News

A Digital Radio Summit at Bayerischer Rundfunk Bayerischer reminds public broadcasters of their responsibilities as public service providers in their role in the development of digital radio.

Bertram Hock, group leader, Broadcast Receiver Development for automaker BMW, says the Danish government needs to make a clear decision about DAB radio.

Those who looking to buy an FM radio are being warned that in a couple of years that their radio sets will become obsolete .

Bauer Media's Steve Parkinson is a proponent of the platform, saying it allows much more choice and is free at the point of delivery. Another proponent, Digital Radio UK's Ford Ennals, says radio should be united for a digital future, with more choice and national and local coverage build-out. "The future for radio is digital but it is also collaborative. Big and small, local and national working together to ensure radio does remain competitive and relevant in a multiplatform digital age," Ford said.

The newest thing for old fogeys - a hi-tech radio in an ancient body, complete with tuner dial.

The latest radio listener figures have confirmed the long term drive to digital listening continues, according to Digital Radio UK, despite a lack of fixed date for a digital switchover. Digital listening is up 10% year-on-year overall, with 52% of the population now tuning in each week (27.7 million people), according to the Q4 2013 Rajar figures. Digital listening share is now 36.1%.

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will allocate existing analog TV frequencies for digital radio later this year, according to the Bangkok Post.

At this year’s NAB Show, 2wcom Systems will launch four products for IP radio, audio contribution via satellite and IP, and DAB/DAB+ applications. For audio-over-IP, 2wcom will show the new multi-format AIC over IP encoder/decoder, a 19-inch unit that combines IP encoder and decoder functions in one chassis, for applications like mobile broadcasting and WAN connections.

Pure has announced another addition to its extensive Bluetooth speaker line-up, this time in the form of the Contour D1 which is DAB compatible.

Bauer Media's Kisstory station launched on Freeview in May 2013 as a spin-off from its parent station Kiss and its strand of slightly older dance hits and anthems.