News

This article outlines the state of DAB+ digital radio in Belgium, highlighting some the benefits of DAB+ with a video published by Belgium's French-speaking Digital Radio office.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused radio listening to peak, but at the same time we’re hearing alarming reports from broadcasters about the huge loss in revenue being faced by many. The presence of DAB+ has nonetheless remained constant, with its place as the core future platform for radio reflected in the many ongoing developments in major European markets.

WorldDAB member Bayerischer Rundfunk (the Bavarian Broadcasting Organisation) has launched a competition whose lucky winners will take home one of 10 high-quality DAB+ receivers ( BR Radio 2) or in-car digital radio adapters (Dual DAB CA 10 KFZ). To enter the competition, simply answer the question correctly and tick your prefered prize.

Commercial broadcasters in France are calling for help from the government as advertising revenues - their main source of income - are plummeting during the pandemic. It is estimated that these could drop by approximately 80% in April alone. Delaying the launch of national DAB+ services in France to 2021 is also a possiblity, as broadcasters try to cope with the financial effects of the pandemic.

This DAB+ advertisement published by The Netherlands digital radio marketing body digitalradio.nl uses radio's well known personalities and DJs to tell listeners that they are now broadcasting their shows on DAB+, where they can listen to DAB+ (in their home, on the bicycle and in the car) and about the new programme content they'll find on DAB+. The advert reinforces the improved quality of sound with DAB+ using the slogan "DAB+ the new sound of radio!".

With the need for information higher than ever, more and more countries are relying on DAB+ radio to keep their citizens informed. Since the end of March, DAB + has been used in Vienna to broadcast updates on the coronavirus stations in German, English, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, Romanian and Turkish.

RFI, the popular bilingual radio station that broadcasts in both French and Arabic, is available in and around Marseille on DAB+. RFI is already available to listeners on DAB+ in Lille, Strasbourg and Lyon, with launches also planned in Bordeaux and Toulouse in the near future.

Public broadcaster RTI has published a factsheet on the state of DAB+ digital radio in Czech Republic, to celebrate 15 years since the emergence of DAB+ and the launch of the first DAB+ broadcasts in Prague.

Belgian commercial radio station Joe radio, owned by DPG Media, has expanded its portfolio this week by launching a new DAB+ radio station 'Joe - Best of Belgium' featuring the best of Belgian pop artists.

For the advertising industry it's all about reaching the right target audience at the right time and on the ideal platform. DAB+, 5G and smart speakers offer more options for radio, opening up new opportunities for innovative marketing ideas and advertising channels.