, broadcasters typically use the AAC codec. Hardware restrictions allow only a single type of audio decoder to operate at any one time, so the main audio and the audio description must use the same encoding family for them to be successfully combined at
3969-452: The county. The station proper was launched as BBC Somerset Sound on 11 April 1988, broadcasting on BBC Radio Bristol 's former frequency of 1323 medium wave . It was based in studios above a café on Paul St, Taunton , run by producer-in-charge, Clinton Rogers and news producer Anne Ashworth, with a smaller satellite studio in Yeovil run by district producer, Steve Haigh. The signal on 1323 MW
4050-423: The decision to accept the BBC's request will deliver net benefits to licence-holders by ensuring they have access to the widest possible range of HD television content on DTT. Freeview HD Recorder (formerly Freeview+ , originally named Freeview Playback ) is the marketing name for Freeview-capable digital video recorders with some enhancements over the original Freeview. All recorders are required to include
4131-419: The duration of the 2012 Summer Olympics , followed by a channel from Channel 4 for the 2012 Summer Paralympics . On 13 June 2013, the BBC temporarily launched a high-definition red button stream in the vacant space. On 16 July 2013, Ofcom announced that up to 10 new HD channels would be launched by early 2014, using new capacity made available by the digital switchover . This provided additional spectrum in
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#17328486553544212-447: The evening of 25 September 2021, transmissions of Freeview channels operated by the BBC, Channel 4 and ViacomCBS (Channel 5) were impacted by the activation of a fire suppressant system at the premises of Red Bee Media . While the BBC moved its playout from White City to Salford and Channel 5 went into 'recovery mode' (with viewers seeing an additional black & white symbol at the top of the screen), Channel 4's channels went off air for
4293-410: The fifth slot after being unable to resolve "issues of commercial importance". Subject to any future Ofcom decision to re-advertise the slot, the capacity will remain with the BBC and can be used by it for BBC services or services provided by a third party via a commercial arrangement. The BBC temporarily used the space to broadcast a high definition simulcast of their main Freeview red button feed for
4374-521: The first manufacturer to gain Freeview HD certification, for the Vestel T8300 set top box. Humax released the first Freeview HD reception equipment, the Humax HD-FOX T2, on 13 February 2010. It was announced on 10 February 2009, that the signal would be encoded with MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level 4, which supports up to 1080i30/1080p30, so 1080p50 cannot be used. The system has been designed from
4455-472: The first time in ten years that "sung jingles" were used in the stations' on air branding. Dave and Sue are two fictional radio listeners created as marketing personas . Descriptions of the characters, created by the BBC, were given to all their local radio presenters as representative target listeners during the 2000s. They were later superseded by the "BBC Local Radio 2010" strategy. The characters were created as part of "Project Bullseye". Its stated aim
4536-431: The five analogue channels and digital channels such as ITV2 , ITN News Channel , S4C2 , TV Travel Shop and QVC . With the launch of Freeview other channels were broadcast free-to-air, such as: Sky Travel , UK History , Sky News , Sky Sports News , The Hits (now 4Music ) and TMF (renamed Viva , now defunct) were available from the start. BBC Four and the interactive BBC streams were moved to multiplex B. Under
4617-564: The following features in addition to standard Freeview: Pace plc introduced the first DTT DVR in the UK in September 2002, called the Pace Twin. However this was before the Freeview brand and its Playback and + marketing names were introduced. Freeview Play combines the existing live television service with catch-up TV ( BBC iPlayer , ITVX , STV Player , Channel 4 , S4C Clic , My5 , U , Pop Player , CBS Catchup Channels UK, Legend ) on
4698-554: The initial plans, the two multiplexes operated by Crown Castle would carry eight channels altogether. The seventh stream became shared by UK Bright Ideas and Ftn which launched in February 2003. The eighth stream was left unused until April 2004 when the shopping channel Ideal World launched on Freeview. There are now 14 streams carried by two multiplexes, with Multiplex C carrying 6 streams, and Multiplex D carrying 8. It has recently been announced that more streams are now available on
4779-431: The licence from ITV Digital which collapsed that year. The service provides consumer access via an aerial to the seven DTT multiplexes covering the United Kingdom. As of July 2020, it has 85 TV channels, 26 digital radio channels, 10 HD channels, six text services, 11 streamed channels, and one interactive channel. Delivery of standard-definition television and radio is labelled Freeview , while delivery of HDTV
