News

The local radio station Radio TOP FM can secure its digital reach in southern Upper Bavaria beyond the current period. Amperwelle GmbH, the station's operator, has been granted an extension of the allocated DAB+ capacities in the southern Upper Bavaria network (block 7A). The station has been allocated a data capacity of 80 CU (80 kbit/s net data rate) for the additional simultaneous distribution of the ‘Radio TOP FM’ programme. This allocation, which is considered a ‘technical rounding off’, will be extended from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2027. TOP FM is already broadcasting its programme digitally there and will be able to continue doing so seamlessly for another two years.

Boost for the digitisation of radio in Bavaria: At its meeting today, the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) voted in favour of extending DAB+ funding, known as the Transformation Incentive Fund (TAF). The TAF supports digital offerings and thus implements a component of the audio strategy adopted by the Media Council at the end of 2023. Funding for simulcast distribution, i.e. distribution via FM and DAB+, is staggered, taking into account the FM costs of each individual programme. Depending on the cost burden in the FM transmitter network, simulcast programmes receive DAB+ funding of between 0 and 50 per cent. This benefits above all broadcasters in rural regions with higher FM network costs.

In a statement on Friday, the association Ensemble pour le DAB+, which works to promote DAB+, a digital radio broadcasting technology, welcomed the creation of a €600,000 grant from the sector, earmarked for the association. Last Wednesday, the National Assembly's Committee on Cultural Affairs and Education approved the creation of this grant to promote DAB+. ‘The amendment received broad cross-party support, notably from the Committee Chair and the rapporteur for the Media, Books and Cultural Industries Mission,’ the association said. DAB+ currently covers two-thirds of the French population and will reach 80% by the end of 2026.

Australia’s audio landscape is entering a new phase of scale and strategy as two of the country’s largest networks unveil ambitious developments. Southern Cross Austereo has introduced a new DAB+ music brand under the Heart banner, while Australian Radio Network has announced that its KIIS and Gold networks will become truly national in 2026. SCA announced the launch of the Heart Network, a new national music brand debuting on DAB+ and via its LiSTNR app platform. The initial offering includes two stations: Heart and Heart Hits. At its first-ever Upfront event on Oct. 29, ARN revealed its 2026 content strategy, announcing that its familiar KIIS and Gold networks will become fully national platforms for advertisers and listeners alike.

Virgin Radio UK is delighted to announce the launch of pop-up station Virgin Radio Christmas. From Saturday 1st November until midnight on Boxing Day, you can listen to non-stop Christmas favourites on the Virgin Radio network’s newest seasonal station. On weekdays in the lead up to 25th December, The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery will be broadcast from 6:30am to 10am, with back-to-back Christmas tunes kicking in straight after. You can listen to Virgin Radio Christmas on DAB Radio in London, on the Virgin Radio app, on your Smart Speaker and online.

The countdown to Christmas in Jersey has begun as Channel 103 joins forces with the island’s ferry operator DFDS to launch the Channel Islands’ first radio station dedicated to non-stop festive favourites. Channel Christmas powered by DFDS, is now live playing the islands’ biggest festive tunes from Slade to Shakin’ Stevens and Mariah Carey to Michael Bublé throughout the day, every day up until December 27th. The Christmas-themed sister station to Channel 103 and Island FM, is broadcasting on DAB+, Radioplayer, app and smart speaker. DFDS Route Director Chris Parker said: “Christmas is a special time for islanders as well as our teams on board and in port so we’re delighted to teaming up with Channel 103 for the perfect Christmas soundtrack.”

In October, Hessischer Rundfunk and Norddeutscher Rundfunk put several DAB+ transmitter sites into operation. In October, Hessischer Rundfunk massively expanded its digital radio network. In this month alone, it added five new transmitter locations to its network within just 15 days. This means that Hessischer Rundfunk's radio waves are now broadcast via 24 DAB+ transmitter locations on channel 7B. Norddeutscher Rundfunk is also working on consolidating its regionally organised digital radio station networks. On 24 October, the Verden Kichlinteln site was added to the NDR regional network ‘NDR NDS OL’ in Lower Saxony on channel 8D.

Sunrise Radio has announced the launch of two new digital stations, Sunrise Hits and Sunrise Retro, alongside its transition to DAB+ broadcasting across the UK. Starting 5th November 2025, Sunrise Hits will broadcast nationwide on DAB+, offering what the station describes as “the UK’s smoothest Asian hits,” while Sunrise Retro will air on DAB+ in London, focusing on classic Asian music. The launch coincides with Sunrise Radio’s own upgrade to DAB+, providing improved audio quality and broader digital coverage for listeners across the country. Tony Lit MBE & MD of The Sunrise Radio Group adds, “I’m excited about the expansion of The Sunrise Group network, offering listeners across the UK more choice.”

West Coast Radio has launched a new digital radio station on DAB+, designed by young people and for young people, giving local youth across the Peel region of WA a platform to create, connect and be heard. Targeted at listeners aged 14 to 24, the new station will be a creative playground for the next generation of media minds. From choosing the music and designing the logo, to producing the shows and shaping the marketing, young people will have hands-on involvement in every part of the station’s operation. The station is an a partnership between local schools, the youth of our region and West Coast Radio who will invite teachers to integrate radio and media studies into their curriculum, opening up pathways for students interested in broadcasting, content creation, sound production, and digital storytelling.

ARN’s KIIS and GOLD networks are going fully national in 2026, in a move which brings Kyle & Jackie O to a new audience in Perth, via a new KIIS DAB+ station. Confirming the rollout at ARN’s Upfront event in Sydney, Chief Content and Audience Officer Lauren Joyce, said “In 2026, ARN will deliver true national scale across two of the most recognisable media brands in the country.” Adelaide’s Cruise1323 evolves into GOLD1323, with refreshed programming designed to attract a younger audience, and new GOLD DAB+ stations will launch in Brisbane and Adelaide. Every market will continue to feature local news, sport, traffic and weather.