News

The Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) standard has been in use since the 1990s, and its successor, DAB , was introduced in 2007. The formats are digital successors to the AM and FM standards. Industry players (including ICASA) have been in discussions on how the formats were introduced in other markets and how best to approach its introduction here, the report said.

To celebrate this year's Liverpool Pride festival, Gaydio will be adding a adding a bit of sparkle by launching on DAB digital radio across Merseyside, North Wales and Cheshire. From 29th July the station will be heating up the airwaves for six weeks.

What Hifi has just published its 2013 list of the best DAB digital radios to buy this summer and nine of the 11 models recommended contain Frontier Silicon solutions. What HiFi’s recommendations cover all types of DAB radio from basic portable radios to in-car and HiFi systems.

Hama launches its new DAB+ digital radio "DIR 3000" which combines digital radio, FM and Internet radio. The black wooden radio with aluminium front panel and backlit LCD display will be available for around 150 Euro.

Over 200 radio industry representatives came together at the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) facility in Johannesburg to attend a landmark workshop on the rollout of DAB+ digital radio and to discuss plans for a high-powered DAB+ trial transmission extending from Pretoria to Johannesburg by end 2013.

Germany's NRJ SPORT1.fm will begin live nationwide broadcast of the Bundesliga from 9 August. Olaf Hopp, CEO of NRJ ENERGY Media International and Managing Director said "As a national radio brand Energy is of course behind listening to radio on DAB+. We believe in continuing to bring strong content via this innovative technology".

New research shows awareness of DAB+ to be higher than than expected at this stage of rollout, with almost 3 million people of having heard of DAB+. The national DAB+ network will be rolled out later this year in the Netherlands however there has not yet been a comsumer marketing campaign. In particular, improved sound quality for both current and future DAB+ stations have been quoted as the mains reasons to listen to DAB+.

Approximately 450,000 new Welsh homes will be able to listen to local digital radio after new transmitters are switched on this summer, according to Digital Radio UK and the BBC... Local digital radio in Wales will reach nearly 80 percent of homes in 2014, and about 85 percent of the region’s homes already receive the DAB version of BBC national networks.

The 538 radio group and Ster are exploring ad images sent along DAB+ radio broadcasts, Emerce reported. A number of radio stations will start using the new digital signal in the fall, including 538, Q Music, Sky Radio, SLAM!FM, Radio Veronica, 100% NL, Sublime FM and BNR news radio. DAB + supports the delivery of a (still) image.

ABC Network Development Manager James O'Brien has returned from Radio Days Joburg after a week acting as an ambassador and advocate for the Australian radio industry. His presentation on digital radio drew parallels between the Australian and South African markets and also provided a useful summary of progress to date.