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Digital listening in the UK has surged to 65.8% of all radio listening. DAB is now the predominant platform for radio listening accounting for 43% of all listening compared to 34.2% for AM/FM. The strong performance of digital platforms has been boosted by the launch of a number of new digital stations in the last 18 months. Digital listening in car now accounts for 53% of all in car listening, with DAB in car accounting for 46.6% of listening (compared to AM/FM’s 33.1%). Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, said: ‘’The new RAJAR listening data for Q3 2021 confirms the importance of digital listening and digital platforms which now account for two thirds of all radio listening. It’s funny to consider that some radio industry commentators used to question the viability of DAB which is now comfortably the predominant radio platform accounting for 25% more hours of listening than FM and AM combined. It’s good to see the new distinctive digital-only stations launched during the pandemic finding audiences and supporting digital growth.”

At its meeting on October 21, the Bavarian media council (BLM) granted Antenne Bayern permission to host and distribute state-wide the DAB+ radio service "Oldie Antenne". Said BLM President Dr. Thorsten Schmiege: “In terms of programming, Oldie Antenne is an interesting addition to the radio market and contributes to its diversity. In terms of media policy, the new station is a further commitment to DAB+ digital radio. Antenne Bayern is now a pioneer in DAB , and with this decision confirms the clear DAB+ strategy. Last but not least, the decision to offer the new station in the best DAB quality to a state wide audience strengthens Bavaria as a media location."

On Monday, Qmusic in Flanders will launch Q-DOWNTOWN on DAB+. Michael Dujardin, channel manager Qmusic in Flanders in a press release about the new radio station: “We are very happy to announce Q-DOWNTOWN today, because from now on we can offer a large group of young people a broad and accessible radio station that completely matches their way of life. As a Flemish media company, we see it as our task and responsibility to create an inclusive offer that fully reflects how our society is structured today."

From 29 October radio listeners in North Rhine-Westphalia can look forward to a large selection of additional programmes via DAB+. With a total of 16 channels in the new, state-wide programme offering from audio.digital NRW GmbH, the variety will again increase significantly. Together with the regional and nationwide DAB+ programmes already broadcast, a total of up to 60 radio programmes in the best digital quality will then be available in Germany's most populous federal state, both at home and in the car.

Radio listeners in North Rhine-Westphalia can look forward to ten new DAB + digital radio stations. The private broadcaster egoFM has also been there from the start. The station is looking forward to surprising listeners in NRW with a “beautiful, new world of radio”. The innovative audio platform egoFM, two-time German Radio Prize winner, promises a special radio programme based on the motto: Music that changes everything. Diversity that broadens your horizons. Ideas that save the world. "We are very pleased to be able to expand our broadcasting area with the DAB+ network of North Rhine-Westphalia," said Christian Strohmeier, Managing Director of Radio Next Generation GmbH & Co KG. This means that the station can potentially reach an additional 18 million people in a largely urban region. “From our point of view, the perfect audience for a station like egoFM”.

On Monday, Polish Radio, together with 13 regional public radio stations, announced a tender for DAB+ broadcast services in more locations. Up until now coverage was focused on cities, and with this extension applies more to the main roads. DAB+ today reaches 67 percent of inhabitants of Poland, increasing to approximately 80 percent after the spring 2022 expansion.

On October 12, Radio Orient began broadcasting its programs in Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Cannes, Dijon and Avignon. This new deployment brings the number of zones covered by Radio Orient to 26 sectors in DAB+ and 11 in FM. This makes this station one of the most important in terms of coverage, especially as other new sectors will be opened in 2022.

Schlager Radio will start broadcasting on the North Rhine-Westfalia DAB+ multiplex to launch on 29 October. The launch of the station fills a gap in the offer to listeners, by providing a channel that plays the popular music genre "Schlager". North Rhine-Westphalia is the "Schlagerland" of the Federal Republic. Nowhere is the enthusiasm for the genre of music in Germany greater than in NRW and many popular artists come from North Rhine-Westphalia and have a huge fan base all over Germany.

Starting on 30 October, talkSPORT will broadcast rugby’s Autumn Nations Series for the first time ever on the network. Coverage will include 50 exclusive matches to broadcast over the next three years, with a top team of rugby talent. Talksport, owned by Wireless Group (part of News Corp), is a sports radio station and the Global Audio Partner of the Premier league. It is the only English radio station broadcasting sporting discussions and commentaries 24 hours a day.

The UK Digital Radio and Audio Review recommends that there should be no mandated switch-off of analogue radio in the UK until at least 2030 - meaning that FM radio broadcasts can continue for at least another decade so the elderly, vulnerable and people in remote communities can access essential news and entertainment. Media Minister Julia Lopez said: "We must make sure this treasured medium continues to reach audiences as listening shifts to new technologies and that we have a gradual transition away from FM to protect elderly listeners and those in remote areas. We will not have a digital switchover until at least 2030 and will consider new rules to keep our thriving radio sector at the heart of the UK’s media landscape."