News

MDR is expanding its DAB+ transmitter network in Central Germany: the commissioning of five new sites will further improve and stabilise DAB+ coverage in individual regions. "We are already very well positioned with digital radio reception in Central Germany. Now it's a matter of closing individual coverage gaps and optimising the reception of all MDR radio programmes via DAB+ as a whole," says Niels Schulze, Head of Programme Distribution at MDR. Parallel to the current network expansion, MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT is launching the DAB+ channel "MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT extra", which will begin regular operation on 15 December. "MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT extra" will be used primarily to broadcast events and sporting events from Saxony-Anhalt.

The new, convergent marketing bundle of ad.audio offers advertisers new possibilities in the future to address their target groups in an even more diverse and comprehensive way. It combines the touchpoints of car radio and OOH. Under the title AudiOOH, the new bundle can be booked with ad.audio and Ströer from 2023. The package consists of high-quality DAB+ placements of the ad.audio marketing combination, the DAB+ display ad and public video placements of the marketing partner Ströer. The target group of DAB+ listeners is addressed via classic radio spots. In parallel, the advertising message is made visible via the displays on the DAB+ receivers and spatially synchronised via a DOOH space. ad.audio is the first audio marketer in Germany to commercially market the DAB+ Display Ad.

Since Tuesday, December 6, the city of Limoges has had another way of listening to the radio with the arrival of DAB+. The local Limoges multiplex is made up of 13 radio stations. The COMEQUIP company deployed its technical know-how by ensuring the distribution with two sites in SFN. Today, COMEQUIP broadcasts three local multiplexes, namely Bordeaux, Toulouse and Limoges.

For the final survey of 2022, the 80s stations (WSFM,GOLD,97.3 KIIS,Mix,96FM) lead the DAB+ stations with 373,000 listeners in the five metro areas. The 90s group (KIIS,97.3,Mix,96FM) are only just behind with 370,000, followed by RnB Fridays on 329,000. Elf Radio picked up 37,000 listeners while CADA has 167,000 and BENDER BEATS debuted with 77,000.

France Bleu Picardie is now available on DAB+. With the commissioning of three new DAB+ transmitters, the local Picardy radio station has seen its broadcasting channels extended. France Bleu Picardie can now be received in DAB+ digital radio by almost 675,000 inhabitants. This new broadcasting enables France Bleu to complete its global offer in DAB+ digital radio.

The UK media regulator Ofcom is seeking views on proposed changes to its digital television and digital radio technical codes. These codes define a common minimum set of technical standards for the way that terrestrial TV and radio signals are transmitted in the UK. There are separate technical code documents for TV and DAB services. Ofcom says: "We routinely update these Codes to ensure our rules remain relevant as the digital broadcasting environment develops. Following separate incidents affecting the operations of the Bilsdale TV and radio transmitter and a broadcast centre in London, a number of our proposed changes seek to strengthen our requirements relating to network resilience and disaster recovery."

Carmakers say electromagnetic interference causes static and noise on AM transmissions, annoying customers. Broadcasters say they could lose a connection to their core listeners, who rely on the radio for emergencies.

On 9 January, Business AM launches the first Flemish radio station with business news, to be heard daily via DAB+ and online. "Business AM brings Talk Radio for the digital content seeker. We extract relevant news and insights from today's complex international business environment and bring local and global stories that touch people and influence our society. We are there for progressive professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives, among others. This target group will find specific content related to our 4 pillars of technology, economy, politics and business", explains Peter Van Oostende, Chief Radio Editor.

The operator of the transmitters confirms that the demand for broadcasts is limited, however it is interested in operating a national multiplex. Towercom already has DAB+ digital radio coverage of 50 per cent of the population and announces that the signal will be rolled out from other locations. It is also currently negotiating a new contract with the public broadcaster, which relates specifically to radio.

On Thursday, 8 December, Czech Radio presented the technological development of the public service broadcaster in the coming years on the floor of the Senate. The project is simply called Strategy 27. DAB+ will be the main distribution platform for the next period, until 2027, and will continue to expand its coverage. In the case of linear terrestrial distribution, Czech Radio is building on VHF (FM) broadcasting, but this can no longer be strengthened. In the coming period, the focus for public institutions will be on improving the reception of DAB+ digital broadcasts, especially indoors. It has already implemented the first of its steps in this direction at the end of November.