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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

DAB+: FG Chic now broadcasts on the Côte d'Azur

08.09.2023 - France

FG CHIC, which describes itself as "the radio of luxury and the future of disco", has started broadcasting its programme in Monaco, Nice and the Côte d'Azur on DAB+. This is FG CHIC's second DAB+ frequency after Paris, broadcast from Monaco. FG is continuing to expand 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

Bretagne 5 regional radio arrives in Brest

01.09.2023 - France

On 4 September, Bretagne 5 began broadcasting its programmes on DAB+ in Brest. The arrival of Bretagne 5 in Brest is also the first step in extending its regional coverage, with the planned opening of new DAB+ frequencies in other towns in Brittany. Thanks to DAB+ digital broadcasting, listeners in Brest and the wider Brest area will now be able to tune in to Bretagne 5 with exceptional sound quality and without interference, whether at home, at work or in the car.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

KTO Radio launches this Monday

31.08.2023 - France

KTO is continuing its roll-out and entering a new phase in its history with the launch of its radio channel on 4 September in digital quality using DAB+ technology. This method of broadcasting, whose development is accelerating in France, is of better quality, easier to use and more environmentally friendly than FM broadcasting. The programme schedule includes original creations (the morning show), joint live broadcasts with television (prayer times, major events, some editorial programmes), reworked television archive programmes (re-editing, sound enhancement) and programmes from partners (radio or podcast).

(KTO) Read more

France Bleu Normandie broadcasts on DAB+

09.08.2023 - France

Since 4 August 2023, France Bleu Normandie Seine-Maritime et Eure has had its distribution channels extended with the commissioning of two new DAB+ transmitters. The station can now be received on DAB+ digital radio by just over one million people. On 1 August, France Bleu Isère's DAB+ coverage was also extended to the Rhône and Ain regions with the commissioning of two new DAB+ transmitters.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

DAB+ covers 50% of the French mainland population

02.08.2023 - France

Following recent launches in Bayonne, Besançon, Metz and Nancy, DAB+ digital terrestrial radio continues to roll out, with broadcasts starting up in Brest, Clermont-Ferrand and Pau. The DAB+ offer will also be doubled in Angers, Rennes and Limoges by the end of the summer. A total of 17 local and extended multiplexes are scheduled to go on air this summer. With these start-ups, more than half the population of mainland France will be able to receive at least 13 radio stations on DAB+. Deployment, particularly of metropolitan multiplexes, will continue from October with more than 300 new transmitters, enabling digital terrestrial radio to serve more than 60% of the mainland population by March 2024, according to Arcom.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Audiovisual equipment in France - Q3 & Q4 2022 results for TV and radio

27.07.2023 - France

Arcom and its partners present the results of the survey of household audiovisual equipment for the past year, which includes data for the second half of 2022 for television and the full year 2022 for radio. 13.7% of people aged 13 and over are equipped with a DAB+ fixed radio or clock radio. DAB+-compatible car radios continue to increase in 2022, with 16.8% of people aged 13 and over now equipped with a DAB+-compatible car radio (+2.6 points in one year).

(Arcom) Read more

Fusion FM arrives in Clermont-Ferrand

25.07.2023 - France

Since 12 July, the regional radio station Fusion FM has been covering Clermont-Ferrand and the surrounding area on DAB+. The Fusion FM team opted for DAB+, with digital broadcasting now operational for a few days. This digital broadcast will be complemented by an analogue FM broadcast on frequency 94.0, starting in September. A category B station, Fusion FM is historically based in Diou, a commune in the Allier region.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Radio Scoop broadcasts in DAB+ in Clermont-Ferrand

24.07.2023 - France

This summer, Radio Scoop is expanding its coverage even further. In addition to its historic FM frequencies in Clermont-Ferrand and Vichy (98.8 FM), listeners can now tune in to the station in Puy-de-Dôme, Allier and Cantal (Issoire, Thiers, Saint-Flour, Moulins and Clermont-Ferrand) on DAB+. In the coming weeks, the towns of Vichy and Montluçon will be covered by DAB+ technology. Since January 2020, all cars must be fitted with DAB+-compatible car radios.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Forum now broadcast in Angers

17.07.2023 - France

Digital terrestrial radio (DAB+) continues to roll out across France. After Clermont-Ferrand, listeners in Angers can now tune in to digital terrestrial radio and rediscover Forum, the 'collector radio' that broadcasts listeners' favourite hits from the 90s and 2000s... "DAB+ makes listening to the radio simpler and better. As with FM, reception of DAB+ radio is completely free," explains Groupe 1981.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

More radio on offer in Clermont-Ferrand

13.07.2023 - France

While 96% of new cars sold in the European Union are equipped with DAB+, this technology is also continuing to be rolled out in France and its regions, and by this summer will cover 50% of the French population. Following on from Bayonne, Metz and Nancy, listeners in Clermont-Ferrand will now be able to tune in to Ado and Oüi FM. In a few days' time, listeners in Rennes will also be able to tune in to Oüi FM with digital audio quality.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) 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