News

The real threat to the market position of active private radio broadcasters is not to participate in terrestrial digital radio, rather than participation in the DAB market. This article gives a German translation of WorldDAB President Patrick Hannon’s recent presentation on the DAB business case for commercial radio broadcasters in Europe presented at the EBU Digital Radio Summit this year in Geneva.

A one day event hosted jointly by Digital Radio Austria and the Association of Commercial Radios (VÖP) is being held in Vienna, Austria on 28 March 2017 for potential multiplex operators to present their concepts on DAB+ digital radio to interested radio broadcasters. There is currently an open tender for applicants to manage one nationwide DAB+ multiplex and if required additional regional/local DAB+ multiplexes which will close on 12 June 2017.

NBTC plans to launch digital radio in 2018 and states that guidelines should be finalised before the start of a nationwide trial. DAB+ licenses are to be gradually sold nationwide, regionally and then locally. The first trial DAB+ broadcasts began in Bangkok in March 2013.

DTS will showcase its hybrid radio solution, Connected Radio, at RadioDays Europe. Jeff Jury, General Manager, Radio and Automotive at DTS said "The DTS Connected Radio solution provides a global ecosystem for broadcasters and receiver manufacturers, leveraging metadata from a wide range of sources to deliver a uniform in-vehicle broadcast experience".

The United Kingdom now has its first multiplex to convert all of its services to the DAB+ broadcast standard. Juice 107.2 serving the Brighton and Hove area has made the switch from DAB to DAB+. Listeners in Brighton now have a choice of 12 DAB+ stations. The Brighton and Hove small-scale DAB multiplex was one of the first piloted back in 2012 and 2013, and is one of 10 locations.

The Radio Commission of the Länder took note of the "Action Plan for the Transformation of Radio Broadcasting in the Digital Age" at its meeting on 15 March. Last month, the action plan was also approved by BMVI's Digital Radio Board.

Mitsubishi Motors has announced a series of revisions to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Juro. The enhanced specification includes DAB radio and Smartphone Link Display Audio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

DTS will showcase its hybrid radio solution, Connected Radio, at RadioDays Europe. Jeff Jury, general manager, radio and automotive at DTS said "The DTS Connected Radio solution provides a global ecosystem for broadcasters and receiver manufacturers, leveraging metadata from a wide range of sources to deliver a uniform in-vehicle broadcast experience. We have worked closely with broadcasters and technology partners to deliver the first hybrid radio platform with rich, dynamic services on a global basis. Our solution puts broadcasters firmly in control of their listeners' hybrid radio experience."

The driving environment is equally as impressive, thanks to 8.3ins touchscreen with built-in DAB radio and two USB inputs, Autocar continues, adding that the S5 Sportback also offers an array of standard "comfort and safety" features, so there's no need to "plunder the options list".

RTI and Czech Radio Pilsen held a successful 'Day of Digital Radio' event on 9th March to highlight the benefits of digital radio. During the event a range of DAB+ radios were on show so participants could see the wide range of radios available on the market for their car and home.