News

The new Renault Clio Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 comes with sat nav, FM and DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB and AUX, as well as hands-free and fingertip remote control.

Radio use in the UK is now at record levels, with 48 million adults listening to more than 1 billion hours each week. Analysts predict that digital listeners will become the majority within a year, leading the UK government to undertake a review which could result in FM signals being switched off.

A surge in digital listeners has brought about a “new golden age” of radio which could trigger the beginning of the end of FM listening as early as this year. Analysts predict that digital radio listeners will become the majority within a year. The Government has said that once that milestone is reached it will undertake a review which could result in the FM signal being switched off.

Recent figures from WorldDAB illustrate the advancement of DAB radio: 53 million DAB receivers (including those in new car models) were sold by the end of 2016, coverage of the DAB signal is now over 95% of the population in five European countries, and the consumption of digital radio is more than 50% of the public in Norway, the UK and Switzerland.

The growth of digital radio stations has driven an unprecedented boom for public and commercial sectors. Industry analysts expect a key milestone to be reached by the end of this year, when the majority of listeners tune in via digital radio instead of the old FM frequency. The government has said that once the target is reached, it will carry out a review that could lead to the FM signal being switched off altogether.

Yorkshire-based audio specialist Roberts Radio has launched a brand new range of DAB/FM radios designed to help you wake up with a smile. The new Ortus range includes a 'hit any button' snooze system for grabbing a few extra minutes of sleep and an adjustable sleep, snooze and nap timer for audio fade down.

In recent weeks, new initiatives and channels have been launched, adding to the existing DAB+ networks in the Netherlands. Radio.NL goes through the latest developments in each of the regions of the country.

The SEAT Leon has been updated for 2017. Inside, all but the entry level S model, have an eight-inch colour touchscreen, with USB connectivity, DAB radio and satellite navigation.

Germany's Ministry of Economics and Energy is working on initiatives for the promotion of digital radio DAB+ throughout the country. It recently put forward a draft recommendation that "high-quality radio receivers may only be traded if they are suitable for the reception of digital radio signals".

The upcoming radio event on DAB in Birmingham will feature a large panel of radio experts from across the West Midlands. Newly confirmed to speak at the event are Caroline Martin, lunchtime host of BBC West Midlands; Brett Spencer, Editor, Digital, BBC Radio 1, 1 Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, BBC Asian Network at BBC Radio; and Amy Southall, Midlands Officer, Student Radio Association. They join a line up from across Birmingham’s radio community.