News

The new Evoke D6 boasts two front-facing speakers with smart, streamlined looks, quality audio and a suite of enriching features including Bluetooth for convenient wireless streaming. Comprising a multi format, DAB/DAB+/FM tuner, the Evoke D6 has received the Digital Radio tick mark to signify that it is future ready in the event of a digital radio switchover.

The BBC is leading the development of a new generation of ‘hybrid’ radio, following extensive research that shows most smartphone users want broadcast radio in their devices. The BBC is working with a coalition of global broadcasters – which includes UK commercial radio, the EBU, Clearchannel, Ibiquity, Emmis Interactive, NAB and Commercial Radio Australia – to research and develop ‘hybrid’ radio – a combination of internet and broadcast (DAB or FM) radio – for use in mobile phones.

Almost 250,000 cars in the United Kingdom were registered in September with digital radio as standard, up nearly 50% on September 2013, according to Ed Vaizey, minister for Culture and the Digital Economy in the United Kingdom.

When buying a new car it is worth asking about DAB+. DAB+ will replace FM radio in a few years and offers some advantages. For this reason, the TCS has looked at the 15 best selling cars in 2013 in Switzerland and what price DAB+ is in these models.

DAB receiver sales in the UK have grown by 10% in the last year. In the last 12 months (Oct 13 to Sep 14), total UK DAB receiver sales were 2.93 million units - up 10% from 2.66 million (Oct 12 to Sep 13). The key driver of growth is the automotive sector. The DAB market is now firmly established - for both consumer and line-fit automotive receivers.

In September, 58% of all new cars registered came with digital radio (CAP/SMMT), it was announced by Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy at the annual industry Radio Festival in Salford today. Almost 250,000 cars were registered in September 2014 with digital radio as standard, up nearly 50% on the previous September. He also confirmed that BBC coverage for its national stations on DAB digital radio was now 95%, and that this programme of work would be completed before the end of 2015.

A new broadcasting center for digital radio opened today at the headquarters of broadcasting organisation, Südtirol (RAS). From 15th October, South Tyrol will be able to receive 33 digital radio channels.

Small-scale DAB is to get a boost as Ofcom prepares to licence a number of smaller multiplexes. The regulator will launch a consultation next week inviting stations to be part of the test, which will give existing stations a chance to go on DAB for a nine month period. Peter Davies, Director of Content Policy at Ofcom, speaking at the Tech Con event in Salford today, said: “There are around 150 small scale radio and 200 or more community radio stations and for them the existing multiplex structure just doesn't work. “We want to give those stations a chance to go digital, and we’d like to see community and commercial stations working together,”

Sunrise Radio has announced that it will begin broadcasting on DAB digital radio from Wednesday 15th October. In its on-air promo, the station is urging listeners to re-tune their DAB radio sets to find Sunrise Radio on five multiplexes including Greater London and outskirts such as Dover, Kent and Bedfordshire.

The professional organisations involved in the roll-out of DAB radio stations in Paris, Marseille and Nice have formed an “Alliance for Digital Radio” (“l’Alliance pour la RNT”) to coordinate activities related to the promotion of a rapid launch of digital radio at the national level, and aimed at the regulator (CSA), government departments, industry partners, retailers and editors. They plan also to inform the public about the advantages offered by digital radio.