News

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.

Algeria has announced the switch off of its analogue TV services will be taking place on 17 June 2020, with available frequencies set to be used for digital terrestrial radio broadcasts. A DAB+ trial is currently in operation in Algiers, covering 68% of its population.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate in the Netherlands has announced plans for a more efficient allocation of DAB+ capacity. As part of the plans, DAB+ frequencies are set to be allocated to public and commercial broadcasters in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

Russian language radio station Radio RU has joined Vienna's DAB+ multiplex, and is now available to DAB+ listeners in and around the Austrian capital. As well as Russian music, the station broadcasts songs in German, English and French, and offers programs focusing on world history, philosophy, pedagogy and religion.

The London-based community Asian radio station, Asian Star Radio has now launched on DAB+ Birmingham and Manchester. Previously available to listeners in Birmingham on DAB, it will now be available on DAB+.

This marketing campaign from Denmark highlights the benefits of DAB+, which offers better sound quality, and a higher number of stations for listeners to choose from.

News UK has announced the launch of a new national news station, Times Radio, available nationally on DAB, online and via app and smart speakers as of 29 May 2020. The station will be ad break free, with sponsorship opportunities for advertisers.

The UK's Department for Transport has published a consultation on their proposal to mandate the fitment of terrestrial digital radio in new cars as part of their implementation of the EU Electronic Communications Code. The proposal is that from 21 December 2020 all passenger cars sold in the UK with at least 4 wheels (category M vehicles) which are fitted with a radio must have a radio capable of receiving digital radio stations. The consultation closes on 26 June and if approved would pass into domestic law. This is consistent with the regulation being introduced across EU member states which will help accelerate digital radio take-up across Europe.