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Czechia

Last update: 08.08.2024 - older versions

The ČTÚ announced on 5 January 2024 that the Authority successfully completed the auction procedure for the sale of individual auction blocks offered for the purpose of developing commercial nationwide (Blocks B, C) and regional networks (Blocks R1 - R27) for the distribution of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting (DAB). The auctioned frequency blocks were divided among all eight participants of the tender.

The total auction price for all Auction Blocks was CZK 79,325,000 (c. €3.2m).

"I am glad that we managed to complete the auction successfully, having satisfied all the participating bidders and managed to distribute all the blocks offered. Thus, nothing stands in the way of the further development of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting." said Marek Ebert, Chairman of the CTU Council.

The tender sets out development criteria that should ensure not only the successful development of DAB broadcasting but also the efficient use of the allocated radio frequencies. The nationwide networks are to cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways within a further 12 months. Regional broadcasts are to cover 40% of the population of the region concerned within 24 months and 70% of the population of the region thereafter.

Radioprojekt data released in August 2024 shows that 18 per cent of listeners who said that their reception is provided by a conventional receiver or car radio use DAB+, an increase from 17% in 2023, and 11% in 2021.

An amendment to the Electronic Communications Act was passed by the Czech Parliament's Chamber of Deputies on 15 September 2021, granting Czech Radio the right to operate its own digital radio network in Band III and reservation of frequencies/spectrum by the Czech Telecommunication Bureau.

Czech Radio has one regular multiplex, available for 95% of the population of the Czech Republic, divided for Czechia and Moravia segment (12C and 12D). Four other multiplexes are on air in the Czech Republic and are operated by TELEKO, Ceske Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.

In 2021 Czech Radio launched two new DAB+ only stations – "Radiožurnál Sport” (CRo-RZ-SPORT) and "Pohoda” (CRo-POHODA), targeted to the 'sports lovers' audience and senior audiences.

In September 2020, Czech Radio launched 10 new DAB + transmitters, increasing population coverage from 85% to 95%.

A brochure highlighting the 15-year history of DAB+ digital radio in the Czech Republic is available in Czech here.

Last update: 13.09.2023 - older versions

Population coverage currently stands at 96%.

Detailed and up-to-date maps of DAB+ coverage can be found at www.DAB-plus.cz.

Czech Radio has one regular multiplex in the Czech Republic divided into CZECH and MORAVIA. Currently, 16 Czech Radio stations are broadcasting.

There are four other multiplexes in the Czech Republic operated by TELEKO Digital, České Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.

The network operator TELEKO DAB operates one regular local DAB+ multiplex using band III, which reaches 5.8 million inhabitants in the Czech Republic. The signal broadcasts in and around Prague, Příbram, Brno and surroundings, Moravian-Silesian Region, Ústí nad Labem Region and Hradec Kralove Region. The TELEKO DAB multiplex broadcasts 6 radio stations.

The operator of the RTI cz network operates 60 radio transmitters in the FM band, mostly in western Bohemia. In 2011, RTI CZ obtained a licence for digital radio DAB (L-band, later III band) in the Pilsen Region, Karlovy Vary Region, South Bohemia Region and Prague. RTI cz currently operates 10 DAB+ transmitters and broadcasts 6 radio stations in the RTI cz DAB multiplex.

České Radiokomunikace operates a CRA DAB+ multiplex (four transmitters) in Prague, Pilsen and Ostava where 14 radio stations are broadcast.

From the end of 2020, JOE Media operates the COLOR DAB+ multiplex (two transmitters in Prague), which broadcasts 8 radio stations.

Last update: 03.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

Regional multiplexes: 2 Regular
Local multiplexes: 4 Regular

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.

A comprehensive listing of DAB+ services on air in the Czech Republic is available at the website http://www.digitalradiodab.cz/ by choosing the DAB v ČR option.

Slideshow services are offered by all network operators in Czech Republic. TELEKO uses the latest Rapid software in their DAB CLOUD MULTIPLEXOR. TELEKO transforms the news from RSS feeds into JPEGs and also sends pictures from webcams in studios or weathercams.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	47	25	72

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

In the Czech Republic, 93% of new cars sold in 2021 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2022).

Last update: 17.05.2021 - older versions

DAB radio is using L-band and Band III in the Czech Republic and it is important to check if the receiver is ready for use in both bands.

