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Last update: 19.07.2024 - older versions

Radio Nacional de España begins DAB+ broadcasts

Coinciding with the celebration of World Radio Day and the centenary year of radio in Spain, Radio Nacional de España has started digital radio broadcasts in DAB+ together with Cellnex Telecom on 13 February 2024, with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard in our country, which is set to replace FM in the long term.

You can listen to the following broadcasts on DAB+:

- Radio Nacional and Radio 5 in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

- Radio 3 in Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

These broadcasts are in addition to the existing DAB broadcasts of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3, Radio 5 and Radio Exterior in Madrid and Barcelona.

On a monthly basis, RNE's offer on DAB+ and the coverage of the service will be progressively increased, starting broadcasts in other Spanish cities.

On 19 March 2024, Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 launched on DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela. On 18 April 2024, DAB+ broadcasts launched in Pamplona; on 17 May 2024, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; on 18 June 2024, in Mijas, covering Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola; and on 18 July 2024, broadcasts started in Mallorca, from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in Alfàbia.

Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law, providing maximum geographical and social coverage, with the best quality and additional services specific to DAB+ and with free-to-air broadcasts and free reception.

Regional DAB+

In January 2020, the regional government in Navarra advertised capacity for six DAB services on a future ensemble for the region, designated FU-Nav. Simultaneously, the regional government advertised a total of 72 DAB licences across 12 ensembles, each of which will have local coverage.

In Mallorca, a multiplex licensed by the Autonomous Government of the Balearic Islands began broadcasting in February 2024, broadcasting four stations from the Serra de Alfabia.

In July 2024, The Govern de les Illes Balears will implement, through DAB+ technology, IB3's digital radio in the first quarter of 2025. The Balearic Islands becomes the first Autonomous Community in which all three radio coverage (local, regional and national) will be offered in DAB+.

Last update: 18.04.2024 - older versions

RNE DAB+ services are on air in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

These broadcasts join the existing ones on DAB in Madrid and Barcelona.

RNE will increase monthly its content offer and coverage on DAB+ until the end of 2024.

RNE coverage: > 30% population

Rest of national stations: 20% population

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In this country there are

National multiplexes: 3 Regular

on air.

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.

A total of 18 DAB and 4 DAB+ legal audio services are on air, but enhanced features as text, images or programme guides are not available.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB programmes	17	2	19
DAB+ programmes	3	0	3
Total	20	2	22

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In Spain, 98% of new cars sold in 2023 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

Almost a 5% of digital radio receivers sold in retailers includes DAB/DAB+ receiver, although no DAB/DAB+ national promotion has been carried out.

It is estimated that nearly 3 million cars already have a DAB/DAB+ receiver in Spain.

Last update: 21.10.2019 - older versions

Spanish Broadcaster Radio Maria (http://www.radiomaria.es/) started DAB+ test transmissions in Madrid and Barcelona on 2014 December 30th.

This is the first time DAB+ has been used for radio broadcasting in Spain. This DAB/DAB+ network is operated by the Broadcast Network Operator Cellnex Telecom.

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

National station licenses are issued by the central government, while local and regional licenses are the responsibility of the regional government. Licenses are valid for 15 years with an automatic renewal for a further 15 years. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules which exist for analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is allowed by law in Band III.

There are three layers of services set out by law:

National, with 1 SFN multiplex and 2 MFN multiplexes
Regional (Comunidad Autónoma basis), with 1/3 SFN multiplex (nowadays without transmissions) and 2/3 MFN multiplex (not implemented)
Local, with 237 areas covered by different frequency blocks in Band III

Nowadays, due to the entry into force of the Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, DAB services are on air only to cover a 20% of the Spanish population (Madrid and Barcelona including their metropolitan areas). It is the minimum population coverage required by the current National Technical Plan for Digital Audio Broadcasting.

RNE is providing DAB+ services covering a percentage of the population above that minimum.

Spanish radio calls for speeding up digitalisation at the 3rd Radio Forum

26.04.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

Los Jameos del Agua (Lanzarote) is hosting FORTA's 3rd Radio Forum (25-26 April), a meeting at which representatives of the main Spanish radio stations shared their challenges and proposed solutions to guarantee their continuity and continue to defend their relevance in a visual social context. The consolidation of the digital audio broadcasting system DAB+ was addressed by Ángel García Castillejo, director of audiovisual policies, public and international service at RTVE, and Javier Sánchez Pérez, head of strategy at RTVE's innovation centre and member of the EBU's radio committee. The presentation discussed the need to accelerate the process of digitalisation of radio in Spain and to follow the European example in the implementation of the DAB+ system, as well as possible common strategies for positioning and strengthening the digital radio broadcasting service in DAB+.

(Panorama Audiovisual) Read more

RTVE takes part in 3rd Radio Forum

25.04.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

Ángel García Castillejo, Director of Audiovisual Policies, Public Service and International at RTVE, and Javier Sánchez Pérez, Head of Strategy at RTVE's Innovation Centre and member of the EBU Radio Committee, took part in the 3rd Radio Forum, which was held this Thursday at Los Jameos del Agua, in Lanzarote. During the conference 'La implantación del DAB+', the RTVE officials shared their experience at RNE after having broadcast in DAB+ in several Spanish cities. They discussed the need to speed up the process of digitalisation of radio in Spain and follow the European example in the implementation of the DAB+ system, as well as possible common strategies for positioning and strengthening the digital radio broadcasting service in DAB+.

