News

With just 100 days to go until Norway starts its digital switchover, Digital Radio Norway has presented a report to Culture Committee Chairman Svein Harberg detailing progress so far and the challenges that remain.

A recent interview with NRK Director of Radio, Marius Lillelien explains why Norwy has taken the decision to shut down its FM services in January. He explains how DAB offers much more in its ability to carry multiple programs.

The Observa Field Monitor, a product released by the company in May, can monitor a complete DAB+ multiplex, or FM signal, including full decoding of data services.

After a 14 year battle, 40,000 residents of Bagnolet in eastern Paris now have equal access to broadcast digital radio thanks to a DAB+ transmitter installed by Towercast. Residents who had no access to radio due to the extreme congestion of FM in that area are now celebrating being able to listen to over 50 digital radio stations on air, including all seven Radio France stations.

Radio Tromsø, Radio Bardufoss and Radio Bodø in Norway has selected Paneda and its professional small-scale DAB concept for their DAB rollout. Lars-Peder Lundgren, Sales Manager at Paneda says: “The concept professional small-scale DAB really shows that our philosophy of providing DAB head-end system to also smaller radio groups is the way forward for digital radio, our system suites everyone, from smaller radios to public broadcasters, the very same system is built to meet the different needs and is the most cost efficient system.”

Radio in the Netherlands this week (Oct. 3–7) is all about digital, as the country has begun its third annual “Week of Digital Radio.” Participating radio stations will spend the week showcasing how they utilize DAB+.

Certain criteria have to be met before the digital radio switchover commences: firstly, national DAB signal coverage must be comparable to FM coverage. Secondly, digital listening must account for 50% of all radio listening – although this includes receiving radio through a TV and over the internet, as well as via DAB radios. Officially, the number of people listening to radio via a digital platform now stands at 45.3%, according to the ratings body RAJAR. This will continue to rise in the coming year, not least because 90% of new cars sold will now have DAB radio as standard.

Ofcom recently completed a trial of its “small-scale DAB” technology for 70 local and community radio stations. The official report that Ofcom created for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport deemed the trials “a success.” Small-scale DAB is designed to allow smaller radio stations that were not able to afford the United Kingdom’s DAB radio platform go on the airwaves with available software and equipment for a lower cost, explains Ofcom.

Helen Boaden has resigned from her post as Director of Radio at the BBC, and radio industry colleagues have been quick to show their appreciation. Ford Ennals CEO of Digital Radio UK said: “Helen Boaden has been a great champion for radio and a strong supporter of digital broadcast radio.

Jean-Éric Valli, president of the French economic interest group “Les Indés Radio”, representing 132 radios, 8.2m listeners and €8.5m annual turnover, says he is following developments on DAB across Europe, and talks about the risk of relying on internet and gatekeepers.