News

Margot James MP, Minister for Digital and Creative Industries at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in the UK, has urged for collaboration amongst the industry as the UK government plans to review next steps towards transitioning towards digital radio. Speaking at the Drive to Digital Event in London, the minister's comments were welcomed by broadcasters and the British radio supply chain. Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said: "The completion of UK radio’s transition to digital will bring significant benefits for listeners, broadcasters and industry and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Government and stakeholders to continue to accelerate digital progress.”

A call for interest for DAB+ broadcasting will be launched on 1 October in North-Rhine Westphalia – Germany’s largest state. A study commissioned by regulator State Institute for Media NRW found that transitioning to DAB+ was the best option to progress audio services in the state. Radio broadcasters have until 29 October to finalise and submit applications.

Xperi will collaborate with the BBC for 18 months to run a hybrid radio trial for 18 months, where the broadcaster will provide content directly into the DTS Connected Radio platform.

Sound Digital, the national commercial DAB multiplex operated by Arqiva, Bauer and Wireless, has today announced that its expansion programme of 19 new transmitters is nearing completion, with the first of the extended coverage areas due to go live in the coming weeks.

The State Institute for Media NRW will start on October 1 with a "Call for Interest" for DAB+. This is to identify the specific need for transmission capacity in NRW. Radio broadcasters are invited to announce their interest in a DAB+ broadcast by 29 October 2018.

UK Minister for Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Margot James has called for the radio industry to work closely as the government reviews the future of digital radio. But she stopped short of making an announcement concerning a date for digital switchover, saying that she hoped to be in a position “shortly” to announce how the government plans to take the situation forward.

The Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) in Switzerland will increase the financial support for licensed local radio stations and regional TV by CHF 13.5 million as of 1 January, totalling CHF 81 million as a result of a decision taken in 2017. The decision will also extend the licences of regional radio stations, as part of the DAB+ transition in Switzerland.

UK online radio station NME will have its two audio channels broadcast now on DAB Radio in London.

Digital audio consumption is increasing and the WorldDAB session at IBC2018 entitled “Radio’s Digital Strategy” provided a comprehensive focus on audio delivering platforms other than the traditional broadcast airwaves. During the conference, several delegates emphasized that radio has to be easily available where the audience is looking for audio entertainment services. “Radio still is Europe’s most trusted media,” European Broadcasting Union head of radio Graham Dixon said.

We recently reached a milestone in radio consumption: in 2018 so far, 50% of radio listening has been delivered by digital for the first time, inclusive of both IP and DAB. This was one of the criteria set by the government for reviewing whether there should be a digital radio switchover. It is right that we take this moment to reflect on the future for radio, the success of DAB - which now makes up 36% of the UK’s radio listening - and how we best guarantee the next generation of radio listeners.