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France, which celebrates 100 years since the first radio broadcasts from the Eiffel tower, is set to launch national DAB+ services in the summer. According to the CSA’s new head of the radio and audio working group Hervé Godechot, DAB+ is “radio’s passport to the 21st century.

Organised by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2021 will take place from April 5 to 8 and for the first time, the entire event will be held online in light of the ongoing global pandemic.

Podcast Radio has been added to DAB in Birmingham, in addition to being on-air in London, Surrey, Manchester and Glasgow. Podcast Radio CEO Gerry Edwards says: “We’ve wanted to expand to Birmingham for some time now. We’ve been waiting for space on the digital transmitter multiplex there and as soon as the opportunity arose for further expansion, we grabbed it."

Digital Radio UK has launched a new on air campaign communicating how listeners can enjoy their favourite stations with digital radio at home, on the go and in their car as the easing of restrictions sees a welcome return to more activities. The new 30 second spots will run across national and local commercial radio stations from Monday 29 March to Sunday 25 April 2021.

There are several different types of DAB radios, including tabletop (for using at home), alarm clock radios (with built-in features to help get you up in the morning), and portable radios (to take on holiday, on picnics or out to the garden).

Leading digital network Absolute Radio Network recently announced plans to switch off some FM services in London and increase its DAB/DAB+ distribution. Bauer's Paul Sylvester, Content Director of the Absolute Radio Network, spoke to DRUK's Yvette Dore about this expansion and Bauer's digital strategy.

Free radio stations in the southerwestern state of Baden-Württemberg are demand political parties to support their call for the subsidised entry of free radios on DAB+.

As part of ABU DBS 2021, WorldDAB will host a DAB+ workshop on Tuesday, April 6, 4:10–5:10 p.m. MYT (10:10–11:10 CET). The workshop will discuss the latest on the rollout of DAB+ across the APAC region.

The first 14 new radio stations have been revealed for Tyneside’s new small-scale DAB radio multiplex. The new stations confirmed include local community broadcasters, specialist music and programming services, football fan stations as well as several national radio companies.

The use of FM in The Netherlands is declining. As soon as the number of listeners via analogue FM has decreased to 30% of the Dutch population, the parties will agree on a date on which FM will be switched off.