LO2 Multiplatform distribution methods

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) 

In most areas around the UK, Capital is available on DAB. DAB is more modern and easier to use and can allow more users too access the radio station due to it being more accessible. To access Capital FM via DAB, you do not need a connection to the internet or WIFI. This means the content can be accessed while on the go or at home. DAB is a media mostly used by younger teens and adults who have access to technology like Smart tv's, Mobile phones, and Tablets. A subsidiary of Capital, Capital XTRA (formerly known as Choice FM) was changed completely to DAB in 2013. This decision was most likely made to appeal to a younger audience of users, who would access the content on digital devices, rather than FM. This improved the popularity of the radio station as it jumped from 3,156 listeners in the year 2000, to over 50,000 listeners after its formation in 2013. However, it isn't likely that Capital will transform fully to DAB, as they have a wide range of users who are different ages and from different backgrounds, meaning that they have an equal amount of users accessing the content on a multitude of devices. Since DAB radio is made up of ones and zeros, the same signal can be sent out multiple times since there are no frequency bands to stick to. This makes DAB more reliable than FM or AM as radio stations have more chance to pick up the signal. However, even with this, the quality of DAB may not be as clear as FM or AM radio. 

FM (Frequency Modulation)

Also, Capital is available on FM radio, FM stands for “Frequency Modulation,” and there are pros and cons of both AM and FM radio. However the better sound quality of FM radio makes it more desirable for those who want to transmit clear and clean sounding audio. With this however, the frequency is more prone to dropping in and out. Which can be experienced when going under a bridge or going out of range of the station. AM radio has a lower bandwidth that allows it to accommodate more stations, with a lower drop in quality. This means Capital choose to use FM radio to present better quality audio for the listeners. This form of content is usually accessed by older listeners, or the resigned. These people are more likely to stick with this media as they have used it for their whole life and are adamant on sticking to using it. Plus, they may not own any technology that can allow them to access the content digitally. 

AM (Amplitude Modulation)

Am radio stands for (amplitude modulation) comes in MW (Medium Wave) and LW (Long Wave) and all AM radio stations broadcast in mono which are now considered to be very dated. For 30 years starting in the 1920s, AM flourished in the so-called "Golden Age of Radio." However, starting around the late 1950s, FM's higher fidelity became popular for music listening. Most AM radio stations today broadcast news, talk, traffic and weather. Capital FM does not use AM radio to distribute their content as it is mostly contemporary pop music which is preferred to be distributed in FM radio due to its favoured quality. 

Online

Furthermore, Capital offers many online methods that listeners can access their content. To 'broadcast' your Web Radio, you first need to convert the live audio to a stream of data that can be delivered to connected devices via the internet. This process is called encoding can be done with hardware devices.