News

Only four years after the national launch, the term DAB+ digital radio or its logo is already known to more than half of the population aged 15 and over (54 %) in the nationwide coverage area of digital radio. Already 30% of all households in Austria have at least one DAB+-capable receiver and almost a quarter of the population has already listened to a radio programme via DAB+. 18% of the total population, that is 960,000 Austrians, even use digital terrestrial radio DAB+ at least several times a month, several times a week or almost daily. These are the key findings of the study "DAB+ Digitalradio Österreich 2023", which was published by the Media Division of Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR Media) on 2 May 2023.

A project funded by Germany’s Bavarian State Chancellery is testing a novel approach to digital radio: Using technical clustering to combine different channels into a single, bespoke broadcast experience for a listener. The project, titled ART [Announcement Radio Toolbox] is a collaboration between the Bayerische Medien Technik, the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for new media, Mediaschool Bayern, Bayerische Lokal-Radioprogramme and Bayern Digital Radio. In the project, different music genres, such as electro, country and jazz, are broadcast parallel to an information channel via DAB+ in Bavaria.

Triple M has today announced the launch of new DAB+ station, Triple M Tradie Radio, with XXXX beer and Mitsubishi Triton signing on as partners. The new DAB+ station has been built specifically for tradies, aiming to be sure that when the job isn’t running smoothly, the music is. SCA Head of Client Services and Partnerships, Trevor Crook, said, “Triple M is already a much-loved brand in Australia, and this brand extension allows us to further deliver a bespoke offering across DAB+ radio and the LiSTNR app.”

Radio France’s Sibyle Veil has been elected as Chair of the new EBU Radio Committee at the 29th Radio Assembly in Athens. She has been President and CEO of Radio France since 2018. “In a rapidly changing environment,” she said, “public service media face many common challenges, especially in terms of securing our prominence in the new digital world and reaching all audiences, particularly younger generations.” Veil will be speaking at WorldDAB Automotive 2023 on 15 June, in Paris and online.

The Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) has published for renewed public consultation a draft announcement of a tender procedure aimed at allocating frequencies for the provision of two national and 27 regional broadcast networks for DAB+ terrestrial digital radio. "Our goal is to set the conditions right, so that the new broadcasting format can be successfully developed and transformed into a permanent and stable broadcast," said Marek Ebert, Chairman of the CTU Council.

EBU’s Director General, Noel Curran: "It was having the audience front of mind that helped the EBU formulate our essential four principles for “future radio”: Radio should be easy to use, accessible via one button and highly visible on a connected screen as a standalone icon or app, not hidden behind another platform. For an intuitive user experience, this is non-negotiable. Radio should not just be easy to find — it should be impossible to miss. There is intense competition for “share of ear,” but radio shouldn’t be seen as just one of many choices. It’s a key part of what audiences want. Radio should be on the first “rank” of any set of options. The audience shouldn’t have to work hard to find it. Disruption in distribution is perhaps most visible in the car, which is now a platform in its own right. But radio in cars should be focused and personalised responsibly."

A new community radio station in Bristol is launching on Bristol East small-scale DAB multiplex. Base Radio, dedicated to promoting local culture, music, and news in Bristol, will do on DAB from April 29th at 8am. “We’re thrilled to bring our community station and programming to a wider audience through DAB. It’s a great opportunity to join the likes of BCFM, Bradley Stoke, Keynsham Town and Ujima radio, in providing a community station for South Bristol and Bristol as a whole” said Rodney Brown, one of the management team.

With the publication of an Order on Selection Principles, the Austrian Communications Authority (KommAustria) has entered the critical phase of a tender procedure for the granting of licences for the construction and operation of DAB+ multiplex platforms (MUX) based on its current digitisation strategy. The decree describes the basic requirements, especially financial requirements, which interested applicants must fulfil, but in particular explains the criteria according to which a selection will be made from among several applicants. It also offers a preview of the content of the call for proposals. Interested parties will be able to apply for nationwide DAB+ coverage as well as for regional and local coverage areas. The date for the call for applications has yet to be announced.

Digital terrestrial radio is gradually being rolled out in France with DAB+ and Radio Laser is embarking on the digital adventure. Radio Laser broadcasts using FM within a 40 km radius of Guichen. However, some areas of Rennes are poorly served, due to the large number of buildings. "With DAB+, the whole of the urban area will be able to receive our programmes with good quality," explains Sylvain Delfau, director of Radio Laser.

Lega Serie A and RDS 100% Grandi Successi announce the birth of Radio-TV of Lega Serie A, the new radio and TV broadcaster of the next championship, which will broadcast via DAB digital radio and IP. "The Lega Serie A's decision to launch its own radio-TV channel, on DAB and the web, with the start of next season is the first step towards the creation of the possible official live match broadcasting channel that could come to life on 1 July 2024," said Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo.