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According to the latest figures released in the EBU's Digital Radio report, this includes 395 public stations, 1020 commercial stations and 151 non-classified stations (non-profit stations, student radios, etc.). From the 1566 stations currently broadcasting in DAB+ throughout Europe, 339 stations have a national reach, 603 regional and 624 are local stations.

Just over a year after becoming the first country to complete its digital switchover, Norway remains at the centre of attention. In this article, WorldDAB reports on the current state of the radio industry in Norway, based on the keynote session of the Digital Radio Summit held at the European Broadcasting Union in Geneva, Switzerland.

Digitalisation is progressing faster and faster on the radio, with the total number of DAB+ devices in Germany having increased last year by more than 2 million, to nearly 12 million devices. The number of households equipped with DAB+ devices rose to 17 percent in 2018 (compared to 15.1 percent in 2017), meaning that more than one in every six households now has at least one DAB+ receiver.

The European Electronics Communication Code adopted by the EU at the end of 2018 mandates digital radio in cars by the end of 2020. While in theory, this directive could refer to DRM or HD Radio, it is assumed that this legislation refers to DAB+, the most commonly used form of digital radio in Europe. Many European countries are already operating DAB / DAB+ networks, although Norway is the only country to have entirely switched off its nation-wide FM network.

French broadcasting services operator towerCast is using All In Media’s Rapid software solution to power DAB+ visual services in France. AIM, which is part of the Xperi family of companies, is a supplier of smartphone apps and broadcast systems for the radio industry.

DAB+ has played a key part in the renaissance of radio. Digital listening in countries such as the UK, Italy and the Netherlands is already high enough to discuss a potential switch-off of the FM, while in Norway, the switch to DAB+ was completed in 2017, with Switzerland also planning to complete a digital switchover by 2024.

WorldDAB has published an updated version of its User Experience (UX) Design Guidelines for automotive manufacturers and broadcasters on how to deliver the best possible digital radio user experience in the car. The new set of guidelines, which is available to download from the WorldDAB website, were developed to help broadcasters and automotive OEMs better understand what consumers want from their radio and how best to deliver it.

As part of World Radio Day, CEO of maRadio.be Francis Goffin unveiled the first figures on the deployment of digital radio in Belgium. 95% of the Belgian population is currently covered by DAB+, and it is expected that by September 2019, 97% of the population will be covered.

The research, based on a survey of 1000 respondents, indicates that half of the people in Britain view their favourite radio presenters as family or friends, while 80% of people listen to the radio alone. What's more, the research highlights that radio remains popular with younger listeners, with half of young adults aged 16-34 listening to radio content to enhance their experience of a TV programme.

WorldDAB has published an updated version of its User Experience (UX) Design Guidelines for automotive manufacturers and broadcasters on how to deliver the best possible digital radio user experience in the car. The new set of guidelines, which is available to download from the WorldDAB website, were developed to help broadcasters and automotive OEMs better understand what consumers want from their radio and how best to deliver it.