Digital radio in Australia


Digital broadcast radio in Australia uses the DAB+ standard and is available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. However, after 11 years, regional large cities such as Townsville and Ballarat still do not have DAB. The national government owned television/radio networks, the ABC and SBS, and the commercial radio stations in each market provide many of their services and a few digital-only services on the digital platform. All but a few DAB+ services use the AAC+ codec, with a limited number using standard AAC.

History

Despite testing in Sydney and Melbourne from as early as 1999, the first genuine plan for digital broadcast radio was released in October 2005, as Helen Coonan, the then Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, announced that Australia would adopt the Eureka 147 system. The Australian Government had set a launch date for digital broadcast radio in the six state capital cities, originally 1 January 2009, but this launch date was subsequently shifted back to no later than 1 July 2009 and the list of cities starting digital broadcast radio excluded Hobart. The peak industry body, Commercial Radio Australia, began coordinating the tests as well as organising the commercial multiplexes. The Australian Film Television and Radio School supported the development of digital radio by holding training seminars and test broadcasts in various cities, organised by then Head of Radio Steve Ahern.
The major radio networks commenced a staged roll-out of commercial DAB+ services during May 2009, with Perth launching on 4 May 2009; Melbourne on 11 May 2009; Adelaide on 20 May 2009; Brisbane on 25 May 2009; and Sydney on 30 May 2009. The roll-out of DAB+ services by the Government-owned ABC and SBS networks was delayed until 1 July 2009 due to funding delays and management issues. Testing has been planned for other major cities, with a trial multiplex in Canberra commencing broadcasting on 14 July 2010, and a trial multiplex running in Darwin since 13 August 2010. Similar trials are being considered for Townsville and Hobart, and, as of December 2010, commercial broadcasters in regional markets have begun planning to introduce digital broadcast radio into regional population centres, possibly as soon as 2011 or 2012. However, it is expected that it will be some years before digital broadcast radio is extended to the bulk of the Australian continent. Australia's vast distances and low population density are not well suited to the propagation characteristics of DAB+ and it is therefore likely that a standard other than DAB+ will be adopted for serving areas outside the major cities.
Community digital broadcast radio services were rolled out to capital cities in late 2010 to May 2011 and were formally launched in May 2011. The roll out of community digital broadcast radio services represents the largest ever infrastructure project conducted by the community broadcasting sector in Australia. The project was managed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.
On 14 December 2017, the ABC and SBS services in Canberra moved to a separate multiplex providing the same services as in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Services in Hobart began in 2019, as a national multiplex for ABC and SBS stations launched on 19 March 2018 and commercial multiplex launched on 3 April 2019.
On 23 December 2019, two commercial stations in Mandurah launched its digital service on a new multiplex 8C, becoming the first market in regional Australia to have DAB services. This was followed by the launch of digital radio in Gold Coast on multiplex 9D on 4 April 2022.