4860-614: The licence would probably need to be changed to reflect the fact that this new arrangement is permitted. The BBC had suggested that as an alternative to the SI compression scheme, the Freeview HD multiplex may have to adopt encryption. Bensberg said that it would appear "inappropriate to encrypt public service broadcast content on DTT". On 14 June 2010, Ofcom agreed to allow the BBC to limit the full availability of its own and other broadcasters' high definition (HD) Freeview services to receivers that control how HD content can be used. Ofcom concluded that
4941-520: The many Local TV services (1 service included in the count) they total 105 Freeview, 17 Freeview HD and 33 radio. To receive Freeview, either a television with an integrated digital tuner or an older analogue television with a suitable Freeview-branded set-top box is required. An aerial is required for viewing any broadcast television transmissions. For all transmissions indoor, loft-mounted, and external aerials are available. In regions of strong signal an indoor aerial may be adequate; in marginal areas
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#17328486553545022-432: The multiplexes, and that bidding is under way. The Freeview service underwent a major upgrade on 30 September 2009, which required 18 million households to retune their Freeview receiving equipment. The changes, meant to ensure proper reception of Channel 5 , led to several thousand complaints from people who lost channels (notably ITV3 and ITV4 ) as a result of retuning their equipment. The Freeview website crashed and
5103-501: The other BBC channels launched in some regions, expanding to 70% UK coverage by June 2014. Channel 5 HD launched on Freeview on 4 May 2016. In June 2022, it was announced that the COM7 multiplex would be closing due to the license expiring and the frequency used being released for 5G. The BBC announced that they have made provisions for a 6th slot for BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD to move into available capacity that has been newly identified on
5184-463: The popular DJs from the pirate radio stations, and that gained, in most cases, large audiences. Despite this, BBC Local Radio continued to flourish, with the current network in place by the early 1990s. The complement of stations has remained unchanged since that time. The radio stations are operated from locations around the country that usually share with the BBC regional TV news services, and their news gathering bureaux. The stations are operated by
5265-404: The receiver. In the case of BBC HD, the main audio is coded as AAC-LC and only the audio description is encoded as HE-AAC . Neither AAC nor Dolby Digital Plus codecs are supported by most home AV equipment, which typically accept Dolby Digital or DTS , leaving owners with stereo, rather than surround sound , output. Transcoding from AAC to Dolby Digital or DTS and multi-channel output via HDMI
5346-468: The region in which the station is based and are the responsibility of the BBC English Regions department, a division of BBC News . The remit for each Local Radio station is the same: to offer a primarily speech-based service; comprising news and information complemented by music. The target audience of BBC Local Radio are listeners aged over fifty, who are not served as well as other age groups on
5427-671: The results the staff voluntarily dipped into their pockets to fund the three main accredited methods of carbon offsetting – tree planting, sustainable projects and carbon trading . On average the cost to each member of staff was between £25 and £50, depending on their salary. Staff also looked at all areas where pollution is generated to reduce the station's carbon footprint and make it more environmentally friendly. These included: 51°00′50″N 3°06′25″W / 51.0140°N 3.1069°W / 51.0140; -3.1069 ( BBC Somerset studios ) Local BBC Radio BBC Local Radio (also referred to as Local BBC Radio )
5508-429: The start to allow regional variations in the broadcast schedule. Services are statistically multiplexed – bandwidth is dynamically allocated between channels, depending on the complexity of the images – with the aim of maintaining a consistent quality, rather than a specific bit rate. Video for each channel can range between 3 Mbit/s and 17 Mbit/s. AAC or Dolby Digital Plus audio
5589-428: The station switched from the BBC West feed to join BBC South West . In September 2023, the station joined again with BBC Radio Bristol sharing some programmes. Local weekday programmes are produced and broadcast from the BBC's Taunton studios from 6am to 2pm. The weekday afternoon programme is shared with BBC Radio Bristol. Evening weekday programmes are shared across the BBC West region. The 10pm to 1am Late Show
5670-510: The three multiplexes from the defunct ITV Digital . The founding members of DTV Services, who trade as Freeview, were the BBC , Crown Castle UK and British Sky Broadcasting . On 11 October 2006, ITV plc and Channel 4 became equal shareholders. Since then, the Freeview model has been copied in Australia and New Zealand . Although all pay channels had been closed down on ITV Digital, many free-to-air channels continued broadcasting, including
