News

In-car listening presents a huge opportunity for the DAB radio industry, believes Arqiva’s Simon Mason. “In the UK almost a quarter of all radio listening takes place in the car, and as radio listening in general is on the increase broadcasters need to understand the opportunities and challenges facing them when delivering to this audience,” he says.

Digital radio broadcasters are applauding the European Parliament’s vote in favor of mandatory digital radio receivers in new cars, which is still in the proposal stage. But they still want analogue radio broadcasting (AM/FM/SW) to be turned off in the future, to give digital radio (DAB/DAB+/DRM) its best shot at success.

Slovakia has been running trials using DAB for Early Warning Functionality (EWF), which were demonstrated this June. They have also carried out a consumer survey into DAB. Juraj Oravec of the Research Institute (VÚS) discusses the results of the EWF trial, the consumer research and what is next for the territory.

A panel of radio industry experts gathered at Austrian Media Days to discuss the country’s recent nationwide DAB+ licence, awarded to ORS comm GmbH Co KG from April 2019 that will enable 11 commercial programmes to air digitally. KommAustria chairman Michael Ogris said as part of the panel that DAB+ was the way out of the FM frequency shortage in Austria, and that the broadcasting sector regarded DAB+ as an opportunity to grow its listening share.

The latest JACK-branded radio station will play 100% female artists when it launches in the UK at midday on 23 October. The station is a brand extension with the Oxford station JACK FM and national UK station Union JACK.

New national digital radio station Jack Radio launches at noon on 23 October with what is billed as a world-first broadcast radio format. Playing 100% female artists, the DAB station provides a platform for women in music, from established artists to new and emerging female talent.

Czech Radio will extend DAB+ coverage to the Karlovy Vary and Zlín regions of the country by the end of next year. At today's Radiocommunication Conference 2018 this was announced by Director of the Department of Techniques and Administration of the Public Media Karel Zýk. According to Zick, the coverage of the CRo DAB+ multiplex signal in Band III will reach 80% of the population by the end of next year.

BCE, a subsidiary of RTL Group, have been conducting tests of DAB+ broadcasts on Channel 7D, with two programmes on air. The test signals are reaching as far as the Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland regions of Germany, and over the Belgian border.

In a highly competitive audio environment, the radio media remains strong and the participants who will be present at the WorldDAB General Assembly on 6 and 7 November 2018 in Berlin will be able to see that DAB+ is essential for broadcasters to accompany their development. brand, to attract more listeners and increase revenues.

The call for applications for two national multiplexes in France is underway, with as many as 26 new national radio stations. Regional Stations are invited to apply for 15 local areas by 7 November, while national stations have a deadline of 21 November.