News

As reported, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is planning a second multiplex in DAB+ digital radio this year in order to also broadcast the regionalisations of WDR 4, and to move some windows of WDR 2 to this new coverage so that the bit rates in the first mux can be increased. Further preparations are now underway for this. WDR plans to cover its demand for Spinner switches via a framework agreement without purchase obligation with a term of four years. This is stated in the Official Journal of the European Union. It is planned to build turnout systems at probably nine DAB+ transmitter sites in NRW in order to switch new DAB+ transmitters to the existing transmitting antennas. Depending on the location, these must be installed with or without antenna switchgear.

According to the report of BLM President Dr. Thorsten Schmiege on 16 February, on the "Audio Strategy 2025", at the meeting of the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM), the state of Bavaria has moved away from switching off analogue terrestrial radio broadcasting via FM. Decisions on a new tender or extension of the VHF frequencies would be pending in 2025. "The migration from FM to DAB+ is already taking place. Since 2021, all private stations in the Free State can also be received on DAB+. This means that Bavaria is the first federal state to offer its entire FM programme service on DAB+. The many new digital stations that could not previously be offered on FM also contribute to the diversity of the audio landscape in Bavaria. In my view, a switch-off date cannot and should not be the core of the Audio Strategy 2025. Rather, the core of the audio strategy must be the milestones that must be reached in order to enable the complete migration from FM to DAB+ in the interest of all stakeholders," said Schmiege.

When Brillux Radio went on the air nationwide via DAB+ on 15 May last year, the launch represented a first within the German radio landscape: the project is not backed by any of the other radio groups, but by Brillux, a successful paint manufacturer throughout Germany. Editor of Brillux Radio, Sebastian Trzaska says: "Based on the needs and demands of our target group, DAB+ is the ideal distribution channel for us. In addition to the high audio quality, the diverse reception options in modern cars, stereo systems and construction site radios represent a very low barrier to entry for our listeners. Since part of our target group spends a lot of time on Germany's motorways, nationwide coverage is another important aspect for us. We are therefore pleased that we were also able to contribute to the network expansion of Antenne Deutschland in the Münster city area last year."

Despite the fact that in the Czech Republic the imaginary ice is slowly starting to move in the preparation of the final DAB+ multiplexes for commercial networks, it is not expected that they will be launched before the second half of next year. The Czech Telecommunications Authority made the announcement at a roundtable held on Wednesday 15 February, especially for prospective operators. By 22 February, i.e. by next week, the participants of the roundtable have the opportunity to send their comments on the event that has just taken place. The public consultation is expected to start next month, in March, and the comments are expected to be settled by May. The tender itself, the telecoms regulator said in point four, will not take place until June this year.

The Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) held a workshop to discuss with stakeholders the terms of the tender to allocate radio frequencies for the provision of two national and 27 regional DAB+ networks. The draft tender conditions will subsequently be published for re-consultation. The workshop was well attended and discussed, for example, financial aspects, overlapping of broadcasting networks from abroad and other practical issues. A number of smaller players also declared their interest in DAB+ again. There was general agreement on the need to complete the process as soon as possible so that the current time-limited broadcasts could be transformed into permanent and stable broadcasts.

Radio X, the UK’s leading station for indie, rock and alternative music, has launched a brand new radio station dedicated to the greatest classic rock music of all time from across the decades, fronted by presenter and music journalist, Sunta Templeton. Radio X Classic Rock launched across the UK on Thursday 16 February, playing the legends of rock music, from Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Blondie and Thin Lizzy through to The Rolling Stones and the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. Radio X Classic Rock launches across the UK on DAB Digital Radio (nationally on SDL), on Global Player via app, globalplayer.com and on your smart speaker by saying “play Radio X Classic Rock”, and at radiox.co.uk.

We are pleased about the successful start of the DAB+ local mux in Chemnitz - congratulations and good luck to egoFM, Radio Chemnitz 2, Radio T as well as Radio UniCC! Further information on the licensing and distribution of DAB+ broadcasting in Saxony can be found on the website of the Saxon State Authority for Private Broadcasting and New Media (SLM)

Helmut G. Bauer writes: "Despite different radio broadcasting landscapes, the federal states must decide together how to proceed with radio broadcasting. Parallel operation is associated with high costs and an energy input that should not be underestimated... In view of the broad discussion about the reform of the structure of public service broadcasting, it must realistically be conceded that the federal states currently do not have the capacities to also take care of radio broadcasting in order to prepare such resolutions. Nevertheless, there is a need for action. The Broadcasting Commission should therefore call on the stakeholders (broadcasters and state media authorities) to present a concept and a timetable for the transformation of radio by a certain date. Norway and Switzerland show that a migration plan coordinated with many market participants is the best way. In order for the market participants to take the policy seriously and cooperate constructively, a clear commitment of all federal states to digital radio is crucial in this context."

Yesterday, Monday, network operator Divicon Media put the local DAB+ multiplex Chemnitz on the air, following test transmissions. Transmissions are being made on channel 5B from the Chemnitz-Reichenhain transmitter with a transmission power of 2 kW. This is probably the start of regular operation, although official confirmation from the network operator is still pending. At the start yesterday, however, only five programmes were initially switched on: Chemnitz 2, SachsenEins, egoFM, Radio UNiCC and Radio T.

The time has come! The Chemnitz radio landscape is going live on DAB+! The popular campus radio station of the TU Chemnitz, Radio UNiCC, is particularly pleased about this, because the student radio station can be heard 24/7 on DAB+ from 13 February. Previously, the young radio producers only had one hour of FM broadcasting time on 102.7 MHz, otherwise they could only be heard in the webstream. Finally, the dream of 24-hour radio operation is coming true. For several years, UNiCC had been talking about DAB+, the applications were running and now, thanks to funding from the Saxon State Media Authority, the station is allowed to expand its programming for the new coverage area.