News

While at the WorldDAB Drive to Digital — Europe event in Brussels on May 11, European governments, car manufacturers and the radio industry came together to push for further adoption of DAB digital radio in the car.

There are now over 1000 registered Digital Radio Tick Mark installers at car retailers and dealerships across the UK. Supported by Government, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and the automotive industry, the Digital Radio Installer Tick Mark was introduced in June 2014 to provide consumers with greater assurance when choosing an installer to fit a DAB digital radio into their vehicle.

The Government has outlined its position on what role the BBC will play when a digital radio switchover date is announced.

Seven of the 13 stations broadcast on the local trial DAB multiplex as of Thursday 12th now use DAB+, making it the first UK multiplex where the majority of services are using the newer standard.

This model has the Uconnect system with USB, aux-in, Bluetooth and audio streaming as well as DAB radio.

As part of the Government’s White Paper on the future of the BBC, they expect the BBC to support the transition from analogue to digital radio and to strengthen its partnerships with commercial radio and industry stakeholders. A decision on the digital switchover is likely to be taken at some point during the next charter period and the Government would expect that the BBC completes the final phase of its national DAB network so coverage is equal to that of FM.

The Danish manufacturer Clint Digital has launched the F4 radio with a retro look, in three fresh spring colors Dusty Rose, Misty Green and Blue Powdery.

Commercial radio hit the airwaves May 10 with an AU$5 million integrated marketing campaign to promote the LG Stylus DAB+, the world’s first smartphone with built-in broadcast digital radio.

Government Ministries, car manufacturers and the radio industry have gathered in Brussels this week at WorldDAB's 'Drive to Digital - Europe' event to push for further adoption of DAB digital radio in the car.

Last month, Radioinfo posted an article by Australian expat and media researcher, John Patkin, now based in Hong Kong, who argued that AM/FM and DAB+ would become obsolete as internet or online delivery became ubiquitous. The article brought swift response from industry heavyweights such as CRA’s CEO Joan Warner, the ABC’s Director of Radio, Michael Mason and international radio futurologist, James Cridland.