News

What is the environmental impact of DAB+? Is 5G a viable solution for radio? What was radio listening like in Norway one year after FM switch-off? Where can I find information about the EU Directive mandating digital radio in cars? Find answers to all your questions in the WorldDAB factsheets series.

The demand for vacancies on the regional, commercial DAB radio network has been greater than supply, with two media houses competing for space. There were 199 applications from 113 different applicants received for the 97 vacancies available.

Radio listeners between Wolfenbüttel and the mountainous Upper Harz region of Germany can listen to NDR programmes in even better quality via DAB+, with indoor coverage now available on block 6C (185.360 MHz) thanks to a new DAB+ transmitter in Goslar.

The Greek Government incorporated the European Electronic Communication Code into Greek law in June 2021, mandating that all new car radios be able to receive digital terrestrial radio. Greek retail chains and supermarkets have also started selling DAB+ receivers.

In mid-July, the telecommunications company PSN Infrastruktura put into operation a new DAB+ multiplex in the Polish city of Opole. Currently, four radio stations are broadcast and a further transmitter is planned.

Kult Hit Radio reflects the cultural diversity of the region by creating a "we" feeling among the listener community. Listeners are at the centre of the station's proposition, with programme content developed interactively through audience participation. Currently available on the internet only, Kult Hit Radio will launch on DAB+ in September.

The launch of a digital radio network in Lombardy, which includes local radio stations, is great news for listeners who for the first time can listen via DAB+ to some important local radio stations in Milan and other provinces of Lombardy.

DAB+ coverage has recently increased in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Further DAB+ network expansion is due to go into operation by the end of the year. The network operator of the regional network is Bayern Digital Radio GmbH.

Digital Radio UK has launched an on-air campaign to support the launch of local DAB digital radio in the Channel Islands offering listeners guidance on DAB+ devices and retuning. The 40 second radio spot lets listeners know that they will need a DAB+ set to listen to all the stations now available via the new multiplex and prompts them to retune their digital radio set to listen to the new digital services for the first time.

The results of the Radioprojekt survey confirm the growing popularity of digital radio in the Czech Republic. As of Q1 2021, 10.6% of listeners use DAB+ compared to 7.2% in Q4 2020.