France

Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

Arcom White Paper on Radio

The result of more than 30 hearings and consultations with the main players in radio, Arcom has published its White Paper on the future of radio in France, which provides a broad overview of the sector and its economic, legal and technical aspects, as well as changes in usage.

The White Paper on Radio was presented by Roch-Olivier Maistre, President of Arcom and by Hervé Godechot, Arcom member and chairman of the Radio and Digital Audio working group, at the Assises de la radio 2024 conference on Tuesday 18 June at the Arcom headquarters in Paris.

Arcom is proposing a two-phase trajectory, aiming to achieve predominantly digital broadcasting by the end of 2033 and requiring the mobilisation of the entire ecosystem:

• Phase 1: Preparation (2024-2027): Establishing a balanced radio ecosystem within a legislative and technological environment that facilitates continued digitisation under optimal conditions.

• Phase 2: Migration (2028-2033): Completing a market-initiated transition to a digital broadcasting model, six years after the preparation phase and nine years after the publication of the White Paper in 2024.

The transition will require regulation, metrics, planning, marketing and then resources.

Read more on the Arcom website.

Download the English-language summary.

 

DAB+ : a structural choice for the radio industry

Launched in 2014 in Paris, Nice and Marseille, DAB+ is now seen as critical to contribute to the future of radio and to address the saturation of FM. It is a means to preserve diversity and plurality. As DAB+ is reaching a turning point, the regulator, Arcom, is launching in 2023 a consultation with the radio industry which will include the switchover from FM to DAB+ both in the metropolitan area and overseas. The economics of radio are a key element of the expected white paper, as well as the potential acceleration of the deployment.

Deployment of DAB+

On 12 October 2021, France launched two new national multiplexes broadcasting 26 DAB+ stations, including national services from Radio France, leading private broadcasters and four new national services. The new multiplexes are broadcast along the major motorway corridors of Paris-Lyon-Marseille. The 26 services include four new DAB+ only stations and 22 stations that are also broadcast in FM. Extension to more main roads and highly populated areas is planned for the end of 2023. These 26 radios are in addition to the hundreds of radio stations already available regionally and locally on DAB+

The CSA rollout plan, the so-called "nodes and arcs strategy" described in 2017, which also includes continued regional and local rollouts alongside the launch of national services, was updated in 2021. 

Arcom says that "In total, it is expected that 17 multiplexes, extended or local, will have started broadcasting during the summer of 2023. At the end of these start-ups, the coverage of the metropolitan population by DAB+ will exceed 50%."

French DAB+ Broadcast Networks Factsheet

A new factsheet on DAB+ digital radio in France has been produced for automotive manufacturers, as the country achieves over 50% DAB+ population coverage.

The factsheet from WorldDAB - the global industry forum for DAB digital radio - was produced as part of the work of its Automotive Working Group, in partnership with network operator TDF, and RadioDNS which promotes hybrid radio.   

France DAB+ Broadcast Networks

Receiver legislation

Older pieces of legislation in France related to DAB+ in cars have been superseded by the transposition in November 2020 of the EECC into French legislation. This law passed the last stage and was made official in December 2020, with the transposition of the EECC into French law officially published on 28 May 2021. Domestic receivers, for which the reception function of radio services broadcast is not purely incidental, and have an alphanumeric screen, must be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio. Discussions are ongoing to make DAB+ mandatory in all receivers. 

Last update: 22.09.2023 - older versions

DAB+ digital terrestrial radio continues to roll out across France. With its arrival in towns such as Bayonne, Besançon, Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, Metz, Nancy and Pau, this summer DAB+ passed the symbolic milestone of covering 50% of the French population. A trial has also been underway in Martinique since January. With the continued roll-out of national antennas between October 2023 and March 2024, more than 60% of the population will be covered by DAB+ by early 2024.

In December 2021, the French media regulator CSA, published an updated DAB+ roadmap highlighting DAB+ developments plans for the 2022-2024 period.

According to the new roadmap, calls for applications will be launched for 50 local allotments in that period of time – these primarily concerned the cities of Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Caen, Nancy, Paris, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Poitiers and Toulouse. An overseas trial has also been licensed in Martinique. 

Last update: 22.09.2023 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

French DAB+ Broadcast Networks Factsheet

A new factsheet on DAB+ digital radio in France has been produced for automotive manufacturers, as the country achieves over 50% DAB+ population coverage.

