News

Javier Sanchez, President of the Strategic Programme Platforms EBU Digital Radio explores the future of digital radio in Spain. He notes how the spectrum efficiency of DAB+ is about three times greater than that of DAB. He notes how switching to DAB+ in Spain could allow up to 48 new radio stations on air.

WorldDAB has announced the first keynote speakers and topics for its 2016 General Assembly, taking place on Nov. 9–10, in Vienna. The theme of the event is “New content. New markets” and it will bring together regulators, broadcasters, governments and manufacturers to look at how DAB is being used in established and emerging markets around the world, reaching new audiences and delivering innovative content.

Digital radio coverage continues to grow in Italy and new transmitters activated today bring digital radio to the area between Brindisi and Taranto.

Public media broadcasters from all over Europe, representatives from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), WorldDAB and representatives from the automotive industry, gathered in Poland for the European Radio Forum. The conference was devoted to the technological future of radio. Among the speakers were: Helen Boaden - Director of BBC Radio, Willi Steul - CEO Deutschlandradio, Miklos Vaszily - Director General of the Hungarian public television and radio MTVA, Rene Zavoral - Director General of Czech Radio and Graham Dixon - Director of Radio at the EBU.

In an interview for BNR Jacqueline Bierhorst of Digital Radio NL explores the future for digital radio in the Netherlands. She outlines how the Netherlands is aiming for 70% of the population listening to radio digitally by 2023.

Polish Radio is the pioneer of digital broadcasting in this country, having launched its first DAB transmissions three years ago. It has since been advocating the further development of this.

Sławek Szefs reports how the participants of this international event organized by Polish Radio have come to the conclusion that, what is most needed at present, is a coherent strategy for public broadcasters to push forward with the digitalisation process.

VRTC, Latvia’s state-run transmission provider, has announced a winner to its tender for a DAB+ trial multiplex in Latvia, selecting A-T Trade Music. Latvian Radio and LVRTC expect the DAB+ equipment and trial multiplex to go on the air sometime in November with 18 DAB+ stations.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is examining proposals for expanding digital radio services in Australia. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said that a recently established digital radio planning committee had posted ACMA with its latest recommendations for planning principles for rollout of digital radio to regional areas.

During the event Dr. Willi Steul, Head of Deutschlandradio said there is no doubt that the future for radio broadcasters is through the use of digital technology. He added that public media will drive the digitization of radio through the use of DAB.