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09.04.2025
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Top story
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National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand
WorldDAB Member
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Thailand
After the NBTC announced criteria for permits to use radio frequencies for temporary testing and experimentation, the NBTC meeting on March 26, 2025 approved two operators to conduct testing for six months, namely: 1. The Dharma Radio Station Group, Block 9A in the Bangkok and surrounding areas. Stations participating include Dharma for the People Station and Santi Radio Station; 2. The Khon Kaen Station Group: block 6C in the areas of Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham, with stations such as Khon Kaen Mahanakhon Radio Station, Sai Fah Radio Station, Thai Local Radio Station, etc. “The permission to test DAB+ digital radio this time is another step forward in the development of the broadcasting business in Thailand,” said Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanapan (NBTC).
(National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)) Read more
08.04.2025
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Top story
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Serbia
At the Avala Tower, the Minister of Information and Telecommunications, Mr. Dejan Ristić, and the Director of the Public Enterprise "Broadcasting Techniques and Communications", Mr. Sava Savić, marked the beginning of the implementation of the third phase of the capital project for the renovation of the FM and DAB+ network. The renewal and expansion of the DAB+ network includes 10 broadcasting sites, from which complete coverage of all highways with a digital radio signal in DAB+ format has been achieved in the Republic of Serbia, as well as in the border areas of neighboring countries, which will provide 90% of the population with access to digital radio.
(Ministry of Information and Telecommunications Serbia) Read more
07.04.2025
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Top story
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Germany
The digitalisation of radio broadcasting in Schleswig-Holstein is progressing: ‘RADIO BOB! rockt Schleswig-Holstein’ will be available exclusively via DAB+ and the internet (web radio, app, smart speaker and smart TV) from 10 April 2025. The rock programme is the first state-wide station to give up its analogue FM frequencies. In the Niebüll area, NDR is also switching its N-JOY programme from analogue to digital broadcasting. Private and public radio stations have reached an agreement with the state government and the state media authority to gradually switch to DAB+ digital radio in the northernmost federal state from 2025 to 2031. The aim is to offer listeners a diverse and future-proof radio landscape.
(Digitalradio Büro Deutschland) Read more
60 stations, one clear signal: DAB+ radio impresses Austrians with digital diversity
15.04.2025
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Austria
A recent IPSOS study conducted on behalf of Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR) confirms the high level of acceptance of DAB+ radio: 35% of DAB+ users have noticed the new programme diversity and a remarkable 79% of them experience the additional stations as a great or very great enrichment in their radio usage. With the doubling of the DAB+ programme offering to 60 stations in summer 2024, the Austrian radio landscape has changed fundamentally. "The results of the IPSOS study clearly show that the new DAB+ programmes are well received by listeners. Almost 80% see them as a real enrichment - DAB+ simply brings more radio for everyone", explains Roman Gerner, Chairman of the Austrian Digital Radio Association.
(Verein Digitalradio Österreich) Read more
Ofcom proposes to give green light to three new BBC DAB+ stations
10.04.2025
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British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
WorldDAB Member
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United Kingdom
UK media regulator Ofcom has today published the provisional conclusions of its assessments of the BBC’s plans to launch four new DAB+ stations and extend the hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra. It said "For the BBC’s planned Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind stations, we found these stations would have a limited impact on fair and effective competition, which would be justified by the public value of the proposals. Therefore, we provisionally conclude that the BBC could proceed with its plans for these stations." The Corporation also proposed a BBC Radio 2 extension, and to extend the broadcasting hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra; the regulator provisionally concluded that the BBC may not carry out these changes, and will issue its final decisions by 4 July 2025.
(Ofcom UK) Read more
DAB+ launches in Azerbaijan's Central Aran region and surrounds
09.04.2025
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Teleradio PU
WorldDAB Member
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Azerbaijan
On 12 March 2025, the 1000 W “SYES” DAB+ radio transmitter, which has been providing digital radio from the Baku TV Tower Complex since 2019, was replaced with a more modern and powerful 3000 W DAB+ transmitter of the same brand. As part of the implementation of the “Action Plan for the introduction and development of digital radio broadcasting in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, a 3000 W “SYES” DAB+ transmitter and an antenna-feeder system were installed at the Gulistan Radio and Television Broadcasting Station, and the digital radio network was expanded. In the Central Aran region, Agsu, Shamakhi and Ismayilli districts, as well as in the adjacent territories, uninterrupted reception of 12 radio programs is ensured.
