Australia

Last update: 04.03.2021 - older versions

DAB+ launched in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in late 2009, followed by Canberra and Darwin in 2017, Hobart in April 2019 and Darwin in May 2019, as well as Canberra in July 2019 and Mandurah in December 2019.

More than 6 million DAB+ radios have been sold in Australia since digital radio launched in the five major capital cities in 2009. GfK’s point of sales report estimates that consumers purchased 129,000 DAB+ receivers in 2020.

PwC projects that close to 4 million new vehicles fitted with DAB+ will be sold by the end of 2021.

Australia’s DAB+ digital radio-only stations attracted a weekly audience of 2.35 million people in 2020, an increase of 15% from 2.04 million in 2019, according to GfK data released by industry body Commercial Radio Australia.

Further information: 

 

 

Last update: 26.05.2021 - older versions

Population coverage in Australia stands at 63% (Q2 2020).

DAB+ low power trials which commenced in 2010 in Canberra and Darwin continue, this includes a retransmission of the Canberra services inside Parliament House. 

DAB+ was officially launched in Hobart in April 2019, while DAB+ is also set to launch in Darwin and Canberra in 2019.

 Regional Rollout

The Australian Government  released in July 2015 a report, prepared by the Department of Communications, on digital radio services in Australia. The Digital Radio Report recommended the establishment of a Digital Radio Planning Committee for Regional Australia, to be chaired by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, to focus on the rollout of digital radio to regional areas.

The Government expects that the Planning Committee would give priority to the licensing of permanent digital radio services in Canberra and Darwin, where trials have been underway since 2010, before planning the rollout in new areas of Australia.

The report also recommended that the Government should provide a simpler, more flexible process for planning and licensing of digital radio in regional Australia. The Planning Committee may provide an appropriate forum to develop proposals to simplify the regulatory framework.

Commercial Radio Australia is pleased to note the signal of support for regional DAB+ rollout in the report.  

The report is available at: https://communications.gov.au/publications/digital-radio-report

Visit http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/can-i-get-digital-radio  

 

Last update: 03.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

Please note:

(a)    These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b)    The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

A full listing of the services on air in Australia is available at http://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/

CRA reports 139 stations are broadcasting on DAB+ in Australia, with up to 30 DAB+ only stations in each mainland state capital city. There are currently 13 regular regional multiplexes and 2 trial regional multiplexes on air broadcasting nearly 210 DAB+ services between them, with most multiplex delivering 18 or more services. There are 74 radio stations on AM/FM in the five capital cities, counting commercial, ABC and SBS but not community stations.

Almost all stations in Australia are using slideshow and all are delivering dynamic scrolling text.

There is no format restriction for Australian DAB+ services, so stations can develop new formats and test the audience’s interest in these digital only services. Stations include dance, children’s programming, chill, 80s, 90s, classic, jazz, indie and world music as well as sport and talk. Pop up stations have been used for cultural celebrations, anniversaries of major events, floods and emergencies. Revenue is being made on branded radio stations for retail clients and advertisers and state capital city. All services have DAB+ broadcast text and slideshow data included, with many stations having track now playing, news and weather information, as well as advertisements in their slideshow broadcasts. At least one ensemble in each city is broadcasting an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). 

Coutts Report

A report by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and written by Professor Reg Coutts, found that mobile broadband communications networks, particularly in regional areas, are not a replacement for broadcast free to air radio.

The Coutts Report highlights that mobile networks in regional Australia are less cost effective compared to a potential DAB+ digital radio rollout in regional areas.  Even with upgraded 4G networks using the most advanced LTE broadcast mode, there are technical and economic reasons for radio to be delivered using free to air broadcast technology in both regional and metropolitan areas.

The Coutts report cleared up a lot of misperceptions around the future of broadcast radio, mobile networks and the delivery of radio online showing it may not yet, or even in the longer term, be technically or financially viable.

Key findings are listed below and the full Coutts Report is available at www.digitalradioplus.com.au

Digital radio station Innovation
Australian broadcasters have innovated with the use of event or pop up stations which are digital stations that exist for a short period of time to allow for flexible niche programming that can highlight an event, a festival or artist. They can be used for generating additional revenue, broadcasting emergency service warnings during fire or the recent Queensland floods and also for broadcasting sports or music events. For example Elf Radio plays Christmas songs throughout the festive season and the Chemist Warehouse station was established specifically for an advertising client and that station has been so successful for the broadcaster and client that it will continue on air. 

Coles supermarkets and Nova Entertainment  have signed a major partnership to digitally stream Coles Radio to over 750 stores - reaching over 14 million customers nationally, every week. Using the Coles digital network, Coles Radio is set up to enhance the customer in-store experience with a rich music format offering an extensive playlist that is tailored to the time of day.  Read the press release here.