5751-486: The timing of the medium wave switch-off has yet been made. In November 2017, BBC Somerset moved from the Park Street premises to a new building on the edge of Taunton in Blackbrook. The current editor of BBC Radio Somerset is Gareth Roberts, with Andrew Enever as news editor. On 27 April 2020, the station changed its name to BBC Radio Somerset in order to fit the station name into the new jingle package. On 5 July 2020,
5832-515: The updates; not everyone was aware of this. The Freeview service underwent a major upgrade on 3 September 2014 which required 18 million households to retune their Freeview receiving equipment. The changes included a reshuffle of the Children's, News, and Interactive genres. A number of new HD channels launched in 2014, from a new group of multiplexes awarded to Arqiva. The new HD channels were launched in selected areas on 10 December 2013 with
5913-469: The whole county of Somerset (including the unitary districts of North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset) and beyond. Listeners from as far afield as Finland have reported hearing the station clearly. BBC Somerset sometimes uses its AM frequency for cricket commentary while regular programming continues on FM. BBC Somerset began broadcasting on DAB in September 2014. BBC Somerset was for many years an 'opt-out' from BBC Radio Bristol, but in May 2012,
5994-459: The world as "a dangerous and depressing place". They hope that radio will be "something that will cheer them up and make them laugh". BBC Local Radio staff were given facts and timelines about Dave and Sue, described as "composite listeners". Staff were asked to focus on producing something to which the pair would enjoy listening to. The BBC also produced photographs of the couple, to encourage presenters to visualise their potential listeners. At
6075-427: Was "To develop great radio programming ... we need to know where the centre of our audience target is and be able to focus on it in all we do." Dave and Sue are both 55. Sue is a school secretary , while Dave is a self-employed plumber . They are both divorcees with grown-up children. The characters shop at Asda , and wear casual clothes. The couple have little interest in high culture , or politics , and see
6156-415: Was deemed so successful that all of the stations, except BBC Radio Durham, remained on air. More followed in 1970 and 1971: BBC Radio Birmingham , Bristol , Blackburn , Derby , Humberside , London , Manchester , Medway , Newcastle (replacing Radio Durham), Oxford , Solent , and Teesside . Despite the success of this, the original stations were seen as flawed, as they originally only broadcast on
6237-485: Was due to launch during 2010 but was unable to reach 'key criteria' to keep its slot. Spare allocation on multiplex B was handed over to the BBC, two years from the date when it was anticipated that further capacity on multiplex B would revert to the control of the BBC Trust. On 3 November 2010, BBC One HD launched on Freeview HD. Initially it was available in addition to the existing BBC HD channel, which continued to show
6318-464: Was for many years interfered with by a radio station in Russia. In August 2002, BBC Somerset Sound moved to new premises in Park Street, Taunton, and acquired a more robust frequency of 1566 MW. In 2007, the station relaunched as BBC Somerset, with the launch of the BBC Somerset bus in May. On 3 December of that year, the station was given BBC Radio Bristol's former frequency of 95.5 FM , and broadcasts to
6399-521: Was not originally necessary for Freeview HD certification. As of June 2010 the DTG D-Book includes the requirement for mandatory transcoding when sending audio via S/PDIF , and for either transcoding or multi-channel PCM audio when sending it via HDMI in order for manufacturers to gain Freeview HD certification from April 2011. Thus equipment sold as Freeview HD before April 2011 may not deliver surround sound to audio equipment (some equipment may, but this
6480-437: Was the first to launch on 8 November 1967, followed by Leeds , Stoke , Durham , Sheffield , Merseyside , Brighton , and Nottingham . The local authority funding requirement was dropped by the early 1970s, and stations spread across the country; many city-based stations later expanded their remit to cover an entire county. There were eight stations in the initial "experiment", which lasted for two years. When this ended, it
6561-494: Was withdrawn in January 2017. Freeview HD comprises a number of high-definition versions of existing channels. It requires a different high-definition tuner, and does not supersede or replace standard Freeview. On 20 August 2020, Freeview announced that it would phase out their Freeview HD brand in 2022. With two channels ( BBC HD and ITV HD ) Freeview HD completed a "technical launch" on 2 December 2009 from Winter Hill (as
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