News

The Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel plans to launch a call for applications in digital radio (RNT) on Nantes and Rouen. This launch of a call for applications in these areas should be preceded by a public consultation and impact studies in order to measure both the metropolitan and the local level the impact of the launching of the proposed calls within the framework of the calendar published by the Council.

Liverpool’s radio broadcasters gathered on Tuesday evening at the top of the Radio City Tower to celebrate the rise of digital radio in the area. The special event, Doing the DAB: Liverpool, was organised by Digital Radio UK and Radio Academy North West and featured a line-up of speakers from BBC and commercial radio in Liverpool. Attendees heard that overall radio listening in Liverpool has grown by 7% in the last 5 years, supported by 80% growth of digital listening. This has been driven by an increase in the number of DAB stations to 66 and the advancement of DAB household penetration to over 64% in the Liverpool area.

“Consumers want choice and a product that will do everything; e.g. DAB, internet and streaming. Consumers want to cover all bases so can they have confidence that the product they’ve just invested in is future proof.” says Richard McKinney, sales director at Ruark Audio.

After the 3 national Mux, 1 for the public service and 2 for commercial radio that are already covering over the 70% of population and all major roads and motorways with 41 programs (21 in simulcast and 20 digital only), Agcom is proceeding with local radio frequency assignment so that other 24 local radio on air on DAB+ in Tuscany. In total are now 232 local DAB programs on air in 9 areas

The event, held at the Radio House, brought together representatives of Serbia - Government of the media sector, regulators and broadcasters. The event was also attended by EBU members from Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, FYROM, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina, demonstrating the interest throughout the region to advance the implementation of DAB.

The call for applications has closed for Austria’s national and regional DAB multiplexes. ORS is applying for 11 programs covering nationwide coverage; RTG Radiotechnikum GmbH is responsible for the regional broadband network in the greater Vienna area. Almost 85% of the population is due to be covered by DAB+ by 2020.

French broadcaster RMC’s podcast “De quoi jme mail” explains DAB (RNT), looks at its rollout across Europe, considers DAB receivers, and debates its deployment across France. (forward to 29:30 of audio)

On 7 June 2017, TOPradio began sending information out on DAB+ slideshow along with their broadcast signal. TOPradio is the first commercial radio station run a test of slideshow on DAB+. A slideshow allows a station to send out additional information such as news, weather, traffic information and information about the station and music being broadcast. TOPradio broadcasts to the Flemish DAB+ network launched by Norkring in May 2015.

More and more listeners are enjoying the growing regional and national program diversity available on DAB+ radio, including in the car. WorldDAB Automotive 2017 is being held on 21 June at the Holiday Inn Munich, Germany. The event agenda, which is now available, covers a range of sessions looking at DAB+ in the dashboard: today, tomorrow and in the future.

The EBU has partnered with Radio Serbia and WorldDAB to host the annual Digital Radio Seminar in Belgrade on 8 June 2017. The event, held at the Radio House, brought together senior representatives from the Serbian media sector - government, regulators and broadcasters. Also present were EBU Members from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Macedonia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina, demonstrating the interest across the broader area in moving forwards with the implementation of DAB.