"Analogue radio sets are likely be consigned to history by the first half of 2018" so says this article in "The Independent", by Ian Burrell.


"Both the BBC and commercial radio are expected to make a firm commitment to supporting digital switchover at the Radio Festival, that takes place in Salford on 14 October.

Ed Vaizey, the Communications minister, is expected to give an indication of the switchover date at the Go Digital Conference, which will take place at the BBC’s New Broadcasting House on 16 December and be attended by major car manufacturers as well as radio industry figures."  

DAB will sadly be the death of decent-sounding radio - especially since the Beeb appear wedded to the now-ancient MPEG Layer 2 coding system. Such inefficiency!!
But they screwed over the existing FreeView audience when they made that service HD (capable) which caused the punters to buy in new STBs, but for some reason they don't see the benefits of doing the same with Radio. AAC HD is really very good at bitrates comparable to what are being used in DAB currently.

But of course this government will want to be able to sell off the FM spectrum, and let all those with decent FM setups 'go hang'.
They're simply frightening old ladies into buying up DAB radios because they fear they'll lose Radio 4 if they don't! And that just pushes sales of Pure boxes up, taking no account of whether the signal is good or bad. It parallels the Rural Broadband plan: make lots of noise about it - no one will know that the service isn't going to be there for many people 'cos the Gov't will simply say it is! No one will have the evidence to prove otherwise, and when they do it'll all be too late anyway.

Bah! Humbug! [Time to take of the Victor Meldrew hat.]

Sorry to disappoint but the spectrum sale is a non-event.When PwC looked into making use of the spectrum they were unable to come up with any commercial use other than radio!

There is only one reason why Ed Vaizey is keen to switch off FM.  Follow the money.  Many of the commercial boys are losing money.  By switching off FM they make savings.  It is as simple as that. Strong lobbying.

This website explains more www.ten-myths-of-dab.co.uk

For those determined to NOT ditch their original battery vintage FM RADIOS--here is a suggestion-If you own a laptop or pc.

Plug a 25 quid portable FM transmitter ( most supermarkets sell ém)out of your laptop/pc and "tune it" to an un-used local frequency for your area....say FM 108 or something...  ...then select from your pc/laptop your radio channel of choice......and FINALLY -Tune in trusty original battery vintage FM receiver TO FM 108 and ENJOY!....

Alternatively of course-if you have  smart phone just download the Tune in radio app and buy a mini 15 quid portable Bluetooth speaker--and you will never regret it. You will of course though need wifi for this exercise!