News

As of this month, digital radio is available in the Učka tunnel, where the pilot project of DAB+ broadcasting in road tunnels was launched. The activities of testing and implementation of the equipment started in January 2023, with the ultimate goal of quality coverage of the existing pipe of that tunnel with a DAB+ MUX 1 signal.

A study in Austria points to encouraging growth in digital radio. The survey, conducted in Q1 of 2023 and commissioned by RTR Medien GmbH, is the fourth by Ipsos Market Research since 2020 focused on digital radio consumption. Using computer-assisted telephone and web interviewing, the researchers surveyed 2,900 representative people in Austria between the ages of 15 and 70. The survey showed that in the coverage area, 54% were aware of digital radio — an increase of 11% since 2020 and up 7% compared to last year.

A new company has been set up to apply for the recently advertised Sittingbourne & the Medway Towns small-scale DAB licence. Medway & Swale DAB Limited, a joint venture between Sittingbourne Community Radio Ltd and Kent Capacity Co Ltd, is also supported by several other community radio stations in the local area including Sheppey FM on the Isle Of Sheppey. Peter Flynn, Director of Sittingbourne Community Radio Ltd said: “Our vision for small-scale DAB is a diverse collection of radio stations, with a ‘local first’ approach which will deliver an amazing choice of locally programmed radio services, as well as services from further afield, for listeners across the area to enjoy.” Sittingbourne & the Medway Towns is one of 32 areas recently advertised in Round 5 of the small-scale DAB process.

A second DAB+ project has started in Estonia. The company Duo Media Networks OÜ has put its own multiplex on the air. The following programmes are broadcast: Raadio KUKU, Radio ELMAR, MyHits, HAPODHOE RADIO, DFM Tallinn, Raadio Duo. Since 30 April, the service has been broadcasting from the Tartus transmitter on channel 5A and the Pärnus transmitter on channel 6A.

Bayern Digital Radio was founded 25 years ago on 8 May 1998 and was the first licensed transmitter network operator for DAB/DAB+ in Germany in 1999. The shareholders are Bayerischer Rundfunk, Media Broadcast GmbH and Bayerische Medien Technik GmbH. The interests of the commercial broadcasters are represented by the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM). The company's core business is the rapid and efficient expansion of the transmitter networks for DAB/DAB+ in Bavaria.

Former SCA presenter Jules Lund is the latest signing by Disrupt Radio. He will be heard in the 4pm – 6pm timeslot, reportedly focused on business, entrepreneurship and innovation. Lund joins former ABC presenter Libby Gorr on the expanding talent roster at Disrupt Radio which is set to hit the airwaves on DAB+ in coming months.

Leading UK Asian radio station, Sunrise Radio has launched Sunrise Smooth in London. The service went live on Monday 8th May 2023. It will feature laid back Asian hits. Sunrise Smooth will initially be available exclusively on DAB in London.

Manx Radio listeners in Douglas and Onchan will be able to listen to the station on DAB for the first time from 2 May. At 8am, the station will begin its trial of the technology, having been granted a three-year licence by the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority. The trial will cost around £20,000, it's hoped the digital service will replace Manx Radio's AM transmitter.

Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) has switched off its VHF filler transmitter in Burgsinn im Sinngrund. The programmes BAYERN 1, Bayern 2, BAYERN 3, BR-KLASSIK and BR24 were broadcast via the site in the Lower Franconian district of Main-Spessart. The BR refers local listeners to the frequencies from the Kreuzberg transmitter in the Rhön region and to DAB+ as a continuing FM alternative. The Bavaria-wide DAB+ multiplex on channel 11D and the Lower Franconia Mux on channel 10A will continue to be broadcast from Burgsinn. In the course of the ongoing DAB+ expansion, BR already switched off the VHF filler transmitter Burgberg in Oberallgäu at the end of February and the VHF site Mittenwald in summer 2021.

Many respondents see the lack of broadcasting of public service broadcasting on DAB+ in Austria as a disadvantage - especially in comparison to many other European countries. Now there is a 'popular complaint' to persuade the ORF to make its three radio stations broadcast throughout Austria available on DAB+ as well. "The current Ipsos study and the complaint show once again that DAB+ is a relevant distribution channel and marketplace in this sense. This is also evident with regard to the next multiplex (MUX III), the tender for which is currently being prepared by the media authority KommAustria. This must also be accompanied by an increase in the Digitisation Fund in order to further promote media diversity in the Austrian radio landscape," says Roman Gerner, Chairman of the Digital Radio Austria Association.