News

Nicolas Curien of the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) has outlined the forthcoming DAB+ launches in Lyon and Strasbourg, which will trigger a new requirement ensuring all car manufacturers include a DAB+ chip in all car radios. He also indicated two major stations may engage with the regulator in further promoting DAB+ in the country.

A huge step towards digitising radio in South Africa has been taken by the South African Department of Communications, which published a policy directive on the introduction of digital sound broadcasting in South Africa. Interested parties have been given 30 working days from the date of publication 28 September 2018, to submit written input. Closing date being 9 November 2018.

For the sixth time, Sky Radio Christmas has started broadcasting on DAB+ radio, temporarily replacing Sky Hit Radio on channel 11C in the Netherlands.

Stuart Clarkson talks to speakers and delegates at the Drive to Digital conference, organised by Digital Radio UK and held at the British Museum in London on Tuesday 25th September 2018.

"Now is the right time to invest heavily in DAB + program diversity in NRW too. Especially with regard to the many valuable local programs, their operators will not pass on the digitization of terrestrial radio if they want to remain relevant in the future", said Willi Schreiner, Deputy Chairman of the Digital Radio Germany Association.

According to a recent GfK survey, between July 2017 and June 2018, more than 100,000 DAB+ receivers were sold in France. That's 26% more than the same period a year earlier. Globally, growth is 13% in the first half of 2018.

"Now is the right time to invest heavily in DAB + program diversity in NRW too. Especially with regard to the many valuable local programs, their operators will not pass on the digitization of terrestrial radio if they want to remain relevant in the future", said Willi Schreiner, Deputy Chairman of the Digital Radio Germany Association.

At a local radio workshop held in Dusseldorf last week, the SPD party of German state North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) has called on the government to coordinate a meeting involving all stakeholders for radio in the state to promote the entry of DAB+ into the market. "Now is the right time to invest heavily in DAB+ program diversity in NRW too. Especially with regard to the many valuable local programs, their operators will not be able to avoid the digitisation of terrestrial radio if they want to remain relevant in the future, "says Willi Schreiner, Deputy Chairman of the Digital Radio Germany Association.

German broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) will begin operations from three new DAB+ transmitters from Friday 5 October, which will improve coverage in the district of Rege close to the Czech border.

The first inductees to the Digital Radio Hall of Fame were presented with their awards at the leading radio industry conference, Drive to Digital, this week. The Digital Radio Hall of Fame recognises individuals from all sectors and areas that have contributed to digital radio progress, with representatives from broadcasters, retailers, manufacturers, automotive, Ofcom and Government.