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Over 20% of the population of France is now expected to be covered by DAB+, meaning the CSA is expected shortly to trigger the French receiver law requiring all new radios — automotive included — to be capable of receiving digital broadcasts.

Following the launch of DAB+ in Lyon in December, the biggest radio stations in the city are now available on DAB+. DAB+ has been adopted in several countries of the world and is particularly popular in the UK, where listeners tend to favour DAB+ over FM.

DAB+ has reached a number of significant milestones over the last 12 months - particularly in Europe, where it has firmly been established as the core future platform for radio. WorldDAB's Bernie O'Neill takes us through some of the highlights of DAB+ in 2018.

Jordi Navarrete, Senator of the Valencian political party Compromís, is expected to recommend the creation of a paper addressing the development of DAB+ in Spain to the Spanish Senate Industry Committee.

Organised by WorldDAB, the press event for the launch of DAB+ in Lyon brought together broadcasters, radio equipment manufacturers and representatives from the CSA including Nicolas Curien.

2018 was the year that AM/FM became used by less than 50% of British radio listeners: DAB (and to a lesser extent, online and DTV) continues to increase in most countries. More countries are now committed to an entire switchoff of FM broadcasting, following Norway's lead (who turned off national and many local stations in 2017). Radio isn't a platform, it's a thing - a style of audio programming.

The new Hyundai Elantra range is available with DAB radio.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS 350 d 4MATIC AMG Line is available with DAB radio.

The new Electric Kia is available with DAB radio.

Around 30% of listening is being done on DAB+, while 60% of new cars in Australia are equipped with DAB+. CRA will be doing an awareness raising campaign with listeners in the first half of 2019 with a surge of interest in DAB+ expected to follow.