The factsheet from WorldDAB - the global industry forum for DAB digital radio - was produced as part of the work of its Automotive Working Group, in partnership with network operator TDF, and RadioDNS which promotes hybrid radio.   

France DAB+ Broadcast Networks

 

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.

An interactive map showing all services currently on air in France, as well as those licensed to go on air, can be found at: Ma radio DAB Plus - CSA - Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel.

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 358 102 460

Last update: 18.07.2024 - older versions

In France, as of H2 2023, 98% of new cars sold are equipped with DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

Last update: 05.02.2021 - older versions

Receiver legislation 

In December 2018 DAB+ coverage reached 21.3% of the French population, which triggered a law requiring that all radio receivers (including in-car) sold in France be compatible with the broadcasting standards (ie DAB+). This 2018 law was amended in June 2020 to align with the EECC deadline of 20 December 2020.

In November 2020, the French parliament voted in favour of a law to transpose the EECC into French legislation. This law passed the last stage and was made official in December 2020, enabling the government to take a final decree which is expected by early 2021. The decree will confirm that new passenger cars in France will be required to include digital terrestrial radio from 20 December 2020, in line with the EECC. Additional obligations regarding consumer receivers have yet to be agreed and may also be included in that decree enacting the EECC.

More detailed information is in the WorldDAB EECC Factsheet

Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

  • La Réunion: Arcom has authorised two trials of DAB+ radio broadcasting in Saint-Denis from March 1, 2024.
  • La Martinique: trial authorised since January 2023 ; three sites in Martinique and 11 stations: Radio Fusion, Fusion 100 % Infos, Fusion Compas, Fusion Salsa Kl@moson, Fusion Gold, Maknet Jazz, Mixx FM Martinique, Radio Évangile Martinique, Radio Actif Martinique, Identité Radio and Martinique La 1ère.

Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

DAB+ regulation in France is outlined on the French Media regulator's website

Arcom's annual report

Arcom's White Paper on the future of radio

Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

Ensemble pour le DAB+

Ensemble pour le DAB+” is an association created in 2022 on the instigation of the Bureau de la Radio, Radio France and SIRTI, with the aim of setting up and coordinating communication and marketing actions around the development of DAB+, both nationally and locally. The French Ministry of Culture is a partner of the Association.

The first global campaign took place in January 2024. The objective was to raise awareness of DAB+; the reach was 70% of the French population over 13 years old with a 1000 audio spots played during a week. It was completed by a social media campaign and a billboard campaign in the Paris metro, outdoors in the Ile-de-France region and in Nantes, Strasbourg, Lyon and Lille.

DABplus.fr

The website DABplus.fr was set up to summarise the deployment of DAB+ in France. It is paid by and for stakeholders of DAB+ in France. www.DABplus.fr

Le Figaro invests in DAB+ radio
13.04.2023 - France France
On Wednesday, the press group, headed by Marc Feuillée, announced the launch on Monday 17 April of its two new channels Le Figaro TV Île-de-France and Le Figaro Radio, which will complement its online offering Le Figaro Live created in 2017. Le Figaro Radio is broadcast on DAB+ in Paris, Marseille and Nice, then rolled out to other cities. Le Figaro Radio "wishes to offer a place for analysis and insight, in order to better understand today's debates," said Laurence de Charette, deputy editorial director in charge of audiovisual and social networks.

(Le Figaro) Read more


DAB+. The new digital technology that can change the way radio stations are broadcast
03.04.2023 - France France
Digital terrestrial radio makes its debut in Brittany. In Rennes and its surroundings, 13 radio stations are now available in DAB+. Radio Laser was looking forward to it. It is now a reality. Since 28 March the small radio station, based in Guichen, 25 km from Rennes, has been using DAB+ technology to broadcast its programmes. "We're in the short news cycle, so it's important for us to make ourselves known, and DAB+ is a new way for people to listen to us," says Sylvain Delfau, the director of Radio Laser.

(France Info) Read more


Évasion arrives in Troyes on DAB+
31.03.2023 - France France
On Thursday 30 March, Évasion announced its arrival in the city of Troyes in Aube. Thanks to DAB+ technology, Évasion promises to broadcast a varied programme made up of news, service info and games. Évasion is already propelling its DAB+ broadcasts in Aisne (in Saint-Quentin), in Île-de-France (in Paris), in Seine-Maritime (in Le Havre and Rouen) and in the Somme (in Abbeville and Amiens).

