Mediacorp to discontinue DAB radio

Tuesday 01 Nov 2011
In December, MediaCorp will discontinue its Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) service, ChannelNews Asia reports. DAB was widely seen as the “replacement technology” for FM radio more than a decade ago.

MediaCorp was the first broadcaster in Southeast Asia to offer digital radio when it was launched in November 1999.

However, the effectiveness and reach of DAB was soon overtaken by technology which offered listeners a wider range of convenient access to radio alongside the FM services such as online streaming as well as mobile phone apps.

In a statement, MediaCorp also noted that the growth in DAB listenership remained stagnant against the rapid uptake for Internet radio and its MeRadio phone app.

“As a commercial outfit, MediaCorp needs to channel resources where the growth engines are.

Having carefully evaluated the viability of the service, the decision has been made to discontinue the service,” said the MediaCorp statement, which was issued on Tuesday.

It added that all DAB staff will be re-deployed to other operations.