News

Listeners in Pilsen and its surroundings will have the opportunity to tune into the fourth network with digital radios from Saturday 25 January 2025. Joe Media, owned by Miroslav Pýcha, has launched its COLOR DAB+ multiplex on channel 12B with a current power of 300 watts. The transmitter is located in the Černice district of Pilsen. The new network currently broadcasts into a temporary, two-story antenna system with a lower power output of 300 watts. With the arrival of more favourable weather, as Pýcha himself told Digital Radio, Joe Media plans to switch to a four-tier system, with a simultaneous increase to a final 1 kW. In addition to the COLOR DAB+ multiplex, the programme offerings of CRo, CDG regio and RTI cz are now also available in Pilsen.

COLOR DAB+ multiplex has prepared more news for its listeners. Not only has it welcomed a new Americana Radio station focused on American country, but it has also changed its identification for the capital to COLOR DAB+ PHA for easier listener orientation. This change signals the possibility of a different programme offering for each region of the country where the network has received allocations. Americana Radio, the newest addition to the COLOR DAB+ family, has officially launched its broadcast. The station, which specializes in American country music and rock, is now broadcasting with 64 kbps bitrate and EEP 2-B security.

The nationwide radio multiplex C has taken over the Benesov transmitter from Teleko digital and is applying for permission to broadcast in six other localities. In the meantime, Czech Radiokomunikace is preparing the launch of a competing nationwide B network. The coverage of Central Bohemia by the signal of the C-network radio multiplex was improved by RTI cz, which put the transmitter Benešov - Kochánov into operation. On channel 8D, it distributes the Radio Beat, Signal radio, Radio 1, Proglas, Radio 7 and DAB Plus TOP40 programmes with an output of 5 kW. This is the twenty-third transmitter of multiplex C and the operator is planning five more in the near future.

North east DAB service Frisk Radio is launching a service in the north west of England. The dance music station will be on small-scale DAB platforms in central and west Lancashire from April. The move aligns with the mass rollout of digital out-of-home billboards by Frisk Radio’s parent company, Smart Outdoor Media. Stuart Landreth, Director of Frisk Radio said: “We are very excited to introduce the Frisk brand to Lancashire. Our rapid growth, and success in the North East has shown there is a clear demand for an upbeat, dance-music focussed station in local markets.”

Südwestrundfunk SWR recently announced its plans for the DAB+ transmitter network expansion for the year 2025. SWR plans to switch on a total of six new transmitter sites this year and thus further expand the coverage of its programmes on DAB+. The main aim is to close gaps in coverage and improve indoor reception, which is not yet guaranteed to a satisfactory extent everywhere. All of SWR's new DAB+ transmitter sites planned for 2025 are located away from the major conurbations. This means that rural regions will now also be able to enjoy good and reliable DAB+ reception of SWR programmes.

RAS has further expanded its digital radio network. New transmission sites in Lasa, Naturno, Martell and Tires were successfully put into operation. The digital transmitter network of the 15 local private radio stations was also expanded. ‘The expansion of DAB+ is a central component of our strategy to continuously improve radio coverage in South Tyrol,’ said Georg Plattner, Director of RAS. Hugo Moroder, Technical Director of RAS, expresses particular satisfaction that more than 99% of South Tyrol's population can now receive 37 high-quality radio programmes throughout the province via three transmission blocks and a total of 170 DAB+ transmitters.

Applications are now open for the seventh round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for 29 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In total, the small-scale DAB programme will enable the launch of over 100 multiplexes. So far, 70 multiplexes have launched and the guidance notes for small-scale DAB multiplexes has also been updated for anyone submitting a fresh application.

Stefan Gruhner (CDU), Head of the State Chancellery in Thuringia responds to questions from medienpolitik.net: "It would be absurd to continue broadcasting FM and DAB+ in parallel for decades because of those unwilling to spend 25 euros on a new radio. MDR is setting a good example in this area: it has announced that it will switch off 37 of its 173 FM transmitters in the 2025 to 2028 contribution period. Deutschlandradio has already given up 52 of its previously more than 300 FM frequencies since 2018. I expect the state broadcasters and Deutschlandradio to have a plan for a complete FM phase-out during the 2029 to 2032 contribution period by 2027 at the latest."

Applications have opened for the seventh round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences for 29 areas across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Each Ofcom-licensed small-scale multiplex allows grass-roots community services, specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences to take to the digital airwaves. In total, the small-scale DAB programme will enable the launch of over 100 multiplexes. So far, 70 multiplexes have launched broadcasting to listeners across all four nations of the UK. The closing-date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

The launch of Radio Maria on Liverpool’s small-scale DAB+ platform will provide 24/7 access to Catholic programming, including daily Mass, prayers, inspiring teachings, live talk shows and uplifting music. The inclusion of Liverpool in Radio Maria’s digital coverage is part of a broader mission to bring Catholic radio to as many people as possible across the Britain. Supported entirely by listeners’ prayers and donations, the station continues to grow as a vibrant, volunteer-driven ministry dedicated to evangelisation, prayer, and fellowship. Liverpool SSDAB provider, David Duffy said, ‘I am delighted to have worked closely with Pierre Petrou at Radio Maria to establish this great Catholic radio station on our multiplex.’