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NOSTALGIE has been recognised for the first time in the Media-Analyse ma 2024 Audio I published today by agma with 172,000 listeners per day. "NOSTALGIE - nur die grössten Songs" has been available nationwide via DAB+, stream and app since January 2021. The programme is aimed primarily at the core target group between the ages of 35 and 49 with a music format that combines the biggest songs of the 80s with those from the 70s and 90s. Olaf Hopp, Managing Director of ENERGY Deutschland: "The ENERGY Group's programmes in Germany are now not only a guarantee for high reach in the young target group, but we are now also being shown individually for the first time with the NOSTALGIE brand. We have already seen this positive development in the current results of ma IP Audio and in our own surveys and now this is also underpinned by valid figures in the media analysis relevant for marketing".

In the ma 2024 Audio I published today, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Media-Analyse (agma) announced that the DAB+ programmes of the national Absolut Radio family of stations have once again achieved some of the strongest growth in the whole of Germany, particularly in the 14 to 49 age group, which is important for marketing. In terms of average hourly listeners, Absolut Radio achieved growth of 18 per cent, making it one of the clear winners of the market survey for Germany-wide programmes. "We often deliberately take unusual paths for radio with our stations, try out a lot and sometimes realise so-called radio no-goes," says Mirko Drenger, CEO of Antenne Deutschland. "The new figures show us that we are on the right track to reach new and fresh target groups. What's more, our programme seems to be turning these target groups into long-term listeners," Mirko Drenger continues.

The entire sector (with the exception of the CraXX association of 16 community radio stations) is in favour of the voluntary and simultaneous cessation of FM broadcasts by 2030, in consultation with the Flemish and German-speaking communities, subject to two conditions, maRadio.be has announced. This could see most radio stations stop broadcasting on FM by the end of the decade. The sector has also agreed to take a joint stance to ask the next government to implement a major "Plan for the Digital Transition of Radio". The plan consists of support for the roll-out of DAB+ to significantly improve its coverage, strong economic measures to accompany the digital transition, and changes to the legal framework for radio that take account of the digital transition.

The key data on audio usage confirms the unchanged high overall performance of the radio/audio genre. In the widest group of listeners (WHK), 93.7 per cent (ma 2023 Audio II: 94.1 per cent) of the German-speaking population aged 14 and over use at least one traditional and/or online audio offering (Audio Total). Listeners remain loyal to their stations at a high level with more than four hours of daily usage (duration: 245 minutes) (ma 2022 Audio II: 242 minutes). Distribution via DAB+ continues to be a trend: DAB+ is listened to by 28.5 per cent in the WHK (ma 2023 Audio II: 28.6 per cent) and is used particularly heavily in the target group of 30 to 59-year-olds (WHK: 34.0 per cent - ma 2023 Audio II: 33.6 per cent).

DAB+ transmissions, on channel 7B, of the 17 broadcasters scattered throughout the Abruzzo region began on 11 March. In fact, a repeater covering the entire Abruzzo coastline and part of the interior has been activated. "We had been waiting for the authorisation for the activation of our first repeater for some time," says Giovanni Fimiani, president of the consortium. "Our consortium represents the historic radio stations of the Abruzzo region, the pioneers of the FM airwaves, and the three largest in the Mezzogiorno, with a net worth of all consortium members of around EUR 5 million.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has started consultations on local DAB+ capacity for commercial radio. In parts of the Netherlands, local radio on DAB+ is already available through temporary licences, but from September, local DAB+ will become available for the whole country. The 57 allotments will be used for both local and commercial radio. Local public broadcasters therefore had until February to apply for a licence. Over 200 broadcasters did so. They have now already received their licences. The remaining capacity on the 57 allotments will now be distributed to commercial radio. A total of 815 licences are involved. The number of available licences varies per allotment and depends on the number of local public broadcasters that have already received a licence. On most allotments, however, more than 10 licences are available for commercial radio.

The Communications Networks and Services Agency of the Republic of Slovenia has published a public call for tenders for the award of the T-DAB+ national network, for the R4 and R5 multiplexes. Interested bidders may submit their bids until 19 April 2024 at 10.00. The Agency underlines that digital audio broadcasting (DAB) is the future of radio sound broadcasting. In Slovenia, there is a national network R1 and a national network R2, divided into East and West, and a regional network R3. The deployment of the DAB networks R4 and R5 will complement the current infrastructure and provide comprehensive coverage. It will provide listeners with greater convenience, quality and diversity of radio content.

In late 2023, the bidding process was launched by the Flemish Media Regulator (VRM) after which several bids were evaluated based on a beauty contest. VRM, after reviewing the submissions, identified Broadcast Partners’ bid as the best proposal. Effective June 21, the current operator’s license will be transferred to Broadcast Partners. Due to the change of operator, adjustments must be made to the transmission towers. “Preparations are in full swing. Listeners are not expected to be affected by the operator transition.” Broadcast Partners is also the station operator for commercial stations in Flanders on FM such as Q-Music, Joe and Nostalgie. Also, Broadcast Partners has been managing the DAB network for VRT since 2018.

It is now possible to enjoy the programming of Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 in DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela, thanks to the start of broadcasts from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre located on the emblematic Monte Pedroso, a prime viewpoint of the city. This start of broadcasts in Santiago de Compostela is part of RTVE's commitment to progressively increase RNE's DAB+ offer and the coverage of the service, starting broadcasts in different Spanish cities until the end of the year. Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law: providing maximum geographical and social coverage with better quality, free-to-air broadcasts, complementary information and free reception.

Radioplayer, a leader in connected radio innovation, is excited to unveil a partnership aimed at enhancing audience experience and empowering the radio industry. This integration marks a significant milestone, securing distribution with Google Assistant, a key player closely tied to the connected user experience. Google's commitment to enhancing the listener experience underscores the significance of collaborating with a unified industry through Radioplayer. The announcement was made at Radiodays Europe, where Yann Legarson, CEO of Radioplayer, emphasised the collective strength and innovative spirit of the radio industry: "This partnership with Google represents a powerful testament to the unified voice of radio. Through Radioplayer, we are demonstrably driving positive change and delivering exceptional radio experiences to audiences everywhere, while empowering broadcasters with groundbreaking data insights, enabling them to fine-tune content strategies, drive innovation, and seize new opportunities like never before."