News

The commercial radio industry has launched an exciting new initiative, called First Break, to help discover the next big thing in Australian music. Chief executive of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said the new initiative was open to unsigned artists who have not charted in the top 100 Australian national airplay chart.

Nine delegates from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand are visiting Australia this week, to hold technical, policy and broadcaster meetings with key DAB+ digital radio stakeholders.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has extended the DAB digital radio trial licenses in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and Darwin, Northern Territory, for an additional 12 months.

Nine delegates from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand are visiting Australia this week, to hold technical, policy and broadcaster meetings with key DAB+ digital radio stakeholders.

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) remains the most popular form, at 20.1%, but there was a big climb in demand for radio stations over the internet and mobile apps, up from 3.9% in first quarter to 4.6%.

The expansion of the German digital radio transmitter network in Hesse is continuing.

DAB radio is still the most popular device when it comes to listening to digital radio, accounting for 63.8% of all digital hours. Listening via DTV (digital television) is down 5.9%, however listening online has recorded an increase of 37% YoY.

In London, a boost to the DAB signal in April helped digital surge from 35.7% in the first quarter to 40.8% this quarter, according to Rajar statistics highlighted by Digital Radio UK, the cross-industry body responsible for promoting digital radio.

Absolute Radio saw its total UK audience grow to 1.76 million in the second quarter of this year, up 9.4% on the previous three months, while digital station Planet Rock was up 10.1% to 948000.

BBC digital stations 1Xtra and Radio 4 Extra have recorded their highest-ever listening figures in the latest Rajar report. The new data shows digital radio now accounts for nearly a third of all listening.