What Is DAB Radio?
DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting. It is a digital technology used to transmit radio signals instead of traditional analogue FM broadcasts.
DAB was introduced to provide:
- Clearer sound quality
- More radio stations
- Better use of broadcast spectrum
Millions of listeners across the UK now listen using DAB radios in homes, cars and portable devices.
Today, 75% of all UK radio listening happens digitally, with DAB accounting for the largest share of digital hours.
How DAB Radio Works
Instead of broadcasting one station per frequency like FM, DAB uses multiplex transmission.
A multiplex carries multiple radio stations in a single frequency block.
Ofcom licenses these multiplexes — including the small-scale DAB network that stations like Subjam broadcast on.
Your DAB radio scans available multiplexes and lists all available stations. You simply choose the one you want to hear.
How to Listen to DAB Radio
Listening to DAB radio is simple.
You can use:
- A DAB digital radio receiver
- A car stereo with DAB
- Some smart devices and internet radios
To start listening:
- Turn on your DAB radio
- Run a station scan
- Select the station you want
DAB vs FM Radio
FM Radio
- Analogue signal
- Limited number of stations
- Can suffer interference
DAB Radio
- Digital signal
- Larger station selection
- Often clearer reception
Why DAB Helps Independent Stations
Digital radio allows independent and niche stations to reach audiences that might not exist on traditional FM.
Genres such as underground dance music can thrive on DAB broadcasting.
Stations like us (Subjam) use DAB to bring DJ-led programming and underground sounds to new listeners.
