News

Austrian online consumer electronics portal ‘Futurezone’ has published an article aiming to inform Austrian consumers about DAB+. This article contains detailed information including which radio stations are starting to broadcast via DAB+ in April 2019, and the impact of EU legislation mandating digital radio in new cars from 2021.

DAB+ is continuing to win over new markets, convincing regulators and broadcasters alike that DAB+ digital radio is the future of radio. In Germany, 99% of motorways, and 85% of the population is covered by DAB+ signals. In Belgium, the organisation in charge of protecting consumers' rights has requested the withdrawal of FM-only devices. In Italy, RTL Club and Subasio XL have joined the national multiplex managed by EuroDAB Italia. Finally, DAB+ trials have also been announced for Belarus, Thailand and Vietnam.

Commercial radio is now broadcasting on DAB+ digital radio in Hobart, with three new DAB+ commercial stations now on air – KIX Country, Easy Hits and Triple M Classic Rock. Joan Warner, chief executive officer of industry body Commercial Radio Australia, said: “ They can enjoy the benefits of digital radio, including better sound quality and more station choice, listen to their favourite station and try some of the new stations on offer.”

The automotive manufacturer Audi was present at Radiodays Europe in Lausanne, showcasing RadioDNS technology and how it enables drivers to switch from DAB+ to FM to internet radio in a smooth and seamless way, enabling drivers to listen to their favourite radio stations while on the go.

WorldDAB has, as part of the Radio Days Europe conference in Lausanne, released a new report revealing how the switchover has impacted Norway’s radio listening. Amongst a number of key findings, the report indicates that total radio listening in 2019 is back to similar levels as achieved in 2016 before the digital switchover, and highlights that 86% of daily listeners now use DAB+, compared to only 55% in 2016.

Speaking on the opening day of Radiodays Europe in Lausanne, Radio France CEO Sibyle Veil stated that the deployment of DAB+ technology in Europe was good news, touching on Radio France's investments in terrestrial broadcast, and confirming that all channels of Radio France would soon be available on the network.

On April 2, the DAB + multiplex for the Rhine-Main area and southern Hesse will change from channel 11C to 12C. DAB+ listeners in that region must therefore carry out a rescan.

Antenne Deutschland has revealed its plans to launch the second nationwide DAB+ digital radio multiplex, in the fourth quarter of 2019. A trial is due to to be carried out during the consumer electronics show IFA, taking place at the start of September in Berlin.

As part of a DAB+ event held in Germany in March, automotive manufacturer Audi announced that as of the end of 2020, all its car released in the European Union will be fitted with digital terrestrial capabilities as standard. This initiative is in compliance with the EECC regulation introduced at then end of 2018, which requires all new cars sold in Europe to include built-in digital radio capabilities.

The second national DAB+ multiplex is expected to start in October 2019, with 15 national radio stations set to go on air. The multiplex is due to be tested during the IFA electronics trade show taking place in Berlin in September.