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

The CSA is preparing to launch terrestrial digital radio
15.03.2012 - France France
The Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) plans to launch in 2012 the Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting (DAB). The launch of this project promises to enhance digital quality sound to the listener and coverage for the operators, is enshrined in the 2007 law on the modernization of audiovisual broadcasting, but no date was fixed

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Juror, the CSA wants to dig up the RNT
14.03.2012 - France France
It was thought dead and buried, but the terrestrial digital radio (DAB) could finally be launched. According to Les Echos, the Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) decided to issue licenses for the preset stations in 2008 in Nice, Marseille and Paris, allowing them to issue this year. The CSA would even issue a call for nominations twenty major French cities. The Council has always been in favor of digital radio (better sound, better coverage for the operators), including a request in January, the addition of DAB +, a standard cheaper and popular with small stations. Expected since 2007 by public radio, community and independent, the RNT is blocked by large private groups, and not really encouraged by the government, which has not yet launched the public consultation for the adoption of DAB +.

Read more


Digital Terrestrial radio: in 2012 it finally arrives!
14.03.2012 - France France
The NTR, it is a long time now that we talk about in France, while some of our European colleagues have already adopted many years. Adoption systematically postponed, with the help of groups that have luttédans this sense, like RTL, Europe 1, NRJ and others, our colleagues Cinenow tell us today that we have finally, the Digital Terrestrial radio will arrive well in 2012.

Read more


The CSA will launch terrestrial digital radio this year
14.03.2012 - France France
The Higher Audiovisual Council will launch in 2012, terrestrial digital radio, blocked for years by issuing permits for the preset stations in 2008 and with a call for nominations twenty major cities, he said Tuesday

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Terrestrial digital radio: CSA force password
13.03.2012 - France France
Blocked for three years, holding a frequency stations in Paris, Marseille and Nice will finally be allowed to issue this year. Un appel à candidatures va être lancé pour les 20 plus grandes agglomérations françaises. A call for applications will be launched for the 20 largest French cities.

Read more


SIRTI files two applications for interim relief before the Council of State against decisions of the CSA.
29.02.2012 - France France
SIRTI. The Interprofessional Union of Radio and Television Independent said yesterday that it filed two applications for interim relief before the Council of State against decisions of the CSA. One is on refusal to issue permits in digital radio in Paris Marseille and Nice, the other on a call for nominations distributor for a pay radio service.

Read more


French stations take CSA to court over digital radio
29.02.2012 - France France
French TV and radio broadcasters' association Sirti has taken legal action against media regulator CSA's refusal to licence terrestrial digital ra dio stations in Paris, Marseille and Nice. Sirti, which took the CSA to administrative court, ...

(Telecompaper (subscription)) Read more


Digital radio is needed in Europe
20.02.2012 - France France
After Germany in 2011, several countries plan to launch terrestrial digital radio this year or next year. Some, like Norway, are already starting to look at FM switch off. In France, the CSA attempts to revive the issue.

Read more


Digital Radio in Focus at Le Radio 2012
13.02.2012 - WorldDAB News - France France
Digital Radio was at the center of the “The Digital Radio Experience” workshop organized by WorldDMB and held during the Le Radio conference in Paris, Feb. 5–7. The workshop touched on issues such as cost, regulation, competition and revenue generation ...

(Radio World) Read more


High interest in Digital Radio (Radio Numerique Terrestre RNT) at Le Radio 2012, Paris
09.02.2012 - WorldDAB News - France France
WorldDMB brought together commercial broadcasters and digital radio experts to share their experiences of going digital at a workshop ‘The Digital Radio Experience’ held during the French radio industry event Le Radio 2012 which took place in Paris, 5-7 February, 2012.

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