News

A new regional DAB MUX-3 will be implemented in DAB+ format in 13 regions and be ready for use in 2015.

A new local DAB network is being built in Østfold county in Norway. The new DAB network will ensure a substantial number of new local channels for the radio listeners. It will be on-air in September this year.

Communications manager Mari Hagerup at Digital Radio Norway informs in Dagsavisen in an interview that for the first time Norwegians are buying more DAB radios than FM radios. She says that now it's about continuing the information campaign ahead of the transition to digital broadcasting.

The Norwegian government has allocated €22 million to supply DAB+ reception inside all tunnels that exceed 500 meters in length throughout the country. There are about 260 tunnels that meet that requirement.

A Digital Radio Summit at Bayerischer Rundfunk Bayerischer reminds public broadcasters of their responsibilities as public service providers in their role in the development of digital radio.

Bertram Hock, group leader, Broadcast Receiver Development for automaker BMW, says the Danish government needs to make a clear decision about DAB radio.

Those who looking to buy an FM radio are being warned that in a couple of years that their radio sets will become obsolete .

Bauer Media's Steve Parkinson is a proponent of the platform, saying it allows much more choice and is free at the point of delivery. Another proponent, Digital Radio UK's Ford Ennals, says radio should be united for a digital future, with more choice and national and local coverage build-out. "The future for radio is digital but it is also collaborative. Big and small, local and national working together to ensure radio does remain competitive and relevant in a multiplatform digital age," Ford said.

The newest thing for old fogeys - a hi-tech radio in an ancient body, complete with tuner dial.

The latest radio listener figures have confirmed the long term drive to digital listening continues, according to Digital Radio UK, despite a lack of fixed date for a digital switchover. Digital listening is up 10% year-on-year overall, with 52% of the population now tuning in each week (27.7 million people), according to the Q4 2013 Rajar figures. Digital listening share is now 36.1%.