Five-way partnership to apply for Sheffield & Rotherham small-scale DAB

A broad consortium comprising community, commercial, ethnic and online radio organisations, supported by small-scale trial operator, Niocast Digital, has announced plans to apply for the small-scale DAB licence to serve Sheffield & Rotherham.

Sheffield & Rotherham DAB Ltd. has been formed by Asian Radio Live, Penistone FM 95.7, Dee Radio Group and Infocus Digital Media, the digital arm of Sunrise Radio. The group brings together an unrivalled range of specialist skills, local knowledge and radio experience.

Asian Radio Live CEO, Shawkat Hashmi has spent his entire broadcasting career with the BBC and now looks forward to helping build a platform for developing new formats and providing a digital future for existing community and commercial stations, “This is something new and exciting for me after almost 40 years in radio,” says Shawkat.

“South Yorkshire is a wonderful place to live and work and we are confident that the new multiplex will deliver a range of diverse services to meet the ever-changing needs of listeners in Sheffield and Rotherham.”

Martin Sugden, Station Director at Penistone FM 95.7, is also energised by the small-scale DAB opportunity, “Penistone FM has always punched above its weight and this new venture is entirely in keeping with our vision to remain at the forefront of community broadcasting. We look forward to working with our partners in creating a unique new radio ecosystem for south Yorkshire’s largest population centre.”

Anyone interested in adding their service to the Sheffield & Rotherham DAB ensemble is invited to make contact via the website below or by emailing hello@sheffielddab.co.uk.