News

In what is considered as an historical evolution in the South Belgian radio landscape, the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel has issued a tender for both FM and DAB+ frequencies. This move reflects the region’s ongoing transition toward digital. The tender was launched Jan 15 and has a deadline of March 16. To facilitate the process, the CSA has organized four information sessions for local stations and one for networks.

At least 56 exhibitors, sponsors and media partners have so far confirmed they will take part in the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2019, with over 60 companies taking part in the exhibition. The primary role of the symposium, which turns 15 in 2019, is to help broadcasters in the region make a smooth transition to digital broadcasting.

The Spanish government's decision to postpone discussions around the implementation of digital radio in Spain has been met with frustration by DAB+ supporters including political party Coalició Compromís.

France has officially decided to remove DMB-R from its national legislation.The removal of DMB-R, a variant of DAB and DAB+, serves as yet another indication of the pan-European movement towards DAB+.

As of February 28, five additional private regional radio stations will be available via DAB+ in Bremerhaven, Germany. The regional multiplex covers a total of about 1.2 million inhabitants in the federal state of Bremen and in neighbouring Lower Saxony.

The multiplex, which also covers part the Czech Republic, now includes a total of nine radio stations - Mega Radio, RDN Małopolska, RDN Nowy Sącz, DOXA Radios, Radio eM Kielce, Radio Fiat, Radio Profet, Radio VIA and OFF Radia Kraków.

As indicated by the European Broadcasting Union's 2019 report, 1566 radio stations in 31 countries across Europe are currently broadcasting on DAB+. Approximately one third of these stations are new radio stations.

An increasing number of people are acquiring DAB+ receivers in Germany, as the latest figures released by the German Home Electronics Market Index (HEMIX) highlight that 1.4 million DAB+ receivers were sold in Germany in 2018, corresponding to a growth of around 10 percent compared to 2017.

The rise in demand for digital radio in cars is being recognised by the automotive industry, with an increasing number of cars being released with DAB+ radios included. In this article, Simon Mason, Head of Broadcast Radio Technology at Arqiva, writes about the rise in demand for digital radio and driverless cars, and highlights the role of DAB+ and digital radio in the vehicle of tomorrow.

Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) revealed the number of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radios grew by 930,000 last year in Australia, helping to boost average weekly audience for digital-only radio by more than two million. According to CRA's CEO Joan Warner, Australian radio is one of the most innovative radio industries in the world, and the medium’s growth will lead to new opportunities for advertisers.