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WorldDAB has announced the launch of the WorldDAB Asia-Pacific Technical Group, a forum dedicated to assisting broadcast radio industry stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region implement DAB+. The Group’s first meeting will take place online on 2 December 2020 - to register your interest, contact the Project Office.

DAB listening is the biggest platform for radio consumption in the UK. The scale of the platform and the fact it’s in 67% of homes, means that new stations can launch, but more importantly become multi-platform with distribution on apps, smart speakers and online.

The UK was one of the pioneering DAB markets and today, over half of all listening is on digital. At the WorldDAB General Assembly earlier this month, Digital Radio UK’s Ford Ennals and Yvette Dore provided an overview of the UK digital radio market and Ian O’Neill, Head of Radio at the UK Government’s department of Digital Culture, Media, and Sport, told us what the UK is doing to help safeguard the future of radio.

This article aims to help consumers in Belgium choose the best DAB+ reeiver for their needs, whether that's at home or in the car. In Belgium, 41% of new vehicles are factory-fitted with DAB+.

Approximately 38% of the total radio listening volume in Dutch-speakin Belgium is now digital. DAB+ listening particularly high, claiming 17% of total listening in the region, compared to 9% this time last year.

To mark the one year anniversary since the launch of DAB+ digital radio services in French-speaking Belgium, maRadio.be has organised the Digital Radio Week - taking place from 16 to 22 November. As part of the event, information campaigns on DAB+ are now live across various platforms in French-speaking Belgium.

The WorldDAB Asia-Pacific Technical Group will offer participants the opportunity to discuss, learn and collaborate on all technical aspects of DAB+ digital radio, with information tailored specifically to the region. The group will ensure all activities are aligned with the DAB standards and will refer sustained new ideas or thinking back to WorldDAB Committees.

South Africa regulator ICASA has published draft digital radio regulation, outlining its intention to introduce licences for DAB+ digital radio. The draft regulation is open for consultation until 29 December 2020.

In 2021, DAB+ radio stations in Switzerland are set to benefit from financial packages covering around 50% of the DAB+ broadcasting cost, as opposed to 30% as originally outlined.

DAB+ is taking off in France. DAB+ launched in Bordeaux and Toulouse at the start of November, and is now available to 30% of the population. Two national multiplexes are set to launch in 2021, hosting a total of 25 stations.