News

Dutch spectrum regulator Agentschap Telecom has issued the first licences for local radio stations on DAB+ . The licences for the 22 allotments, which started broadcasts on 1 April, will be valid until August 2022.

In this DAB+ promotional video published by German broadcaster ARD Digital, media personality Anni Dunkelmann explains to consumers the various benefits of DAB+, such as improved sound quality, a wider choice of listening and the ability of certain receivers to show visual displays.

Media Broadcast said that it has signed a four-year contract with Northern German Broadcasting (NDR) and Berlin-Brandenburg Broadcasting (Rbb) to provide broadcasting services for their DAB + output. Media Broadcast will provide maintenance services and prevent radio interference at the DAB + stations. The services will start on 01 April. The parties can extend the contract for up to two more years.

GatesAir says it is extending the proven operational benefits of its liquid-cooled UHF transmitters to VHF and DAB digital radio with the global debut of its Maxiva VLX-OP Series. The high-efficiency, frequency-agile transmitter line covers DAB/DAB+ radio, low-band VHF (Channels 2–6) and high-band VHF (Channels 7–13).

České Radiokomunikace (Czech Radiocommunications) is expanding its DAB+ network in Czech Republic, with the launch of new DAB+ transmitters in Ostrava and Pilsen - on channels 7D and 6D respectively. The public broadcaster currently broadcasts 12 private radio stations on DAB+.

According to the report, DAB+ remains the industry preferred long-term digital platform, especially given the level of investment to date.

The ten trial Small Scale DAB multiplex operators have had their temporary licences extended till the end of 2021. The contracts were awarded by Ofcom five years ago to run for just nine months, but were extended a number of times, and were due to run out on March 31st 2020. But the regulator told the licence holders this month they will now be able to operate their multiplexes till December 31st, 2021.

BBC local radio is teaming up with manufacturers, retailers and a loneliness charity to offer free DAB radios to the most vulnerable people aged over 70. The initiative is part of the BBC’s Make A Difference campaign, which was launched in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. It is running across all 39 BBC local radio stations in England and is aimed at connecting communities. Nominations open on Monday 30 March.

Health Info Radio is taking a stand against the confusion created by the spread of inaccurate and downright misleading information about Covid-19. Produced as a public service by Southdown Media in London, the station offers a mix of updates on Covid-19 symptoms, myths, and social isolation rules, plus interviews designed to help listeners through the shutdown.

Germany's nationwide digital radio offering is set to become even more diverse in autumn 2020, when Antenne Deutschland launch the country's first national commercial DAB+ multiplex. The broadcasting center for the multiplex is set be decided between Berlin and Munich in the near future.