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In France, the speed of deployment of DAB+ in the cities is expected to accelerate, and worldwide nearly 60 million DAB receivers have now been sold. As digital radio grows in new and emerging markets, the WorldDAB 2017 General Assembly will bring together experts from across the industry to discuss the digital future of radio.

The latest WorldDAB market report shows that by the end of the second quarter of 2017 nearly 60 million DAB/DAB+ receivers had been sold in Europe and Asia-Pacific, against a figure of 48 million a year ago.

RNT (DAB+) has been a reality in France since 2014 with the commissioning of broadcasts in large areas around Paris, Marseille and Nice. DAB+ is the digital terrestrial radio standard that has been chosen by publishers for broadcasting RNT in France, as in many other countries in Europe and around the world.

Polish company BCAST has created a unique solution for creating, managing and broadcasting digital signals to even smaller radio broadcasters. The solution, DABCAST, is a response to the needs of smaller broadcasters who can not afford a complicated and expensive hardware infrastructure.

In order to support radio during the transition from FM to DAB+, the Federal Council adopted at its meeting of 25 October 2017, regulatory amendments to the Radio and Television Ordinance and the provisions of the Radio Regulations. Among other things, it has decided that all radio broadcasting licenses that expire at the end of 2019 must be extended until 2024.

The Polish company BCAST has created a unique solution for creating, managing and broadcasting digital signals to even smaller radio broadcasters. DABCAST is an important step that can spread the digital signal not only in Poland but also in Europe.

In the UK, digital listening edged closer to 50% by reaching a new record share of 48.8%, up from 45.5% a year ago, driven by strong DAB growth and performance from stations including BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4 Extra, Kisstory, Radio X, Mellow Magic and Virgin Radio, according to RAJAR Q3 2017 data released today.

The next WorldDAB General Assembly takes place in Paris on 7 and 8 November, and is the place to hear about the latest on DAB radio in France and around the world.

Germany is now second highest ranking in terms of sales of DAB+ radio equipment, according to figures recently released by WorldDAB. However, the percentage of households with digital radios in Germany is just 15%, significantly behind Norway (78%) and the UK (60%).

Digital listening continues to grow with a 48.8% share coming via mobile, internet or DAB. This figure is yet another record and although growth is only by 0.1% percentage points quarter on quarter, since 2014 this has been by nearly 30% as online and DAB listening continues to rise and the industry gets ever closer to the holy land of 50% digital share.