News

The course for the future of digital radio in south-west Germany has been set. The latest decisions by the relevant media authority focused on the allocation of DAB+ transmission capacities. The aim was both to secure existing distribution channels in the long term and to reallocate resources that were becoming available on the private regional multiplex. The makers of Radio TEDDY now have planning security well into the coming decade. The broadcaster had applied for an extension of its existing allocation, as the current licence would have expired on 30 September 2026. The application by Radio TEDDY GmbH & Co. KG was granted. The transmission capacities will now remain available until 31 December 2032.

In November, Color Music Radio expanded its coverage in DAB+ digital radio broadcasting by joining the Play.cz network, which uses Czech Radiocommunications transmitters and offers coverage within several regional multiplexes. From November 28, Radio Hey will also join this station in the DAB+ network. Play.cz currently operates its own DAB+ network through six main transmitters including Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Ústí nad Labem, České Budějovice, and Trutnov, using the infrastructure of České Radiokomunikace and thanks to this it covers more than half of the population of the Czech Republic.

On November 30, five FM transmitters of Český rozhlas Liberec will cease operation. Listeners are asked to retune their radios to the main frequency of 97.9 FM from Ještěd, which covers the entire Liberec region. Those interested can also tune in to the station digitally throughout the Czech Republic thanks to DAB+ broadcasting in the Czech Radio multiplex on channel 12C. The five FM transmitters that will be shut down on November 30 are Liberec 102.3 FM, Česká Lípa 94.3 FM, Jablonné v Podještědí 105.4 FM, Turnov 91.5 FM, and Nový Bor 104.9 FM. These frequencies are currently broadcasting warnings and information that Český rozhlas Liberec will only be available on 97.9 FM from Ještěd starting in December. The station can also be listened to digitally throughout the Czech Republic.

On Friday, November 28, at noon, Radio Proglas switched off its South Bohemian FM transmitter in Tábor on the 88.7 frequency. Listeners in the region will still be able to tune in to the station via DAB+ digital broadcasting, internet streaming, or satellite signal. This is the culmination of Radio Proglas' long-term strategy, which has gradually shut down a number of its FM frequencies this year. In September, it switched off the Znojmo transmitter on 107.2 FM, in May it said goodbye to the Ještěd and Žďár nad Sázavou transmitters, followed later by shutdowns in Písek and České Budějovice. The last significant shutdown took place on August 31, when the Jeseník transmitter on Praděd ceased operations on the 93.3 MHz frequency.

In the summer of 2026, the current broadcasting licences for analogue and digital commercial radio will expire. On 21 November 2025, the Swedish Media Authority is opening up the opportunity to apply for new licences for the next period. It is now possible to apply for licences to broadcast both analogue and digital commercial radio. The licences are valid from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2034. There are 31 digital licences to broadcast commercial radio, most of which are national. For digital licences, apply by 6 March 2026. On 15 November 2025, new joint regulations for commercial radio came into force. The rules for licences to broadcast commercial radio are the same, regardless of whether it is analogue or digital radio.

Spain's National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) has issued its report on the Draft Royal Decree adopting measures to promote DAB+ digital terrestrial broadcasting technology. The draft aims to promote digital radio in Spain without modifying current FM broadcasts. The Royal Decree proposes an adaptation of the Technical Plan to take advantage of DAB+, which allows the number of programmes per multiplex to be doubled (from 6 to 12). This expansion will enable the restructuring of national networks: one will be dedicated entirely to CRTVE and another will contain the 12 existing private licences. CRTVE will act as the driving force behind the rollout, with up to 12 channels, and will gradually expand its coverage to 85% of the population.

The Albrecht DR 760 combines modern audio technology with practical everyday functions. Thanks to DAB+ and FM reception, the radio offers a wide selection of stations and crystal-clear sound quality. The automatic station search ensures quick and easy programming. Ideal for people who value versatile reception, clear sound quality, extensive settings options and intuitive operation – whether in the living room, kitchen or office. With DAB+ and FM reception, the new ASA function and Bluetooth functionality, this model is positioned as a future-proof everyday companion. The new compact Albrecht DR 760 digital radio is now available online and in specialist shops at a recommended retail price of £129.00.

This year’s WorldDAB Award for Outstanding Service has been given to Mate Botica, CEO of OIV, the DAB+ network operator in Croatia. The Award recognises an individual for an exceptional contribution to the roll-out of DAB+ digital radio and is made annually at the WorldDAB General Assembly. It is offered in memory of Per-Erik Selemark of Swedish Radio, former vice president and chair of the Technical Committee, who died in January 1999. The award was presented at the WorldDAB General Assembly in Antwerp, Belgium on 19 November, in recognition of his work in the development of DAB+ in Croatia. Presenting the Award, WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst described Botica as playing “a truly transformative role in bringing digital radio to a new corner of Europe.”

Arcom has decided to renew the licences issued to IMédias and the Federation of Category A Radio Stations of Martinique (FEDERAM) for a DAB+ broadcasting trial, from 15 October 2025 to 31 July 2026, for the following radio services: Public service: France Inter, Martinique la 1ère; Category A: Espérance FM, FM Plus, Handi FM, Identité Radio, Mouv FM, Nord FM, Radio Actif Martinique, Radio Espoir, Radio Évangile Martinique (REM), Radio Fréquence Caraïbe, Radio Inter Tropicale, Radio Saint-Louis, Radio Sud-Est, RBR (Radio Banlieue Relax), RCA (Radio Canal Antilles), RLDM (Radio Lévé Doubout Matinik), SEM Radio, Super Radio; Category B: Mixx FM, Radio Fusion, Radio Imagine, RFA (Radio Fréquence Atlantique); Web radio : Fusion Compas, Fusion Gold, Fusion Salsa, Marknet Jazz.

WorldDAB has selected South 180 to produce a DAB+ Public Policy Toolkit. The project was announced yesterday at WorldDAB Summit 2025 in Antwerp. The goal is to identify the most effective and efficient public policies for rolling out DAB+, thus accelerating the digital switchover. The scope is global and encompasses all the stakeholders involved in this process. As highlighted by Jacqueline Bierhorst, president of WorldDAB, this project should allow WorldDAB to address two of the key challenges experienced by those undertaking the digital switchover: obtaining support from governments; and ensuring that public administrations take the appropriate measures to promote the implementation of DAB+.