 

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 239 152 391

Last update: 15.07.2022 - older versions

More than 4.4 million new vehicles have been sold in Australia with DAB+ digital radio factory fitted, since the adoption of DAB+ in vehicles in Australia in 2011.

More than 821,000* new vehicles were sold with DAB+ factory fitted in the 12 months to 31 December 2021. This figure is expected to grow as vehicle manufacturers extend support across their range. 78% of new vehicles sold in Australia during the past 12 months had DAB+ digital radio factory fitted as a standard or optional feature.         

Commercial Radio Australia works closely with vehicle manufacturers in Australia and overseas and encourages their continued support for AM & FM as well as DAB+ digital radio in vehicle in-car infotainment systems. 

DAB+ digital radio in car reception maps are available to download. These show the current coverage of DAB+ and provide a guide as to where your DAB+ radio is expected to receive good signal. Terrain may provide some small black spots within these coverage areas, but in general DAB+ reception should be good. The red line indicates the licence area where coverage is intended.  Plans to infill black spots in coverage are underway.

Currently, analogue (AM/FM) signals are re-broadcast into tunnels. This is the responsibility of the tunnel operators. There is currently no in-tunnel rebroadcasting of the DAB+ signal but this can be revisited as more DAB+ enabled radios are available in cars.

 

 

 

* Glass’s Automotive Business Intelligence, December 2021

Last update: 04.03.2021 - older versions

GfK’s point of sales report estimates that consumers purchased 129,000 DAB+ receivers in 2020, bringing total DAB+ receiver sales to 2.8 million since the broadcasting technology was launched in Australia.

RadioApp

• November 21 the Australian radio industry launched RadioApp

• It provides access to more than 250 live and local Australian radio stations from around the country – public & commercial

• All DAB+, AM & FM stations will be easily accesible via the app on smartphones, tablets etc

Mobile phones

Many mobile phones include FM radio and radio stations have created apps to enable listeners to listen to AM, FM and DAB+ stations via mobile stream. CRA is working internationally with other broadcasters, telcos, handset manufacturers and organisations to ensure that, just as for FM, a DAB+ chip will become standard in mobile phones to enable listeners to access all stations via DAB+ free to air broadcast. Increasingly hybrid radio will offer broadcasters greater opportunities to connect with their listeners and clients in real time. 

Find a stockist

For a list of retailers stocking digital radios in the Australian market please visit

https://www.digitalradioplus.com.au/find-a-stockist

Last update: 07.05.2019 - older versions

Work continues on the launch of permanent commercial DAB+ services in Hobart and Canberra in 2019.

The radio industry is committed to a digital broadcast future via DAB+ combined with and complemented by online. This is considered important in terms of spectrum efficiency and operational costs. CRA continues to discuss financial support with the Federal Government for DAB+ rollout into regions as was provided to the television industry for its digital switchover. 

Last update: 21.06.2018 - older versions

Key features of the current regulation for digital radio in metropolitan Australia are:

  • Band III
  • No cost for spectrum or licences while analogue is operating
  • 128 kb per existing commercial/private analogue station
  • No end date for licences
  • Commercial broadcasters have their own multiplexes in each of the current five large markets
  • Public service broadcasters have their own multiplex
  • First option for broadcasters – not a third party – to own the licence for the multiplex
  • No new DAB+ only operators for six years from date of switch on in each market
  • No format restrictions for existing operators or limits on new DAB+ only stations on what they can offer
  • No restriction on amount of data allowed
  • No analogue switch off date agreed as yet
  • In smaller regions, it may be that public service and commercial broadcasters share a multiplex to keep costs down
  • 11 on-channel repeaters are licenced and rollout commenced.


The Federal Government has allocated 14 megahertz of spectrum in the VHF Band III 3 channels of which are used in the capital cities and the remaining 8 will be planned for the rollout of DAB+ digital radio to regional areas. The ACMA has completed a restack of Band III and UHF spectrum following the switch off of analogue television at the end of 2013.

As part of the Minister’s recommended Joint Digital Radio Planning Group, CRA is working with the public and community broadcasters, the Department of Communications  and the  the regulatory body ACMA a to enable the most cost effective and most efficient use of the available spectrum for the regional rollout of DAB+ digital radio.

The current regulatory framework in the five state metropolitan capitals allocates each incumbent broadcaster with permanent DAB+ services an entitlement to a minimum of 128kbit/s (1/9 multiplex) and a maximum of 256kbit/s (1/5 multiplex).  Given the likelihood of shared multiplexes in regional Australia, these allocations may change in the first phase of regional rollout to accommodate a single shared multiplex.

