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The head of Radio France, Mathieu Gallet, said DAB+ could be interesting for broadcasting certain programmes that currently have poor coverage with FM due to limited frequency availability (FIP, Mouv), and possibly also France Musique for better quality of sound : "If the state will support us financially, I have no problem with DAB+".

Patrick Hannon from World DAB summarises his highlights from IBC this year. At the show, there was significant interest in digital radio – both from countries interested in setting up DAB+ trials (for example, in Eastern Europe and the Middle East), and from more established markets looking to the world’s first digital radio switchover which starts in Norway in January next year.

DAB+ transmission technology in Slovenia currently consists of transmitters on Nanos, Crimea, Krvavec, Plešivcu, Pohorje, Tinjanu and Trdinov top. Commercial radio stations are expected to launch on DAB+ in the coming weeks.

GfK’s Digital Radio Report 3 (for Australia) shows the cumulative audience for DAB+ simulcast and digital-only stations at 3.6 million people in the five major metropolitan cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane).

WorldDAB has released fresh figures showing the sales of DAB devices and digital radio coverage in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Norway will soon make the historic step of disabling FM-broadcasting, Switzerland will do the same in 2020. Denmark and the UK are preparing for the same step, and Germany are developing their own plans to transfer to digital broadcasting.

The official roll-out of digital radio started in Slovenia, as public broadcaster RTV Slovenija launches the first digital radio network featuring 13 radio stations. RTV Slovenija will operate the first digital multiplex, called R1, and will broadcast from seven transmitters around the country. The network initially reaches 73 percent of Slovenian households and covers 89 percent of motorways and expressways.

The WFR-27C is a radio that combines classic design elements with the all the latest technology including DAB+ radio, Spotify connect and Wi-Fi.

A consortium of broadcasters and organizations united their efforts to develop an open and universal interface, which should facilitate the integration of digital radio reception systems in smartphones. The launch of the open interface for the reception of radio on mobile devices (OMRI) was announced at IBC 2016.

Nearly 50 million receivers were sold through the major countries, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland and Australia (48232000). In France, 292,000 DAB+ receivers have been sold into the distribution network.

A pop-up digital radio station, set up to air in the run-up to BBC Radio Cymru's 40th birthday, will launch on Monday. Radio Cymru Mwy will be available for 15 weeks on weekday mornings.