Regional campaign launches for DAB+

CRA are today launching a national campaign to get listeners to support the expansion of DAB+ into regional Australia.

You'll start to see banner ads (like the one below) promoting it plus hear radio spots talking it up on more than 200 regional stations.

CEO of CRA Joan Warner says:

“Audiences in regional areas have expressed frustration that they do not have access to the quality and diversity of free to air digital broadcast radio services enjoyed by their metropolitan counterparts as a result of the roll-out of DAB+."

"Radio plays a particularly vital role in the regions with the provision of local news and local emergency services information, so it is very important we have free to air broadcast radio services that will take us into the future.”

“DAB+ digital radio will result in a significant upgrade to towers and site infrastructure in regional Australia. The rollout will provide an opportunity for commercial and public service radio operators to provide a greater diversity of local radio programming in regional areas."

“To move digital radio forward we need a policy commitment to a national roll-out and an indicative timeframe ASAP.”

“Federal Governments have supported the television industry with over $1 billion in funding over the past twelve years to facilitate the roll-out of digital television into regional areas – it is only fair that radio receives similar treatment.”

“Motor vehicle manufacturers are waiting for some form of commitment before expediting market options for their vehicles – although some progress has been made in this area largely as a result of the industry’s efforts.”

“I urge everyone in regional Australia to go online and register their support. Our listeners need to let all their local Federal MPs and Senators, regardless of political party, know that this important free to air broadcast service is made available to all Australians in a timely manner and provide people living in regional and rural areas a digital radio future.”

CRA are looking for $500m of assistance from the government over 16 years to phase in DAB+ to regional Australia. 50% of that assistance will be for ABC and SBS.

Hear a campaign ad below :-

https://radiotoday.com.au/music/CRADABad.mp3
or hear it here