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more


DAB+ now available in Rennes
29.03.2023 - France France
Digital terrestrial radio has reached a new stage in its deployment with the launch of DAB+ radio stations in Brittany. Since this Tuesday morning, a large number of stations have been broadcasting their programmes in Rennes on DAB+. Arcom has set 28 March 2023 as the date of entry into force of the authorisations to operate terrestrial radio services in digital mode in the Rennes local area. Thus, since yesterday morning at 10am, 11 radio stations (13 in a few days) are available.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more


TDF launches DAB+ digital radio in Rennes
28.03.2023 - TDF WorldDAB Member - France France
Today, Tuesday 28 March, TDF is launching DAB+ digital radio broadcasting from its broadcasting site in Cesson-Sévigné (Ille-et-Vilaine). Listeners in the Rennes area can now receive thirteen radio stations broadcast in DAB+ digital quality: Africa Radio, Canal B, Chérie FM Rennes, C'Lab, Euradio, Inrocks Radio, NRJ Rennes, Océane, Quartier des Ondes, Radio Caroline, Radio Laser, Radio Pitchoun and Radio Rennes.

(TDF) Read more


Arrival of Océane in DAB+ in Rennes this Tuesday
27.03.2023 - France France
Radio Océane, one of the SIPA Ouest-France group's radio stations along with Hit West, is coming to Rennes on DAB+ this Tuesday 28 March, after Nantes, La Roche-sur-Yon and Rouen. Hit West is broadcast on DAB+ in Tours and La Rochelle. Océane, which you listen to on FM from Morbihan, Côtes-d'Armor, Finistère and the Saint-Nazaire area in Loire-Atlantique, is also broadcast on DAB+ in Nantes, La Roche-sur-Yon and Rouen.

(Hit West) Read more


Digital radio gains ground in France with DAB+ and Radioplayer France
20.03.2023 - Radioplayer WorldDAB Member - France France
DAB+ continues to roll out progressively in France and in the regions. Today, 45% of French people are able to receive digital terrestrial radio, compared to 40% in October 2021. This increase will continue in 2023 with the arrival of transmitters in new cities such as Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne, Nîmes Alès, Perpignan, Prades, Reims, Épernay, Vitry-le-François, Châlons-en-Champagne, Charleville-Mézières and Troyes! It is important that the 39.3 million French listeners have access to a simpler and more qualitative radio listening experience.

(dabplus.fr) Read more


Radio Classique expands on DAB+
17.03.2023 - France France
As the digital transition of radio accelerates and mobile audio consumption becomes an increasingly important part of French people's lives, Radio Classique is responding to this transformation in usage with a project to develop its DAB+ network throughout 2023 and the launch of a new mobile application from 21 March. For Radio Classique, which has five times fewer terrestrial transmitters than its main competitors, DAB+ is an opportunity to increase its coverage and offer continuity of listening on the move.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more


Arcom launches work on a white paper on the future of radio in France
15.03.2023 - France France
Last January, Arcom's president, Roch-Olivier Maistre, announced the Authority was preparing a white paper on the future of radio. Arcom's board of directors today determined the main themes of this study, which the regulator intends to complete within a year. The white paper will provide the broadest possible overview of the radio sector in France. It will also cover the major challenge of the transition from FM to DAB+ (digital terrestrial radio) broadcasting throughout the country, both in metropolitan France and the French overseas territories.

(Arcom) Read more


DAB+ has arrived in Occitania for the best listening
10.03.2023 - France France
The Occitanie region has been covered by the DAB+ radio network for several weeks now. This technology offers better sound quality, simplifies the search for stations and avoids interruptions in the car. It is also more environmentally friendly than the traditional FM band. "This is the first time in a long time that we have had space on the broadcasting bands," smiles Arcom's Hervé Godechot.

(France Bleu) Read more


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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 65.2 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 54.8%
Services: 460 DAB+
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 6,346,000 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 98%
Total Sales (cumulative): 8,394,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 13.7%
Last update: 18.07.2024

Useful Links

Ensemble pour le DAB+
DAB+ services on air in France
Annuaire des radios Françaises en AM, FM et RNT
Regulator - ARCOM
Call for application for 2 multiplexes covering main roads
DAB+ in France - interactive map
DAB+ regulation in France
DABplus.fr