News

After discussions with operators, the Czech Telecommunications Authority has given in to pressure and the price for frequency allocations for the upcoming commercial radio multiplexes will be lower than originally expected. Converted per capita, the operator will pay CZK 10,000 per 100,000 inhabitants. The regulator announced this in its August Monthly Monitoring Report. The regulator announced the tender on 1 August, with the auction itself scheduled for October.

Public radio stations can be received even better via DAB+ from 1 September. Fifteen DAB+ transmission locations will be added, improving reception on the Wadden Islands, the South Holland islands and the neighbouring Zeeland islands, among others. Broadcast Partners will become the supplier of NPO's DAB+ network on 1 September. From that date, the station park for NPO will be expanded to a total of 61 transmitter locations. "As a public broadcaster, we want to be there for everyone," says Jurre Bosman, director of Audio NPO. "DAB+ has the big advantage that we can distribute more stations, such as NPO Radio 5, NPO FunX, NPO Soul & Jazz and NPO Sterren NL."

On 12 August, radio reception via DAB+ was recorded for the first time at long distances - in this case over 800 km - during a meteor shower. This is only the first time that it has been shown that such meteors can also reflect the (higher) radio frequencies in which DAB+ takes place.

According to an Arbeitsgemeinschaft Media-Analysestudy, DAB+ radio in Germany continued its successful course in the second quarter of 2023. The ma (media analysis) 2023 Audio II study notes that the use of DAB+ programs in Germany is growing while network expansion continues regionally and nationally. Broadcast launches in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein bring more choice for listeners. In the latest study, agma highlights the nationwide stations showing notable growth via DAB+. For example, the Absolute brand grew 21.4% in listeners in the average hour. Similarly, the BOB! brand is also increasing its audience, primarily through digital distribution channels. Radio BOB! reaches 9.86 million contacts per day via various reception channels — an increase of 15.5% over the previous year.

BBC Research & Development's Blue Room monitors consumer technologies' impact on the BBC and its audiences. This includes evaluating modern televisions and their features, including energy consumption. Asking an initial question, 'how much energy do televisions use?' ultimately led us on a journey to develop and implement a new idea that we called 'Lower Carbon Graphics' (LCGFx), which we believe has already saved energy in homes across the UK.

In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has launched a consultation on changes to the National Frequency Plan (NFP) to allow all local stations to broadcast on DAB+. The Ministry says: "This decree makes a number of changes to the National Frequency Plan 2014 (NFP). These changes are necessary for the new distribution of DAB licences for local digital radio broadcasting and of FM and DAB licenses for non-national commercial radio broadcasting. A DAB+ layer consisting of 57 local allotments has been created for this purpose. With this new layer 6 layout and the rights obtained internationally, it is possible to use higher transmission powers and higher set-up points than with the temporary layer 6."

From September 2024, all local radio stations in the Netherlands will be able to broadcast via digital airwaves (DAB+). Currently, a number of local radio stations broadcast via temporary licences. To enable the broadcasting of all local broadcasters in the Netherlands via DAB+, consultations had to take place with neighbouring countries for the necessary digital frequency space. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, these negotiations are now largely complete and the frequency space can be definitively filled by 1 September 2024. A consultation has now been launched for this purpose.

In the future, it will be possible for event broadcasters to broadcast over digital airwaves (DAB+). This is according to the consultation for the new distribution of DAB licences for local digital radio broadcasting and of FM and DAB licences for non-national commercial radio broadcasting. "As in the FM band, event broadcasting will also be possible in the 174 - 230 MHz frequency band. A licence is possible for the purpose of an event or business support service," said Micky Adriaansens, Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate, in the consultation.

With just 122 days to go to Christmas, Devon has a new radio station! Radio ExeMas has gone on air exactly four months ahead of the big day, to bring happiness and joy as the nights drawn in, children return to school and Santa starts getting his act together. The station, from Devon’s Radio Exe, broadcasts on DAB+ in Exeter and the surrounding area, as well as being streamed on its own website and on the Radio Exe app and website too. As well as being available on Exeter’s DAB+ network, Radio ExeMas will launch on Torbay and Plymouth’s forthcoming digital radio networks when they go on air before the big day.

House Party Radio has launched on the small-scale DAB multiplex in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn. The digital service started three years ago by Station Director John Beddows, also known as Johnny Bee, who has been hosting a radio show of the same name for over 15 years. John commented: “We are extremely excited to bring House Party Radio to DAB across Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn from the 18th August. With thanks to David Duffy and the team.” The station says Warrington is just the second small-scale DAB+ multiplex it is planning to appear on in the Northwest, after launching in Blackpool in December last year.