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Germany

Last update: 24.08.2023 - older versions

DAB+ in Germany in the first half of 2023: More use, more variety, more radio
DAB+ radio continued its successful course in the first half of 2023. The use of DAB+ stations is growing, while network expansion continues regionally and nationally. Broadcast launches in Lower Saxony, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein bring more choice for listeners. According to ma 2023 Audio II, 52 million people use radio services daily (Mon.-Fri.). In the current study published by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Media-Analyse (agma), DAB+ radio is holding its own with some growth: DAB+ is listened to by 28.6 per cent (ma 2023 Audio I: 28.5 per cent) in the "widest listener group" (WHK) segment. According to agma, it is also the services broadcast nationwide via DAB+ that are recording increases in listener numbers. For example, the "Absolute" radio programmes: With a growth rate of 21.4 per cent in listeners in the average hour, the stations are achieving new record values.

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

Last update: 08.10.2020 - older versions

Digital radio is available in all metropolitan areas. The total coverage (combined coverage of ARD multiplexes and the national multiplex) is 98% of the population.

The 1st level road coverage of the national network is 12,700 km which is equal to 98%.

Detailed information on the network coverage can be found on www.digitalradio.de/empfang.

 

 

Last update: 10.05.2023 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

An up-to-date overview of the DAB+ digital radio services on air in Germany is available at www.dabplus.de/sender.

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.

 

 

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 200 70 270

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

94% of new cars sold equipped with DAB+

In Germany, as of H2 2021, 94% of new cars were sold with digital radio as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2022).

Amendment to the Telecommunications Act, Section 48, para. 4 and 5

According to Germany's new national legislation on digital radio, all radios in new cars should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21 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.

The new German national legislation with explanatory text is available in English here.

Last update: 04.03.2021 - older versions

Receiver sales and revenues

In 2020, over 1.83 million DAB+ receivers were sold in Germany - this represents a 15.2 percent growth compared to 2019. 

Revenues from DAB+ receiver sales also grew by 13 percent, from €216 million in 2019 to the current record of €244 million in 2020.

As of Q2 2020, cumulative DAB/DAB+ receiver sales stood at 16,623,000 (including line fit automotive).

German Government mandates Digital Interface in most radios 

In September 2019, the German federal parliament reiterated its commitment to DAB+ by passing a revision to its Telecoms Law. The law was approved, and made official in November 2019.

The law 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. The new German national legislation with explanatory text is available in English here.

Initiative Digital Radio Deutschland Product Finder

Overview list of the digital radio receivers available on the German market

 The 2020 Digitisation Report carried out by Die Medienanstalten during IFA 2020 is available here (in German)

Digital Radio Germany's 2020 DAB+ report is available here (in German)

Last update: 18.07.2022 - older versions

There are currently no news available for this section.

Last update: 01.12.2022 - older versions

What about the radio button in the car?

Are audio systems and voice assistants in car user interfaces within the meaning of the State Media Treaty? This question is the subject of a legal opinion commissioned by the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia. On 23 November 2022, the expert opinion by Prof. Dr. Ralf Müller-Terpitz entitled "Rechtliche Einordnung von Audiosystemen und Sprachassistenten mit dem Fokus Auto" (Legal classification of audio systems and voice assistants with a focus on cars) was published and can now be downloaded from the Authority's website.

The conclusion of the expert opinion is that integrated audio systems represent a user interface for linear radio reception in the car. The same applies to the manufacturers' own voice assistants which are responsible for the navigation of the audio system. Thus, car manufacturers fall under the Treaty and must in future comply with the regulations for linear radio reception in the integrated audio system. "The result of the expert opinion is essentially: What looks like a user interface and is operated like a user interface is a user interface. This is good news for radio, for journalism and for users," said Dr. Tobias Schmid, Director of the Landesanstalt für Medien NRW, commenting on the results of the expert opinion.

