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At a time when auto manufacturers are looking to change long-established norms for in-dash audio, the WorldDAB Automotive 2023 conference is adopted “keeping radio prominent” as its theme. The event brings together broadcast and automotive sector experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by connected cars and the role of DAB+ in radio’s in-dash future. WorldDAB Automotive 2023 takes place in Paris at Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, the home of Radio France, on June 15. The one-day conference is free to attend in-person or online, and is organized by WorldDAB.

AllgäuHIT, the popular regional radio station, will be able to broadcast its programming via DAB+ until at least 2033. With this welcome news, the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM) has extended the capacity allocation for the station. AllgäuHIT is known for its varied music selection, the latest news and exciting regional information. By remaining on DAB+, listeners will continue to have unrestricted access to this popular station in the years to come.

More diversity for the radio market in Ingolstadt: "Gong 96.3 in Ingolstadt," a new radio offering from Radio Gong 2000 Programmanbieter GmbH & Co. Hörfunk für München KG, will receive the DAB+ programming slot put out to tender for Ingolstadt. Corresponding data capacities will be allocated for ten years, limited until June 30, 2033. In addition, "rt1 in the mix," an offer from rt1.digital broadcast GmbH, will receive capacity for technical consolidation to compensate for a technical DAB coverage deficit in neighboring, intended coverage areas until June 30, 2025. This was decided today by the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM).

With innovation, locality can also be mapped in DAB+. This has been demonstrated by a unique nationwide pilot project for "dynamic reconfiguration" in a test phase lasting several years. From July 1, it will go into regular operation, decided the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM) with the corresponding allocation of DAB capacity and the extension of the allocation of the offer to Radio Charivari Regensburg in its meeting today. The allocations are limited until June 30, 2033.

Replay News, "France's 24/7 news radio station," is continuing its expansion by now offering its terrestrial broadcast on DAB+ in Monaco and several towns on the Côte d'Azur. This new initiative marks an important step in the development of Replay News, which has established itself since its creation in 2018 "as one of the strong players in the French radio landscape". With its slogan "La radio de l'info toutes les 5 minutes", Replay News, published by Public Santé, has become one of the most listened-to radio stations in France.

CRRT – the national operator of DVB-T/T2 Digital Terrestrial Television in Uzbekistan, is considering the possibility of launching new DAB digital radio services in several regions. Looking for a quick and cost-effective solution, the decision was made to reuse old analog VHF transmitters. To do so, ENENSYS’ Twister II was chosen to upgrade to the DAB standard. CRRT already successfully upgraded its high-power TV station in Tashkent with Twister II, and thus ensured excellent DAB signal distribution in the capital of Uzbekistan.

WorldDAB Automotive 2023 will once again bring together experts from across the broadcast and automotive sectors to share their vision for the opportunities and challenges presented by connected cars, and why DAB+ remains essential for radio's future. “Keeping radio prominent” is the theme of this year’s event, which takes place in Paris at Maison de la Radio, the home of Radio France, on 15 June. The one-day conference is free to attend in-person or online, and is organised by WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB digital radio.

Mark yesterday's date on your calendar – May 23, 2023 – because it was a rare day. A unicorn even. It was the day the broadcast radio celebrated a victory….of sorts. Ford's reversal of course was, in fact, the cause for a brief round of high-fives. And then back to work. But it represented something we haven't seen the industry do in decades: Speak in one voice.

Ford Motor Company has reconsidered removing AM radio from future vehicles in the U.S. and will now include the technology in its newer model cars. “After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we’ve decided to include it on all 2024 Ford & Lincoln vehicles,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley in a post on social media. “For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software update.”

In response to the announcement that Ford Motor Company has reconsidered removing AM radio from future vehicles in the U.S. and will now include the technology in their newer model cars, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt: “NAB commends Ford for committing to keep AM radio in their vehicles, which will keep Americans safe and informed, particularly in times of emergency. With tens of millions of listeners, AM radio continues to serve as a vital lifeline to the public and a critical source of community news and exchange of diverse ideas."