Last update: 13.09.2023
- older versions
On 7 August 2023, the Saudi Broadcasting Authority officially launched DAB+ broadcasts in Riyadh, Damman and Jeddah, with six stations on air. It's expected that DAB+ will be available in all regions of the Kingdom in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Saudi Arabia has legislation requiring radio receivers to be equipped with terrestrial DAB+ capabilities. According to Saudi legislation, starting from 1 January 2021, home receivers, portable receivers and vehicle receivers are required to be equipped with DAB+.
Last update: 21.09.2020
- older versions
According to Saudi legislation, starting from 2021/01/01, home receivers, portable receivers and vehicle receivers are required to be equipped with DAB+.
Last update: 14.11.2023
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) List of GSO Technical Regulations for Motor Vehicles (2024 Model Year) states:
Implementation of Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications for AM/FM/TDAB+:
Saudi Arabia: All vehicles should be provided with AM/FM/T-DAB+ according to SASO 2938:2019: Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analog broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T- DAB+).
Last update: 15.08.2023
- older versions
Saudi Arabia has introduced legislation requiring radio receivers to be equipped with terrestrial DAB+ capabilities.
According to Saudi legislation, starting from 2021/01/01, home receivers, portable receivers and vehicle receivers are required to be equipped with DAB+.
This must comply with SASO 2938:2019: Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analogue broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T-DAB+).
Saudi Media Forum: "the future of radio is already here"
21.02.2025
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Top story
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Saudi Arabia 
“New opportunities in media are helping us open up to the world,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud at the opening of this week’s Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh. At the conference and forum there is a focus on media, the economy, energy, AI technologies, politics and entrepreneurship. In another session on the first day of the conference titled The Future of Radio Begins Now, World DAB’s Jacqueline Bierhorst and MBC Music Group’s Group Director of Audio Ziad Hamza discussed the importance of being digital with session host Ghadeer Al-Shehri, a presenter at local station AlUla FM. Jacky said: “In my own country, FM listening is 30% and the rest is digital, this is a common trend in Europe where digital broadcasting has gained a huge audience.”
(RadioInfo Asia) Read more
Fourth annual Saudi Media Forum set to take place in Riyadh
03.02.2025
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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Media Forum, the largest specialized event in the media industry in Saudi Arabia, is set to take place in Riyadh from February 19 to 21. The annual event provides a platform for dialogue to discuss prominent global issues from a media perspective. It offers opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts, decision-makers, and practitioners in the media field. The event also provides a unique experience to explore new media spaces, discuss the latest global trends in the sector, and stay updated on the latest technological innovations. WorldDAB President, Jacqueline Bierhorst, will be participating in the Forum.
(RadioInfo Asia) Read more
GCC: New regulation for AM/FM/T-DAB+ in vehicles
21.01.2025
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United Arab Emirates 
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Bahrain 
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Kuwait 
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Oman 
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Qatar 
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Saudi Arabia
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Yemen 
The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen) have published a new regulation for AM/FM/T-DAB+ in vehicles. So far, this topic has been regulated only in two of the GCC members – now, more harmonization is brought to the GCC. The name of the regulation is GCC Technical Regulation for Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications for AM/FM/T-DAB+, and it is mostly based on the one applicable so far in the united Arab Emirates. The standard describes the specification of devices, which can receive terrestrially transmitted AM, FM and T-DAB+ radio services. The proposed date of adoption is still be determined.
(Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research) Read more
Saudi Arabia: Embarking on excellence
20.05.2024
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Saudi Arabia
Under the ambitious framework of Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Broadcasting Authority is spearheading a transformative journey to revolutionise its broadcasting infrastructure. With plans to revolutionise digital radio broadcasting as well as improve the quality and accessibility of radio broadcasting throughout the Kingdom, SBA installed new DAB+ transmitters in key cities and along critical highways. Adam Moustafa Hamza, Director of Project Delivery at FGC, remarks: “Deploying the DAB radio system in major Saudi cities marks a significant advancement in our digital broadcast capabilities. Through collaborations with GatesAir, ST Engineering and others, we’re not just expanding coverage, we’re enhancing the quality and reach of radio services. This initiative redefines radio broadcasting, ensuring superior digital sound for all, from city centres to the Riyadh-Abha highway.”
(BroadcastPro Middle East) Read more
Jaguar Land Rover launches DAB+ in 2024 models in Saudi Arabia
18.09.2023
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Saudi Arabia
In a new step to develop the driving experience and enhance passenger enjoyment inside its vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) is introducing the digital audio broadcasting (DAB+) service in its 2024 models.
Bruce Robertson, Regional Director of JLR in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “At JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), we always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and provide them with outstanding experiences, and the launch of the third generation of radio broadcasting (DAB+) comes In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it reflects our commitment to providing the latest technologies to improve the driving experience and luxury in our cars.”
(Arqam) Read more
Saudi Radio and Television Corporation launches DAB+
08.08.2023
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Saudi Arabia
The Radio and Television Corporation has launched the third generation of radio broadcasting, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+), to provide media services that keep pace with modern technological development. The Radio and Television Corporation is expanding the use of digital broadcasting to increase the number of broadcasts by using only one transmitter instead of 16, which opens the way for broadcasting new licensed services, and it is also preparing to increase digital broadcasting areas by around 44 digital frequencies after launching three frequencies in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.
(Saudi Broadcasting Authority) Read more
SBA expands media offerings with new digital audio broadcasting
08.08.2023
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Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Broadcasting Authority announced on 7 August the launch of the third generation of radio broadcasting, digital audio broadcasting, and the inauguration of the Radio and Television Corp. Training Academy.
Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthy, CEO of the Radio and Television Corp., said that the technical team was “keen to develop the digital radio broadcasting service so that the Kingdom would be among the first countries to activate the DAB+ technology.”
Digital broadcasts offer several advantages over traditional AM and FM radio, providing more broadcasts on the same frequency, requiring fewer operating costs and offering a 35 percent increase in coverage area.
The Radio and Television Corp. said it is expanding the use of digital broadcast areas by about 44 digital frequencies after launching three frequencies in Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah.
(Arab News) Read more
Saudi Radio and Television Authority to launch DAB+ digital radio broadcasting
08.08.2023
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Saudi Arabia
His Excellency the Minister of Information, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Radio and Television Corporation, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, will inaugurate on 7 August the Radio and Television Corporation's Training Academy, in addition to launching the DAB+ digital radio broadcasting service. The CEO of the Radio and Television Corporation stated that the technical team was keen to work to develop the digital radio broadcasting service so that the Kingdom would be among the first countries to activate the DAB+ technology, which will contribute to providing high quality sound and crystal-clear reception, which also contributes to improving the experience of listeners. This technology will also help in exchanging data and reducing operational costs and electricity consumption. and energy.
(Saudi Broadcasting Authority) Read more
