News

In its newly released Annual Plan, the BBC has confirmed ambitions to expand its digital radio presence with a focus on DAB+. The broadcaster outlines proposals to launch new stations on the platform—such as extensions of existing brands like Radio 1 and Radio 2—as part of its broader transformation strategy. The move is designed to better serve audiences with more tailored content while adapting to changing listening habits. With DAB+ offering more efficient use of spectrum, the BBC sees this as a key step in strengthening its digital footprint across the UK.

The second national commercial DAB+ network in Flanders (5A/5D) will remain on air for the coming years. Previously, Belgian Tower Company (BTC) agreed to return the licence as of March 31. But due to an emergency law, a temporary licence has now been issued to DPG Media and Mediahuis. This solution allows Joe 80's & 90's, Joe Easy, Q-Foute Radio, Willy Class X, NRJ and RTBF Mix to continue broadcasting via DAB+.

České Radiokomunikace (CRA) is expanding the coverage of its DAB B network for broadcasting commercial radio stations. They are launching broadcasts from 14 additional transmitters and increasing the network's reach to 83.4% of the Czech population. To date, 17 transmitters have been operating on Czech Radio's DAB B network, bringing the total number of transmitters to 31. "The digitisation of radio broadcasting is a project that we have been working on intensively and for a long time," says CRA CEO Miloš Mastník. "We are still working to increase coverage, and now more than 80% of the Czech population tunes into the multiplex with commercial radio stations. We believe that this will contribute to its faster penetration to listeners," adds Mastník.

The Dutch radio world has a new station as of today: Radio Noordzee. The station features Dutch-language music only; from Andre Hazes (sr.) to Suzan & Freek and from Guus Meeuwis to Yves Berendse. Radio Noordzee can now be listened to on DAB+ and via radionoordzee.nl. Radio Noordzee will be launched this morning at 09.00 in the first broadcast of the ‘Radio Noordzee Morning Show’ with Silvan Stoet by Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje Nassau, van Vollenhoven, who will officially launch the station into the digital airwaves. Dave Minneboo, Creative Director Talpa Network, Radio: ‘Dutch-language music is experiencing an unprecedented revival and is more popular than ever. From today, we therefore offer this homegrown music a stage with Radio Noordzee.’

Ten applicants applied for the DAB+ capacities put out to tender by mabb: Neue Berliner Rundfunk GmbH & Co. KG - Berliner Rundfunk 91.4; Radio-Information Audio-Service Zwei GmbH - 94.3 RS2 Berlin-Brandenburg; Radio B2 GmbH - Schlager Radio; VIUS SE & Co. KGaA - NIUS - Das Radio; Funk & Fernsehen Nordwestdeutschland GmbH & Co. KG - Radio Bollerwagen; Kiss FM Radio GmbH & Co. KG - Kiss FM; Radio B2 GmbH - jazz fm; Radio B2 GmbH - Discofox Antenne; JazzRadio Germany UG & Co. KG - JazzRadio Berlin Großstadtradio-GSR GmbH - Großsta. Some of the broadcasters can already be heard on other muxes and want to increase their reach. For the first time, capacities in rbb's two-region mux (channel 10B) were also put out to tender.

Community radio stations in Northumberland are celebrating with the launch of a new small-scale DAB transmitter. This development, supported by AkzoNobel’s Ashington facility, enables multiple local stations, including Koast Radio, Lionheart Radio, and Radio Northumberland, to broadcast via the DAB network. Richard Finch of Northumberland Community Digital highlighted the benefits of this expansion, noting that it strengthens connections between listeners and their local stations. He said: “For the first time in Northumberland, we will be highlighting the voices of local people, bringing their stories and perspectives to the airwaves in crystal clear DAB.”

Digital radio listening at the start of the year is quite different to other times of the year as it incorporates part of school holiday breaks, and long weekends, where people listen for longer over car trips and all day events like Double J‘s reliving of the Hottest 100 of 2004. Each state’s results in GfK Radio 360 Survey 1 of the DAB+ audience are quite markedly different with some stand outs that are contrary to fears about local music listenership and radio’s role as a source of discovery of new music. Sydney’s results are quite astonishing with an additional cumulative audience of just shy of 250K. Most are aged 25-39 but there was healthy growth in 10-17s too. They are listening across the day and on weekends, and particularly during the morning. For the first time iHeart Australia was the number 1 DAB+ station in Sydney, just beating CADA which also saw growth.

Ireland's media regulator - Coimisiún na Meán - has announced its support for a new DAB trial set to begin in April of this year. Coimisiún na Meán’s Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly said: “By supporting this innovative new DAB+ trial and facilitating the broadcast of new digital services for Irish audiences, Coimisiún na Meán continues to demonstrate our strong commitment to pluralism and diversity on Irish radio.” The DAB trial will facilitate a simulcast of existing radio services while also allowing a variety of new services such as niche and era-specific music services and new speech programming covering various genres such as social affairs, sports, youth-targeted topics and children’s entertainment.

The Poole, Purbeck and Wimborne small-scale DAB multiplex has launched within six months of winning its licence. The service will see established FM community radio stations, including Hope FM, Hot Radio, Forest FM, Radio Wimborne, and Southampton’s Unity 101, available on DAB+ in the area for the first time. Dorset Coast Radio is also set to join the platform soon, from the team behind Hospital Radio Bedside. Steve Saville, Station Manager at Forest FM, described the launch as a significant milestone, looking forward to engaging with new listeners in the area. The project is made possible through a partnership between Poole-based telecommunications company Wide FM, Poole community radio station Hot Radio, and Bournemouth’s Hope FM.

Coimisiún na Meán is announcing its support for a new DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) trial, set to begin in April of this year. The trial will operate for one year and is part of Coimisiún na Meán’s commitment to a modern, diverse and sustainable media landscape for Ireland. Speaking at the Radio Days Conference in Dublin today, Coimisiún na Meán’s Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly said: “By supporting this innovative new DAB+ trial and facilitating the broadcast of new digital services for Irish audiences, Coimisiún na Meán continues to demonstrate our strong commitment to pluralism and diversity on Irish radio.” The new trial will be operated by FáilteDAB who were issued a trial licence by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.