Read the full press release from Landesanstalt für Medien NRW

 

DAB+ regulation in Germany

In September 2019, the German federal parliament reiterated its commitment to DAB+ by passing a revision to its Telecoms Law.

The law was approved, and made official in November 2019. According to the revised law, all radios in new cars should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21st Dec 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code.

The obligation only applies to new cars, and does not apply to quads, trucks or other vehicles for goods transport. 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.

The new German national legislation with explanatory text is available in English here.

Last update: 08.09.2020 - older versions

The following websites provide information on all available services, the latest marketing and receivers for home and on the move. 

dabplus.de

Rundfunk Forum

DAB+ promotion campaigns

In this 3-minute DAB+ promotional video published by German broadcaster ARD Digital, media personality Anni Dunkelmann explains to consumers the various benefits of DAB+, such as improved sound quality, a wider choice of listening and the ability of certain receivers to show visual displays.  

 

 

YouTube tip: to see video subtitles in your local language, click on the settings icon located at the bottom right of the video,  select settings, then auto translate, then your preferred language option. 

Summer 2019

The German digital radio industry (public and commercial radio) organised a DAB+ promotion week from 13-24 May 2019. Cross-media activities included on-air radio spots, consumer and B2B print advertisements and advertorials, social media and on www.dabplus.de.  The week included also training and promotion within the retail sector. 

Summer 2018

A new German multimedia campaign promoting DAB+ will launch on 27 August, with the slogan "DAB+. Mehr Radio" (DAB+, More Radio) to be branded across TV, radio, print and online. On 30 August, an "Editorial Theme Day" will be held at IFA Berlin by German broadcaster ARD and other commercial radio stations to discuss the benefits of DAB+. The initiative is a collaboration between German broadcaster ARD and other commercial radio stations, as part of a nationwide rebrand of DAB+.

Christmas 2017


Christmas promotion "Give a DAB + Radio"   Starting November 27th, in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, radio and TV spots will once again be broadcasting spots and actions about the DAB + listening experience at ARD, Deutschlandradio, private radio stations and other partners.

 

 

May 2017

ARD and Deutschlandradio started a cross-media nationwide marketing campaign for DAB+ radio from 2 May 2017. The campaign will include radio, television and internet, as well as images for print and online use. DAB+ has also received an eye-catching new logo, with which broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers can promote the new radio standard.

Examples of the implementation of new DAB+ logo can be viewed here:   http://www.digitalradio.de/index.php/de/haendlerbereich. Download the Press Release.

Under the motto "As clear as if I were there", the ARD has a nationwide marketing campaign for DAB+ together with Deutschlandradio and other partners. This includes TV commercials as well as on numerous online channels. In the ARD, with Deutschlandradio and private broadcasters are broadcasting various radio adspots. In addition, there are print and online motifs on the new website www.dabplus.de.

Last update: 08.09.2020 - older versions

There are currently no news available for this section.

Great interest in DAB+ tender in Saxony
22.02.2022 - Germany Germany
A total of 33 commercial and four non-commercial organizers took part in the call for entries. The next meeting of the Media Council will take place on March 1st, 2022, and the DAB+ tendering process is on the agenda. The approved organizers will then be announced in a press release. The start of services depends on how quickly a network operator can be selected and the transmitter networks can be set up.

(Digital Fernsehen) Read more

DAB+ enabling programme variety in Germany
20.02.2022 - Germany Germany
DAB+ is offering a real plus in programme variety in Germany. A good example is Joke FM - distributed digitally, via DAB+ and IP, and already with a solid following. Broadcast daily, the 24 comedy programme features 50% spoken word and 50% popular music, featuring comedy series, interviews and newcomers from the comedy and cabaret scene.

(Digital Fernsehen) Read more

Germany: DAB+ continues to grow with digital radio as a sales driver
11.02.2022 - Germany Germany
The demand for digital radio is increasing. Last year, almost 40 percent of all radios sold were equipped with DAB+. The number of radio receivers without DAB+, on the other hand, fell by 16 percent, pure analogue receivers only accounted for a third of the radio market (35 percent). Almost half of the sales in the radio segment of consumer electronics are now generated via DAB+ devices (47 percent). A total of around 13 million DAB+ devices have been sold in Germany since 2010.

