News

On 31 December 2024, the FM transmitters of the entire SSR will cease broadcasting. This includes the FM frequencies used by RTS Première, RTS Espace 2, RTS Couleur 3 and RTS Option Musique. The switch-off of FM transmitters is a decision taken by the Swiss Confederation, which will eventually affect all Swiss radio stations. Most listeners already listen to radio on digital platforms, primarily DAB+, which is the designated successor to FM, but also IP streaming (internet, smartphone app, webradio, etc.). FM listening is becoming less and less popular and is decreasing year by year. The shutdown of analogue FM transmitters is therefore inevitable. It allows for significant savings in terms of broadcasting costs, a gain in reliability and greater durability. It is also easier to use and offers a wider range of channels – up to 160 channels depending on the location. The Confederation chose the deadline for the shutdown of FM, in agreement with public and private radio stations. Eventually, all Swiss radio stations will switch to DAB+.

Lyca Radio Network has expanded its reach with the launch of Lyca Radio in Leicester on DAB. The new station is a local variant of its flagship service, which went live on Friday, 11th October, just ahead of the Hindu festival of Dussehra. This new addition marks the fourth station in the Lyca Radio Network, joining Lyca Radio – Greater London, Lyca Gold – Greater London, and the newly rebranded Lyca Radio – Greater Manchester, previously known as Asian Sound Radio. Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, told RadioToday: “We’re thrilled to have launched Lyca Radio – Leicester today, following the successful debut of Lyca Radio – Greater Manchester last year. Lyca Radio – Leicester will offer tailor-made content for our Leicestershire listeners, and we have a fantastic experience lined up for our new audience in the Midlands market.

‘Ensemble pour le DAB+’ announces the appointment of Maëlo Seuret as Executive Director of the association. His role will be to structure the association's development and support the growth and communication of DAB+. The ‘Ensemble pour le DAB+’ association was created in 2022 on the initiative of the Bureau de la Radio, Radio France and SIRTI, with the support of the French Ministry of Culture.

Former Radio Luxembourg DJ Mark Wesley is joining Radio Caroline’s offshore broadcast team on board the station’s radio ship Ross Revenge this weekend as a guest presenter. Radio Caroline is also now broadcasting on DAB in Northern Ireland via the Lagan small-scale multiplex. Sean Og Mac Braoin from Lagan small-scale DAB said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing Radio Caroline to the listeners across Greater Belfast. Northern Ireland has a long history of what were at the time pirate radio stations and indeed Radio Caroline was launched from Greenore just across the border, so it’s great that that tradition remains to this day. Even if everything is now legal and above board, the spirit of the pirates live on and we know that the people of Greater Belfast will embrace Radio Caroline being available on their airwaves.”

The 41st week of 2024 is marked by big news on the eastern Bohemian peak Černá hora. After the operator Fiera Touch launched its DAB+ multiplex from here and started to distribute its partner programmes Color Music Radio and Radio Hey, the company Teleko digital from Příbram has also arrived. The long-awaited change of broadcasting parameters on Černá hora and Stěžere will take place on Thursday, 10 October. On Thursday, 10 October, between 10:00 and 13:00, there will be a maintenance break on the Trutnov - Černá hora transmitter in the case of the Teleko digital operator. The Příbram company will retune the existing multiplex from channel 5D to the new frequency block 7C. At the same time, the radiated power will be increased from the current 1 kW to 7 kW, the vertical polarization will be maintained.

From Thursday, 10 October, Czech Radio Hradec Králové will offer its listeners a significant improvement in digital signal coverage. Owners of DAB+ radios can look forward to an increase in the power of the Trutnov - Černá hora and Hradec Králové - Stěžery transmitters. The changes will be preceded by a several-hour maintenance break on both towers, after which it will be necessary to retune the receivers. The power of the DAB+ transmitter Černá hora will be increased from the current 1 kW to 7 kW during Thursday 10 October. In practice, this means that the important peak of the Hradec Králové Region will reach a larger area with its signal. In places where the signal of Czech Radio Hradec Králové could already be tuned in DAB+, it should be strengthened. The quality of reception will be better inside buildings and in places where reception has been marginal.

Twice a year, the members of the Digitalradio Deutschland association run a joint campaign during campaign periods to promote the digital terrestrial radio standard. All market partners are invited to take part. The cross-media campaign elements used during the campaign period include TV spots on ARD television programmes, radio spots and programme trailers. Print adverts and articles in specialist publications as well as newsletters and an accompanying social media campaign complement the activities. An accompanying ARD decision-maker campaign under the motto ‘The best for everyone with DAB+!’ is running in two waves. The adverts will be published in various daily newspapers, weekly and monthly publications.

Digitale Radio Vlaanderen, the partnership between VRT, DPG Media and Mediahuis, just launched a new radio campaign as part of the ‘week of digital radio’. Advertising agency Lucy created a campaign for the occasion to communicate the associated trade-in campaign. Until 31 October, anyone can bring in their old radio in any Vanden Borre shop, in exchange for a 10- or 20-euro discount on a new digital radio. The campaign consists of two, rather absurd radio spots and a social media section.

Until now, Cuxhaven has been a blank spot on the map for the new regional DAB+ private radio muxes in Lower Saxony. This is now set to change. In addition to the already known new plans for Rosengarten for the Altes Land ensemble and Sibbesse near Hildesheim for the Hanover ensemble, a private mux is to be broadcast via the telecommunications tower in Cuxhaven. A dedicated frequency (channel 6C) with a power of 2.5 kW will be coordinated here, according to current data from the Federal Network Agency. According to the area allocation, the North Sea coast ensemble (previously on channel 11A from the Aurich site) will be responsible, so the mux allocation should be identical to this package.

Norddeutscher Rundfunk has improved DAB+ reception around Bad Oldesloe. The new Meddewade site broadcasts the Norderstedt ensemble (NDR SH NOR) on channel 10C. The transmission power is 200 watts. Also new on air is the Demmin site for the Greifswald ensemble in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mux NDR MV HGW - channel 8B, 200 watts). The Torfhaus/Harz-West site for the Braunschweig ensemble (NDR NDS BS - channel 6C, 4.4 kW) is still planned for 2024. There are also already announcements for 2025. According to the Federal Network Agency, the Niebüll site with a capacity of 1.6 kW will be coordinated for the Flensburg ensemble in Schleswig-Holstein NDR SH FL - channel 12B).