News

Czech Radio intends to continue the development of DAB+ digital broadcasting and invest in improving coverage and upgrading its technical equipment. CEO René Zavoral reminded the 18 December 2024 meeting that radio has reached 96% coverage of the Czech population, but is still working on eliminating the so-called "white spaces" in the network. Investments in DAB+ and technical facilities are key to maintaining competitiveness and service availability. "In addition to VHF, where we have already reached a peak, our priority is DAB+ and internet media. We want to ensure that Czech Radio's programmes are available to everyone and in the highest possible quality," Zavoral added.

Digital radio broadcasting in the Czech Republic is set for dramatic development this year. After last year's successful auction of frequencies for DAB+ networks, all 29 auctioned multiplexes are to start broadcasting and the first days of January show that none of the eight auction winners is likely to give up. Already last January, after the auction results were published, it was clear that not every successful bidder would be able to build its own transmitters and would have to rely on leased technology or turnkey technical operation of the entire network from another supplier. This has led to a gradual convergence of formerly competing companies and the eight operators of future DAB+ networks for commercial media have split into four cooperating pairs.

French private radio stations are pleased to announce their union within the Alliance de la Radio. The Alliance has a strong ambition to promote the power and relevance of the media to economic players, institutions and the general public. For the first time, the Alliance brings together private, local and national, generalist and thematic radio stations throughout France. The Alliance de la Radio has a strong ambition to enhance the power and relevance of the media. It will establish a constant dialogue between its members and the public authorities in favour of a modernised legislative and regulatory framework.

Radio attracts tens of millions of loyal listeners every day. The French people's favourite medium, essential for informing citizens and for social cohesion throughout the country, radio is facing increased competition. Faced with this situation, the vast majority of private commercial radio stations today announced the creation of the ‘Alliance de la Radio’, an association that aims to speak for the sector in the face of structural changes in the radio landscape and a revolution in radio usage. Following on from the creation of the ‘Ensemble pour le DAB+’ association to promote digital terrestrial radio, the birth of the ‘Alliance de la Radio’ demonstrates the sector's ability to envisage its future collectively and ambitiously. Arcom welcomes the creation of the Alliance de la Radio.

On January 28, 2025, the Paris Radio Show, France’s only trade event dedicated to the radio industry, will open its doors to industry players. Among the participants will again be WorldDAB, the international organization dedicated to developing and promoting DAB+, the digital standard for broadcasting gaining momentum worldwide. The Paris Radio Show raises significant issues for the future development of radio. France is at a critical stage in the deployment of DAB+. WorldDAB offers an opportunity to discuss the trends shaping the future of digital broadcasting and share best practices in deploying DAB+.

We are expanding our DAB+ broadcasting area in Switzerland and switching to a new frequency. From 16 January you will be able to listen to us in even more cities in the best DAB+ quality. If you suddenly can't find us on the DAB+ frequency you were used to from 16 January, just start a new search on your radio and you'll have the best electronic music tracks again for at home, on the road or at work. Since the beginning of 2023, we have had a SUNSHINE LIVE programme specially tailored to Switzerland. Thanks to the frequency change, we will be covering northern Switzerland from Basel to Chur from Thursday and bringing the best from the world of electronic music even closer to you.

The SRG SSR DAB+ multiplex for German-speaking Switzerland on channel 12C is now also being broadcast from the Melchtal Dorf site. The radiation power is 270 watts.

In the greater Heidenheim an der Brenz area, private radio programmes from Baden-Württemberg can now be received even better via DAB+ digital radio (state-wide multiplex, channel 11B). Network operator On Air Support has switched on the Osterholz transmitter with a transmission power of 5 kW for this purpose.

Denmark welcomes a new radio station: Radio Mars. The station can now be received nationwide on DAB+ on channel 12 C and on the Internet. Behind Radio Mars are the experienced DR radio presenters Alex Nyborg Madsen and Søren Rebbe. Both bring their many years of experience and passion for music to the project. Radio Mars will be an advert-free music radio station that plays less of what other stations often play and more of what they don't. Radio Mars went on air as a digital radio station on 1 May 2024. Founders Søren Rebbe and Alex Nyborg Madsen wanted to create a music radio station that was different from any other in Denmark.

The Federation of Autonomous Radio and Television Organisations (FORTA) has appointed Juande Mellado, director general of Radio and Television of Andalusia (Canal SUR - RTVA), as its new president. Mellado, who already led FORTA in the first half of 2020, has pointed out the digital transformation of regional radio and television stations as a key axis of its management. According to Mellado, this will allow regional television and radio stations to compete in a constantly evolving audiovisual market, marked by a growing consumption of on-demand content and new players in the sector. The arrival of Juande Mellado as president of FORTA coincides in time with the announcement of an agreement between this regional body and RTVE to jointly promote the implementation of Digital Terrestrial Radio, in DAB+ standard, and to fight against piracy.