Switchdigital is an operator ofDAB ensembles in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1998 by theWireless Group,Virgin Radio andClear Channel International[1] and is owned byNews Broadcasting.[2][3] As of October 2000, it was 55% owned byWireless Group, 20% owned byCapital Radio andClear Channel International each and 5% owned byCarphone Warehouse.[4]
Switchdigital was one of two applicants for the licence to broadcast in the Aberdeen area along withScottish 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 theCentral Belt – includingEdinburgh,Glasgow andStirling[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 ofMXR'sYorkshire ensemble in June 2015.[14][15]
Switchdigital operates one of threeLondon-wide multiplexes alongsideCE Digital[16] andDRG 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 inTayside on 18 May 2001,[20] which was ultimately awarded to Score Digital on 6 September of that year.[21]
