China Radio International (CRI) has begun a continuous local DRM service to London on its own dedicated channel via the trial 26 MHz service operated by WRN, the London-based broadcast and transmission services company. This collaboration follows a recent visit by the President of CRI, Mr Wang Gengnian to WRN.
CRIs DRM service to London is broadcasting a mix of English and Chinese programming that comes live from its studios in Beijing. WRNs 26MHz service provides CRI with complete DRM broadcast coverage of Greater London and it is being transmitted from the well known Croydon transmission tower, situated in South London and which is operated by Arqiva, WRNs DRM transmission partner for this project. Arqiva provides transmission services for most UK commercial radio stations. Croatias RIZ-Transmitters has supplied the Yagi antenna and transmitter for the duration of the project.
DRM is the international standard for digital Medium Wave, Long Wave and Short Wave broadcasting. This new digital radio standard is exciting broadcasters around the world and with over 750 hours of DRM broadcasts already on air today, DRM is set to revitalise radio markets across the globe for local, national and international transmissions.
Mr Xia Jixuan, Vice-President of CRI says, We are very excited that CRI is now broadcasting its programming on the new medium of DRM in London. The goal of CRI is to inform the world about China and we are pleased to offer the people of London a wide range of our programming. Beijing and London will both host future Olympic Games and it will be very interesting for there to be a mutual dialogue conducted through CRI”.
Gary Edgerton, Managing Director of WRN, adds, WRN is delighted that CRI has chosen WRNs local DRM solution for London. It is part of WRNs portfolio of products that is actively assisting broadcasters to take advantage of the exciting transmission and distribution opportunities that digital radio offers.