112 kbps stereo now being used on DAB

Heat Radio is now being broadcast at 112 kbps in joint stereo on the Birmingham, Central Lancs, Glasgow, Liverpool, London 1, Manchester, Northern Ireland and South Yorks local multiplexes, and this is the first example of a stereo station on DAB using 112 kbps -- the lowest bit rate of a stereo station prior to this on DAB in the UK was 128 kbps, which 98% of all stereo stations use. Magic is also using 112 kbps in London. 

As you would expect, the audio quality is abysmal.

The stereo stations on the Channel 4 national DAB multiplex that will launch next year are also set to use 112 kbps, because the radio broadcasters have no regard for their listeners.