News

A new adventure for the Studio B production team: its volunteers have just created a new radio station. No more FM: Station B, the name of this new channel, has chosen to jump on the DAB+ digital terrestrial radio bandwagon. This means better broadcast quality and free access without the need for an internet connection. At present, Station B broadcasts from the Venoix neighbourhood centre in Caen (Calvados).

On 1 December, the Munich radio station Gong 96.3 launches its already announced second station via DAB+ and online. The station, which initially operated under the working title "Gong Kult", will now go on air as 089Kult. The programme will focus on cult hits in terms of music and will also pick up on current cultural topics from Munich. As of today, the station can be heard on the Munich multiplex on channel 11C with initial tests.

The Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority (CTA) announces that it has recently finalised a common set of principles for testing digital radio, which will allow market players to test the new technology until the end of 2023. "One of the TTJA's objectives for the coming year is to create the necessary technical conditions for the development of digital radio. To enable today's market players to test the new technology, as a first step, we have drawn up common principles for testing digital radio and are preparing suitable frequencies for testing in the 174-230 MHz band," said Oliver Gailan, Head of the Communications Department. The trial period will run until the end of 2023.

Levira has submitted an application for a frequency licence to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority to test the new DAB+ radio network in cooperation with radio stations belonging to the Estonian Broadcasting Union. This is a digital radio service with transmitters temporarily operating first in Tallinn and then in Koeru and Pehka in Haljala municipality. The first DAB+ transmitter is scheduled to be launched on 28 November at the Tallinn TV Tower. The list of stations participating in the nine-month pilot project is being finalised. Among the first testers are Klassikaraadio, Duo Media Networks radio programmes and Star FM. In total, up to 12 radio programmes are planned to be broadcast on a single transmitter, with the signal from the Tallinn transmitter on channel 10A.

CADA continues its mission to bring Australians closer to the music and the action, with a showstopping headline event on November 30, 2022. The Hip Hop and R&B station is broadcasting live from Melbourne at ALWAYS LIVE, Victoria’s state-wide celebration of live music, supported by the Victorian Government. Kat Tamayo, Head of Marketing at CADA says, “Now that CADA is available in Melbourne on DAB+, our listener and follower base in the region continues to grow. It was only right for us to have boots on ground to give fans the opportunity to experience our shows and talent in real life.”

In 2017, Norway switched off its FM radio services, compelling Norwegians to tune to DAB+. In 2024, Switzerland is set to switch off its own FM services, forcing the Swiss to use DAB+ for over-the-air radio too. The impact of these “FM switch-offs” on domestic commercial radio was examined during the WorldDAB Summit 2022. It was held by WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB digital radio, at London’s Kings Place and online on Nov. 17. In a session entitled, “Norway 5 years on and Switzerland 2024,” Digital Radio Norway CEO Ole Jørgen Torvmark asked Norway’s Kenneth Andresen (VP/Head of Radio at Viaplay Group aka P4 Group) and Switzerland’s Nicola Bomio (Head of Radio with CH Media Entertainment) for commercial radio’s take on replacing FM/analog radio with DAB+/digital radio.

"DAB+ offers lower distribution costs than FM, uses less energy to broadcast and is more resilient for broadcasting alerts, especially outdoors," said Patrick Hannon. "It is essential to protect the key benefits of broadcasting - it is free, universal and reliable in an emergency. DAB+ is the guarantor of the sustainability of these attributes," he added.

The NDR has switched on two more DAB+ filler transmitters in Lower Saxony relatively unnoticed in recent weeks. These are the locations Wolfsburg (channel 6C - regional network Braunschweig) and Celle-Stadt (channel 7A - regional network Hannover). The transmitting power is a relatively low 100 and 200 watts respectively. Network expansion also continues in Bavaria. On 4 November, BR switched on the sites in Pegnitz (Upper Franconia) and Fuchsmühl (Upper Palatinate). On 11 November, the transmitter for Neustadt am Main (Lower Franconia) went on air, followed by a transmitter in Schweinfurt (Lower Franconia).

Back to the traditional in-person format after the pandemic, on Nov. 17, the WorldDAB Summit 2022 brought together global DAB+ experts to Kings Place, London. Online attendance was also possible, resulting in the first “hybrid” edition of this WorldDAB event. In his keynote speech, Patrick Hannon, WorldDAB president and V.P. for corporate development at Frontier Smart Technologies, pointed out three key action items each DAB+ stakeholder should focus on.

DAB+ is delivering on all fronts for the European countries who have adopted this digital radio standard. That was the message delivered by WorldDAB President Patrick Hannon as he opened the WorldDAB Summit 2022 on Nov. 17. Held in person this year at Kings Place, King’s Cross in London and online, the summit is WorldDAB’s annual flagship event. Hannon opened his “WorldDAB Global Update” by declaring that radio itself plays a really important role in the lives of European citizens. “Eighty-five of Europeans listen to radio every week,” he said. “Ninety percent of car buyers say that radio should be standard in every vehicle. And radio is the medium most trusted by European citizens for 12 years in a row.”