News

DAB digital radio now accounts for a third of all radio listening and 73% of all digital listening, with 31 million adults or 57% of the population owning a DAB radio - a year-on-year growth of 6%. . Digital listening hours grew by 12% or 51.3 million hours compared to Q4 2015, driven by record growth in DAB hours which increased by 23% and online hours which increased by 14%.

It marked the beginning of the end of an era. In January, Norway began transitioning from analogue to digital radio broadcasting (DAB). This means that FM radio broadcasting infrastructures across the Nordic country are being systematically turned off.

Digital listening has increased year-on-year to 45.2% share, up from 41.7% in Q4 2015. The figure was boosted by record levels of DAB digital listening, as hours grew by 12% or 51.3 million hours compared to Q4 2015, driven by record growth in DAB hours which increased by 23% and online hours which increased by 14%.

More and more private radio stations in Germany have recognized the signs of the times and are focusing on the digital technology to replace the classic, analogue FM radio. A number of private radio broadcasters have launched DAB+ exclusive stations already this year.

Wednesday 8 February is the day that NRK's ​​radio broadcasts will disappear from FM radio in Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag.

Wednesday saw the switch off of FM in Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag, as part of Norway's gradual digital switchover.

The Italian Government commits to a road map for DAB+ development, a key part of this will be a plan for coordinated frequency planning. The majority of band III has to be reserved for DAB+. AGCOM also renewed commitment to putting forward legislation that receivers should have FM and digital capability.

Carried out by the WorldDAB Technical Committee, this recent update sought to identify obsolete features, clarify descriptions and update specific features to ensure the standard would be compatible for future needs.

The EBU's Media Intelligence Service (MIS) has published its annual update on Digital Radio advances in Europe as part of Digital Radio Week. The report, which supports the EBU's Digital Radio initiative, highlights the need for stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of digital radio implementation.

The tagline for the new campaign is " radio is magic, digital radio is the magic in your car" and will run throughout 2017. The new campaign is scheduled to go out on digital radio on national, commercial and local stations. It is hoped the campaign will reach 23 million listeners.