MuxCo, a local DAB multiplex operator, has announced the date for digi radio services to start in North-East Wales and west Cheshire. The stations will also be heard in Liverpool.

The first local digital radio multiplex to launch since Plymouth in October 2004, local DAB digital services begin in the areas above in November 2012.

Digital services will be broadcast from transmitters at Moel-y-Parc, Wrexham Rhos and St. John’s Beacon, serving a population of around 1.8 million people. A coverage map shows the proposed signal coverage area.

Six services will be available on this multiplex. They are:

MuxCo North-East Wales

• BBC Radio Cymru : news, information and music in Welsh language

• BBC Radio Wales : news, information and music in English

• Dee 106.3 : pop and contemporary music

• Nation Radio : new rock and alternative music, currently broadcasting to South Wales

• 107.6 Juice FM : contemporary pop & dance music

• Real Radio : adult-orientated pop music, currently broadcasting to South Wales on FM & DAB and on FM in North Wales

MuxCo were awarded the licence to operate the multiplex in September 2007, with Marcher Sound, Gold, Dee 106.3, 107.6 Juice FM, Easy Radio, Wales Live & Jack FM originally planned for the multiplex. The financial crisis, station ownership changes and DAB rollout discussions between Ofcom, Government, the BBC and the station operators have all contributed to the delay in launch.

There were plans to open two more transmitters at Great Ormes Head and Arfon to increase the coverage area to Anglesey and Llandudno, by combining an adjacent multiplex, but no decision has yet been made by MuxCo.

A separate local DAB multiplex serving Liverpool and parts of North Wales was switched on 8th March 2001, however local services for North Wales (MFM and Classic Gold Marcher) stopped broadcasting on the multiplex soon after its launch. The new North-East multiplex gives local stations the opportunity to serve an area stretching from the city of Liverpool down to Chester and across to Denbighshire.