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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.

Radio Energic: We are considering the transition to full DAB+ broadcasting

01.03.2024 - Czechia

The digital radio station Rádio Energic, which was launched last September and will soon celebrate half a year of its existence, is considering expanding its coverage and switching to full DAB+ broadcasting, its managing director and programme director Tomáš Veselý told the Digital Radio portal. Energic is currently available via the Teleko DAB multiplex. "It can be said that we are the first private large-scale mainstream digital station on the Czech radio market, which, apart from the online environment, broadcasts purely in DAB+," Veselý said. If the new digital radio station is to stay on the market and ensure its growth, it will have to expand its coverage, especially from important locations. "This means that in the future we want to cover the entire territory of the Czech Republic," confirmed the managing director and programme chief of Energic.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

RTI will lease masts east of Prague for DAB+ network

01.03.2024 - Czechia

The Plzeň-based company RTI cz, which is the only one besides Czech Radio Communications to have won a nationwide multiplex in the frequency auction, will share sites for DAB+ signal distribution. The second national network for digital radio - a competitor to the Czech Radio multiplex - will largely depend on sharing transmission sites with other radio multiplex operators. RTI cz, which auctioned the Czech Telecommunications Office's C network covering the whole Czech Republic, does not expect to build new transmitters for it. It operates masts in western and southern Bohemia but does not plan to build any more. Václav Ježek, managing director and owner of RTI cz, told the media.

(Médiář) Read more

We'll start with a nationwide network, Radiokomunikace plans for digital radio

28.02.2024 - Czechia

The nationwide commercial radio DAB+ multiplex is to replicate the public network CRo DAB+, whose broadcasts are managed by Radiokomunikace, the main operator in the country. The largest Czech cities, such as Prague, Ostrava and Plzeň, are targets for coverage by České Radiokomunikace in the first phase of the construction of their national digital radio network auctioned by the telecommunications authority. It is the nationwide network B, which they acquired together with three other regional networks, that they want to start building the infrastructure for commercial digital broadcasting. As Marcel Procházka, director of the regulation and legal department of Czech Radio, told Médiáři, the company plans to launch the first transmitters in the third quarter of this year.

(Médiář) Read more

ČTÚ grants all allocations for DAB

27.02.2024 - Czechia

The Chairman of the Council of the ČTÚ has already decided on the allocation of radio frequencies under Section 22 of the Electronic Communications Act for all eight entities that were successful in the tender for the granting of rights to use radio frequencies in the 174-230MHz band. Within one month of the end of the selection procedure and the award of radio frequency allocations to all winners of the auction, the Office will publish a report on the procedure and the results of the auction. Within the same time limit, the Authority will also publish a complete record of the auction made by the electronic auction system. The total auctioned price for all Auction Blocks was 79 325 000 CZK (€3.1m).

(ČTÚ) Read more

České Radiokomunikace has paid for DAB+ frequencies, other operators are awaited

14.02.2024 - Czechia

Czech Digital Group, which is wholly owned by Czech Radiocommunications, has paid the Czech Telecommunications Office for frequencies that will enable it to build a nationwide DAB+ multiplex and regional networks in several regions in the future. Marcel Procházka, director of the company's legal and regulatory department, announced the news on the social network X on Wednesday morning. "The auction for DAB frequencies has been finally completed. We have received the frequencies we had planned. We have received the allocations of radio frequencies from the Czech Telecommunications Office for the national broadcasting network B and three regional networks. We will soon present our plans related to the development of these networks and services," Procházka said.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Some transmitters for digital radios will be launched this year, promises Fiera Touch

13.02.2024 - Czechia

By the summer, Fiera Touch, one of the winners of the auction of frequencies for digital radios, wants to have a clear timetable for the launch of transmitters in each region and from which locations they should broadcast. The company, which also operates the television Regional Network 11 with the iVodárenství.cz, i-Vysočina.cz and KladNo.1 TV programmes, intends to take advantage of the synergies with this multiplex and place the radio transmitters next to the television transmitters. Pavel Hájek, the company's managing director and sole owner, told the media outlet. "The timetable for the construction of the network will be clear by the summer, but we will definitely launch some sites this year," he added.

(Médiář) Read more

Construction of DAB+ networks to start on Lysá hora, Teleko Digital plans

07.02.2024 - Czechia

The longest continuously broadcasting digital radio network operator in the Czech Republic has ambitious plans. It wants to launch new multiplexes before the telecommunications authority asks for them. Teleko Digital, a company from Příbram, will proceed with the construction of networks for digital radios significantly faster than required by the conditions of the frequency auction organized by the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). The company, which has been promoting and piloting DAB broadcasts for almost 20 years and is one of the biggest proponents of digital radio in the country, has managed to auction two regional networks covering the whole of Moravia, eastern Bohemia, Vysočina and the Liberec region.

(Médiář) Read more

Will Prague have 128 digital stations? Eight commercial DAB+ networks will cover the capital

30.01.2024 - Czechia

Each network can accommodate around 16 radio stations. Today there are 33 private radio stations broadcasting digitally in Prague, about a quarter of the planned number. How many radios can the Czech market support? There are currently around 60 terrestrial stations in the Czech Republic (excluding the public Czech Radio stations), but most are amalgamated into larger stations with regionally disconnected news and advertising. Digitally, there are 33 stations in four digital networks (CRA DAB+, Teleko DAB+, RTIcz, COLOR DAB+), not including the public multiplex of Czech Radio. However, after the auction of frequencies for DAB+ networks, the number of digital radio multiplexes in Prague will double to eight and their total capacity will accommodate up to 128 private radios.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

New players want to enter the Czech radio market with DAB+

25.01.2024 - Czechia

Not only existing radio stations that can be tuned in on the FM band, but also completely new entities that have not been available via analogue broadcasting so far, are exploring the possibility of entering the DAB+ platform. Czech Radiokomunikace revealed some of the details of the planned network build-out at a meeting with journalists on Tuesday. "We are negotiating with existing radio players, but among the interested parties there are also completely new entities that are not currently active in FM broadcasting at all," Marcel Procházka, director of the legal and regulatory department of the ČRA, told the Digital Radio portal.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

ČTÚ releases first DAB+ frequencies

25.01.2024 - Czechia

The first two of the eight successful participants in the auction of frequencies for digital terrestrial radio networks have received the frequency allocation decision from the Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ). In total, there were six decisions for individual broadcasting networks. "Today I signed the first six decisions on frequency allocations for DAB networks for the first two of the successful participants in our DAB auction. More will follow. The CTU keeps its fingers crossed for all of them," said Marek Ebert, Chairman of the CTU Council, briefly on the social network X. This came less than three weeks after the results of the auction were published, in which all 29 networks, including two national networks, were auctioned.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more