Further information:

Last update: 03.12.2019 - older versions

The awareness of digital radio continues to improve as a result of the brand awareness campaigns and retail promotions. A number of on-air radio, online and social media campaigns run across the 42 commercial metropolitan stations and digital only stations each year. The primary objective of these campaigns is to promote and educate listeners about the key benefits of DAB+ digital radio, including improved sound quality and greater station choice.

 

Past Campaigns

Five Reasons to Upgrade to DAB+

The campaign likens the switch to DAB+ to the transition of TV from analogue to digital, and focuses on the benefits of upgrading, including better sound quality and extra stations.

Download the full release and infographic.

Digital Radio. It's the Box You Can't Beat 

Building on the highly successful previous Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas digital radio campaigns, a series of four  radio ads and a video (below), were played across all DAB+ digital radio stations plus 42 commercial stations in the five state metropolitan markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. 

 

 

Largest DAB+ campaign commissioned by the commercial radio industry in Australia

In December 2019, the commercial radio industry launched a landmark consumer-focused DAB+ digital radio campaign, which highlighted that radio is the ultimate soundtrack to any situation. The new multimedia marketing campaign was the largest ever DAB+ campaign commissioned by the commercial radio industry since DAB+ services launched in Australia 10 years earlier.

The first phase of the campaign ran during December 2019 and January 2020 and consisted of short and long-form video content and four radio ads.  The radio ads aired across all markets where DAB+ is broadcast, metropolitan and regional, while the video content was primarily shared in the digital and social space. A second phase of activity is planned for 2020.

 

Last update: 13.08.2015 - older versions

Bushfires and floods are regularly experienced in Australia. A pop up station, 4TAB FLOOD was put on air to offer information and advice to the people of Queensland during serious flooding which affected large populations. CRA and the trial broadcasters in Canberra and Darwin have been working closely to standardise feeds into a broadcast aggregator using feeds from the Emergency Management agencies and the Bureau of Meteorology to source and appropriately escalate information for display over broadcast text and slideshow.  This allows DAB+ to offer potentially lifesaving information simultaneously to the public over robust, free to air networks using the low powered DAB+ receivers in the home or car.

SCA partners with Mushroom Group, launches "limited-edition" DAB+ station
28.08.2023 - Australia Australia
SCA has announced a special partnership with Mushroom Group in support of its ‘Mushroom 50’ campaign, celebrating 50 Years of Making Noise and the upcoming theatrical release of the feature documentary Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story. LiSTNR has launched a limited-edition digital station, MUSHROOM 50, dedicated to the best of Mushroom Music, re-living the journey of Mushroom through the power of music. The station will also be available on Melbourne DAB+. Paying tribute to the late, great Mushroom founder, Michael ‘MG’ Gudinski, and the artists that paved the record company’s legacy of great music and nurturing talent, the station will feature full album plays, top 10 hits, live performances, acoustic versions, classic covers, new music and exclusive artist moments.

(Media Week) Read more


SEN to broadcast ‘Matildathon’ on DAB+ ahead of World Cup semi final
15.08.2023 - Australia Australia
Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) is providing Matilda fans with the best way to prepare for Wednesday night’s crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi Final, with every Australian match from the tournament to be replayed in full. SEN’s digital channel, SEN Fanatic, will host a Matildathon on Wednesday, with every moment of their campaign to date aired from 8am. SEN Fanatic is available on DAB+ and SEN digital platforms.

(Sports Entertainment Network) Read more


Commercial radio in Australia celebrates 100 years as new report reveals industry contributes $1B to Australian economy
04.08.2023 - Commercial Radio & Audio WorldDAB Member - Australia Australia
Commercial radio in Australia turns 100 this year and kicked off celebrations today with the launch of a new report that shows the industry contributes $1 billion to the nation’s annual GDP, including a $320 million boost to regional Australia. The “Connecting Communities: The Economic and Social Contribution of Commercial Radio and Audio in Australia” report was commissioned by industry body Commercial Radio & Audio and produced by Deloitte Access Economics. The report notes: "Commercial radio has evolved with the disruptors, giving audiences more avenues to listen to content, such as through podcasts and DAB+ radio. Such innovation has fostered listenership, which has continued to grow."

(Commercial Radio & Audio) Read more


Radio, not podcasts, rules the car
31.07.2023 - Australia Australia
June’s Infinite Dial Australia report showed that we are bigger consumers of podcasts than the US with the breakdown of car audio listening from those surveyed over the course of a month showing 84% AM/FM/DAB+, 41% music streaming services, 38% podcasts and 20% online AM/FM stations. Radio rules in the car for a couple of obvious reasons: People want to know what might impact their trip to and from work and local radio provides that information; It’s easier to leave the car after a song or talk break than knee deep in a podcast conversation.

