News

The digitisation of radio reception is progressing steadily. According to the current CE industry compass by ZVEI and Deutsche TV-Plattform in cooperation with GfK, for the first time in the history of radio in Germany, more than half of the radio devices sold are digital and receive DAB+ (1st HY 2023: 52 percent or 0.5 million units). This represents an increase of nine percentage points since 2019. Since 2010, a total of around 16 million DAB+ radio devices (all radio categories) have been sold.

The Saudi Broadcasting Authority announced on 7 August the launch of the third generation of radio broadcasting, digital audio broadcasting, and the inauguration of the Radio and Television Corp. Training Academy. Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthy, CEO of the Radio and Television Corp., said that the technical team was “keen to develop the digital radio broadcasting service so that the Kingdom would be among the first countries to activate the DAB+ technology.” Digital broadcasts offer several advantages over traditional AM and FM radio, providing more broadcasts on the same frequency, requiring fewer operating costs and offering a 35 percent increase in coverage area. The Radio and Television Corp. said it is expanding the use of digital broadcast areas by about 44 digital frequencies after launching three frequencies in Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah.

His Excellency the Minister of Information, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Radio and Television Corporation, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, will inaugurate on 7 August the Radio and Television Corporation's Training Academy, in addition to launching the DAB+ digital radio broadcasting service. The CEO of the Radio and Television Corporation stated that the technical team was keen to work to develop the digital radio broadcasting service so that the Kingdom would be among the first countries to activate the DAB+ technology, which will contribute to providing high quality sound and crystal-clear reception, which also contributes to improving the experience of listeners. This technology will also help in exchanging data and reducing operational costs and electricity consumption. and energy.

The terrestrial DAB+ networks are still being built. New transmitters are about to be switched on in several federal states. We summarise all the news. The DAB+ network of private stations in Baden-Württemberg (channel 11B) is to be further expanded by four locations. Südwestrundfunk (SWR) also wants to expand its network.

rbb is continuing its DAB+ network expansion and has put another DAB+ transmitter on channel 10B into operation at the Forst location. The new transmitter closes a coverage gap in south-eastern Brandenburg. Since 1 August 2023, all rbb radio and the COSMO station can be received digitally via an aerial in the best quality. In the coming years, further small transmitters are planned to close the remaining white spots in Brandenburg's digital radio coverage.

Germany’s broadcast regulator — Der Kommission für Zulassung und Aufsicht (ZAK) — has issued radio SAW, a private radio station covering the north-central state of Saxony-Anhalt a DAB license that effectively allows it to “poach” in neighboring states. As Saxony-Anhalt’s first private radio station, dating back to 1992, radio SAW is an established FM brand. Its programming already reaches beyond the state’s borders courtesy of a powerful 100 kW transmitter on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz mountain range. The DAB+ license that ZAK issued radio SAW on 26 July officially allows the station to extend its reach via multiplexes in neighboring states.

On FM, many private, local and regional stations have clearly defined broadcasting areas. With digital radio DAB+, it is becoming increasingly fashionable for them to "poach" in neighbouring areas as well. This is not just a matter of mapping the previous FM broadcast area on DAB+. Radio SAW is a private, state-wide radio station from Saxony-Anhalt. SAW stands for "Sachsen-Anhalt-Welle". In order to map this large area onto digital radio DAB+ as well, Radio SAW will be allowed to broadcast its programme nationwide in future - at least in theory. The Commission for Licensing and Supervision (ZAK) of the state media authorities granted the corresponding licence on 26 July.

The South Durham small-scale DAB multiplex has launched with seven digital stations broadcasting to Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe. Alpha Radio, Aycliffe Radio, Dance Revolution, Durham OnAir, Frisk Radio, Prince Bishops Hospital Radio and Sun FM are all based in the northeast. Bishop FM will follow at a later date. Local community broadcasters worked with specialists in the field to launch Durham Digital which is running the transmitters. Gary Burgham, Programme Director at Bishop FM said: “I’m thrilled to be part of a great team presenting the opportunity to bring a community-based DAB service to Bishop Auckland, Aycliffe and my hometown of Darlington.”

Commercial radio in Australia turns 100 this year and kicked off celebrations today with the launch of a new report that shows the industry contributes $1 billion to the nation’s annual GDP, including a $320 million boost to regional Australia. The “Connecting Communities: The Economic and Social Contribution of Commercial Radio and Audio in Australia” report was commissioned by industry body Commercial Radio & Audio and produced by Deloitte Access Economics. The report notes: "Commercial radio has evolved with the disruptors, giving audiences more avenues to listen to content, such as through podcasts and DAB+ radio. Such innovation has fostered listenership, which has continued to grow."

The winners of the auction of the national commercial radio frequencies can finally put their frequencies into use on 1 September. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has now granted new licences for FM and DAB+, according to publication in the Government Gazette. This means that all winning parties have fulfilled their payment obligation and paid at least half of the winning bid within two weeks of the auction. In early July, the nine nationwide commercial FM lots with associated DAB+ capacity on channel 11C were auctioned. This netted the treasury almost €153 million.