News

Since the end of January this year, residents of Třebíč and the surrounding area have been able to tune in to new radio stations as part of DAB+ digital terrestrial broadcasting. Radio Energic has joined Seejay Radio and World Radio on the airwaves, significantly expanding the range of programming available in the region. The signal is broadcast from a newly launched transmitter, which is technically provided by Fiera touch as part of Regional Network 25. The new transmitter is located on the chimney of the heating plant in Třebíč, specifically on Velkomeziříčská Street, which allows for effective signal propagation in the urban area and surrounding countryside. Channel 6B is used for this purpose, on which stations broadcast in vertical polarization.

Starting in February, ZUN Radio is changing its signal distribution strategy within the DAB+ networks in northern and eastern Bohemia. This change will mainly affect its cooperation with Teleko, with the station focusing on more efficient use of available capacity in these locations. The aim of these changes is to optimize broadcasting with regard to the current commercial potential of the region and to ensure the further development of the station. Listeners in eastern Bohemia will still be able to tune in to the station via the Teleko multiplex on channel 10D, which is broadcast from the Králíky – Suchý vrch transmitter. Another stable reception option is the Fiera Touch network operating from the Trutnov – Černá hora transmitter on channel 7D.

At the beginning of February, new radio programmes will be launched on DAB+ digital radio in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Turkish-language Metropol FM will go on air for the first time in Germany's most populous federal state. The launch is scheduled for Monday, 2 February at 11 a.m. The launch of StreamD on DAB+ has already been announced for 1 February. The Düsseldorf-based programme, which can already be heard on the internet, aims to reach a more discerning audience with information, talk shows featuring guests from the worlds of culture and business, and music programmes covering a wide range of genres. Both programmes benefit from the new regional multiplexes that went on air in North Rhine-Westphalia shortly before Christmas.

In 2025, the significant increase in communication activities around DAB+ led to a spectacular rise in awareness of this technology, which is now much better recognised by listeners. In 2026, we will be working twice as hard to continue communicating and raising awareness of this technology and its advantages, and to promote radio stations broadcasting on DAB+. Radio stations, manufacturers, distributors, producers: Come and talk to us at the association's stand at the Paris Radio Show to: find out about the actions planned for 2026; become a radio partner to promote your radio station locally on DAB+; and identify, together, concrete levers for promoting DAB+. Let's also meet on Tuesday 3 February from 4pm to 5pm at the HUB PRO, with maradio.be, for a discussion dedicated to strengthening communication around DAB+ (speaks, fill-in, reports, local actions), in addition to radio and television spots.

When we talk about the digital transition of radio (from FM to DAB+), we tend to focus on technology: new frequencies, coverage or sound quality. But the real change that DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus) is driving in Europe goes further: it is redefining how plural access to information is guaranteed in the digital age. DAB+ is the European standard for digital terrestrial radio. It offers better sound quality, greater efficiency in spectrum use and the possibility of broadcasting several programmes on the same frequency. But above all, it opens the door to a more plural and inclusive model, where public and private broadcasters share the same infrastructure. In Spain, it is precisely the public sector that is driving the implementation of Digital Radio, which has been on standby since 2011.

MBS is continuing to develop its radio offering as it expands its DAB+ broadcasting coverage. The station will soon be available in Agen, Angoulême, Mont-de-Marsan, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Vichy, Nevers, Épinal, Forbach, Blois, Châteauroux and Niort. In this context, MBS announces the launch of ‘MBS West Coast’, a new weekly programme presented by Jean-Michel Canitrot. ‘MBS West Coast’ explores the great classics of Californian sound from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s, also known as ‘Yacht Rock’. The programme draws on a musical universe combining soft rock, jazz and soul, a genre that has left a lasting mark on the history of music and radio.

WorldDAB is pleased to partner with “AI × Radio Europe – From Trust to the Connected Car”, a European policy and innovation forum organised in the framework of UNESCO World Radio Day 2026, taking place on 12 February in Brussels (Residence Palace – International Press Centre). This year, World Radio Day focuses on Radio and Artificial Intelligence. AI × Radio Europe brings together institutions, broadcasters, industry and media to shape the future of radio in the AI era. WorldDAB is a supporting partner of the forum, addressing how radio can remain trusted, accessible and visible in an era of AI-driven production, hybrid distribution and connected dashboards.

A NEW era of digital radio is arriving in East Hertfordshire and West Essex with the launch of Xtra DAB, a brand-new digital radio network dedicated to expanding listener choice, championing local voices, and supporting independent broadcasters. The official public launch will take place on Saturday 14th February from midday at The Harvey Centre, Harlow, where visitors are invited to celebrate the arrival of the region’s newest digital radio service with a free, family-friendly event. Wayne, Founder of Xtra DAB, said: “This launch is all about giving our communities more choice, more creativity, and more opportunities to be heard. East Herts and West Essex are full of incredible voices and vibrant stories — Xtra DAB is here to amplify them.”

At its meeting on 27 January 2026, the Media Council of the Saxon State Media Authority (SLM) decided to grant VIUS SE & Co. KGaA the requested DAB+ transmission capacities for the nationwide distribution of the full radio programme "NIUS – Das Radio" on the nationwide DAB+ multiplex, which covers the entire Free State of Saxony, for a limited period of 10 years. The programme focuses on politics, business, society and sport. In addition, the Media Council has decided to grant Medienpiraten GmbH, Ismaning, transmission capacities in the DAB+ standard on the four DAB+ coverage areas for the digital terrestrial distribution of the Saxony-wide full-service radio programme ‘egoFM’ for a limited period of 10 years.

A new report from the Norwegian Media Authority says the diversity of broadcasters in the national radio market is stable, with NRK being the largest in terms of listener numbers, accounting for 66 per cent of daily listening in 2024. This is followed by P4 with around 22 per cent and Bauer Media with close to 12 per cent. The market shares of the national radio players have been stable in recent years. The local radio market is becoming more concentrated, with more and more licences being concentrated among the largest owners. Figures from December 2025 show that 41 per cent of local radio licences are now concentrated among the three largest local radio owners. The largest growth in licences has been on DAB.