Current services

National broadcasters

The ABC and SBS operate digital broadcast radio services in all current DAB+ broadcasting markets on frequency block 9C. While most services are national, the ABC provides local ABC Local Radio stations for their respective locations.
The local radio services are mostly a simulcast of their AM radio equivalents ; however, alternate programming is aired pre-empting most sports coverage. This programming is also on the ABC's online streams, where sporting rights may prevent international coverage. The ABC also has a number of digital-only radio stations including ABC Jazz, Double J, ABC Country, triple j Unearthed, and ABC Kids listen.
Because the Australian Government chose to give the number of DAB channels priority over technical and quality factors, the bitrates available per channel are very low by international standards. The audio quality of Australian DAB is correspondingly low and most channels have much lower bitrates than this. So DAB is in general well below the 128 kbps traditionally accepted as CD quality, and an interference-free FM broadcast will almost certainly provide better audio.
Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
ABC ClassicClassical musicFM SimulcastABC0x3007120kbit/s
ABC CountryCountry musicDAB+, DTV, ABC0x300372kbit/s
ABC ExtraSpecial-event radioDigital OnlyABC0x300472kbit/s
ABC SportLive sports coverageDigital OnlyABC0x300840kbit/s
ABC JazzJazz musicDAB+, DTV, ABC0x300288kbit/s
ABC Kids ListenChildren's radioDigital Only, ABC0x300464kbit/s
ABC Local RadioTalk, news, music and more.Labelled as the name of the local station, e.g., ABC Radio Sydney or ABC Radio AdelaideABC0x300564kbit/s
ABC NEWSNews and parliamentary broadcastsAM SimulcastABC0x300040kbit/s
ABCRadioNationalNational talk and arts radioAM SimulcastABC0x300664kbit/s
Double JAdult contemporary music stationDAB+, DTV, ABC0x300172kbit/s
Triple JYouth-focused music stationFM SimulcastABC0x300972kbit/s
triplej UnearthedAustralian independent music stationDigital OnlyABC0x300A72kbit/s
SBS Arabic24News and information in ArabicDigital OnlySBS0x380448kbit/s
SBS ChillWorld chillout musicDigital OnlySBS0x380272kbit/s
SBS PopAsiaAsian pop musicDigital OnlySBS0x380372kbit/s
SBS PopDesiSouth Asian pop musicDigital OnlySBS0x380564kbit/s
SBS Radio 1Multilingual radioSBS AM Service, AM 1485, DAB+, DTVSBS0x380040kbit/s
SBS Radio 2Multilingual radioSBS FM Service, AM 1035, DAB+, DTVSBS0x380140kbit/s
SBS Radio 3BBC World Service simulcastDAB+, DTVSBS0x380648kbit/s

Commercial and community radio

Each region with access to digital broadcast radio has a number of multiplexes set aside for commercial and community radio services. In these multiplexes, two-ninths of the bandwidth are reserved for community broadcasters, while the rest is used for commercial broadcasters. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been provided with two such multiplexes, which broadcast on frequency blocks 9A and 9B, allowing a greater number of stations, while other cities only use a single multiplex: 8C in Mandurah, 8D in Canberra, 9A in Darwin and Hobart, 9B in Adelaide and Perth, and 9D in Gold Coast.
Commercial services on digital broadcast radio include simulcasts of both AM and FM stations, as well as new digital-only services. While most commercial radio services in Australia are provided by a small number of companies, there are no truly national commercial stations. However, since these commercial broadcasters have been given extra bandwidth on the digital platform, digital-only stations launched, including Triple M Classic Rock The Edge Digital and NovaNation,
Community Radio stations with a citywide licence have reserved spectrum, equalling 2/9s of the capacity on each commercial multiplex. The Federal Government promised $10.1 million in funding to help community broadcasters with the costs of beginning digital broadcasts. During late 2010 and early 2011 most of the eligible community stations in Melbourne and several in Sydney and Brisbane began test transmissions. Melbourne's community radio stations officially launched their digital services on 14 April 2011, followed by Adelaide's community radio stations on 15 April 2011, Brisbane's on 14 May 2011, and Sydney's on 24 May 2011. Services in Perth are broadcasting in digital. Community Digital Broadcast Radio services were formally launched by Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on 13 May 2011 in Melbourne.

Brisbane

Station NameFormatDetailsOwnerService IDBitrate
Triple MActive rockSimulcast of 104.5 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x124632kbit/s
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124132kbit/s
B105Top 40 / Classic hits radioSimulcast of 105.3 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x124032kbit/s
B105 BuddhaChill-out musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124832kbit/s
B105 OldskoolHot adult contemporaryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124432kbit/s
B105 EasyEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x124c32kbit/s
4BCTalk radioSimulcast of 882 AMNine Radio0x127c48kbit/s
4BHMusicSimulcast of 1116 AMMacquarie0x127d96kbit/s
Zed DigitalIndependent musicDigital only, related to 4ZZZCommunity0x12e048kbit/s
Switch 1197VariousSimulcast of 1197 AMCommunity0x12e148kbit/s
4MBS LightClassical musicDigital onlyCommunity0x12e264kbit/s
4ZZZIndependent musicSimulcast of 102.1 FMCommunity0x12e348kbit/s
Family FMChristianSimulcast of 96.5 FMCommunity0x12c448kbit/s

