News

A GfK report reveals that for the first time in Germany, revenue made from the sale of DAB+ portable radios exceeded that made from FM devices.

View Quest announced the launch of their new designer inspired website which reflects the brands ethos of Sound & Style with vivid product and lifestyle imagery. The innovative British DAB receiver manufacturer enjoys a growing reputation in the UK, Europe and increasingly worldwide, with this redesigned website an important step to continuing the rise of View Quest.

The tender for the regional DAB+ network in South West Netherlands has been won by station operator Broadcast Partners. The aim is that by May 1st 2015, the entire network is operational. The DAB+ network in South West Netherlands is the first of a total of five regional DAB+ networks to be rolled out in the Netherlands.

The version of Smooth Radio carried nationally on DAB radio multiplex Digital One is to be replaced by seasonal station Smooth Xmas on 15th November 2014, which in turn is to be replaced by a new service from 27th December.

At the 20th WorldDMB General Assembly in Rome, Fr Federico Lombardi, the Director of the Holy See Press Office spoke of his hopes to use DAB digital radio to extend the coverage of Radio Vaticana beyond Rome. Speaking to the audience, Lombardi said, "...it has become possible for us to extend coverage to most of the Italian territory... This is of course facilitated by the possibility of transmission multiplexing unlike in the past. We hope that rollout of the DAB technology continues to grow in many countries."

Eklipse Sports Radio is to be re-branded in January 2015 Following the sale of a majority shareholding to new investors including the owners of Hamilton Academicals FC by founding Director Spencer Pryor. The station, which broadcasts in Central Scotland on DAB digital radio, is to become RockSport from January 2015. 2.7 million listeners live in the station's DAB coverage area. The station first launched in DAB in May.

The East Midlands version of the easy listening station, which also broadcasts on FM 106.6 across the region and 101.4 around Derby, has until now only been carried on DAB digital radio via the Nottinghamshire local DAB service.

In his address to a global audience of digital radio industry delegates at the WorldDMB General Assembly in Rome, Father Federico Lombardi, Director General of Vatican Radio described the importance of digital radio broadcasting in the enhancement of Vatican Radio services. Father Federico highlighted the benefits of digital audio broadcasting of "quality signal, of low energy consumption and with a considerable number of possibilities of programs to be broadcast... which allows us to extend our programs - not only on the area of Rome, but also nationally."

Digital radio industry experts convened at a Cambridge Wireless (CW) event at Aon UK in London to discuss the future of radio broadcast. While the process of television digital switchover is now complete, radio has not reached the same point, even though it was first launched nearly 20 years ago.

“It is up to the Ministry of Culture to assess these requirements, but we are very optimistic as there are strong indications on fulfilment of all criteria,” said Ole JørgenTorvmark of Digitalradio Norge as he revealed the latest listening figures for Norway at the 20th WorldDMB General Assembly in Rome.