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Südwestrundfunk (SWR) is expanding its transmitter network for DAB+ digital radio reception in Baden-Württemberg. The commissioning of the Konstanz site on July 6 2022 will improve DAB+ coverage in Konstanz and along the B33 between Konstanz and Radolfzell, Bodanrück, and along the B31 between Meersburg and Ludwigshafen in frequency block (channel) 8A.

The Tyneside Community Digital multiplex has launched with three local radio stations on board from the start. Pride Radio, Spice FM and Radio Tyneside are all now broadcasting on small-scale DAB in the local area. Richard Finch, operator of the DAB service, said; “This project is the culmination of years of hard work. We’d like to thank all those who have supported us and made this possible. “We know that more and more listeners are choosing to listen to radio via DAB, so this is a welcome move for community broadcasters and the many other stations who will be on the platform very soon creating a truly diverse set of stations that cater to many tastes in the north east.”

DAB+ launched last week in the southwest of France bringing more choice and better sound quality to radio listeners. The emergence of less well known stations such as Capsao, Swigg and Crooner Radio is also one of the advantages of DAB+, particularly given that FM frequencies are saturated.

Großstadtradio is the name of the new radio station from Berlin. As a daily companion to listen through, Großstadtradio relies on hand-picked, current songs from indie rock & pop, guitar pop and extraordinary pop. Großstadtradio reports locally and regionally on Berlin topics and the surrounding area and stands for the diversity of the metropolis and for the different lifestyles of its people.

Commercial radio reached a cumulative weekly audience of 12 million according to the latest GfK survey, the highest figure recorded and a 7.6% jump over the past year. Commercial Radio Australia CEO Ford Ennals said: "Commercial radio growth is being driven by radio’s digital evolution with the number of people listening via digital streaming up 34% year on year and via DAB+ up by 27%. “There was increased listening to commercial radio across all ages with a solid increase in younger listeners with 79% of 18-24s tuning in weekly. One in five of this age group listened to commercial DAB+ stations during the survey period, up 63% compared to a year ago.”

Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron said of the SCA results: “SCA maintaining its No.1 share nationally in the critically important 25-54 demographic is testament to the strength of our radio brands and premium talent in each market. SCA’s DAB+ stations have achieved a record 1.282 million listeners. All these results show how well our brands are resonating with local audiences.”

According to the new head of Radio and Television Slovakia Luboš Máchaj, RTVS should invest in the development of DAB+ digital broadcasting. The expected migration of listeners can only be expected between 2030 and 2035, however, the public media should already deal with this technology significantly. "This is a process in which it is necessary to ensure that the use of DAB+ spreads among listeners," stated Machaj, adding that it is necessary to ensure that RTVS does not lose listeners.

DAB+ is still on the road to success: 44 percent of the population in Bavaria now has access to DAB+. And every third person who turns on the radio on average every day from Monday to Friday also listens to terrestrial digital radio. That's a good three million DAB+ listeners every day, around 150,000 more than in the previous year. After the digitisation boost caused by corona last year, DAB+ confirmed its leading role as a digital channel well ahead of web radio with around 1.9 million listeners in Bavaria every day. dr Thorsten Schmiege, President of the Bavarian State Center for New Media (BLM): "The future belongs to DAB+. Bavaria is the engine and pacesetter of this development - the new figures make this more than clear: DAB+ was able to continue to grow in Bavaria in 2022 - even after the enormous increase in DAB numbers last year, which was also caused by the pandemic. If you don't want to miss the train into the future, you have to set the right course now at the latest. The larger share of sales is still made with VHF. But this will change."

The Slovakian telecommunications operator Towercom has launched six DAB+ transmitters in a row, the last of which went live on 1 July. Additional DAB+ transmitters are under construction.

Leaders across the broadcast and automotive sectors yesterday called for continued collaboration between the two industries, at WorldDAB Automotive 2022 in London. Speakers emphasised the importance of working together to ensure that radio retains its place at the centre of the connected dashboard, and to continue to offer the best possible audio experience for drivers. WorldDAB’s President, Patrick Hannon, set the tone in his opening speech, noting that DAB+ now comes as standard in 94% of new cars sold in Europe. “Users expect high-quality, free to air radio as a key feature,” he said. “Our job is to deliver the best possible experience today and in the future.”