A wide range of receivers are available to buy online:

www.pureradio.cz

www.radiodab.cz

www.omko.cz/digitalni-radia/

www.gogen.cz/dab-radia/

Stores:

Electroworld (www.electroworld.cz)

LIDL (www.lidl.cz) (Sale)

TESCO (www.itesco.cz)

DATART (www.datart.cz/dab-radia.html)

Last update: 30.09.2013 - older versions

In August 2007 a trial was launched by TELEKO in cooperation with the public broadcaster Český Rozhlas with three DAB programmes and two DAB+ programmes. This trial used both Band III and L-Band and covered almost 130,000 people. A further trial began in June 2008, again as a joint project between the TELEKO company in cooperation with the public broadcaster Czech Radio. A 2.5Kw transmitter provided coverage of the capital city, Prague, to a population of around 1.3 million. The goal of this noncommercial trial was the promotion of digital radio to the Czech public and Government administrators. In early 2009 a further trial was launched in the second largest city Brno covering approximately 0.5 million people.

Trials have been completed in the Czech Republic and all network operators have been awarded with licenses. Technical trials e.g. for checking signal parameters are operated using the licensed frequencies as a part of the regular transmission implementation. For example, the company Ceske Radiokomunikace is using its L-band licensed frequency for such a test with two programs using the Prague-Zizkov transmitter since early 2013.

Last update: 03.12.2021 - older versions

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Czech Republic

Band III only used
Five network operators operate one nationwide multiplex (public service Czech Radio) and four regional multiplexes with public and commercial programmes all on DAB+
Licences are granted for different periods, up to a maximum of 10 years, some to be granted or renewed in 2022, all in III Band only
No analogue radio switch-off date
Analogue radio licences will be prolonged without a clear time limit

Spectrum and content regulation is divided between the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (content) and the Czech Telecommunication Office (spectrum).

Analogue radio licenses will be prolonged for all analogue licence holders, at this point in time, for an unspecified time. Czech Radio as the public radio broadcaster operates its own DAB+ network with national coverage. Some private broadcasters use DAB+ networks by private operators to broadcast their stations via DAB+. Therefore, the transition to digital radio in the Czech Republic has successfully started and digital radio is being rolled out by both the public and private radio sectors. There are no obstacles to the deployment of digital radio from the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting and from the Czech Telecommunication Office.

The Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP, or PVRS in Czech language) for particular bands sets out detailed regulation for the use of frequencies. The current RSUP dedicates all III Band (frequencies from 174 to 230 MHz) to DAB (the Czech Telecommunication Office refers to DAB+ as T-DAB). Further information about the RSUP is available at https://www.ctu.cz/plan-vyuziti-radioveho-spektra

For a detailed overview on 174 - 380 MHz spectrum see here: https://www.ctu.cz/sites/default/files/obsah/ctu/sdeleni-o-vydani-opatreni-obecne-povahy-casti-planu-vyuziti-radioveho-spektra-c.pv-p/21/01.2018-2-pro-kmitoctove-pasmo-174-380-mhz/obrazky/pv-p210120182.pdf

Allocation of additional DAB+ multiplexes for private network operators is planned by the Czech Telecommunication Office for 2022 and beyond.

The switchover to DVB-T2 digital TV was finished in 2020, and digital TV frequencies are allocated exclusively outside III Band, which is intended for DAB+ radio only. L Band is no longer used for DAB+ radio.

At the time of writing there are five DAB+ network operators:

Czech Radio, Ceske Radiokomunikace, TELEKO digital, RTIcz and JOE Media.

The principal document for electronic communication regulation is the Act. No. 127/2005 Coll. on Electronic Communications, was amended in 2021 by the Act. No. 374/2021 Coll. This document explains spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic represented by the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use. Detailed information about NTFA is available here: https://www.ctu.cz/narodni-kmitoctova-tabulka

Last update: 29.04.2019 - older versions

A marketing campaign is due to be launched, in collaboration with the automotive industry - primarily Skoda - and the main retailers in the country

Broadcasters are investing inmultimedia, with each of the 14 channels in a mux equipped with full multimedia services - headlines, artists information and images

The company RTI cz also promotes DAB+ open days in the Czech Radio, as per the images below taken in Prague, Pilsen and Ceske Budejovice.