(dabplus.de ) Read more

Germany: six new DAB+ stations in five federal states
10.02.2022 - Germany Germany
Deutschlandradio continues its commitment to terrestrial digital broadcasting in 2022 and the network expansion of the DAB+ transmitters will start soon. After the judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court on the broadcasting fee, the construction was commissioned again last summer, meaning six more locations can go into operation in 2022. As a result of the expansion, the transmitter network of the first national program platform has grown to a total of 155 locations. Distribution via DAB+ is around a third more economical than via FM due to the significantly lower power consumption per radio program.

(Digitalfernsehen.de) Read more

Germany: more coverage for 16 radio stations on DAB+ in Saarland
09.02.2022 - Germany Germany
In the German state of Saarland, the second transmitter for the state-wide DAB+ multiplex has gone into operation, with 16 private radio programmes. 70% of residents in Saarland can receive DAB+ programmes at home, and 80% have mobile reception.

(dabplus.de) Read more

World Radio Day 2022 - digitisation unstoppable
09.02.2022 - Germany Germany
Radio is the most used medium in Germany, with almost 75 percent of daily use. The daily reach from Monday to Friday is more than 53 million people and the daily length of stay is more than four hours at 260 minutes. 92 percent of all households in Germany have at least one reception option. Digitisation is progressing steadily and 45 percent of German households already have a radio with digital reception and more than 46 million people in Germany also receive their radio programmes digitally.

(Infosat.de) Read more

New DAB+ station Oldie Antenne announces start date on DAB+
18.01.2022 - Germany Germany
Oldie Antenne, previously a web radio station from Antenne Bayern "Antenna Bayern Oldies but Goldies", has announced its launch date via DAB+ digital radio. The new station will be available via DAB+ in Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland from February 1, 2022, according to the station's website.

(Infosat) Read more

DAB+ news from Germany: updates, activations and frequency changes
18.01.2022 - Germany Germany
The DAB+ offer is growing continuously in Germany. There are now 300 DAB+ programmes that can be received in different regions, 100 of them exclusively via DAB+. Details on the continued growth is reported by the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland, with new developments having taken place in the north, middle and south of the country. Full information can be found at www.dabplus.de.

(Infosat) Read more

How green is DAB digital radio?
12.01.2022 - Germany Germany
A recent study shows that by purely broadcasting on DAB+, Bayerischer Rundfunk could save two million kilowatt hours. In Germany, on average this is a CO2 saving of 856 tons. The transmission of a single BR program only consumes 26% of the energy of a program broadcast on VHF.

(Rein-hoeren.de) Read more

2021: Best year yet for DAB+ in Germany
16.12.2021 - Germany Germany
A decade after digital radio launched, Germany is seeing accelerating growth for both listeners and broadcasters. Digitalradio Büro Deutschland, the joint-initiative between broadcasters, receiver manufacturers, and network operators in Germany, declared the 2021 the “best year for DAB+ since 2011.” According to the Büro, 2021 saw a 30 percent increase in number of digital radio receivers in German homes and cars over the prior year, and DAB+ signals are heard in about 27 percent of German households, some 11 million people. Around 20 percent of all radio listeners regularly tune to DAB+ programs.

(Radio World) Read more

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 83.8 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 98%
Services: 270 DAB+
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 95%
Total Sales (cumulative): 25,800,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 34%
Last update: 26.02.2024

Useful Links

Intelligent transport systems Action Plan and Directive
Bill of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy - Fourth Law amending the Telecommunications Act 
The Action Plan for the Transformation of Radio Broadcasting in the Digital Age Roadmap - Progress Report for the Digital Radio Board
dabplus.de
Digitization Report
DAB Technical Forum