News

Czech Radio has launched a new DAB+ transmitter to expand the reach of its multiplex covering Prague, which will now also cover Pilsen as well as Ostrava. A total of 12 DAB+ stations are available on the multiplex, a number of which are only available to listeners on DAB+.

There are currently 12 stations broadcasting on DAB+ as part of the extended trial, with outdoor coverage standing at 88% and indoor reception at 53%. Commenting on the continuous development of DAB+ in Croatia, OIV CEO Mate Botica said “OIV sees DAB+ as the main future platform for radio. Our goal is to build a quality future-proof network and to start commercial services as soon as possible."

In the past few weeks, ten local DAB+ ensembles with over 40 stations have already gone into operation in the Netherlands. DAB+ licences have been issued for a total of 22 regions, with broadcasts on air in large cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague as well as rural parts of the country.

Volkswagen launches its first fully electric van - the eTransporter 6.1 - equipped as standard with a DAB+ radio system with 6.5-inch touchscreen and four loudspeakers, SD card slot, Bluetooth® handsfree and two USB interfaces (type-C) in the dashboard.

The Hague's local radio station, Den Haag FM is now available to listeners on DAB+. Previously available as part of the DAB+ trial, the popular radio station has now been awarded a DAB+ licence to broadcast until September 2022.

In this series of interviews with WorldDAB members, Pascal Olivier explains how DIGIDIA has helped support the successful and rapid rollout of DAB+ services in France in recent years. With more than 350 digital radio systems deployed worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Monaco, Uganda and Ukraine, DIGIDIA is one of the leading companies for digital radio transmission equipment.

BCAST, the Polish alternative broadcasting operator, has gained a new shareholder, Cyfrowy Polsat. The new partner will bring extensive technological facilities and extensive know-how in the field of telecommunications to BCAST. The cooperation of both entities will have a technological dimension, but also a business one, opening up new market opportunities and development prospects for BCAST.

French radio station Pi-node has launched a new program dedicated to broadcasting information on the Covid-19 pandemic. Based in Alsace, northeastern France, the station now broadcasts its increasingly popular Antivirus program from midday to midnight.

Digital Radio UK’s Ford Ennals and Yvette Dore discuss digital radio in the UK, including an update on the latest radio listening data for Q1 2020 published by RAJAR today. In the UK, radio has been playing an increasingly important role during the Covid-19 pandemic, with broadcasters and Digital Radio UK working on reinforcing the messaging that now is the time to listen to radio and discover all the new stations available to consumers on digital radio.

Rajar results show UK’s Commercial radio’s share of listening has increased from 45.7% in Q1 2019 to 47.8%. These results are boosted by a higher than average share of digital listening. Digital – including DAB, online and apps – now makes up 61.6% of listening, reflecting the success of brand extensions and new services that stations are offering their listeners.