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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: 06.01.2025 - older versions

DAB+ digital terrestrial radio continues to roll out across France. With its arrival in 2023 in towns such as Bayonne, Besançon, Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, Metz, Nancy and Pau, in summer 2023 DAB+ passed the symbolic milestone of covering 50% of the French population. A trial has also been underway in Martinique since January 2023, and La Réunion since March 2024.

Regulator Arcom announced that "In December 2024, more than 62% of the population of mainland France was covered by DAB+, compared with 50% at the end of 2023."

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.

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

Charles-Emmanuel Bon appointed Secretary General of Radio France

20.02.2023 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France

Charles-Emmanuel Bon, previously Director of Distribution and Strategic Projects, was appointed Secretary General of Radio France on 13 February 2023. He is a member of the Executive Committee and the Management Committee of Radio France. His main tasks are to monitor strategic projects and cross-functional issues, internal governance, institutional relations and distribution issues. The departments and services in charge of institutional and international relations, legal affairs, purchasing, internal audit and control, business continuity, distribution, personal data and written archives report to him. As Secretary General, he is also in charge of steering corporate social responsibility (CSR).

(Radio France) Read more

WorldDAB Automotive 2023 date announced

17.02.2023 -

- France

WorldDAB has set a date and place for its next automotive conference: June 15, from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., in Paris, at Maison de la Radio, Radio France. The conference is also online and free to attend, but registration is essential. With millions tuning into their car radio daily, broadcast radio’s presence in the connected dash is critical for years to come. The event will present the latest initiatives broadcasters and auto manufacturers are working on to enhance the radio listener’s experience in the car. Leading car brands and radio broadcasters will share their vision of the opportunities and challenges presented by connected cars and why DAB+ remains essential for radio’s future.

(RedTech) Read more

World Radio Day: An evolving medium

13.02.2023 - France

On the occasion of World Radio Day, Top Music interviewed Christophe Schalk, director of Top Music and president of SIRTI (Syndicat des radios indépendantes). "DAB+ was launched nine years ago in France, and in Alsace we have been broadcasting our stations in DAB+ for four years now throughout the area. At present, all the radio players in France, the national players, public radio and us, the independent private operators, have joined together in an association called "Ensemble pour le DAB+" (Together for DAB+) and we are now going to start a communication campaign on this broadcasting method and therefore on reception for the general public."

(Top Music) Read more

Radio FG: Start of the DAB+ station in Caen

10.02.2023 - France

Radio FG has started broadcasting in Caen, Deauville and Alençon on DAB+, which is experiencing a strong acceleration in its deployment and audience in France. Radio FG now broadcasts in 32 cities on FM and DAB+. Maison FG also operates the radio stations FG Chic (lounge and nu-disco), broadcast on DAB+ in Paris and Monaco, and Maxximum (alternative and techno) broadcast on DAB+ in Paris, DanceOne (dance, EDM) present on DAB+ in Paris, Marseille and Nice, as well as FG -Xtra. on FM in Antwerp in Flemish Belgium.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

WorldDAB member focus: Radio Screen

08.02.2023 -

- Radio Screen - France

New WorldDAB member Radio Screen is a metadata distribution platform for DAB+, RadioDNS Hybrid Radio and internet radio stations. Radio Screen enables radio stations to display slideshows to accompany their audio programmes illustrating music, talk shows and advertisements on the screens of vehicles equipped with a DAB+ or a DNS Hybrid Radio receiver. We learn more about Radio Screen's offer in this interview with Radio Screen's President, Bruno Alberti.

(WorldDAB) Read more

SNRL fully committed to DAB+

07.02.2023 - France

On 26 January, the Senate's Committee on Culture, Education and Communication organised a round table on the future of radio in the age of DAB+. Emmanuel Boutterin, president of the Syndicat national des radios libres (National Union of Free Radios), recalled the need to modernise radio broadcasting, which includes DAB+. He called for "a strong political signal". For the SNRL president, DAB+ is a major industrial and commercial challenge: "no one can go backwards".

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

DAB+ arrives in the French West Indies

07.02.2023 - Martinique - France

i-médias Group, a media and marketing company based in the Antilles-Guyane (the French West Indies), is adding a raft of DAB+ stations to a multiplex in Martinique. The island is a single territorial collectivity of the French Republic. i-médias Group, which owns several FM radio stations in the Antilles-Guyane, initiated the five DAB+ stations on Jan. 23 — Fusion DAB+, Fusion Gold, Fusion Salsa, Fusion Compas and Fusion 100% News. It plans to launch four more stations after a 9-month test period: Radio Evangile Martinique, Radio Identity, Mixx FM and Maknet Jazz. The company expects to have 12 DAB+ stations in total, with plans to grow its DAB+ offering throughout the Antilles-Guyane. According to regulations, Martinique is allowed a total of 50 DAB+ stations.

(RedTech) Read more

Radioweek: Arcom recognised for its support for radio

01.02.2023 - France

While the last two years have been difficult for radio, the last few months have also seen many achievements in the radio sector. In 2021, Arcom kicked off the start of the metropolitan DAB+ offer. And in 2022, new radio stations were launched on DAB+. And it's not over yet: "FM, DAB, podcast... At Arcom, 2023 is shaping up to be a busy and promising time", as pointed out in an exclusive interview with Hervé Godechot, chairman of the "Radio and Digital Audio" working group at the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, which officially came into being on 1 January 2022.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

DAB+ digital radio broadcasting in the Caen area

01.02.2023 - TDF WorldDAB Member - France

From Tuesday 31 January, TDF is starting to broadcast DAB+ digital radio from its Saint-Contest (Calvados) transmission site. The population of the Caen conurbation in Calvados can now receive thirteen radio stations broadcast in DAB+ digital quality: Chante France, Clazz, Crooner Radio, France Bleu Normandie, Générations, Hello Normandie, Jazz Radio, Oüi FM, Radio Bonheur 100% Chansons françaises, Radio FG, Radio Nova, RCF Normandie and Sud Radio.

(TDF) Read more

SIRTI asks the government to give DAB+ the means to develop

26.01.2023 - France

During a round table organised by the Senate's Culture, Education and Communication Committee on the theme "The future of radio in the age of DAB+", the union of independent radio stations (SIRTI) highlighted the essential role of the digital terrestrial radio broadcasting standard in the development of the medium and the importance of providing financial support for its deployment, particularly at local level. The SIRTI supported the white paper proposal made by ARCOM. The independent radio stations wish to join the proposal to draft a white paper on DAB+ made by the President of ARCOM during the round table to make their voice heard and to accelerate the expected development of DAB+. Indeed, independent radio stations are massively involved in the deployment of DAB+ in France, with 75% of them now broadcasting via this radio broadcasting standard, while this technology now covers 50% of the country.

(SIRTI) 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