Digital stations Coles Radio and Elf Radio launched in Canberra

Canberra has gained two new commercial digital radio stations, Coles Radio and Elf Radio.

The news comes as latest figures show DAB+ digital radio thriving on a strong listener base in the city, with one in four people tuning in to DAB+ every week.

Elf Radio is Australia’s Christmas pop-up station, and is set to bring back-to-back Christmas tunes from artists including Michael Buble, Paul Kelly, Sia, Kylie Minogue, Guy Sebastian and more to nation’s capital.

Coles Radio is already one of the top-rating commercial digital radio stations in Australia, and will bring current features like themed days (90’s at 9 and Throwback Thursdays) along with its daily hand-picked music selection to Canberra.

The addition of the two new stations brings the total commercial stations in Canberra to ten, with six of them – My Canberra, KIX Country, Buddha Hits, The Edge, and now Coles and Elf Radio – broadcasting as digital only.

“Canberra listeners have been enthusiastic adopters of digital radio and we expect more people to make the switch next year as more new stations launch and the industry and retailers start to promote the benefits of upgrading to digital radio,” said chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia Joan Warner.

3.8 million Aussies listen to DAB+ digital radio each week across the five state capitals.

Coles and Elf radio have begun broadcasting in Canberra ahead of trial services being switched to permanent services in 2018 as digital radio is rolled out to major regional areas.