News

Sound Digital, the national commercial DAB multiplex operated by Arqiva, Bauer and Wireless, has today announced that its expansion programme of 19 new transmitters is nearing completion, with the first of the extended coverage areas due to go live in the coming weeks.

The State Institute for Media NRW will start on October 1 with a "Call for Interest" for DAB+. This is to identify the specific need for transmission capacity in NRW. Radio broadcasters are invited to announce their interest in a DAB+ broadcast by 29 October 2018.

UK Minister for Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Margot James has called for the radio industry to work closely as the government reviews the future of digital radio. But she stopped short of making an announcement concerning a date for digital switchover, saying that she hoped to be in a position “shortly” to announce how the government plans to take the situation forward.

The Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) in Switzerland will increase the financial support for licensed local radio stations and regional TV by CHF 13.5 million as of 1 January, totalling CHF 81 million as a result of a decision taken in 2017. The decision will also extend the licences of regional radio stations, as part of the DAB+ transition in Switzerland.

UK online radio station NME will have its two audio channels broadcast now on DAB Radio in London.

Digital audio consumption is increasing and the WorldDAB session at IBC2018 entitled “Radio’s Digital Strategy” provided a comprehensive focus on audio delivering platforms other than the traditional broadcast airwaves. During the conference, several delegates emphasized that radio has to be easily available where the audience is looking for audio entertainment services. “Radio still is Europe’s most trusted media,” European Broadcasting Union head of radio Graham Dixon said.

We recently reached a milestone in radio consumption: in 2018 so far, 50% of radio listening has been delivered by digital for the first time, inclusive of both IP and DAB. This was one of the criteria set by the government for reviewing whether there should be a digital radio switchover. It is right that we take this moment to reflect on the future for radio, the success of DAB - which now makes up 36% of the UK’s radio listening - and how we best guarantee the next generation of radio listeners.

It doesn't matter how many years go by – or how many newer, better-sounding audio standards come into vogue – the good old digital radio is still going strong. Five of the best DAB radio receivers available in the UK are reviewed here.

NME 1 is now available on DAB+ via a local DAB multiplex in parts of central London, and has launched a new skill for Alexa devices along with its sister station NME 2.

More than 100 people attended WorldDAB's IBC seminar "Radio's Digital Strategy" on Monday 17 September, exploring that whilst the main focus was on how DAB and DAB+ are firmly at the heart of the fast-evolving new digital landscape – that includes the likes of Google, Amazon, Sonos and Apple – a key warning to emerge from new research is the importance of preserving a broadcast digital radio infrastructure.