Heart Now Live On DAB

14 February 2013, 10:51 | Updated: 27 March 2013, 10:28

You can now listen to Heart in Beds, Herts and Bucks in crystal clear DAB digital radio.

The digital signal for local stations across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire was switched on at 8.46am on Thursday 14 February 2013 at the National Radio Centre, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes Dons Football Club Chairman Pete Winkleman and Milton Keynes South MP Iain Stewart pushed the button to turn on the digital signal across Beds, Herts and Bucks.  Former Luton Town manager David Pleat was also at the event.

The switch on of the Beds, Herts and Bucks multiplex means Heart is now available on DAB radios for the first time, along with Heart's sister stations Gold and Capital, BBC Three Counties Radio and other commerical stations.

Ford Ennals, CEO at Digital Radio UK told Heart: "Almost two million people will now be able to get local DAB radio services for the first time and this is great news. In the past they've been able to get national services but now they'll be able to get their favourite local stations and I know that's something that's very important."

The switch on of local DAB radio services in Beds, Herts and Bucks has been delayed because of an ongoing debate about the future of radio.  The government and broadcasters have now committed to investing in DAB.

Local DAB radio is due to be extended to Northamptonshire at the end of March 2013.

Pictured: MK Dons Chairman Pete Winkleman and Milton Keynes South MP Iain Stewart push the button to turn on local DAB Digital Radio services across Beds, Herts and Bucks