News

The layout of non-national commercial FM lots, known as B-plots, is to be overhauled by 2025, according to the consultation launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK). The number of lots will go down from 54 to 27, with most new lots becoming larger than the existing ones. There will be no more frequencies for commercial local stations. The link between the lots with DAB+ remains and therefore the lots have been aligned as much as possible with the current layout of the seven supra-regional DAB+ allotments. The 27 new non-national commercial FM lots will be auctioned together with DAB+ capacity on one of the seven allotments. After the auction of the non-national commercial radio lots, capacity on DAB+ will remain. This capacity, 44 licences, will also be auctioned.

At its meeting on 16 May, the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) adopted a new concept for the promotion of radio broadcasting via DAB+, the so-called Transformation Incentive Funding (TAF). The BLM is thus implementing a component of the audio strategy adopted by the Media Council at the end of 2023. This is in line with the coalition agreement of the Bavarian governing parties. Both the BLM's audio strategy and the coalition agreement aim to drive forward the digitalisation of radio broadcasting in Bavaria and provide particular support for digital providers. The concept ensures that any DAB+ funding from the Free State of Bavaria is handled independently of the state. It could come into force on 1 July 2024.

Listeners in the town of Tegernsee and in the communities of Bad Wiessee, Gmund, Kreuth and Rottach-Egern may have to tune in to other frequencies on their FM radio on 4 June. The reason for the frequency change is the decommissioning of the FM filler transmitter ‘Tegernseer Tal’ on the Wallberg for economic and environmental reasons. All five BR FM programmes can still be received on FM radios. The entire region has also been very well served with DAB+ radio reception by the ‘Tegernseer Tal’ station since December 2017. Ten BR programmes plus their regional variants are on air via channels 10A and 11D. Including the private programmes (on channels 7A, 10A, 11D), around 30 radio programmes are currently on air via DAB+ in the Tegernsee valley.

The latest radio audience figures in the UK are out and there’s lots to be cheery about. First, radio listening is up, with total weekly reach increasing by nearly half a million listeners - resulting in 89% of the population tuning into linear broadcast radio each week. AM and FM radio listening has now dropped to its lowest level ever - just 27.0% of time spent listening. Indeed, its now fallen behind online radio which accounts for 27.8% of listening. DAB Digital Radio continues to provide the bulk of consumption at 42.6%. I also think the investment - in the content, marketing and distribution - of DAB stations has also helped super-charge the success of these brands on smart-speakers too - a platform which now delivers 60% of that internet listening.

This year, the traditional Innovation Day conference will be held by České Radiokomunikace (CRA) on Tuesday 21 May in Spojka Karlín. Terrestrial broadcasting, whether television or radio, will be the main topic of the annual event organised by CRA. The lunch and afternoon sessions of the conference will focus on digital radio. Marcel Procházka from CRA will introduce the conference participants to the construction of new DAB+ networks and prediction of further development of this platform. Martin Hroch from Radio United will present the idea of commercial radios broadcasting in the analogue FM band about their entry into DAB+ digital broadcasting. Karel Zýka, Technical Director of Czech Radio, will talk about the further development of the public DAB+ digital network.

ABC and SBS have announced that audiences on the Gold Coast will now have access to a range of new radio stations with the launch of DAB+ digital radio services from 15 May 2024. Listeners will be able to enjoy the full range of ABC Radio services including Double J, ABC Jazz, ABC Country, ABC Sport, triple j Unearthed and ABC KIDS listen. They will be able to tune in to SBS Audio services including language programs on SBS Radio 1, SBS Radio 2, SBS Radio 3, SBS Arabic24 and SBS South Asian, as well as music stations SBS Chill and SBS PopAsia. ABC Head of Audio Ben Latimer said: “The addition of DAB+ will improve access to the ABC’s wealth of audio services for audiences on the Gold Coast.”

With the meeting of the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) No. 8/2024 on April 10, 2024, resolved to approve three draft NBTC announcements: 1. Draft announcement of digital frequency plan; 2. Draft announcement of digital transmitter standards; 3. Draft announcement of digital receiver standards. The Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC Office) would like to invite government agencies, state enterprises, and other government agencies, public sector organisations, private agencies, as well as the general public to participate in expressing public opinions on the three draft NBTC announcements.

The Digital Barometer is a sample survey that measures the adoption of digital equipment and uses among the French population. It is conducted jointly by Arcom and other media organisations. The Digital Barometer is a benchmark study of the spread of information and communication technologies in French society. The report says: "With regard more specifically to DAB+ digital terrestrial radio, which is still being rolled out in France, a third (33%) of listeners have already heard of this reception method (including 13% who say they can describe exactly what it is), i.e. 28% of the French population. The awareness of this new technology - as well as the level of equipment - is significantly higher among tech-savvy groups (men, young people, people living in the Paris region, upper-income groups)."

With this new information campaign on DAB+, Swiss radio is targeting drivers in particular. And for good reason. At home, 8 out of 10 minutes of radio are listened to in digital mode. In the car, on the other hand, only two-thirds - the remaining third - are still tuned in to FM. But not for much longer. Even though FM radio licences have been extended until the end of 2026, after that date Swiss radio programmes will only be broadcast in digital format. That's why the current campaign is urging drivers to adapt their car radios. The people responsible for getting the message across are well versed in the subject matter and have their place right next to the radio: bobble-headed figures on the dashboard of a car. They embody the radio programmes and encourage listeners to update or replace their car radio. After all, it's the only way to continue listening to music, news or sports broadcasts from their favourite radio stations after FM has been switched off.

Double J turned 10 on 30 April 2024 with an all-day party. They’ve now announced that they are slowly increasing their station reach beyond the metro areas with a DAB+ launch to the Gold Coast. From 9am on Wednesday morning Double J and Dylan Lewis will celebrate the launch with a nod to the Big Day Out, which was held in QLD on the Gold Coast for 18 years, including live performances from New Order, System Of A Down, tales from the event and more.