Saturday 14th February 2026 marked a proud and historic moment for both City Sound Radio and the City of Chelmsford.
The local station officially launched its small-scale DAB transmitter, taking its place in the next chapter of Chelmsford’s extraordinary broadcasting story — a story that began just a few miles away over a century ago.
A Modern Milestone Rooted in History
Chelmsford is widely recognised as the birthplace of radio broadcasting. In 1922, the world’s first regular entertainment radio service, 2MT, broadcast from Writtle under the pioneering work of Guglielmo Marconi and his team at the famous Marconi New Street Works.
Now, more than 100 years later, City Sound Radio is continuing that legacy — this time through digital broadcasting.
What Is Small-Scale DAB?
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) allows radio stations to broadcast digitally rather than via traditional FM or AM frequencies. It provides clearer sound quality, more reliable reception, and allows more stations to be available on the dial.
Small-scale DAB was introduced across the UK to give independent and community stations a more affordable way to broadcast digitally. Instead of requiring large regional transmitters, smaller multiplex networks serve specific towns and cities — making it perfect for local stations like City Sound.
City Sound broadcasts via the Chelmsford digital multiplex, operated by Chelmsford Digital Radio. You can find out more about the local DAB network here:
👉 https://www.chelmsforddigitalradio.com
For Chelmsford listeners, this means:
Easy access to truly local radio on DAB devices
Improved digital sound quality
A stronger platform for community-focused programming
A Young Station Making Big Waves
What makes the achievement even more impressive is that City Sound Radio is only 2.5 years old.
In that short time, the station has grown into a recognised part of Chelmsford’s media landscape — supporting local events, businesses, charities, and community initiatives. The DAB launch represents not just technical progress, but a clear statement of intent: local radio in Chelmsford is thriving.
Shaping the Future of Radio in Chelmsford
The launch event brought together supporters, volunteers, and members of the local community to celebrate the milestone. For a city that quite literally helped invent broadcasting, seeing a modern digital transmitter go live carries special significance.
From Marconi’s experimental transmissions to today’s digital multiplexes, Chelmsford continues to play its part in shaping the future of radio.
City Sound’s new DAB service ensures that local voices remain at the heart of the city — accessible, modern, and proudly Chelmsford.