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Nearly 40 exhibitors and a thousand visitors have attended the ABU’s Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2024. The theme for the 20th edition of DBS was ‘Navigating AI Horizon’, exploring the opportunities and challenges of generative AI. The event was held at Royale Chulan hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 4-7 March. DBS2024 was officially opened by Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Communication Teo Nie Ching, who delivered the keynote address. She said broadcasters should be mindful of their ethical and social responsibilities when using generative AI, and in responding to issues such as algorithm bias. She also visited the exhibition booths and spoke to sponsors. WorldDAB held an expert DAB+ seminar and hosted a digital radio pavilion with WorldDAB members AVT, GatesAir, Paneda and RadioDNS joining the pavilion.

Gamma Radio is once again expanding its signal. The historic Milanese broadcaster, now part of the Radio Number One group, arrived in Turin on DAB+ a few days ago. It can be heard on the CrDab mux, channel 10D. In Lombardy, Gamma Radio broadcasts in FM, and on digital, it is present in the same mux (CrDab), channel 6A. Returning to Piedmont, CrDab has been hosting the local ToRadio for a few days.

Towercom has recently obtained a new operating licence for a digital radio broadcasting (DAB+) transmitter in central Slovakia, SatelitnáTV.sk has learned. Specifically, it is the transmitter Banská Bystrica - Suchá hora. According to the issued permit, which came into force at the end of 2023 and is valid until the end of 2024, the operator can also distribute digital radio broadcasts from this transmitter on channel 12A (223.936 MHz) with a maximum permitted power of 15 kW. If put into operation, this would be the operator's most powerful DAB+ transmitter. Not to mention the fact that the transmitter is at an altitude of 1,223 m above sea level.

Tone Community Media Group, operator of ToneFM, is getting ready to launch a new small-scale DAB multiplex in the coming weeks. The station is now looking for anyone interested in being on the multiplex to get in touch. Group Director Patch Jobson is pleased that the group has now reached the point where applications can be made. "With this new addition to Taunton we’re really excited and looking forward to bringing a range of services to a great listener community. As a traditional market town, our listeners are still very much big radio fans, and if we can enhance that experience that can only be a good thing."

Just like the Christian radio station Rádio Proglas, the religious Rádio 7 also expects to broadcast nationwide via DAB+ technology. However, it is distinguished from Proglas by the fact that operators other than RTI cz and Teleko digital may eventually enter the game. Daniel Zeman, chief engineer and managing director of TWR Live, told Digital Radio. "The intention of Radio 7 in the DAB+ area remains the same, i.e. the full coverage of the Czech Republic, as is ultimately determined by the licence. On the one hand, we welcome the expansion of the DAB+ signal within the new multiplexes to areas not yet covered, but on the other hand, this naturally also means an increase in financial requirements," Zeman told our editorial office, adding that the costs of distribution represent a significant part of the overall budget.

The WorldDAB group is releasing an “expert guide to successful DAB+ field trials,” conveniently entitled “DAB+ Digital Radio: A Guide to a Successful Field Trial.” The release coincides with WorldDAB’s DAB+ seminar at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The group points to growing interest in DAB+ broadcasting and feels the guide will help in “establishing a successful field trial — a key step in laying the groundwork for a future rollout, and fully implementing digital broadcast radio.” Topics covered include motivation, stakeholder engagement, regulatory and licensing, equipment, Technical aspects including drive testing for coverage checks and feature testing and how to conclude field trials activities. The guide is free.

PRIMAL.FM is a new radio station for "young adults and adults who are young at heart". On 4 March 2024 at exactly 10:00, it went on air in the Dresden local mux and now aims to bring a "fresh musical breeze to the local radio landscape" for the target group of 14-39 year olds with authentic presenters and DJs. The new programme aims to offer a wide range of current charts, with a focus on the hardstyle and EDM genres, i.e. high-energy beats and the latest tracks from the world of electronic music with carefully selected mainstream tracks. With this mix of music, the station aims to offer diversity while remaining true to the core of the brand.

Radio station 4EVER49 RADIO can now be better received via DAB+ in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Flevoland and Friesland. From 6 March, 4EVER49 RADIO can also be heard on channel 8B in North Holland and Flevoland. In Friesland, the radio station can now also be heard on channel 5A. 4EVER49 RADIO already broadcasts nationwide on DAB+ via MTVNL's network in the Netherlands on channel 7D. Hans Dols, Operations Manager 4EVER49 RADIO: "After several discussions with the parties JND and RNN, we agreed to take over capacity on three networks. We are pleased with this cooperation which means that 4EVER49 RADIO can now be received almost nationwide."

At its meeting on 4 March 2024, the Assembly approved the licensing of "The WOLF Hessen" for a period of five years with a station focussing on country, singer/songwriter and folk music. Regional news and information, for example on cultural life, will also be part of the programme. The decision is accompanied by the allocation of capacities for the DAB+ distribution channel throughout Hesse from 1 April 2024. "It is always a special moment when the assembly of the Media Authority of Hesse is able to vote in favour of a new station, as this is always accompanied by an enrichment of the Hessian broadcasting and media landscape with new content. Innovations such as 'The WOLF Hessen' also clearly show: Radio is alive!", comments Jörg Steinbach, Chairman of the Hesse Media Authority Assembly.

For several months now, the Christian radio station has been preparing its listeners that in the future it is going to switch off FM broadcasting and gradually replace it with DAB+ technology. With this platform, it will rely on its two existing partners, RTI cz and Teleko digital. The reasons for switching from FM to DAB+ are mainly economic. "Radio Proglas has been licensed for nationwide digital broadcasting since 2000. We are now using the services of two operators; the technical plan they have tendered can meet our goal of full coverage, which does not preclude negotiations with other licensed broadcasters," said Jiří Vitouch, who takes care of Radio Proglas, among others, adding "DAB+ is far more energy and environmentally friendly than FM broadcasting. Proglas also has deep pockets and knows that digital broadcasting is many times cheaper than the FM equivalent."