Kiss FM radio is still stereo on digital TV, even though some stations like Smooth went mono!
There does not seem any figures for platforms but like the Hits and Smash Hits http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/radio-research/drr-2012/2012_DRR_Chartpack.pdf
figure 25
as Kiss has been on national Freeview a long time, I expect a lot of it's target audience outside the FM areas use Freeview at home!
Found this on the Bauer Media website what could this mean? "Bauer Media brands including KISS, heat and 4Music engage with over 2.2 million 16-24 women and growth plans across multi-platforms, including digital extensions are in development for a range of brands during 2013."
Why is radio going backwards? Moving towards mono broadcasting again...seems crazy..
We're in a transitional phase. It seems that choice rather than quality sells radio - and there's nothing stopping a move to DAB+ stereo later. Hanssolo put it well.
It's not a step backwards. We're going from TeamRock, Kiss, Absolute 80s, PlanetRock, UCB etc being completely unavailable in much of the country to being available in multiple formats. The comparison isn't with glorious 160k streams but with nothing at all.
Kiss has been removed from every local multiplex I can receive, even Bradford and Huddersfield where Gold is still available. Nothing appears to have replaced it and none of the stations appear to have increased their bitrates, though I'm not an expert on bitrates so not the best person to ask.
I have a feeling Global aren't interested and we'll be stuck with 112kbps for a while yet. I hope I'm wrong. There's plenty of room now that Kiss & Breeze have left and Jack has gone to 64kbps.
Found this on the Bauer Media website what could this mean? "Bauer Media brands including KISS, heat and 4Music engage with over 2.2 million 16-24 women and growth plans across multi-platforms, including digital extensions are in development for a range of brands during 2013."
Bauer Media is to launch two sister digital radio stations to its dance and R&B station Kiss, called Kisstory and KissFresh, and will scrap the Q radio station after 10 years.
Kiss: Bauer Media unveils plans for two sister digital radio stations
Kisstory will build on the hour-long slot on the main Kiss station playing classic older tunes throughout the day, while KissFresh will be the station for new music and guest mixes spanning the hip-hop, R&B, EDM, House and garage genres.
The stations will be on air 24 hours a day from next Tuesday 7 May and will have presenters who will pop up through the day rather than being held down to a specific show time.
Kisstory will be available on the Freeview TV platform, where it replaces the Q radio station, as well as on the Kiss Player and KissKube iOS app. KissFresh will be available through the Kiss apps and players
The new stations mark the end of the Q radio station and the final broadcast of Q Radio on the brand's website and via the UK Radioplayer will be on May 7. Bauer closed the Q TV channel in favour of Heat last July.
Bauer Media has also created a new KissKube iOS app, which will be available from mid-May, that will allow listeners to download shows for offline listening and offer more interactivity. The app will be available on BlackBerry and Android later in the year.
Glad to see a dedicated Kisstory station coming, This has been something i always thought would be a good idea.
It's good to see Bauer investing in Digital Radio.
One thing though, with Kiss going on Digital One, and leaving local DAB, what happens to local opt-outs (mostly advertising & traffic) on Kiss 101 & Kiss 105-108? Will it now be fully national? Or will Kiss stay on Local DAB in the FM areas to keep the ability for local opt outs?
I thought Kiss was supposed to be quite fresh so I don't see the point of KissFresh. I can see the point of Kisstory, and I think that station could be popular with people who like old* urban music and old dance music. It is good that Bauer is trying new formats.
I think Bauer should use the extra space left by Kiss on their local multiplexes to increase the bitrate o stations like Kerrang if other stations don't want that space.
I thought Heat was aimed at an older audience? It sounds older than The Hits or Kiss.
Looks like Kiss in Mono on D1 MAY be a temp thing...
Kiss' Andy Roberts commented on Twitter saying: "...it's a short term thing. Watch what unfolds"
Something else would have to leave D1 for an upgrade to 112k stereo. Personally I think they are more likely to use any extra capacity to launch Kisstory on there.
The way things are going we could do with DAB+ and Digital 2.
For those who don't bitrate-watch, this is a very good sounding stream for the available bandwidth it's been given.
For those who judge quality based on the number they see on their screen, this isn't very good and the station should just be shut down before it's even launched cos there's no point in it, innit?
Do bear in mind the programming has not yet officially launched, so please don't be so quick to judge what you hear, but hopefully it'll give an indication of the music you might hear.
Comments
There does not seem any figures for platforms but like the Hits and Smash Hits
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/radio-research/drr-2012/2012_DRR_Chartpack.pdf
figure 25
as Kiss has been on national Freeview a long time, I expect a lot of it's target audience outside the FM areas use Freeview at home!
We're in a transitional phase. It seems that choice rather than quality sells radio - and there's nothing stopping a move to DAB+ stereo later. Hanssolo put it well.
It's not a step backwards. We're going from TeamRock, Kiss, Absolute 80s, PlanetRock, UCB etc being completely unavailable in much of the country to being available in multiple formats. The comparison isn't with glorious 160k streams but with nothing at all.
All still 128 in Norfolk.
Arqiva have NOW Digital and Digital One.
I have a feeling Global aren't interested and we'll be stuck with 112kbps for a while yet. I hope I'm wrong. There's plenty of room now that Kiss & Breeze have left and Jack has gone to 64kbps.
At least Wave is still 128.
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showpost.php?p=63210390&postcount=35
Glad to see a dedicated Kisstory station coming, This has been something i always thought would be a good idea.
It's good to see Bauer investing in Digital Radio.
One thing though, with Kiss going on Digital One, and leaving local DAB, what happens to local opt-outs (mostly advertising & traffic) on Kiss 101 & Kiss 105-108? Will it now be fully national? Or will Kiss stay on Local DAB in the FM areas to keep the ability for local opt outs?
Ah i see.
Looks like Kiss in Mono on D1 MAY be a temp thing...
Kiss' Andy Roberts commented on Twitter saying: "...it's a short term thing. Watch what unfolds"
I think Bauer should use the extra space left by Kiss on their local multiplexes to increase the bitrate o stations like Kerrang if other stations don't want that space.
I thought Heat was aimed at an older audience? It sounds older than The Hits or Kiss.
http://radio.bauermediaadvertising.com/stations/detail/heat
But probably more the top end?
Something else would have to leave D1 for an upgrade to 112k stereo. Personally I think they are more likely to use any extra capacity to launch Kisstory on there.
The way things are going we could do with DAB+ and Digital 2.
http://www.radiofeeds.co.uk/query.asp?feedme=KISSTORY
For those who don't bitrate-watch, this is a very good sounding stream for the available bandwidth it's been given.
For those who judge quality based on the number they see on their screen, this isn't very good and the station should just be shut down before it's even launched cos there's no point in it, innit?
Do bear in mind the programming has not yet officially launched, so please don't be so quick to judge what you hear, but hopefully it'll give an indication of the music you might hear.