The company RTI cz operates its own e-shop with a DAB+ receiver (www.radiodab.cz)

The company RTI cz operates a Web portal about digital radio in the Czech Republic on www.digitalradiodab.cz. You will find here:

Current information
What is digital radio
History of digital radio
DAB in the Czech Republic (operators / list of radio stations / channel list / map coverage)
DAB in the world
Links to websites about digital radio

1) Day with digital radio (Exhibition of DAB radio receivers and lectures on digital radio in cooperation with Czech Radio)

www.densdigitalnimradiem.cz (only in Czech) Promo video here: https://youtu.be/WvDdK3xqEMI

2) Digital radio in schools (lectures on digital radio at vocational schools)

3) DAB radio for the blind (RTI have prepared a Czech version of the audio files for the NOXON dRadio1 radio with voice output)

Last update: 09.01.2014

DAB radio is used for emergency warning distribution by distributing programs of the public broadcaster.
For example, during the floods in June 2013 the actual emergency information was included in the DAB radiotext transmission of two public broadcaster programs.

Play.cz agrees with Radiokomunikacije for construction and operation of digital radio network

23.09.2024 - Ceske Radiokomunikace a.s. WorldDAB Member - Czechia

In addition to the public multiplex ČRo DAB+ and CRA's own multiplex DAB+, there will also be regional networks of the operator Play.cz, which will cover the whole Czech Republic, except for the Pardubice and Vysočina Regions. Following the announcement in June that the company had entered into a three-month exclusivity negotiation memorandum with Radiokomunikacije, Play.cz has now confirmed that this has resulted in a turnkey agreement for the creation and operation of the network. "Yes, we have reached an agreement," Jan John, a member of Play.cz's supervisory board, confirmed to Médiář. The construction of the network should be relatively quick. After all, Radiokomunikace itself plans to launch its national radio multiplex quickly, using the same transmitters as Czech Radio's digital broadcasts.

(Médiář) Read more

Operator Fiera Touch produces a DAB+ promo spot

20.09.2024 - Czechia

The media group pHmedia of entrepreneur Pavel Hajek has been broadcasting a promo spot promoting DAB+ digital radio on its TV channels since 19 September. Hájek, through his company Fiera Touch, is one of the successful bidders for future radio multiplex frequencies. "Ditch the old ways of listening to the radio and enter a new era with DAB+ digital radio. Imagine hearing every note, every word clearly and without noise, as if your favourite presenter or star was sitting right next to you. Listening to radio on DAB+ puts an unlimited number of stations at your fingertips, including exclusive programmes you'll never get on a conventional analogue radio. No searching for frequencies, no interference, just pure joy," says the promo spot.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Radio Proglas announces launch of Velka Javorina DAB+ transmitter

14.09.2024 - Czechia

Radio Proglas continues to expand its DAB+ network and will soon launch a new transmitter in Velká Javorina. This transmitter, which will cover a large part of South Moravia, should start broadcasting by the end of September. At the same time, Proglas is working on re-tuning the transmitter on Černá hora, where the radiated power will also be increased, which will significantly improve the quality and range of the signal. In recent weeks, Teleko digital's DAB+ transmitters have already been re-tuned in several locations, including Jihlava - Strážník, Frýdek-Místek - Lysá Hora and Liberec - Proseč. These changes, which include re-tuning to definitive channels and improving radiation parameters, are part of a broader strategy to ensure stable and high-quality digital radio coverage across the Czech Republic.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Czech Digital Group's nationwide DAB+ multiplex before launch, first transmitter parameters known

09.09.2024 - Czechia

Czech Radiokomunikace, or rather its subsidiary Czech Digital Group, will launch in a few weeks, it could happen at the end of September, its upcoming and long-awaited full-screen DAB+ multiplex officially called Broadcasting Network B. The first sites have appeared in recent days in the database of the Czech Telecommunications Office. Unsurprisingly, these are the four largest cities. In Prague, CDG plans to use channel 11D, as in Ostrava. The signal for the territory of the capital city will of course be distributed by the Žižkov transmitter, which has been assigned a maximum radiated power of 20 kW. In Ostrava's Hošťálkovice, it will be 10 kW, as well as from Brno's Hady (channel 7C) and Pilsen's Radč (channel 11B).

