News

The WorldDAB Summit held on 9 November achieved record attendance with over 530 registered delegates from 75 countries. Highlights included the results of a major car buyers study by Edison Research, market updates from France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, new DAB markets, radio audio device trends, and the DAB green radio report. All the event presentations and watch again are available via the WorldDAB website.

Thanks to the intense work of Polish Radio on reaching the highest possible number of inhabitants of the country with the highest signal quality, 41 DAB + broadcasting stations have been launched in Poland so far, making it possible to receive the Polish Radio programme package for about 67% of the Polish population within the range, including in places where the reception of programs on FM band has been impossible so far. Currently, activities are underway to increase the coverage of Polish Radio's DAB+ digital broadcasting with new stations, the launch of which will take place in 2022.

The unique radio landscape in Berlin and Brandenburg is gaining even more programmes thanks to a decision made by the Media Council to issue four 7-year radio licences for the following radio stations: Grosstadtradio, Radio Holiday, Radio BHeins and MEGA Radio Berlin.

According to a study published by the Edison research almost all (91 percent) of German respondents said that terrestrial radio should be standard equipment in every car. This trend runs through all age groups. The survey also shows that a factory-installed radio has a major influence on consumers' purchasing decisions: 81 percent of potential car buyers in Germany stated that they would rarely buy or lease a vehicle without a built-in radio. Drivers in Germany listen to the radio significantly more than any other audio source: 45 percent of those surveyed stated that they often listen to the radio in their cars. 20 percent use online music streaming services, 13 percent listen to CDs.

If the future of radio is in the hands of new car buyers, radio broadcasters should feel more at ease. According to a new international study by Edison Research, broadcast radio continues to dominate as the most preferred source of in-car entertainment across the globe. Almost all (90%) of the survey respondents said a broadcast radio tuner should be standard equipment in every car, a trend that is consistent across age groups, indicating strong demand among current and future car buyers.

The survey found Aussie consumers were less likely to purchase a car if it didn’t include a built-in radio, with 79 per cent preferring the old school over the newer selection of podcasts, Spotify and other forms of audio streaming. “Despite an increase in other audio options, Australians still love to listen to radio in the car,” CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner said. “Listening to local news and entertainment delivered free to air by local voices is an essential in-car feature for Australian drivers."

Helwin Lesch, Head of Distribution and Controlling Department in the Production and Technology Directorate of Bayerischer Rundfunk, was announced as this year’s recipient of the WorldDAB Award for Outstanding Service at the WorldDAB General Assembly. He has been a pivotal figure in promoting DAB+ in Bavaria, in Germany and more widely in Europe.

Broadcast radio continues to dominate as the most preferred source of in-car entertainment across the globe, according to a new international study released today by Edison Research and commissioned by WorldDAB, in partnership with Radioplayer and sponsored by National Association of Broadcasters, Commercial Radio Australia, and Xperi. Almost all (90%) of the survey respondents say a broadcast radio tuner should be standard equipment in every car, a trend that is consistent across age groups, indicating strong demand among current and future car buyers. The survey also reveals that the availability of radio has a major impact on consumers’ vehicle purchasing decisions: 82% of potential car buyers say they would be less likely to buy or lease a vehicle that is not equipped with a built-in radio tuner.

93% of Italians believe that the radio receiver is a fundamental element when deciding to buy a car. The radio , in fact, continues to be the preferred source of entertainment in the car all over the world and 87% of potential buyers of cars in Italy said that it would be less likely to buy or lease a vehicle not equipped with a radio receiver. “The latest study carried out by Edison Research testifies to the importance and contemporaneity of the radio medium. The increasingly widespread presence of DAB in the cars of all Italians as a fundamental and decisive element for motorists is a strong signal of the importance of this technology in which RTL 102.5 has always believed", declares the President of RTL 102.5 Lorenzo Suraci.

The Netherlands has gained a new national commercial radio station. RadioCorp – owner of 100%NL and SLAM! – has launched Sunlite Radio. RadioCorp proposes to bring a distinctive sound with Sunlite Radio. Sunlite brings a music mix that cannot be heard on national radio at the moment: relaxed soft & easy pop, love songs and ballads.