News

When the RedTech team made its way across the halls of this year’sIBC2023 meeting those crafting the most exciting tech in the radio and digital audio tech, there was added energy in the handshakes. The annual RedTech IBC “Best In-Show” Awards, which acknowledge outstanding technological innovation, are a vital part of the international event, and it seems the recognition is coveted. The judges evaluate the nominees according to market relevance, design, business benefits, operational benefits, innovation, technical excellence and cost-effectiveness. This year’s winners include WorldDAB members: GatesAir — MultiD DAB Transmitters; Inovonics — Sofia 563 DAB+ SiteStreamer+ Monitor and Receiver.

Several new digital radio stations are about to launch in South Devon. The date has been set for DAB digital broadcasting network TorDab to go live, meaning local organisations can bring radio services to a wider audience. It will launch on Wednesday 1 November, from transmitters in Torquay, Bovey Tracey and at Teignmouth Golf Club, subject to approval by broadcast regulator Ofcom. TorDab's technical partner Viamux worked with on neighbouring service ExeDab and is due to fit Devon's other DAB service PlymDab, which has yet to announce a launch date. Devon's Radio Exe is a partner in all three services.

Good news for the radio industry came from the WorldDAB session at IBC2023 on Sunday, Sept. 17, in partnership with Broadcast Networks Europe. According to the EBU Media Intelligence Service, radio emerged once more in 2022 as the most trusted medium in Europe — 56% of EU citizens trust radio. “This trust has been preserved since the very beginning,” said Edita Kudláčová, EBU’s head of radio, pointing out how the internet and online social networks scored a poor trust figure in the same survey. “Radio for us is a combination of live radio, on-demand content, as well as everything that goes on a podcast,” Kudláčová continued, confirming how the concept of “radio” is live and evolving.

In a new step to develop the driving experience and enhance passenger enjoyment inside its vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) is introducing the digital audio broadcasting (DAB+) service in its 2024 models. Bruce Robertson, Regional Director of JLR in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “At JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), we always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and provide them with outstanding experiences, and the launch of the third generation of radio broadcasting (DAB+) comes In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it reflects our commitment to providing the latest technologies to improve the driving experience and luxury in our cars.”

Winners have been announced for the Best of Show Awards programme offered by several Future brands at IBC 2023. The awards recognise excellent broadcast products and solutions on display at the show. The Radio World recipients include WorldDAB members: Inovonics 541 FM Modulation Monitor; GatesAir Intraplex IP Link 100N with MicroMPX; and Xperi DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal. Participating brands of Future plc include Radio World, TVBEurope, TV Tech and Installation.

Speaking at IBC 2023, WorldDAB Project Director Bernie O’Neill highlighted the recent growth of DAB+. “In just the last two months we’ve seen DAB+ successfully on-air in Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and a renewed commitment to digital radio development from Thailand,” said O’Neill. “This builds on the ongoing DAB+ rollout across Europe — with significant market expansion well underway in France and Germany, alongside our already established core markets.” To highlight this growth, WorldDAB presented an updated infographic with new data from the first half of 2023.

The continued global growth of DAB+ is highlighted in the latest infographic from WorldDAB, with emerging digital radio territories leading the way, alongside the well-established DAB+ auto market. The updated graphic, which shows over 125 million DAB+ devices sold to date, and almost all new cars across Europe coming with DAB as standard, was published to coincide with the annual IBC Show in Amsterdam.

The Acting Director of Engineering at the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Edmund Fianko is billed to speak at the WorldDAB Conference as part of the ongoing International Broadcasting Convention (IBC2023) in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The selection of Ghana’s representative as a speaker for this year’s WorldDAB conference is a testament to Ghana’s achievement as the first country in West Africa and fourth on the continent to have started DAB (digital audio broadcasting) technology, and on the back of a more advanced version, DAB+.

The Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) / Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority in Estonia has sent out an invitation to market players and stakeholders to participate in a public consultation to identify their interests and expectations regarding the introduction of digital radio and to plan the use of the 174-230 MHz band. "Through this public consultation, we want to identify the interests and expectations of all stakeholders in the field of digital radio," said Erko Kulu, Head of the Frequency Management Unit of the TTJA. DAB+ digital radio is currently in a trial phase in Estonia, allowing market players and listeners to try out the new technology. The test period will last until the end of 2023.

The first half of 2023 has put digital radio in the spotlight in Austria. More than one million Austrians listen to the radio via DAB+ several times a month, according to the latest Radiotest. In order to promote the reception and awareness of DAB+, an increase in the Digitisation Fund is crucial. Roman Gerner, Chairman of the Digital Radio Austria Association, emphasises the importance of financing through the Digitisation Fund for successful network expansion: "The imminent implementation of the new DAB multiplex in 2024 requires an urgent review and adjustment of the Digitisation Fund in order to adequately support media and programme diversity. An increase to 2.5 million euros is not only necessary but also imperative."