Services
With a mast height of 270.5 metres (887 ft), it is one of the most powerful transmitters in England, powered at 200 kilowatts ERP for digital television and 250 kW for FM radio. The coverage extends as far south as Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire and as far north as Stoke-on-Trent. However, there are many relay transmitters around the Midlands that extend the coverage even further.
The transmitter broadcasts six digital television multiplexes, as well as VHF or FM transmitters for the four BBC national stations, independent national station Classic FM, four local commercial radio stations (BRMB, 100.7 Heart FM, Kerrang 105.2 and Smooth Radio), the BBC's local service WM and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting – i.e. Digital Radio). When opened as a UHF TV transmitter Sutton Coldfield was a B group but with the advent of Digital broadcasting one of the 6 MUXES could not be fitted into the original B group due to co-channel considerations. Thus MUX6 was transmitted slightly out of band on CH55 though this would still be receivable on most B group aerials as this graph makes clear. In July 2007 it was confirmed by Ofcom that Sutton Coldfield would return to an undisputed a B group transmitter after DSO (Digital Switchover), a process that was completed on the 21st September 2011.
An MF transmitter for Radio Birmingham (now Radio WM) used to be installed at this site, but could only be operated at 5 kW instead of the planned 10 kW because of interference to video equipment on the site. It was eventually replaced with a transmitter at the nearby Langley Mill MF site owned by Arqiva. This transmitter is currently used for the BBC Asian Network.
The station is now owned by Arqiva.
Read more about this topic: Sutton Coldfield Transmitting Station
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