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Giorgio Guana: The cost of broadcasting FM content is becoming more expensive for broadcasters every day. The cost of energy was already expected to rise across Europe, (for several reasons according to S&P Global Ratings' The Forecast for Europe and Italy, €/MWh) but this increase has become even more real after Russia unexpectedly invaded Ukraine. Broadcasters should now start considering whether to turn off some of their FM transmitters already, especially in areas already well covered by DAB+ signals.

After Radio Norba and Radio Norba Music , the other four thematic networks of the group also enter the DAB+ in Puglia. From Tuesday 16 August, SpaceDab in Bari and MediaDab for Taranto, Lecce and Brindisi (both operating on channel 7B) will host Radio Norba Italiana , Radio Norba Amore , Radio Norba Battiti and Radio Norba Joy .

After more than two months, the experimental multiplex of the PSN Infrastruktura company returned to the ether in Opole. The DAB+ test broadcast covers six radio stations. Before its suspension, 12 stations were broadcast, and the multiplex's coverage was also greater. The new permit issued by UKE allows for testing on DAB+ until June 27, 2023. However, the offer of the reactivated multiplex was reduced. It consists of: Music Radio from Jelenia Góra, Radio Doxa, Radio Profeto, Radio Jasna Góra, Radio Imperium from Gliwice and Radio Safe Travel.

Radio listeners in Oldenburger Münsterland can now receive NDR radio stations in even better quality. The new transmitter in Vechta-Langförden supplies the region between Garrel, Wildeshausen, Barnstorf, Lohne (Oldenburg), Quakenbrück, Lastrup and Molbergen in block 8D (201.072 MHz). In Cloppenburg, Vechta and Cappeln (Oldenburg), DAB+ can now also be received indoors. The DAB+ range of stations also includes NDR offers such as NDR 1 Niedersachsen, NDR 2, NDR Kultur, NDR Info and N-JOY, which are also broadcast on FM. In addition, the digital radio station NDR Schlager, NDR Blue and NDR Info Spezial can be heard exclusively.

CRA chief executive officer Ford Ennals announced today a renewed strategic direction for the peak radio industry body, with a greater emphasis on the booming digital audio market along with supporting its members to grow commercial radio advertising revenue. “We are experiencing strong growth in digital audio so it’s timely for CRA to have a stronger focus on identifying new commercial revenue opportunities across the broader audio markets for our members,” Mr Ennals said. Radio continued to be the most popular form of audio – 80% of Australians listened to radio via AM, FM, DAB+, live streaming or catch-up podcasts over the last week.

After a long period of silence, Midland FM, the local broadcaster of the municipality of Oudewater, can be heard on the air again, not via FM but on DAB+. The local broadcaster from the Utrecht municipality has not been heard on FM for a long time. The FM transmitter and associated antenna failed and there were not immediately sufficient financial resources to buy new equipment. Recently, however, the local broadcaster can be heard on the digital airwaves (DAB+). The local broadcaster uses a broadcasting licence for the local DAB+ multiplex for the Gouda/Woerden region.

In Genoa, the new LiguriaDab (channel 10A) and MediaDab (channel 10B) signals were activated. The latter still has no emissions but only a Test, while LiguriaDab is already regularly operational. On the mux, you can listen to Radio Babboleo Suono, Mythology '70 -'80, Radio Beckwith Evangelica, Radio Canelli, Radio Vallebelbo, Radio Mater, Radio Bruno, Radio Zainet, Radio Aldebaran, Tele Radio Pace.

The first local DAB transmitter was activated yesterday in Bari (channel 7B), which will be followed shortly (probably by tomorrow) for the service in the provinces of Taranto, Brindisi, Lecce. The first of the Apulian local radio consortia to go into business is that of Spacedab, which currently hosts 15 stations as content providers. The Apulian mux currently carries: Radio Norba, Radio Norba Music, Radio Bari, Radio Rama, Radio Tour, LifeGate Radio, Radio Byoblu, Radio Leon, Radio Logos, Hybrid, Radio Studio Più, Radio Cusano Campus, Radio System, Radio Sportiva and the Test channel.

In just a few short weeks, the IBC Show will return to the RAI in Amsterdam after its long pandemic hiatus. The conference, which takes place Sept. 9-12, will focus on the current and future trends that have emerged since the 2019 show — many of which were accelerated by pandemic. As planning for IBC continues to ramp up, Radio World is asking exhibitors and other participants about their plans and expectations. Will Jackson, Communications Manager: "WorldDAB is facilitating a two-hour workshop, highlighting new opportunities and new audiences on DAB+ on Sunday, Sep. 11, 10 a.m. to noon, in Room E102. The session is free for all exhibition visitor pass holders. The WorldDAB Project Office team will also be in attendance throughout IBC, meeting with our members who are exhibiting and offering services and solutions to assist with DAB deployment."

Listeners found their way to the digital Radiožurnál and the station has been increasing its listenership for a long time. The fact that the only sports radio on the Czech airwaves is distributed via the DAB+ platform, which is also growing in our market, also plays a significant role in this. Currently, the station receives 14% of listeners through this technology.