News

A new digital radio network made possible by legislation sponsored by Torbay MP Kevin Foster has launched across Torbay and Teignbridge. TorDab, which is operated by people associated with Devon’s Radio Exe and South Devon Radio – a new station in Torbay – became fully operational this week. TorDab, which has three transmitters across the Torbay and Teignbridge area, means that radio stations linked to the network reach around 210,000 adults. As well as Radio Exe and South Devon Radio, Phonic, and Ocean Youth Radio, which provides opportunities for young people to train in broadcasting, are part of the network, as well as Radio Exe’s non-stop Christmas station Radio ExeMas.

Since Friday, classic rock station K-Rock has been replaced by Kink 90's, a station exclusively featuring alternative pop and rock from the 1990s. Kink 90s features artists such as Nirvana, Len, Sophie B Hawkins, Oasis, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers. With the launch of Kink 90s, another Kink themed channel on DAB+ is linked to a decade. Earlier this year, Kink Classics was already replaced by Kink 80s.

On 1 December 2023, Czech Radio and Czech Radio Communications launched digital broadcasting from eight new DAB+ transmitters in Bohemia and Moravia. "With the launch of eight new DAB+ transmitters, we have achieved an increase in indoor coverage by 155,000 listeners. This has been achieved through the appropriate selection of transmitter sites and optimisation of the transmitting power and radiation characteristics of the transmitting antennas," said Karel Zýka, Director of Technology and Administration at Czech Radio.

"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%.