News

"Even after 100 years, radio is more important and relevant than ever," explains ORF Director General Roland Weissmann at the presentation of the Group's audio strategy for 2024 to journalists, "ORF radio reaches 4.7 million people every day." In contrast to most other broadcasters in the country, ORF continues to rely solely on analogue broadcasting of its radio signals and not on DAB/DAB+: "We really do evaluate this on a regular basis. If the time really comes when we have changed our mind, we will let you know in good time," says ORF boss Weißmann. "Of course we are moving, but now is not the time to say. Maybe there will be some movement soon."

Levira has launched a second digital radio DAB+ transmitter in Tallinn's Teletower, bringing the number of digital radio stations in Tallinn and Harju County to nearly twenty. Levira is testing DAB+, a digital radio service that is widely used in Europe, in cooperation with radio stations. The new transmitter will be launched on DAB+ channel 10D and will have a slightly different coverage area from the first transmitter on channel 10A, being more oriented towards Tallinn city centre and transmitting in horizontal polarisation. The new transmitter will be launched in cooperation with Duo Media Networks, and from the moment of its launch you will be able to listen to five new radio stations, which have not been available in Tallinn and Harju County so far.

Swedish Radio (SR) Director General Cilla Benkö has been elected as the new Vice-President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The Director General of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Milen Mitev was also elected for the first time on the Executive Board. They were both elected to the roles by an absolute majority at the EBU’s General Assembly held in Geneva today. They will take up the new roles with immediate effect for the remainder of the 2023 – 2024 term of office. The Vice-President is responsible for helping lead the EBU’s Executive Board and championing the value and importance of public service media across Europe. The Board ensures the implementation of the EBU’s strategy and policies.

towerCast, the second largest operator in the broadcasting market and a major player in DAB+ in France, is pleased to announce the launch of the second phase of the national roll-out of DAB+ to 26 stations. The towerCast sites switched on today cover around 15 towns and cities, including Nantes, Aix-en-Provence, Tours, Angers, Valenciennes, Arras and Le Mans, as well as part of the A1, A2, A4, A8, A10, A11 and A26 motorways. "We are extremely proud of this launch, which bears witness to the trust placed in us by our customers and is the culmination of the hard work carried out by our teams over the last few months," said Raphaël Eyraud, Chairman of towerCast.

Franco Siddi, president of Confindustria Radio Televisioni, concluded the CRTV assembly held on 30 November at the Barberini cinema in Rome with some final remarks addressed to the institutional speakers. Mr. Siddi welcomed the Authority's initiatives for the new balances of the system, emphasising in particular the activities for the planning of DAB. Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, among his commitments for the future of the sector, supported the digitalisation of radio (DAB+) while guaranteeing FM broadcasting.

Czech listeners near the Polish border can tune in to the DAB+ multiplex of the local public radio station from another transmitter. According to information on the discussion forum of the network operator EmiTel, the Klodzko - Czarna Góra transmitter was put into operation in the past few days. This is important news for Czech listeners in the surrounding regions.

Two new transmitters were launched on the DAB+ digital broadcasting network. The first one operates at the Kłodzko/Czarna Góra broadcasting facility, the second at the Wałbrzych/Chełmiec facility. Currently 94% of the region's population is within reach of a DAB+ signal, and the area coverage is 86%.

In recent days, the broadcasting of the Polish Radio DAB+ multiplex in Kłodzko, Ostrołęka, Lębork and Człuchów has started. In the coming weeks, digital transmitters will start operating in Brzeg, Słupsk, Choczew and Strzeżów, among others. 88 per cent of Poles will be in DAB+ coverage within a year. Next year, coverage is to be extended to Elbląg, Giżycko, Konin, Łomża, Ryki, Zamość, Debica, Nowy Tomyśl, Tarnobrzeg, Piła, Kamieńsk, Rybnik, Jarocin, Debica, Ogrodzieniec and the surrounding area. The multiplex is also expected to appear in the Bieszczady region, Central Pomerania, the western part of the Łódzkie region and the eastern part of the Wielkopolskie region.

Kronehit will launch four new radio channels via DAB+ digital radio in 2024. Kronehit managing director Mario Frühauf has been the new president of the private broadcasters' association VÖP since Tuesday. "After years of fighting against legal restrictions, we can launch additional terrestrial radio channels," he says. "These will be four products that have nothing to do with the Kronehit brand and appeal to completely different target groups. It will be a well-orchestrated fleet with the aim of further strengthening our market position."

Towercom has recently obtained several new licences for digital radio broadcasting (DAB+) transmitters. In addition, in one case the operator can increase the power of an existing transmitter. Specifically, it is the transmitter Žilina - Krížava, which can increase its power up to 7 kW ERP in the future.