Belgium

Last update: 21.03.2024 - older versions

The entire sector (with the exception of the CraXX association of 16 community radio stations) is in favour of the voluntary and simultaneous cessation of FM broadcasts by 2030, in consultation with the Flemish and German-speaking communities, subject to two conditions, maRadio.be has announced. This could see most radio stations stop broadcasting on FM by the end of the decade. The sector has also agreed to take a joint stance to ask the next government to implement a major "Plan for the Digital Transition of Radio". The plan consists of support for the roll-out of DAB+ to significantly improve its coverage, strong economic measures to accompany the digital transition, and changes to the legal framework for radio that take account of the digital transition.

DAB+ digital radio was launched in East Belgium on 1 October 2023. In addition to the programmes of BRF1 and BRF2, four other radio stations will be heard via DAB+: 100,5 Das Hitradio, Radio Contact Ostbelgien Now, Radio Sunshine and Radio 700. The first transmitter in Petergensfeld (Raeren) is already in operation. A second transmitter is expected to be added in spring 2024 at the Wallerode site (Amel) to cover the south of the DG (German-speaking community).

In the French-speaking part of Belgium (Walloon region/French Community), legislation has been adopted stating that all receivers need to have a DAB+ receiver, with the exception of low-entry receivers (which do not have a alpha-numeric display). These (low entry without digital display) receivers do not need a DAB+ receiver built in. The text has been adopted by their Government on December 21st and enters into force on January 1st 2023.

In Flemish-speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels), by decree (Flemish law) of 12/02/2021, a government-proposed text was adopted by the Flemish Parliament stating:

"Art. 209/1. All equipment intended for the reception of FM radio signals from a radio broadcaster intended and sold in Flanders must be able to receive digital radio signals. The obligation stated in the first sentence of this paragraph does not apply to radio equipment used by radio amateurs, smartphones and tablets."

This text entered into force on January 1st 2023. 

 

DAB+ was officially launched in Belgium across Flemish-speaking parts of the country in November 2018, while the official launch of DAB+ in French-speaking Belgium took place in November 2019, following a year of trial broadcasts.

DAB+ awareness and sales in French-speaking Belgium 

On 12 March, maRadio.be, the cooperative society representing 90% of the French-speaking Belgian radio audience, presented the results of the 6th wave of its study devoted to monitoring the digital transition of radio in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. In the space of just a few years, digital channels for listening to radio have come to the fore. At the same time, FM is continuing its meteoric decline: while it accounted for 82% of listening volume in 2018, it now accounts for just 54%. Only 23% of Belgian listeners listen exclusively to analogue radio. On the digital side, there has been steady growth, with 46% of listening volume, including 21% via DAB+, 17% via the internet and 9% on television.

Last update: 03.12.2018 - older versions

DAB coverage reaches more than 95% of the population across the country’s three principal regions – Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. All motorways and main roads in Belgium are covered with DAB, with mobile coverage standing at approximately 99%.

Nationwide coverage of between one and three layers is achieved by combining the coverage of the different multiplexes on air in Belgium: one regional public multiplex for the Northern, Dutch speaking part (>95% DAB coverage of North population), one regional public multiplex for the Southern, French speaking part (90% DAB/DAB+ outdoor coverage of South population) and one regional commercial multiplex in the Northern part in DAB+ (25% coverage of the North population).

Last update: 03.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

Please note:

(a)    These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b)    The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

RTBF has been DAB+ Slideshow (SLS) since 2014 on their station Classic 21 (Classic rock format),

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 72 54 126
Data services 0 2 2
Total7256128

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

DAB+ is now fitted as standard in new passenger cars in Belgium, and 98% of new vehicles sold in H2 2021 included DAB+, compared to 89% in 2019 (source: Jato Dynamics).

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

The availability of DAB and DAB+ receivers in Belgium continues to grow with a range of devices now on the market, including kitchen radios, handheld and tuners. As more DAB+ services launch, with marketing campaigns to support them, sales are expected to grow significantly across Belgium over the next few years.

In French-speaking Belgium, sales of DAB+ compatible home receivers grew by 13% in 2021, offsetting a 7% fall in sales of analogue FM receivers. On average, 45% of home receivers sold in Belgium in 2021 were DAB+ compatible (source: Gfk, Monitoring of Radio Receiver Sales 2021).

