Important news about Chill on DAB

[Bern Leckie]

Hello,

I have some bad news to report about some upcoming changes to Chill's DAB coverage.

Next week, Chill will cease to broadcast on DAB in a number of areas: Bristol, Bournemouth, Cambridge, Cardiff, Exeter & Torbay, Kent, Norwich, Peterborough, Plymouth & Cornwall, Reading & Basingstoke, Southend & Chelmsford, Sussex Coast, Swindon and Severn Estuary.

This has been decided for business reasons by Chill's parent company Global Radio and Arqiva, the company which recently took ownership of a number of DAB multiplexes we have been broadcasting on. These companies have been fantastic for hosting Chill in so many places for so long, and I would really like to thank them for that. (They also have some
exciting new stations coming to DAB in Chill's place. This will vary from area to area, so check your radio to find out more.)

No-one expected that Chill could ever reach so many people, or the massive response we would get from you. From emails to web chatter, fan forums to social networks, a community has formed around you, and it is still growing online every day. The technology is advancing surpringly quickly too, and this is why we have good news:

It's easy to keep listening to Chill in lots of ways - online, with a computer or an internet radio, with an iPhone, or with our growing number of free download podcasts for your MP3 player, now including music podcasts of our Tuesday night shows from Arctic Circle. For all the links, see our blog or our new community base www.helpyouchill.com

If you want to get involved and help the chilling community, please come and join us - the producers, listeners and fans of Chill - at www.helpyouchill.com. You can listen to Chill there, and we are making new things to share, like playlists of new music. You can also send us your messages and even write your own blog to share with the world and help people chill.

In a stressful world, we're still here to help you chill, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Bern

PS - October 20th London update - if you live near London, we have now moved slots and have a slightly larger coverage area. You will need to "autotune" your radio, and then you should get Chill back!

[Aamir I Khan]

I'm very disappointed that Chill has gone off the air. It's the only radio station I listened to in the car even on short journeys. I'm unlikely to listen to it at home or at work because I'm too busy with other stuff. Please bring Chill radio back in the Fleet area of Hampshire. Even my boys loved it! My car journeys will never be the same again!!

[coops]

Just tuned back in on the off chance and you seem to be back on in Kent.

For good or am I just experiencing lucky atmospherics?

I'll enjoy as long as I can. Really missed having chill at work :)

[caroline brereton]

I first discovered chill fm after bringing my newborn baby home from the hospital and listenning to it for days at a time, bonding with my child. it was a beautiful, soulful time! Music evokes memories and every time i hear certain chill songs, it all comes flooding back! I have only just learned that chill fm is no longer on DAB, I had thought that my new home just didn't pick it up! I am therefore hopeful that there is a chance you will bring it back soon on to DAB as my time around the house has lost its flavour!! Please bring chill back to Brighton!!

[Russell Hughes]

Sounds like a great idea, i would gladly pay a subscription to ensure that Chill is able to return to DAB.

[Stephen Reid]

Like many other listeners to Chill I,m gutted that the station is no longer on DAB radio as already suggested what about all the listeners paying a subscription annually to get you back onto DAB.
Listening online is not the same as turning on the DAB radio around the house and with the way the economy is and work, the weather etc etc your station really helps me chill ( and the glass or two of a good malt whisky!)
Hope the situation can be resolved in the future.

[Sarah Anne Bailey]

I too have lost Chill in Scotland, I work from home and always have Chill on all of my 3 DAB radios, throughout the house, and even in my car!!!! I have tried listening to 'Amazing' but in daytime it is just not very good! If the government wants to cut of FM and listen to digital then they should subsidise popular DAB stations, not just the BBC! If I have Chill on my TV downstairs and on the PC upstairs there is a stupid delay that ruins the sound through the house. I am extemely upset. Could you run some Chill donation or phone in competition to get Chill back on DAB? Missing you Bern, Sarah

[colin simpson]

Hi Russell. Disaster. I am in Ayrshire and like you cannot get it. Please bring it back.

[Russell Hughes]

Really disappointed that i can no longer get chill on my DAB radio. Please, please ,please bring it back to the Glasgow area! Truly gutted. My Saturday mornings will never be the same again!

[Bern Leckie]

Hi Richard - more bits on DAB can improve the sound a lot, but the space is also expensive and limited, especially in London where so many people would like to be on. I know 64k mono doesn't sound as good as 128k stereo, but it's the best we can get for the moment. We're on 128k (and on a more modern compression method) on the web stream, so we sound really good on an internet radio. DAB radios pick up some other great stations, so I hope you enjoy the choice and chill with us when you can.

[richard westcott]

Desperately upset that Chill has now gone to Mono on only 64 bits when it was in stero at 128 bits.
Thats the same as trying to run your car on 2 cylinders not 4.
Chill is the best station on DAB and it deserves a 192 bit service like Radio 3.

Richard Westcott