Digital radio switchover explained

Much like the digital television switchover in 2012, the digital radio switchover will see a change in the source of radio entertainment from an analogue platform (FM and AM, for example) to a digital one. As such, in order to listen to radio stations that are broadcast digitally, you will need to own a device that can pick up a digital signal.

The government proposes to make Digital Audio Broadcast, commonly known as DAB (and its latest version, DAB+), the main broadcast platform for national radio stations, so you will no longer be able to receive these stations via your old FM/AM radio, but this switchover is not set to happen until at least 2032.

There are currently three national digital multiplexes (the platforms that hold stations), one for the BBC and two commercial, the latest of which launched in March 2016.  

FM will likely still be used for local and community radio stations, although Ofcom has been trialling small-scale digital radio multiplexes in an attempt to bring these to DAB, too.

Get ready for the switchover with one of our best digital radios.

What is digital radio?

Much like analogue radio isn’t only FM, digital radio isn’t only DAB. ‘Digital radio’ is a blanket term to include broadcasts on the internet and listening to the radio on a TV, as well as on a DAB radio.

DAB+ offers more stations than DAB, and internet radio even more - including local radio stations that aren’t in the area you’re in and international radio stations. Some DAB/FM radios are also capable of streaming internet radio, so you can enjoy ‘listen again’ programmes and overseas internet radio stations without having to switch on a computer.

Could the digital radio switchover happen this year?

The government has said that once a switchover is announced a further two years at least will pass before the actual switchover takes place.

FM will be around for a while yet – there is currently no fixed date to announce a switchover to digital radio. In 2020, the government delayed the planned digital switchover, allowing radio stations to renew analogue licences until at least 2032, avoiding disruption to AM and FM.

Digures for digital listening are now at record levels (see share of listening, below), but a large share of listening is still done on analogue radio.

So there’s no rush to replace your old FM sets with a shiny new DAB one. You may also want to check the coverage in your area before you buy - find which stations you can expect to pick up with Digital Radio UK's coverage checker.

Share of radio listening in the UK

• 72% - Digital (DAB, smart speaker, online, app or TV)

• 28% - Analogue

_{Latest data from official ratings body Rajar for the fourth quarter of 2023.}

Best DAB radios in our tests

Pricing and recommendations correct as of April 2024.

What about a switchover from DAB to DAB+?

In 2023, Classic FM announced it would be one of the first major radio stations from 2024 to switch from DAB to DAB+.

DAB+ is the global broadcast standard, and only a few countries including the UK are still using DAB. There is currently no mandate for stations to switch to DAB+ – it is up to stations to decide when to do so.

Almost all DAB radios Which? now test support DAB+, as well as FM. Even if your radio doesn’t support DAB+ (this will mostly be older sets launched before 2016), you can switch your radio to FM to continue listening to Classic FM, so this change doesn't force you to get a new radio while analogue broadcasting remains. While it's regrettable some older DAB radios can't access DAB+, consumers can be confident DAB+ and FM will be available for many years to come.

When buying a radio, check the 'Specifications' section in our DAB radio reviews for DAB+ compatibility. Look for the Digital Tick Mark (see below), displayed from 2014 on a radio’s packaging or webpage, to know it’s compatible with DAB+.

DAB+ has better compression than DAB, so more radio stations can be made available in the same bandwidth. DAB+ also has slightly better reception error correction, and higher quality audio is possible if desired by the broadcaster. The UK was an early adopter of digital radio, with other countries in most part seeing a more direct transition to DAB+.

How to listen to DAB radio

1) DAB digital radios

At Which?, all dedicated radios we now test are DAB digital radios, and the vast majority support both DAB and DAB+, which means you can be sure you’re prepared for the switchover. We also test the radio's reception, so you can be sure to get the best signal in your area with one of our Best Buys - see our best DAB radio reviews.

To be sure you’re purchasing a radio that will work with national radio on both DAB and DAB+, look for the digital tick mark (as shown above).

In our radio reviews, check the 'Specifications' section to confirm a radio supports DAB+.

2) Digital radio on your smartphone, tablet, computer or TV

Accessing digital radio isn’t just limited to dedicated devices with an aerial, such as traditional tabletop and bedside radios. You can also access it through the internet, when it is known as internet radio.

This means that you can listen to it on your smartphone, tablet or computer - either through dedicated apps such as BBC Sounds, TuneIn Radio and Radioplayer, which you can install through your Apple iOS or Android device's app store - or simply by typing the name of the radio station into a search engine such as Google in a web browser like Google Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer to find the radio station’s website to listen to the live broadcast.

3) DAB built in to other audio products

Other audio products, such as smart speakers, mini hi-fis, TVs and some soundbars can also let you access digital radio so you only need to buy one device. Using Bluetooth, you can also stream digital radio from an app on your smartphone to a wide range of audio products such as Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth-supporting soundbars.

4) Getting DAB radio in your car

If you own a car with an FM/AM-only radio, you don’t need to worry about losing access to radio while driving after the digital switchover. You don’t need to buy a new car either. There are lots of options available for accessing DAB - what’s best for you will depend on your particular car. Find out more about how to stay connected by visiting our guide to getting DAB digital radio in your car.

The benefits of DAB radio

More stations – The FM spectrum is crowded. Digital platforms provide space for more stations which, from a consumer perspective, should mean a greater choice of stations to listen to.

No dual transmission costs – Currently, broadcasters are paying dual transmission fees for broadcasting the same stations on FM and DAB. Moving to one platform will reduce costs for industry.

Blue-sky thinking – Digital radio offers more features and possibilities for manufacturers to develop radio content as a source of entertainment and information than analogue radio does, including greater interactivity with broadcasts. Additional functions such as scrolling text information about the show or music you’re listening to are available on DAB and some DAB radios are capable of pausing, rewinding and recording live radio too.

The downsides of DAB radio

Radios are more expensive – DAB radios are more expensive than analogue radios because the components are more expensive to produce. Currently, a decent sounding DAB radio starts at around £40.

Reception is far from perfect – DAB reception can be patchy across the country, especially in rural areas. That said, choosing a DAB radio with good reception will make a huge difference even in rural areas. If you're listening to a DAB radio station and reception is poor, the sound may cut out and stutter - rather than going a bit fuzzy the way FM does - making DAB very unpleasant to listen to.

In-car listening – Although 87% of new cars are fitted with DAB radios, millions remain on the road without them. DAB adaptors allow cars with analogue radios to pick up digital transmissions. Efforts have also been made to increase DAB coverage of major road networks and, consequently, last year saw a 45% increase in digital in-car listening.

Is the digital radio switchover a consumer-led decision?

At Which?, we feel strongly that a radio switchover should only take place when people are ready and that no one should be left unable to receive national radio in the event of a switchover.

DAB coverage and reception in homes must be addressed before a switchover, as well as the cost impact on consumers of replacing FM radios with digital equivalents.

If digital radio switchover is to be a success, broadcasters and radio manufacturers need to provide clear benefits in digital radio above FM, so that consumers want and choose to switch over.

Government switchover criteria includes a consumer-based target figure for digital radio uptake. However, we feel it needs to go further to ensure that no one is left without radio in the event of a switchover.

To find the ideal DAB and DAB+-ready radio for you, see our top-recommended DAB radio reviews.