News

Digital One, the national commercial DAB digital radio network, is commissioning a number of new transmitters to strengthen and extend its coverage. Four new sites will be added to the network between now and the end of this year, with a further five sites being planned for 2015. This new phase of expansion will up the number of operational transmitters to beyond 150, making it one of the largest digital radio networks in the world.

There have been 80 successful applications for the Digital Radio Certification Mark, known as the 'tick mark', since the launch of the programme in June, it has been revealed. The tick mark aims to give consumers assurance that the DAB digital radio products and services with the mark are future-ready and comply with the minimum specification. This includes compatibility with FM, DAB and the newer DAB+ technology, which is in a trial period.

Philippe Gault, President of SIRTI, specified that "this law was passed, the CSA organized a call for nominations, licenses have been issued, we took our responsibilities and publisher’s risks, and we expect a very simple thing, which is that the law that was passed be applied without waiting for further changes."

In a panel discussion on in-car digital broadcast radio at the recent IBC broadcast exhibition in Amsterdam, digital radio executives made their case for the technology. Most major car brands offer DAB or DAB+, the European digital radio standards, as an option or as standard feature. According to WorldDMB, 63% of new cars sold in Norway and 55% in the UK come with DAB and DAB+. The two countries are among the most successful in pushing digital radio, according to a recent article published by WorldDMB.

The Swedish Broadcast Authority have announced licenses for commercial digital radio. A total of 25 channels have been awarded a license. 21 of which are national licenses and four are regional channels. 12 of the national channels are unique to digital radio and not broadcasted in FM. The licensing allows for a significant increase in range of programs throughout entire Sweden.

Ofcom has confirmed the awarding of a second national digital commercial multiplex will be a competitive process. The news comes as the regulator extends the closing date, to allow a prospective licence applicant sufficient time to obtain information from Arqiva, which owns many DAB transmitter sites. The closing date has been extended from October 30th 2014 to January 29th 2015.

From Monday 13 to Friday October 17 2014, digital radio will be promoted through the Netherlands with a media campaign via radio and TV.

Today, the Authority for Broadcasting in Sweden has granted six broadcasters 21 national and four local/regional licences to broadcast digital commercial radio. The licences will be valid from 2 October 2014 to 30 September 2022 with broadcasts to be started no later than 1 October 2015.

NRK P1 + celebrated their first anniversary with the announcement that listening figures have stabilised at a level that is well above what the goal was for the first year. When P1 + was launched, the goal was that the station should reach a target of 100,000 listeners daily, during the channel's first year of life. Daily listening has now stabilised at between 150,000 and 200,000.

Digital radio is gradually making it's way into the car across Europe...In a panel discussion on in-car digital broadcast radio at IBC 2014, digital radio executives made a strong case for the technology. Article taking from the AutomotiveIT Executive Report which can be accessed from: www.automotiveit.com/executive-report