News

Radio Bremen is planning a third transmitter for DAB+ digital radio in addition to the existing sites in Bremen (Walle telecommunications tower) and Schiffdorf (for Bremerhaven). This is the result of an enquiry with the Federal Network Agency. The ensemble in channel 6D is also to go into operation at the NDR site in Steinkimmen in Lower Saxony. This would improve reception in northern districts such as Farge or Vegesack. Conversely, NDR has been using the Bremen-Walle site to broadcast its ensemble on channel 8D since 2021.

Radioplayer has launched in Luxembourg with mobile apps for all national RTL brands, public service radio 100,7 and Eldoradio. It brings the total number of countries in the Radioplayer partnership to 19, and follows the recent news that Finland, Greece and Cyprus have also launched.

Until now, to receive Radio Alliance Plus in Nîmes, you had to go to FM or connect to the website. From now on, this Protestant cultural radio association, like its cousins Lenga d'Oc (Occitan culture) and Aviva (Jewish culture), is present on DAB+, while remaining on the FM band. If DAB+ was adopted late in France, it is already very present in many European countries and could in the future relegate FM to the dustbin. Norway has already stopped using the FM band. "We had to seize this opportunity," say Redouane Es-Sbanti and Bruno Cécillon. "If we don't jump on the train, we'll stay on the platform."

On 16 February 2023, the Government issued a new decree amending the 2006 decree on the Fund to support local radio broadcasting (FSER). It introduces a new support for dual FM-DAB+ broadcasting. "The mechanism provides for the application of a coefficient for increasing the operating subsidy by 5%. The majority of eligible radio stations will receive a bonus of between €1,700 and €2,000, i.e. approximately one third of the costs of broadcasting on DAB+", the Confédération Nationale des Radios Associatives (CNRA) said.

WorldDAB, the global industry forum for DAB digital radio, is publishing a ground-breaking new book, "Establishing DAB+ Digital Broadcast Radio," written by broadcast technology expert Dr. Les Sabel. Launched to coincide with World Radio Day (13 February), the free ebook offers a unique, in-depth guide to the regulatory, technical and commercial aspects of establishing a successful DAB digital radio service. The book provides guidance to new countries seeking to launch DAB services, as well as offering advice for markets which have already started the process, and those who are nearing permanent service status. It is packed full of invaluable industry insights from Sabel’s twenty years of digital radio experience, to assist everyone involved in establishing DAB+, from media regulators and policy makers to broadcasters and engineers.

DAB+ is expanding and has a brand new station on offer. NRJ+ is coming to the network to broadcast the best of the 90s and 2000s. From 6 March, NRJ is unveiling its extension: NRJ+. A minimum of "blabla" for a maximum of hits and fun. "NRJ+ is a real alternative to NRJ, this new radio station is more musical and more adult. It is totally complementary to NRJ by offering a clear and strong promise: the best of the hits from the 90s and 2000s," says Nicolas Fadeur, Director of Programmes and Brand Manager.

The CEO of Radio France from 1986 to 1989, and co-creator of Europe's first all-news radio station in 1987, Faure contributed to the transformation of journalism in the 20th century. Interested in the idea of bringing new technologies to radio, he campaigned for digital terrestrial radio, chairing Club DAB from 1991 to 2002. He passed away on 25 February at the age of 96.

Radio FG has started broadcasting its programmes on DAB+ in Reims, Châlons-en-Champagne, Epernay, Charleville Mézières, and Vitry-le-François and will cover a large part of Champagne-Ardenne. The Château-Thierry broadcast will open in May. The deployment of DAB+ and its audience are accelerating rapidly in France and FG has supported the deployment of this new broadcasting method from the outset. Radio FG broadcasts its programmes in 32 cities on FM and DAB+.

A new digital radio network for Plymouth is to launch later this year, after broadcast regulator Ofcom awarded a licence to a group led by the company behind Devon’s Radio Exe. It means that Plymouth and the surrounding area could receive up to 25 new radio stations broadcasting on DAB+ digital radio. Broadcast regulator Ofcom is rolling out such services nationally, and asked for groups interested in running the service to apply last year. PlymDab, the successful applicant, will now install two transmitters that together will reach round 250,000 listeners around Plymouth, West Devon and South East Cornwall.

Small-scale DAB licenses have been awarded to Higher Rhythm Limited in Doncaster, PlymDab in Plymouth, and Mid Yorkshire DAB Limited in Wakefield. The areas are part of Round 4 of the licensing process, which has now seen 12 out of a potential 24 awarded so far. 23 of the new small-scale multiplexes are already on air across the United Kingdom; licences are granted for seven years from start of broadcasting, with a further five-year renewal period available.