(Teleradio PU) Read more
Crooner Radio, Damien Chasseur's new project
08.04.2025
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Luxembourg
On Friday, the last day of the call for applications to be one of the 12 radio stations in Luxembourg's DAB+ multiplex, entrusted to BCE, the founder and partner of CBTW and investor in Tera House, Damien Chasseur, submitted an application. The aim is to bring Crooner Radio to Luxembourg. On the final day of the government's call for applications to be one of the twelve radio stations to be included in the Dab+ multiplex, the founder and partner of CBTW finally submitted his application to bring to Luxembourg an FM station that is fairly well known in France: Crooner Radio. "I've always been eclectic. And in applying, I want to bring a new offer to Luxembourg with the DAB+ and not just copy and paste," he explains.
(Paperjam) Read more
SWR improves DAB+ coverage in the Jagst Valley
08.04.2025
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Germany
Südwestrundfunk (SWR) is further expanding its transmitter network for DAB+ digital radio reception in Baden-Württemberg. The Langenburg site will be commissioned on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The commissioning of the site will improve DAB+ coverage in the Jagst Valley/Hohenlohe along the L1025 and K2542 between Ailringen and Eichenau, as well as in the Mulfingen and Sonnhofen areas, parts of Berndshofen, Ober- and Unterregensbach, and also in Blaufelden in frequency block (channel) 9D.
(Südwestrundfunk (SWR)) Read more
More DAB+ for Stromberg/Hunsrück
08.04.2025
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Germany
The digital radio technology ‘DAB+’ has set out to replace analogue FM broadcasting in the future. However, there are still major and minor gaps in coverage, particularly in rural areas. In Stromberg in the district of Bad Kreuznach, the municipality of Langenlonsheim-Stromberg, together with the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority, the Federal Network Agency and the company Milling Broadcast Services GmbH, have now successfully plugged a ‘reception gap’ in a joint project. "You could say that the more beautiful the landscape, the more difficult the broadcasting coverage. Idyllic valleys and vineyards in the surrounding region are pleasing to the eye and palate, but are a horror for radio waves," explains Christian Milling, Managing Director of Milling Broadcast Services GmbH.
(Milling Broadcast Services GmbH) Read more
KeyStone achieves ASA certification with first-ever colour display for DAB Emergency Warning System
07.04.2025
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Keystone Semiconductor Corp
WorldDAB Member
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Chinese Taipei
KeyStone is proud to announce that it has achieved Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) technology provider certification under the initiative spearheaded by WorldDAB. This milestone highlights KeyStone's commitment to innovation, public safety, and enhancing digital radio experiences worldwide.
(KeyStone Semiconductor Corp) Read more
Swiss radio usage figures: Q1 2025 data in line with expectations
07.04.2025
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SRG SSR
WorldDAB Member
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Switzerland
The first market figures to be published following the switch-off of FM broadcasting of SRG radio programmes on 31 December 2024 confirm what has been shown for years by the usage surveys commissioned by the Federal Office of Communications for the Swiss radio industry: the vast majority of radio listeners in Switzerland now listen to radio digitally. Three months after the end of FM broadcasting, Mediapulse SA's quarterly figures for radio usage can largely be regarded as reliable. The market share of SRG radio stations is down overall by -6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024 - a result in line with forecasts. SRG remains the clear market leader with a 53% share, ahead of private broadcasters with a 41% share.
(SRG SSR) Read more
NRJ Group annual report: plans further DAB+ roll-out
04.04.2025
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France
NRJ Group has published its annual results for 2024. The report states: "The Broadcasting division had an excellent year in 2024. Its revenue rose by +6.5% (+5.8% on a like-for-like basis) to €79.9 million. This growth is mainly due to the continued roll-out of DAB+ and the integration of RadioKing, which was taken over in June 2023." In the outlook for its radio division, it adds: "Internationally, the Group will focus on developing its positions, in particular through rolling out DAB+ and the Nostalgie brand in Germany and Austria." The report notes: "In 2024, NRJ Group cemented its dominant commercial position among individuals aged 25 to 49 in France, with an audience share of 19.6%... NRJ also cemented its position as France’s number one in-car radio station."
(NRJ Group) Read more
South Yorkshire media group launch DAB+ station
04.04.2025
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United Kingdom
A Sheffield-based media organisation has launched their digital radio station this week. African Voices Platform officially launched its community DAB radio station on 1 April. To commemorate the launch, the team held a radio studio tour, joined by community leaders in Sheffield, providing a space for people to engage in creative discussions about the programmes. Enoch Karimba, director of partnerships and community engagement at AVP, said: “Our primary goal is to foster community engagement and promote cultural exchange across the continent, as well as the diaspora. By focusing on local stories, social issues and cultural expression, we hope to empower our listeners and provide them with a space where their experiences and perspectives can be heard and valued.”
(ShefNews) Read more