Last update: 10.07.2015 - older versions

RTBF is currently testing three DAB+ simulcast FM stations with additional services such as slideshow in several bit rates, both for RTBF and for commercial or non-profit radio stations licenced by the regulator (CSA).

VRT is currently testing one DAB+ simulcast FM station with additional services such as slideshow in several bit rates.

Last update: 05.01.2023 - older versions

French-speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)

In the French-speaking part of Belgium (Walloon region/French Community), legislation has been adopted stating that all receivers need to have a DAB+ receiver, with the exception of low-entry receivers (which do not have a alpha-numeric display). These (low entry without digital display) receivers do not need a DAB+ receiver built in. The text has been adopted by their Government on December 21st and enters into force on January 1st 2023.

 

The French-speaking Belgium regulator - the CSA Belgium - announced on 11 April 2019 that it had received 123 applications for DAB+ licences - see the full list of applicants here.

In June 2018, the Parliament of Wallonia-Brussels Federation approved a draft decree to amend audiovisual services in French-speaking Belgium, paving the way for the deployment of DAB+ services in the region.​ DAB+ services went on air on 15 November 2018.

 

Flemish-speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)

By decree (Flemish law) of 12/02/2021, a government-proposed text was adopted by the Flemish Parliament stating:

"Art. 209/1. All equipment intended for the reception of FM radio signals from a radio broadcaster intended and sold in Flanders must be able to receive digital radio signals. The obligation stated in the first sentence of this paragraph does not apply to radio equipment used by radio amateurs, smartphones and tablets."

This text entered into force on January 1st 2023. 

 

The public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community, Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT), has one DAB multiplex on air since 1997, covering Flanders and Brussels with eight radio stations. The network operator Norkring België operates VRT’s multiplex. As of 12 November 2018, all Flemish national radio stations are available on DAB+.

DSO

In May 2016, the Flemish government approved the concept of automatic renewal of FM licences for the major commercial broadcasters until 2022, alongside an obligation to invest in DAB+. At that time, the government decided that FM shutdown should take place two years after reaching 50% digital listening, with a complete switch-off date still to be decided.

Last update: 24.04.2020 - older versions

DAB+ explained by Digital Radio Belgium (FR)

This two-minute DAB+ promotional video published by Belgium's French-speaking Digital Radio office explains to consumers the various benefits of DAB+, such as improved sound quality and a wider choice of listening, as well as mentioning the EECC directive, which will require new cars across Europe to be compatible with digital radio.

The original video was made by VRT for Digital Radio Vlaanderen.

 

DAB+ - Explainer from DabplusBEfr on Vimeo.

 

DAB+ advertisement published by Digital Radio Flanders

In Flanders, radio is increasingly being listened to digitally. According to Ipsos research comissioned by the Flemish government published in October 2019, 26% of the total listening volume is now digital. The strongest increase was listening on DAB+, up from 3% to 9% year on year. This TV spot launched by www.dabplus.be/nl explains to consumers the benefits of moving from analogue to digital, particularly when listening in the car, with easy tuning and significantly improved sound quality.


TELEVISIE COMMERCIAL DAB+ BELGIË from DAB+ BE on Vimeo.

 

A dedicated digital radio website aiming to promote and inform consumers and broadcasters on DAB and DAB+ was launched in Flanders and Brussels in November 2018 (www.dabplus.be/nl).

Aside from the launch of its website dedicated to DAB, the region of Flanders has been particularly active in terms of marketing activities promoting DAB digital radio across TV, radio and online in the weeks leading to the 2018 holiday season. To that effect, two separate campaigns to raise awareness on DAB+ were set up as part of Digital Radio Week in November and December 2018, which all radio stations broadcasting in DAB+ radio participated in.

 

New cars: car radios will have to support DAB as standard
11.07.2018 - Belgium Belgium
New rules are close to being introduced that will mean new cars will have to include radios that support digital radio. The rules, part of the new European Electronics Code, were approved by a vote of MEPs in the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), but the Parliament’s plenary still needs to provide a final green light after the summer recess.

