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The digitalisation of Norwegian radio has given the audience a wide variety of channels to choose from, and they seem to appreciate the diversity. A clear trend in Norway’s radio transition is that new digital channels have increased their support at the expense of the big channels.

Politics and associations are now gradually increasing the pressure on the automotive industry to make DAB+ receivers standard. Anyone who now asks for the status and prospects for DAB+ in the car is the subject of our new debate.

Digital radio is attracting considerable interest in Switzerland. 3 million DAB+ devices are now in circulation, and the equipment in new vehicles is also very advanced, with two thirds of them now being sold with a DAB+ receiver without extra charge.

More than one-fifth of the population in Bavaria have at least one DAB+ receiver in their household, according to Bavaria 2017, a research project carried out on behalf of the BLM by Kantar TNS MediaResearch. The number of DAB + receivers in Bavaria has almost doubled in just two years.

The three million mark of DAB+ devices has been crossed in Switzerland. As a result digital consumption of radio programs and general awareness for DAB+ are on an upswing, according to a recent study by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). Key to the growth of DAB+ devices in Switzerland was the progress of vehicles with DAB+ reception.

Available on DAB across London and the South East, Encore Radio launched less than a year ago but is already home to some of the industry’s biggest stars, while providing a one-stop showcase of the West End’s theatrical talent.

In Bavaria, 20% of listeners now have a digital radio device. By the end of 2018, BLM wants to provide all local commercial broadcasts digitally. In addition, the media watchdogs have agreed to a second nationwide DAB multiplex.

The Beat, will launch this weekend on the Herts, Beds and Bucks DAB multiplex. The new station, 'playing all the hits’, will be added to the Norwich multiplex on 22 July 2017, with discussions for other local multiplexes around the UK to carry localised versions of the service.

Nearly six years after the launch of DAB+ in 2011, 20.1 percent of the population in Bavaria have at least one digital radio receiver in their households. BLM President Siegfried Schneider welcomes the development: "The increasing popularity of digital radio receivers in Bavaria is a very positive signal for digital radio across Germany".

We hooked each DAB radio up to a test rig, and rated them on a varied route checking for reception quality. We then looked for features like Bluetooth, USB and aux sockets. The final factor was typical selling price.