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Hájek's Fiera Touch launches digital radio network in Prague

03.09.2024 - Czechia

At 08:00 on 3 September, a multiplex called DAB MUX Praha, a network for digital radios launched by the Prague company Fiera Touch of media entrepreneur Pavel Hajek, started broadcasting from the Prague-Děvín location. It is broadcasting on channel 5C, i.e. Regional Network 13, one of four that Fiera Touch won in the recent auction of frequencies for digital radio in the DAB+ system. The multiplex is soon to reach 10 kW of power after initial mapping of reception quality. The potential reach is realistically between 1.5 and 2 million listeners, according to Hajek. The first station that DAB Mux Prague is distributing is Radio Energic, based in Mladá Boleslav. "We are negotiating with other radios," Pavel Hájek told reporters today.

(Médiář) Read more

New DAB+ multiplex launched in Prague

03.09.2024 - Czechia

On Tuesday 3 September, the new radio multiplex of the company Fiera Touch started to operate in the capital. Listeners can tune in on channel 5C and at the moment it contains only one station - Radio Energic, which is returning to the DAB+ platform after a short break, previously it was distributed by the operator Teleko digital. The Děvín transmitter is currently operating at 5 kW, and is due to be increased to a final 10 kW in the near future. Energic plans to add another station to its portfolio next spring, aimed at listeners aged 30 to 59. The Energic Group's portfolio could ultimately include up to six genre projects.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

ZUN radio to cover Vysočina, Moravia and Silesia on DAB+ with Teleko digital

29.08.2024 - Czechia

ZUN radio, a digital radio station focused on electronic music, will broadcast in the eastern part of the country in the DAB+ multiplex of the operator Teleko digital. Its founder and director Ladislav Antoš confirmed this to the Digital Radio portal. ZUN can already be tuned in on channel 10D from Lysá hora, followed by the Strážník transmitter in Vysočina on Thursday 29 August in the late afternoon. "For us, the strengthening of the D1 motorway coverage is one of the most important events of this year and we are already looking forward to the next one, which will be the expansion of our broadcasting in South Moravia. It is from the east of the country that we have the greatest interest from advertisers so far and it is a great benefit for us that Teleko is the leader in the transition to auctioned final channels," Ladislav Antoš told Digital Radio. In Vysočina, the station will improve its coverage thanks to the Strážník transmitter, which will increase its power from 1 kW to 5 kW after the transition to channel 10D.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Better DAB+ coverage from 29 August in Vysočina region

27.08.2024 - Czechia

Digitalisation by commercial radio stations is finally taking off in the Czech Republic. The operator Teleko digital is preparing the implementation of its next transmitter with final parameters in the next few days. Strážník in Vysočina will switch to the new frequency during Thursday 29 August and with it the power will increase from the current 1 kW to 5 kW. The multiplex of the operator Teleko digital will have the same coverage as the digital broadcasting of Czech Radio in Vysočina. On Thursday 29 August, from 11 am to 5 pm, the Jihlava - Strážník transmitter will undergo a maintenance break to install a new combiner. After this, the TELEKO DAB radio network will be able to increase the radiated power from the current 1 kW to 5 kW. At the same time, the switchover to the new channel 10D will take place and the existing frequency block 8A will be switched off.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Operator RTI cz wants to broadcast DAB+ for Prague with 10 kW by the end of the year

26.08.2024 - Czechia

The West Bohemian company RTI cz plans to significantly improve the coverage of its programme offer in the capital and its surroundings. The operator has said that it would like to broadcast from the former Spartakiada stadium with a power of up to 10 kW. The transmitter will be part of its nationwide network. "We have built a brand new professional 14 m high truss mast at the new site of Strahov stadium, which replaced the one located at the Evžen Rošický stadium. This is an important mast for our company and we are counting on it to cover part of the territory of the capital with FM and DAB signal. The station is equipped with Kathrein antennas and Rohde & Schwarz FM and DAB transmitters," said Andrea Jančová, RTI cz's communications manager.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Teleko to launch new DAB+ transmitters, Strážník, Brno and Velká Javorina to come

15.08.2024 - Czechia

Teleko digital, a company from Příbram, is planning a massive expansion of its radio network in the eastern part of the country. The company's managing director Tomáš Řapek confirmed this to the Digital Radio portal. By the end of August, the operator will launch the final transmitter in Vysočina, which will replace the existing channel 8A and other locations will follow. The most anticipated one is undoubtedly Velka Javorina located in Slovakia. The Strážník transmitter in Vysočina will be the next site on the final technical parameters granted by the Czech Telecommunications Office, following the Moravian-Silesian Lysá hora. At Strážník, channel 8A with a power of 1 kW will be switched off and re-tuned to frequency block 10D, which has been granted 5 kW by the CTU.

(Český rozhlas) Read more