(RadioInfo Australia) Read more


GfK: Oldskool getting the DAB+ love
11.07.2023 - Australia Australia
There’s a lot to love about old school hits with most states surveyed in GfK Survey 4, 2023 having an 80s or 90s throwback DAB+ stations top of the ratings. In Sydney, KIIS 90s retained top spot (153K listeners 10+, down 10) with Smooth Relax and CADA close behind (Smooth down 2, CADA up 18). CADA will be very happy with their results with Kian & Yaz with Avneesha on top in breakfast (68, up 18).

(radioinfo ) Read more


Younger radio listeners make Australians global leaders in digital audio listening
07.07.2023 - Australia Australia
The seventh Infinite Dial Australia report, which dropped on June 27, challenges the commonly-held perception that younger Australian music fans have abandoned radio for the sexier Spotify and TikTok. “Radio remains younger Australians’ favourite audio by far, with 76% tuning into radio each week, compared to 50% using TikTok,” reckons Ford Ennals, CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA). “We are seeing the biggest increase in listeners among young audiences 18-24. This is partly driven by the +52% increase year on year in listeners to the wide range of innovative commercial DAB+ stations." As its name signifies, the CRA represents the interests of commercial radio broadcasters as a political lobby, marketing and research body and works to grow DAB+ digital radio.

(The Music) Read more


New DAB+ station Disrupt Radio CEO Benjamin Roberts: “Response is overwhelmingly positive”
05.07.2023 - Australia Australia
“It has to be one of the most exciting station launches in Australia.” That was the verdict from Disrupt Radio Founder and CEO Benjamin Roberts after its first week on air. The digital start-up burst out of the blocks, with Libbi Gorr presenting Enterprise Breakfast alongside guest host Sir Bob Geldof, and the legendary George Donikian reading half-hourly news updates. Radio Today caught up with Roberts, who says launch week was nothing short of incredible: “The response has been overwhelmingly positive and the national publicity, largely driven by Sir Bob co-hosting Breakfast with Libbi, was unprecedented.”

(Radio Today Australia) Read more


Infinite Dial 2023 reveals 81% of Australians listen to digital audio monthly
27.06.2023 - Commercial Radio & Audio WorldDAB Member - Australia Australia
Australia leads the world in digital audio listening, with the continued adoption and use of new commercial audio options while broadcast (AM/FM and DAB+) radio listening remains buoyant, according to the seventh Infinite Dial Australia report, released today by Edison Research and sponsored by industry body Commercial Radio & Audio, LiSTNR and Triton Digital. Radio listening in the car has remained the top digital audio choice, with 84% of those age 18+ who have been in a car in the last month saying that they listen to radio in the car. This number is up from 80% last year and more than double the 41% who stream music in the car. DAB+ stations have tripled their audience since 2020, driven by a wider variety of content and widespread access in new cars. In 2023, DAB+ listening soared to 7 million people a week, or 32% of people aged 12+, up from 18% last year, and 10% in 2020. “The Infinite Dial 2023 Australia study reveals that radio remains younger Australians’ favourite audio by far, with 76% tuning into radio each week, compared to 50% using TikTok,” Ford Ennals, CEO of CRA said.

(Commercial Radio & Audio) Read more


Disrupt Radio announces DAB+ launch date
19.06.2023 - Australia Australia
Australia’s newest radio station, Disrupt Radio, has announced it will officially launch onto the airwaves on Monday, June 26, 2023, delivering daily talk programming and content via DAB+ digital radio and online. Focusing on catering to all ages and stages, the station aims to provide a new angle on modern radio with candid conversations that cover business, entrepreneurship and innovation for the “dreamers and doers.” Musician, activist and entrepreneur Sir Bob Geldof will assist in the Melbourne-based station’s launch, hosting Breakfast alongside Libbi Gorr for Disrupt’s inaugural week on the airwaves.

(Radio Today Australia) Read more


Smoothing the way across Australia
19.06.2023 - Australia Australia
Radioinfo caught up with Smooth FM Head of Programming, Peter Clay: "The Smooth FM brand expanded across Australia with new Smooth DAB+ stations in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth from September 2022. The results of SmoothFM DAB stations are proof that our decision to invest in live Breakfast shows for those stations is providing a local connection and content for listeners. SmoothFM is the most listened to DAB+ station in Adelaide and Perth, an outstanding result such a short time after launch, while Smooth Brisbane is one of the top performing stations in that market."

(Radioinfo) Read more


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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 23.1 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 66%
Services: 391 DAB+
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 78%
Total Sales (cumulative): 6,941,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 54.6%
Last update: 21.07.2022

Useful Links

ABC Radio
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au
www.digitalradioplus.com.au/
A technical look at digital radio