Why is UK radio choice so pathetic?
Discussion
The BBC does of course have its wonders, but I've never quite understood why radio in the UK so sparse compared to most other places.
If you drive around the USA you're very likely to stumble across several radio stations you want to listen to. Finding today's brain dead pop is actually something of a challenge. The chances are higher that you'll wind up listening to an older song that you know and actually like.
Similarly in Europe the sheer quantity of stations available in most places is incredible.
Where I'm at in the sticks the only radio station available outside the Beeb is Classic FM which is like the cockroach of radio. You can pick it up at the bottom of a cave system.
Even London isn't exactly heaving with quality stations. Outside London you take what scraps you can find.
How did this come about?
If you drive around the USA you're very likely to stumble across several radio stations you want to listen to. Finding today's brain dead pop is actually something of a challenge. The chances are higher that you'll wind up listening to an older song that you know and actually like.
Similarly in Europe the sheer quantity of stations available in most places is incredible.
Where I'm at in the sticks the only radio station available outside the Beeb is Classic FM which is like the cockroach of radio. You can pick it up at the bottom of a cave system.
Even London isn't exactly heaving with quality stations. Outside London you take what scraps you can find.
How did this come about?
bloomen said:
The BBC does of course have its wonders, but I've never quite understood why radio in the UK so sparse compared to most other places.
If you drive around the USA you're very likely to stumble across several radio stations you want to listen to. Finding today's brain dead pop is actually something of a challenge. The chances are higher that you'll wind up listening to an older song that you know and actually like.
Similarly in Europe the sheer quantity of stations available in most places is incredible.
Where I'm at in the sticks the only radio station available outside the Beeb is Classic FM which is like the cockroach of radio. You can pick it up at the bottom of a cave system.
Even London isn't exactly heaving with quality stations. Outside London you take what scraps you can find.
How did this come about?
Invest in DAB. Digital Radio has everything you could ever wish for. If you drive around the USA you're very likely to stumble across several radio stations you want to listen to. Finding today's brain dead pop is actually something of a challenge. The chances are higher that you'll wind up listening to an older song that you know and actually like.
Similarly in Europe the sheer quantity of stations available in most places is incredible.
Where I'm at in the sticks the only radio station available outside the Beeb is Classic FM which is like the cockroach of radio. You can pick it up at the bottom of a cave system.
Even London isn't exactly heaving with quality stations. Outside London you take what scraps you can find.
How did this come about?
What kind of station do you want to listen too?
bloomen said:
How did this come about?
Because the 1990 Broadcasting Act came about, allowing Independent National Radio, but the Radio Authority (ofcom) only allowed three stations: Classic FM, Talksport on 1089, and Absolute Radio. Of those, Absolute Radio only really works if you are London or Birmingham based on FM, though they are on 1215 AM as wellThey didn't go for more, because of the cost in setting it up.
Source: Wikipedia
No idea why we put so much in terrestrial DAB when Satellite would have been a much better solution. It's used in the 'States and reception is flawless (unless you're in a tunnel or very built up area...where ground based transmitters struggle even more anyway). That's not to mention how UK DAB is crap compared to Europe's DAB. It's so bad anyone can tell the difference...not just audiophile weirdos).
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
No idea why we put so much in terrestrial DAB when Satellite would have been a much better solution. It's used in the 'States and reception is flawless (unless you're in a tunnel or very built up area...where ground based transmitters struggle even more anyway). That's not to mention how UK DAB is crap compared to Europe's DAB. It's so bad anyone can tell the difference...not just audiophile weirdos).
Satellite is indeed incredible. NovaPower said:
Upgrade your car radio to DAB.
Been in a couple of cars with it. It was useless. eldar said:
Why? Coverage is excellent, very few dead spots these days and plenty of choice.
Alternatively, how about podcasts?
I live deep in the country with plenty of hills. It's hard enough getting any radio at home, let alone moving around. Similarly my average drive will consist of 80% of the time having no phone signal. Alternatively, how about podcasts?
Amateurish said:
Smartphone + Bluetooth gets you any station you might possibly need.
This is the solution I'm working toward... thought DAB might be the answer but it's garbage - basically the same stations as FM, I was expecting something much closer to Sirius in the USA, which is simply brilliant with multiple stations for just about every genre you can imagine - it's my number one must have for a hire car when I'm there.bloomen said:
I live deep in the country with plenty of hills. It's hard enough getting any radio at home, let alone moving around. Similarly my average drive will consist of 80% of the time having no phone signal.
So basically you're acknowledging that there is plenty of choice, but just not where you live? bloomen said:
I live deep in the country with plenty of hills. It's hard enough getting any radio at home, let alone moving around. Similarly my average drive will consist of 80% of the time having no phone signal.
Interesting. I used to live in rural West Cumbria and DAB was often better than FM.Podcasts should be fine though.
On top of the limited station issue is the fact that people like Simon Mayo, Jo Whiley and others are going to be transmitting until the end of time.
Job for life no matter how dull some people find you.
Why aren’t we offered more foreign stuff, I don’t have to understand the language to enjoy the sounds.
Job for life no matter how dull some people find you.
Why aren’t we offered more foreign stuff, I don’t have to understand the language to enjoy the sounds.
cbmotorsport said:
So basically you're acknowledging that there is plenty of choice, but just not where you live?
Hmm, not completely. I have an FM radio in the motor as millions of others do. Wherever I go in the country there are a tiny handful of stations compared to all the other countries I've driven around in. bloomen said:
Hmm, not completely. I have an FM radio in the motor as millions of others do. Wherever I go in the country there are a tiny handful of stations compared to all the other countries I've driven around in.
Sure, but if you lived somewhere with decent DAB and cellular reception, the choice would be immense. Have you tried putting in your postcode here: http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/
Challo said:
Invest in DAB. Digital Radio has everything you could ever wish for.
If you can get a signal. I find DAB reception very hit and miss - and on some stations, the sound quality is dreadful - almost as if they have compressed the music using a very low bitrate.
The other problem with DAB vs FM is if you are in a questionable signal area - FM continues, but with intermittent crackles. Whilst this can be annoying, it’s livable. With DAB you get jarring dropouts.
Edited by Moonhawk on Monday 12th March 12:28
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