News

Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) Deputy Director Vu Hai has confirmed the local broadcasting industry is gradually replacing its outdated analogue methods, switching to modern digital technologies in line with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) standards.

More local multiplexes are being launched and existing ones extended to make up for the loss of regional slots, using frequencies previously used by MXR.

The switch-on of six new DAB radio transmitters means that 1.4million listeners will have a wide variety of radio stations to listen to from rock and pop to religious and sport stations.

Fourteen years after launching in England, Scotland and Wales, Digital One has arrived in Northern Ireland bringing 10 extra radio stations to the area. The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, together with music star Dana, switched on the signal at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, with live music performances sponsored by Absolute Radio and Smooth Radio.

Today saw the end of a three day DAB+ Technology Workshop and Transmission Demonstration, in Hanoi, Vietnam (26, 27, 29 July). The event was jointly organised by WorldDMB and Voice of Vietnam and was supported by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).

"Radio is one of the oldest and most successful media, but we should not accept people telling us we are old and out of date," CRA's Joan Warner told the RadioAsia Conference in Hanoi today. Warner again confirmed CRA's continuing work behind the scenes to get DAB+ chips into mobile phone handsets, and championed the continuing strong partnership between broadcast radio and new media.

Stiftung Warentest tested 20 digital radios for the kitchen, bathroom and campground and examined and verified sound quality, smooth reception, ease of use and extras. The test winner was a TechniSat receiver. Find all results in the issue 08/2013.

One of the major differences of digital radio is that stations are no longer required to have a frequency number, for example, it would just be 2DAYFM, not 104.1. This makes searching for, and finding, a radio station much easier for the listener. It can also strengthen and streamline the brand for network radio stations across multiple markets.

On 25 July 2013 the Swedish Government decided to appoint a special investigator, who will serve as industry coordinator, to work on the transition from FM broadcasting to terrestrial digital radio.

Boosting revenues from digital and sponsorship – moving beyond standard ad sales – is crucial to Absolute's success, Kilby says. He says that online ads hold the key to growing revenues in an increasingly connected world for the whole radio industry.