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

Europe making digital radio headway
06.02.2017 - France France
Various aspects concerning the digitisation of the radio industry were on stage at European Radio Show, held in Paris. WorldDAB's session “DAB+ in Europe — a Vision for the Future of Radio,” highlighted the current state and development of digital radio in Europe.

(Radio World) Read more


FIP, Mouv and RFI will broadcast on DAB+ in certain regions in France
06.02.2017 - France France
As part of the call for DAB+ applications last year, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel has granted permission for Radio France and France Médias Monde to broadcast the FIP, Mouv 'and RFI radio stations via DAB+ in Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


European Radio Show 2017 ends on a high note
31.01.2017 - France France
The European Radio Show 2017 concluded in Paris with a commitment to play host to even more international exhibitors and conference speakers in the 2018 edition. WorldDAB hosted a digital radio session within the main conference programme titled “A vision for the future of radio: DAB+ in Europe.” The session featured broadcasters, regulators and digital radio experts from across Europe.

(All Access Music Group) Read more


WorldDAB at the European Radio Show
26.01.2017 - France France
WorldDAB's session at the European Radio Show will give an update on the growth of DAB+ digital radio across Europe, from those countries ready for digital switchover to those in the process of launching.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


European Radio Show extends reach
24.01.2017 - France France
With “Global Media” as its theme, the three-day event, which has in the past honored Québec, Switzerland and Belgium, will this year put special focus on the United Kingdom. On agenda are a number of U.K.-oriented sessions and debates, as part of the show’s celebration of its neighbor to the north.

(Radio World) Read more


European Radio Show interested in development of digital radio
24.01.2017 - France France
On Tuesday, 31 January at 11:00 am during the European Radio Show, WorldDAB will present an overview of the growth of digital radio in the United Kingdom and Europe. Prestigious speakers will present the advances of DAB+ in their country and then a panel focusing on three countries will take place for a questions and answers session.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


WorldDAB announces agenda for European Radio Show session
23.01.2017 - France France
From France, J-E Valli, president of Les Indés Radios, and Jean-Marc Dubreuil of WorldDAB will be featured in the session; the U.K. has Jimmy Buckland from Wireless Group and Jonathan Arendt from Jazz FM as its reps; Jørn Jensen of NRK will be on hand from Norway; Marcel Regnotto, Ofcom, comes from Switzerland; Carsten Zorger, Digitalradio Büro Deutschland, hails from Germany; and Jacqueline Bierhorst is coming from Digital Radio Netherlands.

(Radio World) Read more


European Radio Show confirms UK speakers
19.01.2017 - France France
The show will open on Sunday at 11am with a panel of speakers from the UK: Ian O’Neill (UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport), Alan Davey (BBC), Will Harding (Global), Steve Parkinson (Bauer), Vanessa Messad (Wireless Group), Ford Ennals (Digital Radio UK), and Dom Chambers (Community Radio).

(Radio Today) Read more


UK radio industry heads to Paris
16.01.2017 - France France
The "big four" of British radio - BBC, Global, Bauer and Wireless - will open the European Radio Show at the end of January in Paris. WorldDAB is hosting a session on Tuesday, January 31 titled 'Digital radio in UK and Europe - Digital radio in the UK and Europe.'

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


WorldDAB announces session line-up for the European Radio Show 2017
05.01.2017 - WorldDAB News - France France
WorldDAB has announced a panel of international speakers for the Digital Radio session at the European Radio Show, taking place from 29-31 January in Paris. Titled “A vision for the future of radio: DAB+ in Europe”, the session takes place on Monday 31st from 11:00-13:00 and features broadcasters, regulators and digital radio expects from across Europe.

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