Canberra

Station NameFormatDetailsOwner
2CAClassic hitsSimulcast of 1053 AMCapital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
2CCTalk radioSimulcast of 1206 AMCapital Radio Network/Grant Broadcasters joint venture
Hit 104.7Contemporary hit radio / Top 40Simulcast of 104.7 FMCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture
Mix 106.3Hot adult contemporarySimulcast of 106.3 FMCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture
Country musicDigital onlyGrant Broadcasters
Hot Adult ContemporaryDigital onlyCapital Radio Network
Hit BuddhaChill-out musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo
Snow DigitalContemporary hit radioSimulcast of Snow FM in the Snowy Mountains with Canberra advertising.Capital Radio Network
The Edge DigitalContemporary hit radioSimulcast of 96.1 FM Western Sydney digital-only in CanberraARN
Classic hits / Adult contemporaryDigital onlyNova Entertainment via leased space from Capital Radio Network
High energy gym musicDigital onlyCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo / Viva Leisure joint venture
Rock musicDigital onlyCanberra FM Radio ARN/Southern Cross Austereo joint venture

Melbourne

Listing current at 13 November 2020
Station NameFormatDetailsNetworkBitrate
Easy Music 3MPEasy listeningSimulcast of 1377 AMAce Radio64kbit/s
Smooth 91.5Easy listeningSimulcast of 91.5 FMNova Entertainment64kbit/s
Nova 100Top 40 CHRSimulcast of 100.3 FMNova Entertainment64kbit/s
Nova Noughties2000s MusicDigital onlyNova Entertainment
Smooth RelaxEasy listeningDigital onlyNova Entertainment40kbit/s
Coles RadioClassic Hits / Adult contemporaryDigital onlyNova Entertainment 40kbit/s
Radio MariaReligiousDigital onlyNova Entertainment 48kbit/s
RSN Racing & SportRacingSimulcast of 927 AMRacing Victoria64kbit/s
RSN CarnivalRacing / Victorian Amateur Football Association Digital onlyRacing Victoria48kbit/s
RSN Carnival 2RacingDigital onlyRacing Victoria24kbit/s
TAB LiveRacing / sportDigital onlyRacing Victoria 24kbit/s
Little FoxChildren's MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Triple M CountryCountry musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Triple M Hard N HeavyHard RockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Triple M Soft RockSoft RockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
1116 SENSports / talkSimulcast of 1116 AMSports Entertainment Network40kbit/s
SEN2Sports / talkDigital onlySports Entertainment Network32kbit/s
SEN SydneySports / talkSimulcast of 1170 SEN SydneySports Entertainment Network40kbit/s
Greek-language music and entertainmentDigital onlySports Entertainment Network 56kbit/s
Rete Italia / Niche RadioItalian-languageDigital only, formerly simulcast of 1593 AMSports Entertainment Network 40kbit/s
3MBSClassical musicSimulcast of 103.5 FMCommunity64kbit/s
3RRR DigitalVariedSimulcast of 102.7 FMCommunity64kbit/s
3ZZZEthnicSimulcast of 92.3 FMCommunity64kbit/s
Light 899Christian contemporarySimulcast of 89.9 FMCommunity32kbit/s
Light MixChristian contemporaryDigital only, related to 89.9 Light FMCommunity32kbit/s
Light ChristmasChristian contemporaryDigital only, during Christmas season, related to 89.9 Light FMCommunity48kbit/s
Vision Christian RadioChristianSimulcast of multiple frequenciesVision Christian Radio64kbit/s

