Health Info Radio launched with COVID-19 updates

A new service has launched on a number of DAB digital radio multiplexes in the UK with information on the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

Health Info Radio has been put together by radio professionals Simon Hardwick, Dean Kavanagh, Duncan Barkes and Ash Elford. A website has been created by Aiir and software supplied by PlayoutONE.

The station started its rolling information service on Monday evening with help and advice on the current pandemic.

Health Info Radio is on Aldershot & Woking, Brighton, Hove and East Worthing, Birmingham, Glasgow, Portsmouth and Norwich SSDAB multiplexes, with more to be added in the coming days.

Simon Hardwick explains how the station came about: “I felt frustrated that the important science-based prevention messages that could save lives were being lost in the background noise of speculation, discussion and opinion.

“As an existing SSDAB station operator I already knew the benefits of Small Scale DAB, but wondered if a simple information station would be possible?

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of radio industry colleagues and suppliers we’ve proved it is, and that the SSDAB platform is flexible enough to launch a radio station on a number of multiplexes within two days of the original idea!”

Any commercial multiplex operator wishing to carry the station or any radio station wishing to broadcast content from the service should make contact with the team.