Andrew Orlowski

Collected Journalism

Tag: DAB

  • Radio amnesty fails to lift DAB

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    The radio audience ratings service RAJAR has published the first full quarter of figures since the launch of a DAB trade-in scheme called ‘Radio Amnesty’, fronted by ubiquitous luvvie Stephen Fry. The aim was to induce households to exchange their FM radios for a DAB radio. The result? DAB’s share of digital listening has fallen for the first time.… Read More

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  • Stephen Fry’s truly terrible mistake

    Stephen Fry’s truly terrible mistake

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    It’s little wonder that Stephen Fry holds such a place in the nation’s affections. He’s earned it through a string of unforgettable performances. There’s his voiceover for Direct Line’s pet insurance, his voiceover for the 2008 Argos catalogue, not to mention voiceovers for Anchor Butter, Tesco, Dairylea, Kenco, Coca Cola, Trebor Mints and UK Online to name but a few examples. Who could forget his legendary partnership with Hugh Laurie for Alliance and Leicester?

    Then there’s the quiz shows. When … Read More

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  • BBC pulling back from the DAByss?

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    Simply because Tim Davie, the BBC’s new radio chief, has a background in advertising and marketing, that isn’t a reason to assume everything he says is a lie. It’s more charitable to say he’s well practiced in the dark acts of spinning, having learnt the trade at Pepsi and Proctor and Gamble. And so you might want to take the explanation he offered on DAB strategy last week with a large dose of organic salt.

    For the first time, a … Read More

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  • OFCOM mulls legislation to save DAB

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    Parliament may need to step in with new legislation, to save the digital radio fail whale OFCOM admitted today.

    OFCOM’s Peter Davies made the comments in front of a critical audience at the Radio Academy’s Radio At The Edge conference today. Davies was put on the spot by moderator James Ashton. After years of trying to put a brave face on DAB, the OFCOM man all but admitted the British radio industry now needed drastic action.

    “Yes, it will require … Read More

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  • DAB: A very British failure

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    Emergency talks to save digital radio are taking place in Manchester today, the FT reports. Unloved, unviable, and often unlistenable, DAB is a technology the public clearly doesn’t want; so it comes as no surprise to learn that coercion will be used to persuading the public to get on board. With DAB, we’re expected to pay for the stick that beats us up.

    DAB has been a very British failure. While the specification is almost 20 years old, and (just … Read More

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