News

WorldDAB member Radioplayer partners with car manufacturers to help create world-class hybrid radio (DAB+, FM and IP) user experiences. The non-profit organisation, whose main focus is on keeping radio strong in car dashboards, currently represent broadcasters in 12 countries across Europe and North America.

Polish Radio has outlined its plans to expand the DAB+ network in Poland and cover most of the country with DAB+ reception in the next four years. As part of the public broadcaster's upcoming plans, DAB+ reception is set to cover 80% of the population and 61% of the territory by September 2023.

This article outlines the latest developments related to DAB+ in France, with a particular focus on DAB+ in the car. In France, all new car radios sold from 21 December 2020 onwards will be required to include digital radio capabilities.

The support package follows a previous offer of a three-month fee waiver between for small local, independent radio stations who are direct customers of Arqiva. Other analogue and digital stations who are direct customers of Arqiva will see their radio fees discounted by 50% for the next three-month period from June to August 2020 inclusive. This includes third party transmission fees for multiplex operators.

Radioplayer has signed a new partnership agreement with AUDI AG to continue collaborating on the creation of world class radio experiences in their connected car dashboards. The new agreement will ensure Radioplayer continues to support VW Group cars already in the market with hybrid radio, as well as collaborating on future integrations and radio features.

DAB+ in Europe and Australia, has enabled a significant increase in the number of radio stations available to listeners. With all this amazing new content, it is critical to provide new approaches to content discovery, navigation and selection. Metadata is the foundation to make this a reality.

Radioline offers an extranet interface for radio stations, with statistics and a seamless content management tool. According to COO Xavier Filliol, for better exposure and a more pleasant user experience, DAB stations should take into account the logo, metadata and EPG while providing maximum coverage.

Wireless stations talkRADIO and talkSPORT2 are moving from DAB to DAB+. The move is expected to free up capacity for the new News UK service Times Radio on the Sound Digital National multiplex. Wireless Director of Strategy Jimmy Buckland told RadioToday: “DAB+ offers better sound quality and an ability to provide output in stereo."

The development of DAB+ continues to progress in Germany, with a new multiplex set to launch in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the near future. The call for tenders is expected to launch in August and last two months.

Despite the pandemic, France's DAB+ network continues to grow, with new stations launching in recent months across various regions and cities, including Paris, Marseille and Nice - some of the first cities to have benefitted from DAB+ reception in France.