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

Nicolas Curien details the progress of DAB+ in France
01.10.2018 - France France
Nicolas Curien of the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) has outlined the forthcoming DAB+ launches in Lyon and Strasbourg, which will trigger a new requirement ensuring all car manufacturers include a DAB+ chip in all car radios. He also indicated two major stations may engage with the regulator in further promoting DAB+ in the country.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


DAB+ sales booming in France
28.09.2018 - France France
According to a recent GfK survey, between July 2017 and June 2018, more than 100,000 DAB+ receivers were sold in France. That's 26% more than the same period a year earlier. Globally, growth is 13% in the first half of 2018.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


DAB+ expansion for Radio FG in France
17.09.2018 - France France
French radio station Radio FG will expand its DAB+ services to the Lens, Bethune, Arras and Douai regions from Friday. Currently, the station is broadcasting in Marseille, Lille and Nice.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


CSA publishes new document proposing relaxing regulations in France
12.09.2018 - France France
The institution has published 20 proposals to change its field of action and relax existing regulations. On the radio side, the CSA proposes to harmonise "the conditions of access to frequencies, whether for example authorisation procedures in FM and DAB+ or the duration of authorisations."

(Puremédias) Read more


CSA calls to continue a modern DAB+ deployment strategy and easier access to frequencies in France
11.09.2018 - France France
France’s broadcast regulator Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) is recommending to help radio stations deploy new DAB+ services across the territory, and to harmonise radio frequencies authorisation procedures to enable future DAB+ approvals. These were included in a new document released on Tuesday by the regulator calling for an overhaul of audiovisual regulations in France.

(Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA)) Read more


WorldCast Audemat to launch DAB Probe at IBC2018
29.08.2018 - France France
The new Audemat DAB Probe will be launched at IBC2018 and is Worldcast’s flagship product for monitoring DAB signal quality and service continuity, at the transmitter site or in a coverage area. According to Worldcast, the Audemat DAB Probe enables remote monitoring of a set list of channels and allows users to verify the conformity of their DAB network with both legislation and their broadcasting needs.

(Radio World) Read more


France's CSA published the outcome of the metropolitan consultation
28.08.2018 - France France
The Conseil superieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) call for applications for new DAB+ national multiplexes in France followed the results of a public consultation that began last year. The outcome of that consultation shaped a call for application reserved for radio editors, with part of the resource being available for non radio services and the confirmation on the distribution of coverage over the ensuring two years.

(Conseil superieur de l'audiovisuel) Read more


CSA calls for French stations to begin DAB+ broadcast
22.08.2018 - France France
French media regulator Conseil superieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) has given notice to four stations to begin DAB+ broadcasts within 15 days. The stations Crooner Radio, France Maghreb 2, Frequency Paris Plurielle and PIMG Radio were authorised to broadcast via DAB+ in June 2014, and have yet to activate their transmitters. These developments are a follow-up to the CSA's DAB+ roll-out plan put in place earlier this summer.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


Kenwood KDC-X7200DAB
20.08.2018 - JVCKENWOOD Corporation WorldDAB Member - France France
Modern and elegant design, DAB tuner for digital radio, compatibility with nomadic sources, the Kenwood KDC-X7200DAB has no shortage of assets, and can play music in high definition.

(Autonews.fr) Read more


France's DAB+ allocation tender plans announced
08.08.2018 - France France
The French media watchdog CSA launched its national DAB+ allocation tender process last week, with the intention that within eight years, 90% of the motorways and 75% of the metropolitan regions will be covered. Candidates have until 7 November to submit their applications.

(Radiovisie) 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