News

Launched on November 1, the aim of the DAB+ pilot of the Lower Saxony State Media Authority (NLM) was to explore the innovative technologies that can be used where FM broadcasts such as news and advertising. The aim is to extend the possibilities for local and regional radio stations in digital radio and to facilitate their transition to DAB+.

The EBU’s Head of Radio Graham Dixon has delivered a keynote speech at the WorldDAB General Assembly. In the speech Graham Dixon told delegates that: “Audiences are more demanding, encouraged by online usage and provision. To meet this need, and others we have not yet considered, the future is digital.”

Ed Vaizey will tell a conference of over 200 broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers and industry stakeholders today that the future of UK radio is digital and the countdown to three major landmarks has started.

Data from industry analysts CAP and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for Q3 2105 shows that the number of new cars fitted with digital radio as standard in September 2015 has increased by 40% compared to September 2014.

Nearly three quarters of new cars come with digital radio as standard, according to new data. Ed Vaizey, MP, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, will announce the statistics at Radio's Digital Countdown conference today (November 3).

As WorldDAB gets set to begin its 2015 General Assembly, which takes place Nov. 3–4 in London, Radio World spoke to Patrick Hannon, president of WorldDAB and vice president corporate development at Frontier Silicon, about the state of DAB around the world, the technology’s progress, and what observers can expect in the coming months.

The EBU’s Head of Radio Graham Dixon will deliver a keynote speech at the WorldDAB General Assembly on 3 November. In the speech Graham Dixon will tell delegates that: “Audiences are more demanding, encouraged by online usage and provision. To meet this need, and others we have not yet considered, the future is digital.”

Am Funkturm Stockelsdorf the new digital transmitter will be switched on 2 November.

Digital radio listening is reaching a "tipping point" to overtake analogue audiences, according to the body in charge of digital radio switchover. "We are now counting down to the moment when the majority of all radio listening will be to digital," Digital Radio UK chief, Ford Ennals, said.

A few interesting facts from the recent figures are: DAB Digital Radio is growing faster than the internet (14% increase in hours rather than 9%), DAB Digital Radio is listened-to four times as long as radio over the internet (286m hours vs 65m for internet).