News

Broadcast Partners have began regional broadcasting on DAB+ networks in parts of the Netherlands. The three networks will be begin in the North, East and South/South East of the Netherlands

Sound Digital, owned by Arqiva, Bauer Media and UTV is advertising for services to get in touch to register their interest in running a DAB channel on the new D2 multiplex. The ad reads: “There is still capacity to add your brand to the list of new national radio stations. Alongside a strong business plan, you need to be adding something extra for listeners.”

In a welcome address at Saarland Radio's DAB+ summit, Professor Thomas Kliest believes that switch off from analogue to digital can be achieved if all participants work together and if value is added compared to the current status quo.

The Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel(CSA) have authorised tests of T-DMB/DAB+ until 11 November in the area of Rambouillet (Yvelines).

Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp urged the automotive sector to put more digital radios in cars. “Digital radio is definitely the future: I would not spend my money to an analogue radio anymore.” Henk Kamp made his statement on Business News Radio last Friday 24th of April. The show was broadcasted from the AutoRai in Amsterdam. (Listen from 00.34 of audio)

The DAB network provides a different opportunity to alert people when a disaster occurs. A bigger test of DAB+ and EWF (Emergency Warning Functionality) shows how the government can break into all broadcasts, even on radios that are in sleep mode, and also in several different languages.

Norway is tuning out FM radio for good, and becoming the world's first country to put a date on the switchover to digital-only transmissions. "Nobody's ever done this before and it's quite a nervous time for everyone," James Cridland, a British-based radio broadcasting consultant told AFP, adding that many other countries planning the change will be watching closely. "Norway is testing this out for all of us," he said.

The Pure Drive Digital follows in the footsteps of the Pure Highway 300Di, which was an aftermarket in-car DAB radio solution for any car. This adapter is for VW group cars, with four colour illumination backlight settings to suit various dashboards.

The transition to digital is just as important for the audience as it is for broadcasters. After identifying the major cost factors, BDR studied the range of broadcast high-power transmitters available and concluded that the new transmitter generation for DAB/DAB+ from Rohde & Schwarz (THV9) offered significant advances in energy efficiency, simplified maintenance procedures and proactive monitoring.

In an announcement today, an additional agreement on the migration to digital radio in Denmark identified the opportunities gained from moving from FM. The consensus is that FM shutdown is inevitable. A decision will be taken when 50% of listening is digital, new licences will be available by end 2015, and there will be a full transition from DAB to DAB+ by end 2016.