News

RadioDNS is working to accelerate the growth of hybrid radio by establishing standards that reduce the costs and complexity of implementation on various fronts, including metadata. RadioDNS' Radio Device Metadata Terms, expected to be available this autumn, will help provide consistency in the dashboard.

Radioplayer is a launch partner for the new Polestar 2, Volvo’s innovative electric car brand, which features the first infotainment system powered by the Android Automotive operating system. The development of Android Automotive-compatible versions of their mobile apps is the first step for Radioplayer in ensuring hybrid capability (merging broadcast radio (FM, DAB) with online streams, logos, podcasts, and rich visuals) for all apps in Android Automotive. Both Radioplayer and Volvo are active members of the WorldDAB Automotive Working Group.

The BBC’s global reach increased by 11 per cent year on year in 2020 to 468.2 million people a week – the highest number ever. Italy, where BBC World Service launched in June 2020, contributed 1.4 million new listeners on DAB radio.

A new consultation has been launched in The Netherlands regarding the launch of a second national commercial multiplex. With this auction, all radio stations in The Netherlands (national, regional and local) will be broadcast on DAB+.

The Minister for Communications this week published a policy directive asking the media regulator ICASA to prioritise licensing for the commercial rollout of terrestrial digital radio. This represents a huge opportunity not just for South Africa’s broadcasters and their listeners, but also for auto manufacturers, DAB+ domestic receiver and chip manufacturers.

The new radio station, Smooth, is set to launch on DAB+ this summer. Digital radio offers better sound quality and improved reception than old-fashioned FM as well as a wider range of radio stations from rolling news, to rock, talk, classical and jazz.

Paneda has signed a contract with the national multiplexer and network operator RTI cz in Czech Republic. The contract includes DAB multiplexing and audio encoding as well as metadata systems.

In a recent article published in one of Germany’s largest newspapers, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Antenne Deutschland’s CEO Joe Pawlas discusses how the launch of Germany’s second national commercial multiplex will help further boost the radio and audio landscape in Germany.

South West London community station Riverside Radio is launching on the Trial London multiplex using DAB+ on August 1st.

Switzerland is embarking on the next phase of its digital radio switchover strategy. In May René Wehrlin, media specialist at Switzerland’s Federal Office of Communications (Ofcom) announced the next steps toward the country’s total transition to DAB+.