News

From Marconi to DAB conference: several intriguing topics enlivened by some controversy that increased attention on crucial issues, including prominence, the automotive industry's attempts to exclude DAB receivers from the car dashboard. In an NL Newslinet interview with Anna Maria Genzano of Eurodab, she says: "Today we can no longer reason in watertight compartments. Prominence is not unrelated to DAB: our goal is to guarantee users a universal, stable and uninterrupted service. And that, today, is not ensured by the IP network."

Berry FM is celebrating two things at the end of the year: the local radio station chaired by David Leroy is celebrating its 20th birthday and receiving two new frequencies to extend its DAB+ coverage in Bourges and Châteauroux. For two decades, Berry has been a local medium, forging strong links with its listeners through programmes rooted in local life. The announcement by Arcom marks a major step forward in its development, enabling the station to extend its reach even further into the Berry region. ‘Berry FM is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and Arcom has just given us the two greatest gifts we've wanted for several years. It's a further step in the development of our local media,’ said David Leroy.

Here's some great news for classical music fans. Arcom has just selected the new 100% classical music radio station, ‘La Grande Musique’, to broadcast its programmes on DAB+ in the Paris Ile-de-France region very shortly, and soon also in Blois, Châteauroux, Nevers and Niort, which will add to an already well-established presence on the Côte d'Azur and the Basque Coast. ‘Paris frequencies are rare and precious, so I'm immensely grateful to be able to offer listeners in the capital privileged access to this universal musical heritage: classical music,’ explained Emmanuel Rials, founder of the radio station. Broadcast on DAB+ in Monaco on the Côte d'Azur and on FM on the French and Spanish Basque coasts, it is about to cross a new threshold with its entry into the French capital.

The new DRG DAB mux was activated in Palermo. Broadcasting takes place on block 11D. The signal is broadcast from the Monte Pellegrino station. The services on the mux are currently as follows: *RVS*, FM ITALIA, NORBA MUSIC, SestaRete, Radio Sportiva, XMAS RADIO, RGS.

2024 is the year of the launch of DAB+ digital radio in Spain. As part of its public service mission, RTVE launched DAB+ broadcasts last February, coinciding with World Radio Day, in the year in which Spanish radio celebrates the centenary of the start of regular broadcasts. For this reason, RTVE has hosted this Wednesday the meeting of the Steering Board of WorldDAB, the worldwide association that promotes the adoption of digital radio in DAB+ and of which the Corporation is a member. So far this year, RTVE has started DAB+ broadcasts from 13 broadcasting centres, which means that it is now possible to listen to digital radio broadcasts from Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio 5.

Network operator ON AIR support GmbH writes: "At the turn of November/December 2024, we were able to put the Reutlingen and Witthoh transmitters into operation. The Reutlingen transmitter significantly improves indoor coverage in Reutlingen and Tübingen and also covers some streets in the two cities that were not optimally covered. The Witthoh transmitter improves reception on the A81 motorway, section Geisingen - Beuren. The district of Tuttlingen is also covered throughout." The sites are part of the commercial DAB+ network in Baden-Württemberg.

Five more small-scale DAB licences have been awarded for Round Six – in Halifax, Huddersfield, South Craven, Sunderland and Wigan. All licences will need to be on-air within 18 months.

Hamburg has a new radio station: KISS FM ‘Home of HipHop & R'n'B’. The young, urban programme can now be heard by two and a half million people throughout the greater Hamburg area via DAB+. The programme is broadcast via the DAB+ multiplex on channel 10D. ‘KISS FM is the hip-hop station in Germany, which is why it was more than overdue for us to be available here on DAB+. I'm delighted that we can now offer the unique KISS FM style and the best hip-hop playlist 24/7 on all digital channels in Hamburg - especially via the dashboard in the car radio, when car sharing or in a taxi. We are where our community is. Now also in Hamburg,’ says KISS FM programme director York Strempel.

The UK media regulator Ofcom is consulting on a request from talkSPORT to reduce its AM radio coverage. The Licensee is proposing to switch off seven of its existing 18 transmitter sites. This will would reduce the coverage of its AM national commercial radio licence from 92% to 88.9% of the UK adult population. The reasons given by talkSPORT for these proposed changes include declining listenership to its AM service as people turn to alternative platforms, considered against the ongoing viability of each transmitter site. "We are minded to approve this request, but before reaching a final decision we are giving affected and interested parties an opportunity to have their say," Ofcom says.

Radio Orient is continuing to expand with the award of 15 new FM and DAB+ broadcasting areas, announced by Arcom on 27 November 2024. These extensions will enable the station to cover strategic territories while offering optimised sound quality and an enhanced listening experience for listeners.