News

Czech Radio is cooperating with Prima TV to promote DAB+ digital radio broadcasting. As part of an information campaign deployed before the Christmas holidays, viewers on FTV Prima can come across a special application under the virtual red button, HbbTV technology. The DAB+ digital radio promotion will also appear directly on air. If the viewer is hit by an advertising campaign promoting digital radio via HbbTV, a large box will appear on the bottom right corner of the screen with the unmistakable information "Radio can do more now".

Belgium's Tomorrowland One World Radio is slowly but surely continuing its international conquest. New since this month is a major DAB+ 'deal' for German-speaking Switzerland, which means the radio service can now be listened to across almost all of Switzerland via digital airwaves. The latest jewel in the crown, since 1 December, is a licence for German-speaking Switzerland through Zurich-based My105 DJ Radio from Giuseppe Scaglione (founder and managing director) and Paola Libera (co-owner and marketing manager).

Exeter has a suite of new radio stations broadcasting exclusively to the city and surrounding area, following the launch of a DAB transmitter network. Exeter is one of the first of 25 locations around the country to be selected in the first round of such networks which enable new radio stations to broadcast to relatively small areas. Last year broadcast regulator Ofcom awarded the licence to operate the service to local company ExeDab, which is led by Devon’s commercial station Radio Exe and Exeter’s community station Phonic FM. Launched on 1 December, eight stations are now broadcasting on high-quality stereo DAB+ to an area of around 150 square miles around Exeter. and reaching around 135,000 adults.

GatesAir has applied the technology unveiled last year in its Maxiva PMTX-1 outdoor transmitter series for UHF TV broadcasters to DAB radio. Gates says the PMTX-1’s rugged, telecom-grade enclosure makes it impervious to weather elements, with adaptability to any climate or outdoor environment thanks to its sealed protective shell. In Europe, the PMTX-1 simplifies DAB broadcast service for tunnels, complex terrain that limits coverage, and areas shadowed by buildings and other obstacles.

Ten weeks have passed since the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) published the principles of the tender for DAB+ frequencies on its website. We asked how the public consultation went and when the final terms of the auction can be expected.

CRA has launched a major campaign this week communicating that DAB+ radios make great Christmas gifts and offering 30% off most DAB+ radios at JB Hi-Fi. The pre-Christmas media campaign for gift givers runs until December 24, with JB Hi-Fi extending the 30% offer through to December 31. Commercials will air across Broadcast Video On Demand (BVOD) stations and YouTube. A social media version will also run on Facebook, along with online banners. The campaign celebrates the growth of DAB+ stations and listening across Australia’s metro markets, with DAB+ radios at home, at work and in car, now accounting for over 20% of all radio listening.

Digital alternative radio station "Willy" in Flanders has a little brother on DAB+. Since Tuesday, "Willy Class X" has been added to the line-up. Willy Class X takes the place of Joe Lage Landen, which recently stopped broadcasting. On Willy Class X, 'non-stop rock classics' can be heard 24 hours a day. The playlist includes Skunk Anansie, Blondie, Lou Reed, Manic Street Preachers, Pearl Jam and Depeche Mode. As such, the station compares well with Arrow Classic Rock or K-Rock in the Netherlands. Willy Class X can be found on the DAB+ Flanders 2 network on channels 5A and 5D. Reception is also possible in large parts of the southern Netherlands.

From 6 December, TDF is starting to broadcast DAB+ digital radio from its Mareuil-Caubert and Neuville-Saint-Amand sites. The population of Abbeville and Saint-Quentin can now receive thirteen radio stations broadcast in DAB+ digital quality. TDF teams carried out new technical installations on each of the two TDF sites concerned. This work consisted of installing a new antenna system, a multiplexing cell and the associated transmitters. Work was also carried out to adapt the infrastructure.

With the activation of a new transmitter site in the city of Münster/Westphalia, reception of the 2nd national DAB+ station package in the region has improved significantly. Especially inside buildings, many more listeners can now receive the 16 stations in the best quality, and mobile reception on the move is now also possible without interference throughout the greater Münster area. "We are delighted that the new transmitter in Münster will enable DAB+ listeners in the city and the surrounding regions to receive the 2nd nationwide station package at home and on the move without interference. We would like to thank Brillux Radio in particular, whose commitment contributed significantly to the rapid implementation of the network expansion," said Mirko Drenger, CEO of Antenne Deutschland.

With the rise of Smart Speakers, we asked Pete Ogley, CEO at radio manufacturer Pure what the future of radio listening habits is. “Listening habits are still very much alive and well. However, what has changed is the way that people access and listen to audio. And today, curated content is huge! From the birth of music streaming services to podcasts and internet radio, people continue to curate and consume audio content. And while how we access radio has evolved, the increased access to new content has also led to more innovation around how we access it; with multiple devices being used, such as smartphones, wi-fi speakers and more traditional radios.