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Pure West Radio is getting ready to launch on DAB digital radio in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. The station is waiting for the new small-scale DAB multiplex to be launched in the area, using five transmitters, which will see the station extend to DAB after six years of online streaming. “This is a very exciting time for Pure West Radio as it means we’re now going to be able to continue to expand in so many different directions,” said Pure West’s director, Toby Ellis. “Our move to DAB will enable more people to remain connected to our platform as we continue delivering interviews, local news, information and of course a whole load of quality music.”

In addition to the public multiplex ČRo DAB+ and CRA's own multiplex DAB+, there will also be regional networks of the operator Play.cz, which will cover the whole Czech Republic, except for the Pardubice and Vysočina Regions. Following the announcement in June that the company had entered into a three-month exclusivity negotiation memorandum with Radiokomunikacije, Play.cz has now confirmed that this has resulted in a turnkey agreement for the creation and operation of the network. "Yes, we have reached an agreement," Jan John, a member of Play.cz's supervisory board, confirmed to Médiář. The construction of the network should be relatively quick. After all, Radiokomunikace itself plans to launch its national radio multiplex quickly, using the same transmitters as Czech Radio's digital broadcasts.

Hits Radio will replace KISS on FM in London, Norfolk and the West of England on Monday 23 September 2024. This change is sooner than anticipated, even with Bauer announcing details in August. Bauer has also launched a new national station, KISSTORY R&B on DAB+ and adding KISS Fresh and KISS Dance to DAB+ in London this week.

Carbon footprint was another commanding subject at IBC2024. UK network operator Arqiva came out with a dramatic engineering mindset U-turn. In its challenge to reduce the energy consumption of its DAB+ transmitter network, it turned its back on the iconic “up to best possible level” benchmark, switching to a more suitable “good enough.” In doing so, it reduced energy costs by 12% on the existing network without affecting its audience’s listening experience.

The media group pHmedia of entrepreneur Pavel Hajek has been broadcasting a promo spot promoting DAB+ digital radio on its TV channels since 19 September. Hájek, through his company Fiera Touch, is one of the successful bidders for future radio multiplex frequencies. "Ditch the old ways of listening to the radio and enter a new era with DAB+ digital radio. Imagine hearing every note, every word clearly and without noise, as if your favourite presenter or star was sitting right next to you. Listening to radio on DAB+ puts an unlimited number of stations at your fingertips, including exclusive programmes you'll never get on a conventional analogue radio. No searching for frequencies, no interference, just pure joy," says the promo spot.

According to SatelitnaTV.sk's findings, the TII (Transmitter Identification Information) codes have recently been modified in most DAB+ digital radio transmitters in Slovakia. The changes affected both Towercom transmitters and the subsidiary AVIS, which operates transmitters in Nitra and Považská Bystrica. These are positive changes by both Slovak operators. Thanks to the TII code, it is possible to find out from which specific transmitter the signal is currently being received. This is particularly useful in the case of single frequency network (SFN). In central Slovakia, for example, there are up to four DAB+ transmitters in SFN.

An expansion of one of the private muxes in Saxony is planned for DAB+ digital radio. As reported by the ‘Leipziger Volkszeitung’ newspaper, the ensemble for the Leipzig region (channel 10A) will also be broadcast via the Oschatz transmitter (Collmberg) from 2025. This is the first network expansion since the launch in spring 2023. The new transmitter will improve DAB+ reception in the Grimma/Riesa/Oschatz/Torgau region and along the A14 motorway between Leipzig and Dresden.

The DAB+ offering is growing continuously. There are now over 300 digital radio programmes that can be received in different regions, more than 100 of them exclusively via DAB+. A station search is recommended in order to benefit from the latest switch-ons. In Hesse, bigFM Hessen is now available for reception via DAB+. Meanwhile, HR has switched on the new Schlüchtern station in East Hesse. It is intended to improve coverage for Schlüchtern and the surrounding area in particular. Previously, the Herborn-Burg transmitter in central Hesse had already started regular DAB+ operation for the HR programmes. This improves DAB+ reception in Dillenburg, Herborn, Burg and the surrounding area.

New figures released by Radiocentre have confirmed a 5% year-on-year increase in commercial radio advertising revenue for the first half of 2024. During this period, the UK market generated almost £360 million in total revenues from January to June. This includes £192.7 million for national advertising, marking a 5.6% increase on the same period last year; £60.2 million from local advertising, up by 5.4%; with further increases in branded content and digital revenues.

4Ever49 Radio celebrates its two-year anniversary on Wednesday (18 September). The radio station is doing so with an extensive media campaign. Part of this includes highway banners to be seen at various locations. 4Ever49 entered the Dutch radio market via DAB+ as a new national player in 2022, succeeding Loopreizen Radio. The station can now be received in a large part of the Netherlands. Outside DAB+, 4Ever49 is also online, on cable via (KPN, Odido, Caiway/Delta) and the App. Jo de Graaf, founder and owner of 4EVER49 Radio, says: ‘The team is extremely proud of what we have achieved in two years. The number of unique streams has more than doubled last year, we have launched an app, we can now be listened to everywhere via the major cable providers and we have greatly expanded our DAB+ reach.’