News

Over 8000 people and 160 exhibitors are expected to attend the three day event taking place in Paris at the end of January. DAB+ digital radio will also be taking centre stage at the event, as France prepares to launch its national DAB+ network in 2020.

Australian broadcast technical author Alan Hughes discusses digital radio, 5G, and the reasons why the former is better suited to support broadcasting.

Commenting on Swedish Radio's application for a national DAB licence, Head of Strategy Jan Petersson expressed the public broadcaster's desire to establish itself in this new broadcasting state and be prepared to increase DAB broadcasts in the future. Swedish Radio currently broadcasts on DAB+ in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Norrbotten.

The development of DAB+ digital radio was highlighted at the WorldDAB General Assembly, where topics of discussion included the launch of DAB+ digital radio in Tunisia, the launch of national DAB+ in France, and Switzerland's upcoming digital switchover.

DAB+ network continues to improve in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany, with the launch of a new site in Mühlacker on 25 November.

Commenting on the reasons behind DPG Media's launch of a digital-only station, music director Kevin Moens stated that DAB+ digital radio presented an opportunity to do something novel and reach new audiences on the Flemish radio scene, particularly as DAB+ tripled its penetration in the Belgian region.

Swedish Radio has submitted an application to the Ministry of Culture for a national DAB+ permit for the 2020-2025 period. As part of its current permit, the public broadcaster is authorised to broadcast digital radio in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Norrbotten. As part of its new application, Swedish Radio has requested a nationwide permit for ten channels.

A new call for tenders for DAB+ licenses has launched in the state of Thuringia, central Germany. Interested parties wishing to convert their FM licenses into DAB+ have until 20 December 2019 to submit their applications.

The Berlin radio landscape is becoming increasingly diverse as Radio Arabica and Mega Radio Berlin launch on DAB+ in the German capital. This marks the first time an Arabic-language radio station has been allocated a DAB+ license in the Berlin.

The availability of the Pure Evoke-1 helped DAB finally take off in the United Kingdom, and there are now over 40 countries with radio stations that conform to DAB or DAB+ standards. As for Pure, the company said its cumulative DAB radio sales exceeded 5 million units as of 2014.