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Paris-based transmission services provider, TDF has added eight Digidia FlexiDAB multiplexers and more than 50 encoders to its digital transmission headend. According to Digidia, this brings the total number of multiplexers to over 30 with more than 150 encoders in place.

ROCK ANTENNNE starts on August 1st via DAB+ in Zurich. Channel 9D reaches 1.3 million people in the metropolitan area. The leading rock radio network in Germany and Austria is expanding its DAB+ transmission area into Switzerland for the first time. For ROCK ANTENNE Managing Director Guy Fränkel, the Swiss are an important part of the rock community: "The community wanted more, we deliver: crystal-clear and free DAB+ reception throughout the Zurich metropolitan region. We are significantly expanding our range with the new digital radio standard.”

Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle expects that the final shutdown of the FM frequencies, the so-called 'switch off', will take place between 2028 and 2031. According to him, the VRT must be a forerunner in the digitisation of the radio landscape. For example, if the 'switch off' does not come on January 1, 2028, it may be an option, according to Dalle, to fully digitise one of the VRT channels.

Südwestrundfunk (SWR) is expanding its transmitter network for DAB+ digital radio reception in Baden-Württemberg. The commissioning of the Konstanz site on July 6 2022 will improve DAB+ coverage in Konstanz and along the B33 between Konstanz and Radolfzell, Bodanrück, and along the B31 between Meersburg and Ludwigshafen in frequency block (channel) 8A.

The Tyneside Community Digital multiplex has launched with three local radio stations on board from the start. Pride Radio, Spice FM and Radio Tyneside are all now broadcasting on small-scale DAB in the local area. Richard Finch, operator of the DAB service, said; “This project is the culmination of years of hard work. We’d like to thank all those who have supported us and made this possible. “We know that more and more listeners are choosing to listen to radio via DAB, so this is a welcome move for community broadcasters and the many other stations who will be on the platform very soon creating a truly diverse set of stations that cater to many tastes in the north east.”

DAB+ launched last week in the southwest of France bringing more choice and better sound quality to radio listeners. The emergence of less well known stations such as Capsao, Swigg and Crooner Radio is also one of the advantages of DAB+, particularly given that FM frequencies are saturated.

Großstadtradio is the name of the new radio station from Berlin. As a daily companion to listen through, Großstadtradio relies on hand-picked, current songs from indie rock & pop, guitar pop and extraordinary pop. Großstadtradio reports locally and regionally on Berlin topics and the surrounding area and stands for the diversity of the metropolis and for the different lifestyles of its people.

Commercial radio reached a cumulative weekly audience of 12 million according to the latest GfK survey, the highest figure recorded and a 7.6% jump over the past year. Commercial Radio Australia CEO Ford Ennals said: "Commercial radio growth is being driven by radio’s digital evolution with the number of people listening via digital streaming up 34% year on year and via DAB+ up by 27%. “There was increased listening to commercial radio across all ages with a solid increase in younger listeners with 79% of 18-24s tuning in weekly. One in five of this age group listened to commercial DAB+ stations during the survey period, up 63% compared to a year ago.”

Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron said of the SCA results: “SCA maintaining its No.1 share nationally in the critically important 25-54 demographic is testament to the strength of our radio brands and premium talent in each market. SCA’s DAB+ stations have achieved a record 1.282 million listeners. All these results show how well our brands are resonating with local audiences.”

According to the new head of Radio and Television Slovakia Luboš Máchaj, RTVS should invest in the development of DAB+ digital broadcasting. The expected migration of listeners can only be expected between 2030 and 2035, however, the public media should already deal with this technology significantly. "This is a process in which it is necessary to ensure that the use of DAB+ spreads among listeners," stated Machaj, adding that it is necessary to ensure that RTVS does not lose listeners.