Germany - Current situation - History
11.07.2024
DAB+ in Schleswig-Holstein: Switching from FM to DAB+ digital radio
Private and public radio stations have reached an agreement with the state government and the state media authority to gradually switch to DAB+ digital radio broadcasting via FM antennas in the northernmost federal state from 2025 to 2031.
In 2025, RADIO BOB! rockt Schleswig-Holstein, delta radio and Antenne Sylt will migrate completely from FM to DAB+ and IP web radio. Further stations will then follow, including Deutschlandradio which will switch to purely digital coverage with DAB+ for 16 FM stations from mid-2025. The switchover from FM to DAB+ will then be completed for all parties involved with the R.SH station at the end of June 2031.
DAB+ in the federal states: An overview
DAB+, the radio standard of today and the digital successor to FM, will continue to be the most important driver of the digitalisation of radio broadcasting in 2024. Listeners benefit from the continuously growing variety of DAB+ programmes: well over 300 radio stations are available via DAB+ in different regions; over 100 of these are broadcast exclusively digitally.
Digitalradio Büro Deutschland has produced a useful overview of DAB+ in the federal states.
DAB+ in 2023: Steady development in radio's anniversary year
DAB+ radio draws a positive conclusion on the centenary of radio. Despite a challenging market environment, digital radio will continue to enjoy stable growth in 2023. More and more people are listening to digital radio, more and more programmes are available via DAB+ and the steadily increasing attractiveness is also reflected in the usage and sales figures.
According to the "Audio Trends 2023" study by the media authorities, the number of DAB+ radios in households (car and stationary devices) grew to 28.3 million, which is 4.4 million more than in the previous year. This corresponds to a relative increase of 19 per cent.
New digital radios are replacing decommissioned FM sets: Compared to the previous year, the number of FM radios is down by 5.5 million. In cars, buyers of new vehicles are benefiting from the digital radio obligation. With 94 per cent DAB+ in new cars and 41 per cent DAB+ in used cars, digital radio has reached a new record here.
Read the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland press release
Launch of second national multiplex
In October 2020, Antenne Deutschland launched a second DAB+ multiplex that will host up to 16 new national commercial radio stations. In addition to distributing its own programs, Antenne Deutschland also plans to offer stations to third parties. The NRJ Group will be also be broadcasting its popular Nostalgie station on the multiplex.
DAB+ regulation
According to Germany's Telecoms Law, all new car radios should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21th Dec 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code.
The law also requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example, DAB+ or IP) – from the same date. Read the press release on the new German national legislation here
An overview of the status of DAB+ digital radio in Germany is available at www.dabplus.de/sender
01.07.2024
DAB+ in Schleswig-Holstein: Switching from FM to DAB+ digital radio
Private and public radio stations have reached an agreement with the state government and the state media authority to gradually switch to DAB+ digital radio broadcasting via FM antennas in the northernmost federal state from 2025 to 2031.
In 2025, RADIO BOB! rockt Schleswig-Holstein, delta radio and Antenne Sylt will migrate completely from FM to DAB+ and IP web radio. Further stations will then follow, including Deutschlandradio which will switch to purely digital coverage with DAB+ for 16 FM stations from mid-2025. The switchover from FM to DAB+ will then be completed for all parties involved with the R.SH station at the end of June 2031.
DAB+ in 2023: Steady development in radio's anniversary year
DAB+ radio draws a positive conclusion on the centenary of radio. Despite a challenging market environment, digital radio will continue to enjoy stable growth in 2023. More and more people are listening to digital radio, more and more programmes are available via DAB+ and the steadily increasing attractiveness is also reflected in the usage and sales figures.
According to the "Audio Trends 2023" study by the media authorities, the number of DAB+ radios in households (car and stationary devices) grew to 28.3 million, which is 4.4 million more than in the previous year. This corresponds to a relative increase of 19 per cent.
New digital radios are replacing decommissioned FM sets: Compared to the previous year, the number of FM radios is down by 5.5 million. In cars, buyers of new vehicles are benefiting from the digital radio obligation. With 94 per cent DAB+ in new cars and 41 per cent DAB+ in used cars, digital radio has reached a new record here.
Read the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland press release
Launch of second national multiplex
In October 2020, Antenne Deutschland launched a second DAB+ multiplex that will host up to 16 new national commercial radio stations. In addition to distributing its own programs, Antenne Deutschland also plans to offer stations to third parties. The NRJ Group will be also be broadcasting its popular Nostalgie station on the multiplex.
DAB+ regulation
According to Germany's Telecoms Law, all new car radios should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21th Dec 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code.
The law also requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example, DAB+ or IP) – from the same date. Read the press release on the new German national legislation here
An overview of the status of DAB+ digital radio in Germany is available at www.dabplus.de/sender
24.08.2023
DAB+ in Germany in the first half of 2023: More use, more variety, more radio
Read the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland press release
Launch of second national multiplex
In October 2020, Antenne Deutschland launched a second DAB+ multiplex that will host up to 16 new national commercial radio stations. In addition to distributing its own programs, Antenne Deutschland also plans to offer stations to third parties. The NRJ Group will be also be broadcasting its popular Nostalgie station on the multiplex from January 2020.
DAB+ regulation
According to Germany's Telecoms Law, all new car radios should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21th Dec 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code.
The law also requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example, DAB+ or IP) – from the same date. Read the press release on the new German national legislation here
An overview of the status of DAB+ digital radio in Germany is available at www.dabplus.de/sender