Station NameFormatDetailsNetworkBitrate
Gold 104.3Adult ContemporarySimulcast of 104.3 FMARN48kbit/s
KIIS 101.1Top 40 CHRSimulcast of 101.1 FMARN48kbit/s
The Edge DigitalRhythmic contemporaryDigital only, related to The Edge 96.ONEARN32kbit/s
Gold 80s'80s musicDigital onlyARN32kbit/s
KIIS 90s'90s musicDigital onlyARN32kbit/s
Elf RadioChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonARN32kbit/s
CW RemixClassic hits / Hot adult contemporaryDigital onlyARN 32kbit/s
Kinderling Kids RadioChildren's radioDigital onlyARN 32kbit/s
TikTok TrendingHot adult contemporaryDigital onlyARN
3AWTalkSimulcast of 693 AMNine Radio96kbit/s
Magic 1278MusicSimulcast of 1278 AMNine Radio96kbit/s
News Talk Sport (NTS)TalkDigital onlyNine Radio48kbit/s
Fox FM 101.9Hot adult contemporarySimulcast of 101.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Triple MActive rockSimulcast of 105.1 FMSouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
BuddhaChill-out musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
Easy 80sEasy listeningDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
OLDSKOOL 90sOld-school musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
UrbanRhythmic / Classic hits radioDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
DanceDance musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s
Triple M 90s90s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
SANTAChristmas MusicDigital only, during Christmas seasonSouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s
SoundCloud RadioNew music discoveryDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo 32kbit/s
3CRVariedSimulcast of 855 AMCommunity64kbit/s
3KND Kool N DeadlyIndigenousSimulcast of 1503 AMCommunity48kbit/s
PBS DigitalVariedSimulcast of 106.7 FMCommunity64kbit/s
SYNYouth / StudentSimulcast of 90.7 FMCommunity64kbit/s
VAR DigitalReading RadioSimulcast of 1179 AMCommunity32kbit/s
IRISRadio reading serviceDigital onlyCommunity32kbit/s
JoyLGBT-based / Hot adult contemporarySimulcast of 94.9 FMCommunity 48kbit/s

Sydney

Listing current at 13 November 2020
Station NameFormatDetailsNetworkService IDBitrateForward Error Correction -
2SM Talk / SportTalkSimulcast of 1269 AMBroadcast Operations Group0x119464kbit/s3A-
GorillaDanceHitsDance musicDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119548kbit/s4A-
Dance Super DigiDance musicDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119748kbit/s4A-
FUN Classic HitsHot adult contemporary: 1960s-1980sDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119848kbit/s4A-
ZOO MusicVarietyHot adult contemporary: 1990s / Top 40 / Classic hits radioDigital onlyBroadcast Operations Group0x119648kbit/s4A-
2DayFMAdult contemporary radioSimulcast of 104.1 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x119E32kbit/s3A-
Triple MActive rockSimulcast of 104.9 FMSouthern Cross Austereo0x119F32kbit/s3A-
Easy HitsEasy Listening/Chilled musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A340kbit/s3A-
OLDSKOOL 80s80s musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A240kbit/s3A-
OLDSKOOL 90sOld-school hitsDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A540kbit/s3A-
RnB Fridays RadioUrbanUrban MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s3A
Dance HitsDanceDance MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s3A
Triple M 80sDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A040kbit/s3A--
Triple M Classic RockClassic rockDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A040kbit/s3A-
Triple M 90s90s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo0x11A140kbit/s3A-
Triple M 2000s2000s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s3A-
Triple M CountryCountry musicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s3A-
Triple M 70s70s Rock MusicDigital onlySouthern Cross Austereo40kbit/s3A-
SANTAChristmas MusicDigital only, during Christmas seasonSouthern Cross Austereo32kbit/s3A-
SkySportsRadio1Racing / sportSimulcast of 1017 AMSky0x11E464kbit/s3A-
Rete Italia / Niche RadioItalian-languageDigital onlySky 0x11E532kbit/s3A-
Sky Thoroughbred CentralRacing / sportDigital onlySky0x11E632kbit/s3A-
1170 SENSports/talkSimulcast of 1170 AMSports Entertainment Network40kbit/s3A-
2CHClassic hitsDigital OnlySports Entertainment Network64kbit/s4A-
SEN MelbourneSports/talkSimulcast of 1116 SEN MelbourneSports Entertainment Network32kbit/s4A-
SEN TrackRacing / sportSimulcast of 1539AMSports Entertainment Network32kbit/s4A-
2RPH DigitalRadio ReadingSimulcast of 1224 AM and 101.5 FMCommunity0x120E48kbit/s4A-
2000 LanguagesEthnicSimulcast of 98.5 FMCommunity0x121F64kbit/s3B-
Fine Music SydneyClassical musicSimulcast of 102.5 FMCommunity0x120C64kbit/s3A-
Koori RadioIndigenous programmingSimulcast of 93.7 FMCommunity0x120D48kbit/s4A-
Christmas HopeChristmas musicDigital only, during Christmas seasonCommunity48kbit/s4A
Vision Christian RadioChristianSimulcast of multiple frequenciesVision Christian Radio0x0000127264kbit/s-