Devoncast Radio extends into East Devon

Boost to DAB radio coverage

Digital radio in Devon has been given a boost with the extension of an Exeter-based network into parts of East Devon.

It means Radio Exe's speech station Devoncast Radio can now be heard across a larger part of the county.

ExeDab, a transmission service run jointly by Radio Exe and Phonic FM, has been joined by Sidmouth-based community station Sid Valley Radio and has installed new transmitters to cover Sidmouth, Honiton and surrounding areas.

As well as Devoncast Radio, the Sidmouth station can be heard on broadcast radio in its home town for the first time, rather than just online, boosting the coverage it already has in Exeter.

Radio Exe and Phonic will also be available in high-quality stereo in East Devon on the network, as well as Radio Exe’s speech and podcast service Devoncast Radio.

To coincide with the launch of ExeDab in East Devon, the three small-scale DAB networks in Devon – ExeDab, TorDab, covering Torbay and Teignbridge, and PlymDab, serving Plymouth and south east Cornwall, have combined to introduce a spring offer. Radio stations can now reach Devon audiences on DAB at a discount of up to 40 per cent.

Radio Exe’s managing director Paul Nero said: “This new investment in East Devon means listeners in growing towns such as Honiton and Sidmouth can now enjoy additional digital radio stations that cover their areas, while opening up new services for advertisers too.”

Transmitters at Land Rover Experience, Awliscombe and Stowford Centre, Sidmouth broadcast the East Devon service, adding to ExeDab’s Exeter network which broadcasts from the Exeter College tower in the city centre, Hilltop Riding School in the Pennsylvania area, and at Cranbrook Education Centre.

Bob Weeks, station manager of Sid Valley Radio, says: “This has been a long time coming, but now we’re able to reach more listeners and support more community groups in the area. We’d encourage everyone to tune our way and get involved as a volunteer.