News

The imec.digimeter, the annual independent look at global digitalisation in Flanders, holds few surprises for radio and audio this time. But that is good news in this case, as radio continues to do just fine overall and, in fact, according to this poll, almost half (48 percent) of Flemish people now have DAB+ at home or in their cars. Among the middle and higher educated - say, the people who have already been able to enjoy a more recent company car, that is - the use of DAB+ is already rising to 52 and 55 percent respectively.

Nature is blossoming, DAB+ is growing with it: The first commissioning of a new transmitter in 2024 took place on 6 March 2024 at the Bungsberg site. This expansion will significantly improve DAB+ reception in various localities, including Lütjenburg, Panker, Darry, Satjendorf, Matzwitz, Todendorf, Monkamp and Schönberg. According to NDR calculations, more than 12,000 listeners will benefit from the commissioning of the Bungsberg transmitter, together with an increase in power at the Schleswig transmitter. The expansion covers the entire area east of the Bungsberg, where the Kiel regional programme can now be received via DAB+.

To mark its 10th anniversary, maRadio.be is organising another edition of its "Digital Radio Day", this 12 March 2024 at Mix Brussels (Watermael-Boitsfort). This information-packed day will end with a birthday party to celebrate 10 years of the maRadio.be collective. This "Digital Radio Day" will feature several focuses, including the role and strategy of maRadio.be with a conference on "Digital Radio Today". Participants will be able to learn about the 6th wave of the maRadio.be/Ipsos survey. WorldDAB President, Jacqueline Bierhorst, will be speaking at the event.

Gorka Zumeta writes: Last World Radio Day was the date chosen by Radio Nacional de España, the public radio station, to switch on its DAB+ broadcasts. On that day, Ángel García Castillejo's words closed the speeches at the event. Due to their special interest and relevance, we consider it important to share them. "If we are not capable of offering new and innovative content in the DAB+ service that attracts those sectors that, if we do not offer them what they want to hear, will not come to radio and will go to other areas, then let's not fool ourselves, radio will disappear. I insist: there is no more room for excuses... we have the obligation, as National Radio of Spain, as providers of public service broadcast radio and as members of the radio family, to walk this path of Digital Terrestrial Radio, with everyone. We have no intention of going into this process alone."

The KEF only recognises FM broadcasting costs for public broadcasters until the end of 2032. From 2033, public radio stations will only be able to claim the costs of broadcasting via DAB+, according to the recently published 24th report of the Commission for the Determination of the Financial Requirements of Broadcasters (KEF). If they still want to continue broadcasting via FM, the corresponding costs must be borne by reallocating budgets from other areas. "The Commission has long been critical of the simultaneous broadcasting of radio and television programmes on different distribution channels or in different quality levels (simulcast) from the point of view of economic efficiency. Against this background, the costs for terrestrial broadcasting of radio programmes via FM and DAB+ have also been considered jointly by the Commission since its 20th report and gradually reduced," KEF Managing Director Dr Tim Schönborn told RADIOSZENE.

During 2023, new DAB+ trial services launched in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. To support the spread of the digital radio technology, WorldDAB introduced a new report on suggested guidelines for DAB+ trial services. The guide covers multiple aspects that have proven effective in previous DAB+ trials including motivation, stakeholder engagement, regulatory and licensing issues, equipment considerations, network and reception testing, and how to conclude field trials. The guide was released during the 2024 ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Gorka Zumeta continues his analysis of strengths and weaknesses of Digital Terrestrial Radio after the start of RNE broadcasts. "What has changed to revive Digital Terrestrial Radio in Spain? Undoubtedly the European Directive that obliged new vehicles marketed in Europe from 20 December 2020 to have a radio receiver as standard that would pick up the DAB and DAB+ signal. Four years later, according to ANFAC data used by RNE, we are in a position to state that this spring the car (and digital radio) fleet will reach three million receivers. And at this rate it is possible to find five million in a couple of years."

Additional obligations may soon be imposed on the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE). The government's draft Electronic Communications Act stipulates that cars must be equipped with DAB+ receivers. The Ministry of Digitalisation tells Wirtualnemedia.pl that the UKE President is to monitor compliance with these regulations. According to the 2020 regulations of the Minister of Digitalisation, from 1 January 2021 all new cars should be equipped with DAB+ tuners. Until 31 March last year, the obligation could be treated as optional by manufacturers or dealers. It happened that the tuner supported digital radio, but this functionality was only unlocked at a surcharge. In vehicles manufactured from 1 April 2023, DAB+ tuners must already be available. Once the new regulations come into force, it will be possible to verify compliance.

In response to significant interest from new territories in developing DAB+, WorldDAB has today published a guide to establishing a successful field trial – a key step in laying the groundwork for a future rollout, and fully implementing digital broadcast radio. The new expert factsheet: “DAB+ digital radio: a guide to a successful field trial” covers all aspects of undertaking a trial including: Motivation; Stakeholder engagement; Regulatory and licensing; Equipment; Technical aspects including drive testing for coverage checks and feature testing; and How to conclude field trials activities. The guide is published today at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, where WorldDAB is holding an expert DAB+ seminar and hosting a digital radio pavilion with WorldDAB members AVT, GatesAir, Paneda and RadioDNS joining the pavilion.

The network for the two nationwide French DAB+ multiplexes in Lorraine was expanded by additional sites at the end of February. A new transmitter mast is now in operation in Sarreguemines (Saargemünd), located directly on the border with Saarland. Transmission takes place there on channel 11D and 6B. For the 1st multiplex only (channel 11D), an additional site went on air in Forbach, which is also close to the border. DAB+ transmitting antennas were also switched on in Sarrebourg and Saverne as well as in Verdun, Rarécourt, Marange and Sainte-Menehould. A site in Haguenau in Alsace (channel 6B) was put into operation for the 2nd multiplex.