Singapore: Digital radio services over MediaCorp's
airwaves are set to end.
Come December, MediaCorp will discontinue its
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) service which was widely seen as
the "replacement technology" for FM radio more than a decade
ago.
MediaCorp was the first broadcaster in South East Asia to offer
digital radio which 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 the 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 MediaCorp
in a statement issued Tuesday.
It added that all DAB staff will be re-deployed to other
operations.
- CNA/sf