News

"The future of radio is digital." said Minister of Media Sven Gatz as he launched the first DAB+ commercial radio services in and around Brussels at the WorldDMB European Automotive Event, held today at the Autoworld Museum in Brussels. There are now 7 commercial radios (TOPradio, VBRO Radio, Radio Maria, Radio FG, Radio City, Family Radio and ClubFM) available digitally. These stations join the 16 DAB stations currently offered by VRT and RTBF.

At WorldDMB's car and radio conference in Brussels on May 20, Digital Radio UK told the audience that 64.9% of all new passenger cars registered have digital radio as standard and another 10% of the cars can have it fitted as an option. This is impressive progress and it is clear that digital radio in the car is becoming something of a car owner 'must have'.

Digital Radio Norway was present during the hearing at the Family and Cultural Committee in Parliament about the digitisation of radio media and local radio.

The World DAB Forum issued an interesting infographics about the growth of digital radio - namely DAB- in Europe. This shows interesting statistics about the penetration per country in terms of cars and road coverage.

The RAJAR Q1, 2015 radio listening infographic shows a growing increase in DAB listening with 26 million adults having access to a DAB receiver, a 3% Year on Year increase. DAB radio continues to be the most popular device when it comes to listening digitally, accounting for 65% of all digital hours.

More people are listening to radio in London via a digital platform than they are on analogue, according to the latest RAJAR figures. Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, says “The surge of digital listening to almost 40% share is a landmark moment for digital radio, and shows the achievability of the 50% listening criterion set by Government for a radio switchover.”

At the WorldDMB European Automotive Event held today in Brussels, broadcasters from across Europe called for digital radio to be fitted as standard in all cars to give drivers access to the benefits of digital radio services. The last six months have seen a stream of political developments across Europe in support of digital radio.

DAB+ dominated the discussion at the recent Senate round table, at which all of the French radio landscape was represented. Patrice Gélinet highlighted the many contradictions of those opposing the CSA's recent report on DAB+. He continually called them out on their criticism of the presumed cost and obsolescence of DAB+, pointing out their continued use of AM - "a technology dating from the 1930s, overpriced and no longer viable", and emphasizing the role of the public broadcaster which should launch DAB+ digital radio. The debate marked a new stage in the long road towards digital radio, with the arguments of those opposing seeming to be without foundation and disconnected from economic and strategic reality ... and showing a lack of conviction towards the future of radio as a medium.

The UK radio listening audience will get a new selection of digital radio stations next year when the country’s second national commercial DAB multiplex goes on air. The licence has been awarded to Sound Digital, a consortium of Bauer Media, UTV Media and transmission network provider Arqiva, which promises DAB+ capability for at least one station.

Since last week, the first DAB+ information signes appeared along Dutch roads. Over the coming months, more DAB+ signs will appear along the Dutch (fast) roads.