News

Speaking at the WorldDAB Automotive 2019 conference held in Turin in June 2019, Radio Rai director Roberto Sergio touched on the current state of the radio industry in Italy, highlighting the ecosystem's readiness for DAB+ digital radio. 57% of the population of Italy is set to be covered by DAB+ by the end of 2019.

The pop network Heart in the United Kingdom has a new digital sister: Heart Dance. The station can be received nationally on DAB+ and via the internet. After Dance Extra and Heart 80's, Heart Dance is already the third theme channel of Heart that can be received via DAB+. The station is a spin-off from the popular weekend programme "Club Classics" in which you can hear the best dance hits of the 90s and 70s.

June 2020 is an important date in the development of DAB+ technology in France. All new vehicles and radio-related products will have to integrate DAB+. La Lettre Pro discussed this topic with Olivier Humbaire, president of SECIMAVI, a professional organization grouping the main brands of manufacturers and importers of electronics at WorldDAB Automotive 2019 in Turin, Italy.

WorldDAB has today announced the launch of the WorldDAB Excellence in Automotive Award. The award will recognise outstanding work carried out on the development, innovation and promotion of digital radio within the automotive industry, and honour the most significant contributions of individuals, groups or teams working towards optimising the experience of digital radio in the car. The first WorldDAB Excellence in Automotive Award will be presented at the WorldDAB Automotive conference in June 2020.

The growing interest in DAB+ in Germany is reflected in the growing number of digital radio receivers, with over 1.4 million sold in Germany in 2018 alone. Population coverage in the country stands at 98%, and more and more private broadcasters are aiming to make their brand future-proof through DAB+.

For the first time, DAB+ listeners in Italy can tune in to the BBC World Service in English. Thanks to an agreement with DAB+ multiplex provider Eurodab Italia, the network’s rich mix of BBC News, documentaries, business, sports, arts and science programmes are now available across the country.

The official launch of DAB+ in Nantes, France, is set to take place at the Hotel Mercures Nantes gare on 4 July 2019. The president of the French regulator CSA, Roch-Olivier Maistre, is expected to attend the launch event.

"We are very proud that BBC World Service has chosen the EuroDAB digital network to broadcast its content in Italy,” declares Lorenzo Suraci, President of EuroDAB Italy - “and it is evident that the professionalism and passion with which we do our work is also perceived outside of our country. It improves and extends the offer of the contents of our bouquet and helps the radio, in general, in an increasingly global world."

Transmitter operator Norkring has improved the reception of the two commercial DAB+ networks in northeastern Flanders, Belgium. A total of 21 radio stations can now be received on the two commercial DAB + networks.

Starting from the 1 January 2020, all new radio receivers released in Italy will have to include DAB+ digital radio as standard. This applies to domestic radios as well as in-car radios. The number of DAB+ receivers in Italian homes and cars is estimated at 4.3 million.