News

The Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) held a workshop to discuss with stakeholders the terms of the tender to allocate radio frequencies for the provision of two national and 27 regional DAB+ networks. The draft tender conditions will subsequently be published for re-consultation. The workshop was well attended and discussed, for example, financial aspects, overlapping of broadcasting networks from abroad and other practical issues. A number of smaller players also declared their interest in DAB+ again. There was general agreement on the need to complete the process as soon as possible so that the current time-limited broadcasts could be transformed into permanent and stable broadcasts.

Radio X, the UK’s leading station for indie, rock and alternative music, has launched a brand new radio station dedicated to the greatest classic rock music of all time from across the decades, fronted by presenter and music journalist, Sunta Templeton. Radio X Classic Rock launched across the UK on Thursday 16 February, playing the legends of rock music, from Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Blondie and Thin Lizzy through to The Rolling Stones and the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. Radio X Classic Rock launches across the UK on DAB Digital Radio (nationally on SDL), on Global Player via app, globalplayer.com and on your smart speaker by saying “play Radio X Classic Rock”, and at radiox.co.uk.

We are pleased about the successful start of the DAB+ local mux in Chemnitz - congratulations and good luck to egoFM, Radio Chemnitz 2, Radio T as well as Radio UniCC! Further information on the licensing and distribution of DAB+ broadcasting in Saxony can be found on the website of the Saxon State Authority for Private Broadcasting and New Media (SLM)

Helmut G. Bauer writes: "Despite different radio broadcasting landscapes, the federal states must decide together how to proceed with radio broadcasting. Parallel operation is associated with high costs and an energy input that should not be underestimated... In view of the broad discussion about the reform of the structure of public service broadcasting, it must realistically be conceded that the federal states currently do not have the capacities to also take care of radio broadcasting in order to prepare such resolutions. Nevertheless, there is a need for action. The Broadcasting Commission should therefore call on the stakeholders (broadcasters and state media authorities) to present a concept and a timetable for the transformation of radio by a certain date. Norway and Switzerland show that a migration plan coordinated with many market participants is the best way. In order for the market participants to take the policy seriously and cooperate constructively, a clear commitment of all federal states to digital radio is crucial in this context."

Yesterday, Monday, network operator Divicon Media put the local DAB+ multiplex Chemnitz on the air, following test transmissions. Transmissions are being made on channel 5B from the Chemnitz-Reichenhain transmitter with a transmission power of 2 kW. This is probably the start of regular operation, although official confirmation from the network operator is still pending. At the start yesterday, however, only five programmes were initially switched on: Chemnitz 2, SachsenEins, egoFM, Radio UNiCC and Radio T.

The time has come! The Chemnitz radio landscape is going live on DAB+! The popular campus radio station of the TU Chemnitz, Radio UNiCC, is particularly pleased about this, because the student radio station can be heard 24/7 on DAB+ from 13 February. Previously, the young radio producers only had one hour of FM broadcasting time on 102.7 MHz, otherwise they could only be heard in the webstream. Finally, the dream of 24-hour radio operation is coming true. For several years, UNiCC had been talking about DAB+, the applications were running and now, thanks to funding from the Saxon State Media Authority, the station is allowed to expand its programming for the new coverage area.

After two weeks, residents of Szczecin and the surrounding area can again listen to radio stations available on the DAB+ multiplex in the capital of West Pomerania. The interruption was due to the expiry of the previous radio licence, says Marcin Marzec, co-owner of DABCOM, the multiplex operator, to Wirtualnemedia.pl.

Great British Radio is extending its coverage to Wales and Scotland via DAB+. The station, which is already on DAB in Herts, Beds, Bucks, North London, South London, Surrey, Newcastle and Winchester, is joining Edinburgh and Cardiff. Managing Director, Mike Huston told Radio Today: “I am thrilled that Edinburgh and Cardiff can now enjoy Great Laughs Great Guests and Great Music on DAB. “We have ambitious plans for the brand, and we are proud that our popular unique format with no news, continues to increase in popularity and we are now on DAB across the three capitals, London Edinburgh and Cardiff.”

Capital, from Global, has announced a brand new radio station, Capital Chill, dedicated to chilled beats. Capital Chill launched across the UK on Monday, 13 February, playing a mix of chilled house, deep house and ambient dance music as well as classics from the likes of Groove Armada, Chicane, Röyksopp, Massive Attack, Moby, Bonobo and more. Capital Chill joins sister stations Capital, Capital Dance, Capital XTRA, Capital XTRA Reloaded on DAB Digital Radio across the UK, on Global Player on both your app and at globalplayer.com and on your smart speaker. The launch of Capital Chill follows the massive success of Capital Dance, which launched in October 2020, and has grown 54.1% year-on-year and now has nearly a million weekly listeners.

Radio broadcasters and sound and audio executives from Africa and beyond will converge in Maputo, Mozambique, for the Radio And Digital Audio Broadcasting Convention – Africa, on Tuesday, 18th – Thursday, 20th April 2023. With the theme “Radio Broadcasting in a Digital World – Reaching the Next Level”, the Convention convened by the Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (SABA) and Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) will be hosted by Radio Mozambique. Commenting on the hosting of the Summit, the Director-General for Radio Mozambique (RM), Mr Abdul Naguibo Addula, said: “We believe the Summit will provide us with tools to help accelerate the development of digital radio in Mozambique and indeed across Africa."