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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.

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.

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

KTO radio goes digital

12.01.2023 - France

KTO was selected by Arcom on 11 January 2023 as the 26th station on the national digital terrestrial radio frequency. Vincent Montagne, President of KTO, commented on this news: "KTO continues its deployment and and begins a new phase in its history. This digital access strengthens our offer of multimedia services. We are very pleased to have been selected and look forward to launching this new project." KTO TV is the French-speaking Catholic channel, it offers insights into subjects of reflection or debate and accompanies the prayer life of its viewers.

(KTO) Read more

Radio: the FM band will soon be obsolete in Haute-Vienne

09.01.2023 - France

Since 6 December 2022, the Groupement de radios associatives libres en Limousin (Gral), has swapped the traditional FM broadcasting for DAB+. Denis Lespiaut, who has been at the head of the company for 23 years, has succeeded in pooling some fifteen radio services throughout the Limousin region, spread over 25 frequencies. The parent company, which acts like a press agency, has decided to follow the lead of a revolution taking place in the radio world: the end of FM broadcasting in favour of DAB+ (in French, radio numérique terrestre).

(Le Populaire du Centre) Read more

Radio FG on DAB+ in Amiens

09.01.2023 - France

Radio FG has started broadcasting in Amiens on DAB+. Maison FG is continuing to develop its radio offering on DAB+ in France with its four stations, FG DJ Radio, FG CHIC, Maxximum and DanceOne. FG has a weekly audience of more than 1.1 million people and 214,600 daily listeners. Radio FG broadcasts in 32 cities on FM and DAB+, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Monaco-Nice, Toulouse, Lille, Nantes, Rennes, Orléans, Bordeaux, Nancy, Dijon, Caen and Clermont-Ferrand.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Sibyle Veil reappointed as President and CEO of Radio France

22.12.2022 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France

Arcom today appointed Sibyle Veil as President and Director General of Radio France for a second term. Sibyle Veil joined Radio France in the summer of 2015 as Deputy Director of Operations and Finance. She was appointed President and CEO of Radio France by the CSA (ex-ARCOM) on 12 April 2018 and took up her post on 16 April of the same year, becoming the first woman to be appointed to head Radio France since Michèle Cotta in 1981. She is now appointed for a new term at Radio France.

(Radio France) Read more

LMS "La Musique Star" launches on DAB+

22.12.2022 - France

On 20 December, the LMS station "La Musique Star" launched its DAB+ station in the south of France. In agreement with its broadcaster, Monaco Média Diffusion, the transmitting power of the transmitter located on the heights of Nice at Mont-Agel is 10KW. LMS Radio is positioned as a new commercial music radio station with a "Pop-Rock Emotion" format, making a diversion through the 80s and 90s as well as highlighting the new talents of the French "Pop-Rock Emotion" scene.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Maison FG: start of the FG Chic station in Monaco

21.12.2022 - France

FG Chic, the sound-design radio station from the House of FG, has started broadcasting its programmes in Monaco on DAB+, the roll-out of which is accelerating rapidly in France. This is FG Chic's second DAB+ frequency after Paris in the Île-de-France region. Maison FG is thus continuing to develop its DAB+ network in France with its four stations FG DJ Radio, FG CHIC, Maxximum and DanceOne.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

TDF selected to broadcast digital radio in Metz, Nancy, Limoges and Bayonne

20.12.2022 - TDF WorldDAB Member - France

TDF announced today that it has been selected as the operator for digital radio broadcasting in four new areas (extended allotments of Metz, Nancy, Limoges and Bayonne defined by Arcom). In 2023, the inhabitants of Lorraine (from Thionville to Epinal), the South-West (from Hendaye to the south of the Landes) and Limousin (from Bellac to Brive-la-Gaillarde) will benefit from radio services broadcast in digital quality thanks to the 19 DAB+ transmitters that TDF will be putting into service in these areas. In 2022 alone, TDF has commissioned 21 transmitters that bring radio in digital quality to the population of some twenty towns in France every day.

(TDF) Read more

DAB+: Comequip broadcasts the local multiplex in Limoges

13.12.2022 - France

Since Tuesday, December 6, the city of Limoges has had another way of listening to the radio with the arrival of DAB+. The local Limoges multiplex is made up of 13 radio stations. The COMEQUIP company deployed its technical know-how by ensuring the distribution with two sites in SFN. Today, COMEQUIP broadcasts three local multiplexes, namely Bordeaux, Toulouse and Limoges.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

France Bleu Picardie broadcast on DAB+

12.12.2022 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France

France Bleu Picardie is now available on DAB+. With the commissioning of three new DAB+ transmitters, the local Picardy radio station has seen its broadcasting channels extended. France Bleu Picardie can now be received in DAB+ digital radio by almost 675,000 inhabitants. This new broadcasting enables France Bleu to complete its global offer in DAB+ digital radio.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

DAB+ broadcasts in the Abbeville and Saint-Quentin areas

06.12.2022 - TDF WorldDAB Member - France

From 6 December, TDF is starting to broadcast DAB+ digital radio from its Mareuil-Caubert and Neuville-Saint-Amand sites. The population of Abbeville and Saint-Quentin can now receive thirteen radio stations broadcast in DAB+ digital quality. TDF teams carried out new technical installations on each of the two TDF sites concerned. This work consisted of installing a new antenna system, a multiplexing cell and the associated transmitters. Work was also carried out to adapt the infrastructure.

(TDF) Read more

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Key Information

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