Help / DAB

All questions page

Here are answers to all the questions we most frequently receive about DAB digital radio. Please take a look through to help with your problem. If you can't find the answer you need in the questions below, please use the webform to contact us directly. This can be found at the bottom of each question.

Getting Started

• What is DAB?

Coverage and Signal

• How can I check my DAB coverage?
• Why doesn’t my new DAB portable radio work? The postcode checker says I should get reception 
• Why is there a time difference between my analogue and DAB radios?
  
• Where can I find out more about a problem I am having receiving DAB digital radio?
  
• What bit rates does the BBC use for national radio stations on DAB?
  
• When will analogue radio be switched off?
• Will my DAB digital radio work if I take it with me oversees? 
• Can I listen to BBC digital radio services outside the UK?
• Can I listen to my local BBC radio station anywhere in the UK on a DAB set?

Stations and Programmes

• What BBC stations can I receive on DAB?
• Where can I find programme listings for the BBC digital radio stations?
• How can I find out more about the new BBC digital radio stations?
  
• Can you tell me when I will be able to receive my local BBC radio station on DAB?
  
• How do I tune in to Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 Long Wave and Test Match Special?
  

Benefits and Features

• What are the main benefits of listening via a DAB?
• What are the BBC’s data services?
  
• What is DAB LiveText - and how can I get it?
  
• What is the DAB EPG - and how does it work?
  
• Why has the BBC EPG information disappeared on my radio?
  

Products

• How can I recognise a DAB digital radio set?
• Where can I find out where to buy a DAB digital radio?
• Can I listen to DAB in my car?

Useful Links

BBC

• BBC's Reception Advice
• BBC 'What's On'
• DAB coverage postcode checker
• Freeview postcode checker - BBC Digital website
  

External

• Confederation of Aerial Industries
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Digital Radio Now
• Digital UK - information about digital TV switchover
• Ofcom's digital timetable information
• World DMB

• Hot Topics

• How do I install RealPlayer?

• What is a podcast?

• How can I check my DAB coverage?

• I want to download past podcast episodes - is there an archive?

• Other BBC Help

• BBC iPlayer Help

• bbc.co.uk/help

• BBC Webwise guides to the internet