News

The local DAB multiplex has been given permission to launch later this month on VHF Block 10B, instead of Block 10D, where it will broadcast five local stations, including BBC Somerset, Capital FM, Heart Somerset, Smooth Radio and a new service from Triple Hits.

Following recent long-term, trials EmiTel (Warszawa, Poland) has chosen VDL (Lyon, France) Multiplexing equipment for Polskie Radio (Warszawa, Poland) DAB+ digital radio network roll out across the major cities in Poland. Digital radio in Poland will increase coverage in another six cities. As a result, Polskie Radio programmes should be available in digital form to 30% of Poles by the end of the year.

A new radio station all about finance is launching on DAB in London this autumn. Share Radio will be dedicated to providing information on handling money and investments, and will primarily talk-based. It says it will have programmes to inform and empower listeners with the information they need to help them make better financial decisions. The station will be available online and DAB in London from Westminster but no launch date has been set.

In a recent article Staffan Rosell, CEO of Swedens largest commercial broadcaster SBS Radio, calls for more objective views on the switchover from FM to DAB+. In a segment in the “SR EKOT” radio programme to the Review Board, the switchover is reported to bring high costs with no or uncertain consumer benefits. "There is absolutely no evidence that the switchover from FM to DAB+ would cost hundreds of millions of crowns claimed in the article. Rather, distribution costs will be lower in the long term, and competition will be on equal terms when commercial radio can broadcast nationally," writes Rosell.

Triple Hits will play a mix of “21st century hits, Old Skool anthems and fresh new songs” and comes from the previous owners of Fire Radio in Bournemouth which was recently sold to Celador. The Triple Broadcast Co’s content subsidiary Fire Media will run the service and say the Triple Hits format is designed to appeal to the ‘radio in between’ generation – the gap between the Radio 1 audience and Radio 2.

A new prototype hybrid car adaptor has been unveiled by Radioplayer at the Next Radio Conference in London. The new device, which is fitted behind a dashboard, includes a dedicated app to use on the driver’s smartphone which acts as the radio interface. Michael Hill, Managing Director of Radioplayer, demonstrated the technology which scans DAB, DAB+, FM, and internet sources automatically selecting the best platform to deliver any station. If a signal is lost, it switches to the same station on another platform.

Radioplayer, the online listening platform run by the BBC and commercial radio, has unveiled a prototype car adapter which turns FM radios into DAB receivers. Developed in conjunction with automotive audio firm Connects2, the small device, fitted behind the dashboard, is controlled by a dedicated app on the driver's smartphone which, positioned safely in a dashboard cradle, acts as the radio interface.

From 16 September, Germany radio is receiving culture in modern broadcasting standard DAB +. By switching, more efficient audio coding and better sound quality can be achieved at a lower data rate.

Recent research by TNS has shown an "impressive growth" of DAB+ in Germany with around 2 million more people tuning into DAB radio than the previous year. Figures also show total recorded digital receiver sales at almost 5 million. DAB listening in cars has improved with the 1.29 listeners now tuning in digitally, up from 0.62 million in 2013.

Radioplayer, the online listening platform run by the BBC and commercial radio, unveiled a prototype hybrid car adaptor which enables listeners to get maximum choice of radio stations, with minimum tuning fuss. With 20% of radio listening taking place in the car, and some 27 million UK vehicles still not able to receive DAB radio, this technology could present a solution to one of the biggest hurdles faced by the radio industry, in the move towards digital.