Bristol’s beloved independent broadcaster Noods Radio has joined DAB+ digital radio for the first time, marking a major new chapter for the station after more than a decade of championing underground and alternative music.
Launched in 2015 from a living room in Stokes Croft, Noods has since become a key part of Bristol’s independent music culture. The station has broadcast from several locations over the years before finding a permanent home at Cheltenham Road venue Mickey Zoggs in 2021. It will continue broadcasting globally online alongside its new DAB+ service.
Noods Radio director Jack Machin described the move as a surreal moment for the team. The station’s arrival on DAB+ means its resident-led programming can now be heard on digital radios in homes, cafés, shops, workplaces and cars across Bristol and the surrounding area. Listeners can access the station by retuning their DAB+ radios and searching for Noods Radio.
The development comes as the UK’s small-scale DAB rollout continues to create more opportunities for grassroots, community and specialist broadcasters. Ofcom says the programme has helped expand access to diverse local services across the country, with more than 1,000 programme services now broadcasting through the network.
