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Speaking at the WorldDAB General Assembly – a gathering for everyone involved in digital radio from broadcasters to manufacturers and regulators – Dixon encouraged the group to reflect on information sources in the 21st Century. Seeking out other gatekeepers, Dixon noted that remaining exclusively in the FM domain also constituted a gatekeeper, however balanced the conventional radio output. By restricting the number of channels available, it inevitably blocked – in a passive aggressive manner - the launch of new services and the further plurality of voices which DAB can provide.

The new ERF 5 has a special yellow save button, which allows users to save their favorite digital radio stations more easily.

Recently published figures from WorldDAB and JATO show that the number of DAB-receivers installed in the new cars is growing in key markets across Europe. In the first half of 2016 more than 1.7 million new cars were sold with DAB-receiver in them.

These cars also come with traffic-sign recognition and headlights that automatically switch between high and low beam to avoid dazzling other drivers, as well as LED daytime running lights, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Since 2012, SRG has been broadcasting nine of its radio programmes using both DAB and DAB+. DAB transmission will come to an end on the 15th of November and will be replaced with DAB+. SRG has given listeners four years to make the transition. Some older DAB radios can be given further life with use of a DAB+ adapter.

In the run up to the WorldDAB 2016 General Assembly, Radio World spoke to WorldDAB President Patrick Hannon about DAB developments in 2016 and where he expects progress in 2017.

As part of its country wide tour Digitalradio Norge stopped off in Narvik to educate residents about the benefits of DAB+, DAB+ receivers available on the market and DAB+ options for use in the car.

UKRD is getting ready to launch a new type of radio station, called My Music Radio, the station will launch on DAB later this month, in place of a number of Oldies branded UKRD stations.

Republica has won the DAB+ campaign in Switzerland, which is planned by OFCOM. The campaign has a budget of 4 million Euros and is intended primarily to increase awareness and use of the new DAB+ as well as to promote sales of DAB+ compliant devices.

After a multi-stage tender procedure, Republica AG an advertising and communications agency has been chosen to implement the campaign to help promote DAB+ across Switzerland. The main focus of the campaign is on cooperation with the radio stations and programme builders as well as the automotive industry