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Last update: 17.05.2024 - older versions

Radio Nacional de España begins DAB+ broadcasts

Coinciding with the celebration of World Radio Day and the centenary year of radio in Spain, Radio Nacional de España has started digital radio broadcasts in DAB+ together with Cellnex Telecom on 13 February 2024, with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard in our country, which is set to replace FM in the long term.

You can listen to the following broadcasts on DAB+:

- Radio Nacional and Radio 5 in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

- Radio 3 in Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

These broadcasts are in addition to the existing DAB broadcasts of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3, Radio 5 and Radio Exterior in Madrid and Barcelona.

On a monthly basis, RNE's offer on DAB+ and the coverage of the service will be progressively increased, starting broadcasts in other Spanish cities. On 19 March 2024, Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 launched on DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela. On 18 April 2024, DAB+ broadcasts launched in Pamplona. On 17 May 2024, DAB+ broadcasts were launched in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law, providing maximum geographical and social coverage, with the best quality and additional services specific to DAB+ and with free-to-air broadcasts and free reception.

Regional DAB+

In January 2020, the regional government in Navarra advertised capacity for six DAB services on a future ensemble for the region, designated FU-Nav. Simultaneously, the regional government advertised a total of 72 DAB licences across 12 ensembles, each of which will have local coverage.

In Mallorca, a multiplex licensed by the Autonomous Government of the Balearic Islands began broadcasting in February 2024, broadcasting four stations from the Serra de Alfabia.

Last update: 18.04.2024 - older versions

RNE DAB+ services are on air in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

These broadcasts join the existing ones on DAB in Madrid and Barcelona.

RNE will increase monthly its content offer and coverage on DAB+ until the end of 2024.

RNE coverage: > 30% population

Rest of national stations: 20% population

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In this country there are

National multiplexes: 3 Regular

on air.

Please note:

(a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

A total of 18 DAB and 4 DAB+ legal audio services are on air, but enhanced features as text, images or programme guides are not available.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB programmes	17	2	19
DAB+ programmes	3	0	3
Total	20	2	22

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In Spain, 98% of new cars sold in 2023 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

Almost a 5% of digital radio receivers sold in retailers includes DAB/DAB+ receiver, although no DAB/DAB+ national promotion has been carried out.

It is estimated that nearly 3 million cars already have a DAB/DAB+ receiver in Spain.

Last update: 21.10.2019 - older versions

Spanish Broadcaster Radio Maria (http://www.radiomaria.es/) started DAB+ test transmissions in Madrid and Barcelona on 2014 December 30th.

This is the first time DAB+ has been used for radio broadcasting in Spain. This DAB/DAB+ network is operated by the Broadcast Network Operator Cellnex Telecom.

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

National station licenses are issued by the central government, while local and regional licenses are the responsibility of the regional government. Licenses are valid for 15 years with an automatic renewal for a further 15 years. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules which exist for analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is allowed by law in Band III.

There are three layers of services set out by law:

National, with 1 SFN multiplex and 2 MFN multiplexes
Regional (Comunidad Autónoma basis), with 1/3 SFN multiplex (nowadays without transmissions) and 2/3 MFN multiplex (not implemented)
Local, with 237 areas covered by different frequency blocks in Band III

Nowadays, due to the entry into force of the Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, DAB services are on air only to cover a 20% of the Spanish population (Madrid and Barcelona including their metropolitan areas). It is the minimum population coverage required by the current National Technical Plan for Digital Audio Broadcasting.

RNE is providing DAB+ services covering a percentage of the population above that minimum.

Subaru Forester 2018

07.02.2018 - Spain

The interior also receives some minor updates with more modern materials, a color LCD screen with new graphics and an audio system with DAB + radio with Subaru Starlink.

(Motor Pasion) Read more

Regulatory indications show FM will not stay forever

05.02.2018 - Spain

A noteworthy fact that gives an idea of the magnitude of DAB+ implementation is that public broadcasters of multiple European countries have already put on the air 369 stations in DAB and DAB+, of which 97 are not available in FM.

(Gorkazumeta) Read more

When Europe bets on the DAB, Spain recoils with the FM flag

13.12.2017 - Spain

Spain has definitely been left behind in the process of implementing the DAB within the scope of the European Broadcasting Union.

(Gorkazumeta) Read more

The Spanish island in the European DAB

20.11.2017 - Spain

Javier Sánchez (EBU): "As of today, the calendar for the deployment of the DAB in Spain is not yet established". Trying to slow down the implementation of DAB radio, or its evolution, the DAB+, clearly means on the threshold of the 21st century, swimming against the current, compared to what happens in the rest of the world.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

The Spanish island in the European DAB

18.11.2017 - Spain

Javier Sánchez (EBU): "As of today, the calendar for the deployment of the DAB in Spain is not yet established". Trying to slow down the implementation of terrestrial digital radio, known as DAB radio, or its evolution, the DAB+, clearly means, at the threshold of the 21st century, swimming against the current, compared to what happens in the rest of the world.

Sales of DAB receivers is close to 60 Million

01.11.2017 -

- Spain

According to a new report from WorldDAB, by the end of the second quarter of 2017, almost 60 million DAB receivers had been sold, compared to 48 million the previous year.

(El Radioescucha) Read more

Digital radio, leaps and bounds in Europe

25.08.2017 - Spain

In recent times we have seen how radio in our country has begun to reinvent itself. New listening formats, podcasts, content, greater offer, specialization and improvements in sound quality are just some of the benefits that the digital universe has brought to the radio sphere.

(Puerto Plata Al Minuto ) Read more

Five cheap DAB radios ideal for any home

23.08.2017 - Spain

All these radios are compatible with the DAB and DAB+ radio, which we can now enjoy in Spain, and none of them exceeds €40.As you can see, DAB is available to everyone.

(Radios digitales) Read more

Strong growth in sales of digital radio receivers in Europe

21.08.2017 -

- Spain - United Kingdom

The first half of 2017 has experienced rapid growth in sales of DAB + receivers throughout Europe, driven by Norway's transition from FM to this new digital terrestrial radio technology and the development of digital radio markets across the continent .

(Gorka Zumenta) Read more

The automotive industry continues to focus on DAB+

07.07.2017 - Spain

"Our message to the automotive industry today is that all vehicles must have FM and digital radio capabilities, offering the best experience for drivers across the continent." said Patrick Hannon, president of WorldDAB at the recent Automotive Event in Munich where it was also announced that in 2016, 4.6 million new cars were sold in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Australia, 40% more than in 2015.

(The Radioeschucha) Read more