(RTVE) Read more

Experts take part in DAB+ digital radio conference from WorldDAB and RTVE

22.04.2024 -

- RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

During the "DAB+ Digital Radio" conference, organised by RTVE and WorldDAB, national and international experts agreed that Spain urgently needs a new Digital Radio Technical Plan that takes into account the reality of Spanish legal radio, that guarantees its stability, its legal security and allows its future evolution, so that the sector can begin the deployment of DAB+ in the shortest possible time, as is the case in the rest of Europe. The event, held in Prado del Rey, was inaugurated by Concepción Cascajosa, acting president of RTVE, who recalled that RTVE is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the birth of Radio 5 and is organising this conference on digital radio. "The public service is thriving, despite what is said. We are able to continue to maintain our mandate of being close to the news and, at the same time, we are leading the processes of technological change and technological transformation".

(RTVE) Read more

Calls for a new Digital Radio Technical Plan in Spain

19.04.2024 -

- RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

During the "DAB+ Digital Radio" conference organised by RTVE and WorldDAB, national and international experts agreed that Spain urgently needs a new Digital Radio Technical Plan that takes into account the reality of Spanish legal radio, that guarantees its stability, its legal security and allows its future evolution, so that the sector can start the DAB+ deployment in the shortest possible time, as it happens in the rest of Europe. The event, held in Prado del Rey, was inaugurated by Concepción Cascajosa, acting president of RTVE, who pointed out that Spain is at a key moment to give a boost to this format. "Radio is not only a means of communication, it is a social reality, a service in which we are framed as a public service to guarantee the right to information", she said. Jacqueline Bierhorst, President of WorldDAB, then addressed the current European situation and future plans, radio services and audience data, and the effect of digitalisation on the radio business. In her opinion, "it is very important to work together, commercial radio and public radio" and she stressed the need for a technical plan for the launch of DAB+ in Spain, preferably within a year.

(Panorama Audiovisual) Read more

WorldDAB and RTVE hold digital radio conference in Madrid

18.04.2024 - Spain

The conference takes place in the RTVE Corporation Assembly Hall on April 18, coinciding with the day RTVE begins broadcasts on DAB+ in Pamplona. The day's programme includes sessions not only aimed at analyzing the effects that the arrival of DAB+ has had for public radio, but also for private radio. interim President of RTVE, Concepción Cascajosa will inaugurate the day's proceedings. Delegates will hear from broadcasters in The Netherlands, France, Germany Norway and Italy who join the conference to share why DAB+ has been essential for radio's success in their country.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Four new DAB stations launch in Mallorca

12.04.2024 - Spain

Mallorca Radio Group now has four new DAB radio stations on air since 27 February. The new stations are aimed at German and English tourists who are already familiar with DAB in their home countries, and know about its ability to offer more choice to the listener. Mallorca Radio Group's DAB Project Manager, Mateo Zanoguera Alfaro, said they realised they needed to enhance their offer after being contacted by listeners asking for the opportunity to listen to their own radio stations.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Mallorca Radio Group revolutionizes broadcasting in the Balearic Islands with Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) technology

05.04.2024 - Spain

Press release: "Mallorca Radio Group, comprised of Das Inselradio Mallorca and Mallorca Sunshine Radio, is proud to announce a historic milestone in broadcasting in the Balearic Islands: the commencement of the trial period for the first digital radio broadcasts using the innovative DAB technology. This initiative marks a significant step towards the future of broadcasting in the Autonomous Community and establishes Mallorca Radio Group as a leader in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. The press conference, held on 27 February, aimed to share this exciting achievement with the community and highlight the importance of this technological advancement."

(Mallorca Radio Group) Read more

The challenges of DAB+ in Spain: Mallorca Radio Group

05.04.2024 - Spain

In this article, Mateo Zanoguera Alfaro, Project Manager at Mallorca Radio Group, discusses the main challenges that Mallorca Radio Group (which includes Das Inselradio Mallorca and Mallorca Sunshine Radio) has faced in adapting to DAB+ technology, making them pioneers of digital radio broadcasting in the Balearic Islands. "On February 27th, we marked a milestone by starting the first DAB+ broadcasting tests in the Balearic Islands. In the pilot phase, which we are currently in, we are transmitting four programmes: Das Inselradio Mallorca and Mallorca Sunshine Radio, simultaneously with the FM broadcasts, and two new programmes have been added: Das Inselradio Mallorca Classics and Mallorca Sunshine Radio Summer Hits."

(Panorama Audiovisual) Read more

WorldDAB member focus: RTVE

28.03.2024 -

- RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

New WorldDAB member RTVE recently launched DAB+ services in Spain. We learn more about RTVE's plans in this interview with Javier Sánchez, Head of Strategy at RTVE Innovation Center, RTVE. “WorldDAB is the only organisation where all stakeholders involved in the deployment of DAB+ worldwide are represented,” he says.

(WorldDAB) Read more

Radio Nacional de España starts DAB+ in Santiago de Compostela

19.03.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

It is now possible to enjoy the programming of Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 in DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela, thanks to the start of broadcasts from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre located on the emblematic Monte Pedroso, a prime viewpoint of the city. This start of broadcasts in Santiago de Compostela is part of RTVE's commitment to progressively increase RNE's DAB+ offer and the coverage of the service, starting broadcasts in different Spanish cities until the end of the year. Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law: providing maximum geographical and social coverage with better quality, free-to-air broadcasts, complementary information and free reception.

(RTVE) Read more