(a516 Digital) Read more


RTBF will gradually switch off medium wave until the arrival of DAB+
20.06.2018 - Belgium Belgium
As Telepro pointed out at the beginning of the year, and in preparation for the upcoming arrival of DAB+ digital radio in Belgium, RTBF is continuing its process of extinction of medium wave (AM) by reducing the daily broadcasting hours of La 1 st and VivaCité from its Wavre transmitter 621 kHz.

(Telepro) Read more


RTBF phases out AM broadcasts
20.06.2018 - Belgium Belgium
As part of Belgian French-language RTBF’s strategy to transition toward DAB+, in May the public radio broadcaster reduced daily AM broadcasts of its “VivaCité” and “La Première” stations to 14 hours. “Our plan is to discontinue AM once DAB+ kicks off,” said Laurent Finet, head of production and digital innovation at RTBF radio. “We will however continue our FM broadcasts for a number of years before we eventually put an end to these as well.”

(Radio World) Read more


RTBF readies for end of medium wave ahead of DAB+ transition
19.06.2018 - Belgium Belgium
In anticipation of the gradual transition to DAB+ in Belgium next year, RTBF has decided to gradually phase out medium wave (AM) broadcasts, firstly by reducing services by five hours a day at low listening hours (8pm- 6am), before the complete shutdown of its last two transmitters in coming months. FM broadcasts will continue to air after medium wave is switched off to enable a gradual transition to full DAB+ services.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


More DAB+ progress in Ukraine, Belgium and France
18.06.2018 - Ukraine Ukraine - Belgium Belgium - France France
DAB+ services have begun in the Ukraine for the first time in Kyiv on 15 June, following the awarding of tenders in March. In Belgium, regulations that will open the way for the deployment of DAB+ in French-speaking Belgium, were approved in the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. France's CSA has announced a new strategy to “relaunch” the deployment of DAB+ in the country, with the long-term objective is to cover 30 regions and to go from 20–70% coverage of the country by 2020.

(Radio magazine) Read more


DAB+ deployment for French-speaking Belgium after decree is approved
13.06.2018 - Belgium Belgium
The Parliament of Wallonia-Brussels Federation has approved a draft decree to amend audiovisual services in French-speaking Belgium, paving the way for the deployment of DAB+ services in the region.

(RTBF) Read more


DAB+ rollout progresses in northern Europe
08.06.2018 - Belgium Belgium - Luxembourg Luxembourg - France France
New DAB+ channels are being launched in Belgium, Luxembourg and northern France. New channels will be launched in Lille from 19 June, while DAB+ is being expanded in the Flanders region of Belgium. Test broadcasts are also taking place in Luxembourg.

(Totaal TV) Read more


2017: a record year for DAB receiver sales
15.05.2018 - WorldDAB News - United Kingdom United Kingdom - Australia Australia - Belgium Belgium - Denmark Denmark - Norway Norway - Netherlands Netherlands - Switzerland Switzerland - Italy Italy - France France - Germany Germany
Almost 12 million DAB receivers were sold in 2017 in Europe and Asia Pacific, a new record for yearly sales. Almost half (5.9m) of the sales were for automotive devices, with key markets showing a significant increase in the number of cars sold with DAB fitted as standard.

(WorldDAB) Read more


RTBF launches new DAB+ channel as part of new cross-media platform
14.05.2018 - Belgium Belgium
Eight new radio channels will be part of Tarmac - the new cross-media platform launched by RTBF. One channel will be the DAB+ test channel currently used by RTBF, which was confirmed by its director of radio production Laurent Finet.

(Radio World) Read more


DAB+ to be deployed in French-speaking Belgium following amendments to decree
10.05.2018 - Belgium Belgium
Minister of Higher Education at the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Jean-Claude Marcourt has described the transition to DAB+ digital radio, following the Federation's decision to amend the draft decree relating to audiovisual services for French-speaking Belgium.

(Ciel FM) Read more


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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 11.0 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 97%
Services: 126 DAB+, 2 Data
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 1,672,524 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 99%
Total Sales (cumulative): 2,697,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 28%
Last update: 26.02.2024

Useful Links

Belgischer Rundfunk
Digitalradio.be
Digitale Radio Vlaanderen
Norkring
maRadio.be
RTBF
Flanders Department of Culture, Youth and Media
VRT