Austria - Current situation - History
28.04.2023
In April 2023, the Austrian Communications Authority (KommAustria) published an Order on Selection Principles, entering the critical phase of a tender procedure for the granting of licences for the construction and operation of DAB+ multiplex platforms (MUX) based on its current digitisation strategy. The decree describes the basic requirements, especially financial requirements, which interested applicants must fulfil, but in particular explains the criteria according to which a selection will be made from among several applicants. It also offers a preview of the content of the call for proposals. Interested parties will be able to apply for nationwide DAB+ coverage as well as for regional and local coverage areas. The date for the call for applications has yet to be announced.
Press release: KommAustria enters final sprint for new tender for DAB+ digital radio
In August 2022, the Ipsos study “Awareness and reach measurement of DAB+ digital radio Austria 2022” found that:
- In Austria, DAB+ already has 870,000 monthly listeners.
- 75% of DAB+ listeners listen several times a month, this corresponds to 16% of the Austrian population.
https://dabplus.at/2022/08/01/aktuelle-studie-zu-dab-zeigt-steigende-nutzung-und-bekanntheit-in-oesterreich/
Following the launch of the regional DAB+ network operated by RTG in the eastern region of Austria in April 2018, a national DAB+ network operated by ORS was launched in May 2019, marking the start of a new era for radio broadcasting in Austria.
As part of Austria's DAB+ network expansion plans, population coverage reached 83% in August 2020.
31.03.2023
In February 2023, it was reported that there is to be a second, national DAB+ digital radio multiplex. The media authority KommAustria is working on a corresponding tender before the end of this year, as Roman Gerner, the new chairman of the Digital Radio Austria Association and managing director of radio klassik Stephansdom, announced in an interview in "magazin KLASSIK". "We hear that Komm-Austria is working on a tender for another DAB+ multiplex this year. From our point of view, this is very welcome. It will, as already mentioned, be able to contribute to increasing programme diversity. This is also in line with our primary objective. An expansion of the digital transmitter network (both in the private and the public radio sector) is in line with the signs of the times. This can also be seen when one looks across the borders, where in almost all European countries DAB+ is already THE transmission path for all radio programmes (including public service radio). This is the way of the future. Anything else would be anachronistic."
In August 2022, the Ipsos study “Awareness and reach measurement of DAB+ digital radio Austria 2022” found that:
- In Austria, DAB+ already has 870,000 monthly listeners.
- 75% of DAB+ listeners listen several times a month, this corresponds to 16% of the Austrian population.
https://dabplus.at/2022/08/01/aktuelle-studie-zu-dab-zeigt-steigende-nutzung-und-bekanntheit-in-oesterreich/
Following the launch of the regional DAB+ network operated by RTG in the eastern region of Austria in April 2018, a national DAB+ network operated by ORS was launched in May 2019, marking the start of a new era for radio broadcasting in Austria.
As part of Austria's DAB+ network expansion plans, population coverage reached 83% in August 2020.
27.02.2023
In February 2023, it was reported that there is to be a second, national DAB+ digital radio multiplex. The media authority KommAustria is working on a corresponding tender before the end of this year, as Roman Gerner, the new chairman of the Digital Radio Austria Association and managing director of radio klassik Stephansdom, announced in an interview in "magazin KLASSIK". "We hear that Komm-Austria is working on a tender for another DAB+ multiplex this year. From our point of view, this is very welcome. It will, as already mentioned, be able to contribute to increasing programme diversity. This is also in line with our primary objective. An expansion of the digital transmitter network (both in the private and the public radio sector) is in line with the signs of the times. This can also be seen when one looks across the borders, where in almost all European countries DAB+ is already THE transmission path for all radio programmes (including public service radio). This is the way of the future. Anything else would be anachronistic."
In August 2022, the Ipsos study “Awareness and reach measurement of DAB+ digital radio Austria 2022” found that:
- In Austria, DAB+ already has 870,000 monthly listeners.
- 75% of DAB+ listeners listen several times a month, this corresponds to 16% of the Austrian population.
https://dabplus.at/2022/08/01/aktuelle-studie-zu-dab-zeigt-steigende-nutzung-und-bekanntheit-in-oesterreich/
Following the launch of the regional DAB+ network operated by RTG in the eastern region of Austria in April 2018, a national DAB+ network operated by ORS was launched in May 2019, marking the start of a new era for radio broadcasting in Austria.
As part of Austria's DAB+ network expansion plans, population coverage reached 83% in August 2020.