Belgium

Last update: 21.03.2024 - older versions

The entire sector (with the exception of the CraXX association of 16 community radio stations) is in favour of the voluntary and simultaneous cessation of FM broadcasts by 2030, in consultation with the Flemish and German-speaking communities, subject to two conditions, maRadio.be has announced. This could see most radio stations stop broadcasting on FM by the end of the decade. The sector has also agreed to take a joint stance to ask the next government to implement a major "Plan for the Digital Transition of Radio". The plan consists of support for the roll-out of DAB+ to significantly improve its coverage, strong economic measures to accompany the digital transition, and changes to the legal framework for radio that take account of the digital transition.

DAB+ digital radio was launched in East Belgium on 1 October 2023. In addition to the programmes of BRF1 and BRF2, four other radio stations will be heard via DAB+: 100,5 Das Hitradio, Radio Contact Ostbelgien Now, Radio Sunshine and Radio 700. The first transmitter in Petergensfeld (Raeren) is already in operation. A second transmitter is expected to be added in spring 2024 at the Wallerode site (Amel) to cover the south of the DG (German-speaking community).

In the French-speaking part of Belgium (Walloon region/French Community), legislation has been adopted stating that all receivers need to have a DAB+ receiver, with the exception of low-entry receivers (which do not have a alpha-numeric display). These (low entry without digital display) receivers do not need a DAB+ receiver built in. The text has been adopted by their Government on December 21st and enters into force on January 1st 2023.

In Flemish-speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels), by decree (Flemish law) of 12/02/2021, a government-proposed text was adopted by the Flemish Parliament stating:

"Art. 209/1. All equipment intended for the reception of FM radio signals from a radio broadcaster intended and sold in Flanders must be able to receive digital radio signals. The obligation stated in the first sentence of this paragraph does not apply to radio equipment used by radio amateurs, smartphones and tablets."

This text entered into force on January 1st 2023. 

 

DAB+ was officially launched in Belgium across Flemish-speaking parts of the country in November 2018, while the official launch of DAB+ in French-speaking Belgium took place in November 2019, following a year of trial broadcasts.

DAB+ awareness and sales in French-speaking Belgium 

On 12 March, maRadio.be, the cooperative society representing 90% of the French-speaking Belgian radio audience, presented the results of the 6th wave of its study devoted to monitoring the digital transition of radio in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. In the space of just a few years, digital channels for listening to radio have come to the fore. At the same time, FM is continuing its meteoric decline: while it accounted for 82% of listening volume in 2018, it now accounts for just 54%. Only 23% of Belgian listeners listen exclusively to analogue radio. On the digital side, there has been steady growth, with 46% of listening volume, including 21% via DAB+, 17% via the internet and 9% on television.

Last update: 03.12.2018 - older versions

DAB coverage reaches more than 95% of the population across the country’s three principal regions – Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. All motorways and main roads in Belgium are covered with DAB, with mobile coverage standing at approximately 99%.

Nationwide coverage of between one and three layers is achieved by combining the coverage of the different multiplexes on air in Belgium: one regional public multiplex for the Northern, Dutch speaking part (>95% DAB coverage of North population), one regional public multiplex for the Southern, French speaking part (90% DAB/DAB+ outdoor coverage of South population) and one regional commercial multiplex in the Northern part in DAB+ (25% coverage of the North population).

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.

RTBF has been DAB+ Slideshow (SLS) since 2014 on their station Classic 21 (Classic rock format),

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 72 54 126
Data services 0 2 2
Total7256128

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

DAB+ is now fitted as standard in new passenger cars in Belgium, and 98% of new vehicles sold in H2 2021 included DAB+, compared to 89% in 2019 (source: Jato Dynamics).

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

The availability of DAB and DAB+ receivers in Belgium continues to grow with a range of devices now on the market, including kitchen radios, handheld and tuners. As more DAB+ services launch, with marketing campaigns to support them, sales are expected to grow significantly across Belgium over the next few years.

In French-speaking Belgium, sales of DAB+ compatible home receivers grew by 13% in 2021, offsetting a 7% fall in sales of analogue FM receivers. On average, 45% of home receivers sold in Belgium in 2021 were DAB+ compatible (source: Gfk, Monitoring of Radio Receiver Sales 2021).

Last update: 10.07.2015 - older versions

RTBF is currently testing three DAB+ simulcast FM stations with additional services such as slideshow in several bit rates, both for RTBF and for commercial or non-profit radio stations licenced by the regulator (CSA).

VRT is currently testing one DAB+ simulcast FM station with additional services such as slideshow in several bit rates.

Last update: 05.01.2023 - older versions

French-speaking Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)

In the French-speaking part of Belgium (Walloon region/French Community), legislation has been adopted stating that all receivers need to have a DAB+ receiver, with the exception of low-entry receivers (which do not have a alpha-numeric display). These (low entry without digital display) receivers do not need a DAB+ receiver built in. The text has been adopted by their Government on December 21st and enters into force on January 1st 2023.

 

The French-speaking Belgium regulator - the CSA Belgium - announced on 11 April 2019 that it had received 123 applications for DAB+ licences - see the full list of applicants here.

In June 2018, the Parliament of Wallonia-Brussels Federation approved a draft decree to amend audiovisual services in French-speaking Belgium, paving the way for the deployment of DAB+ services in the region.​ DAB+ services went on air on 15 November 2018.

 

Flemish-speaking Belgium (Flanders and Brussels)

By decree (Flemish law) of 12/02/2021, a government-proposed text was adopted by the Flemish Parliament stating:

"Art. 209/1. All equipment intended for the reception of FM radio signals from a radio broadcaster intended and sold in Flanders must be able to receive digital radio signals. The obligation stated in the first sentence of this paragraph does not apply to radio equipment used by radio amateurs, smartphones and tablets."

This text entered into force on January 1st 2023. 

 

The public broadcaster for the Belgian Flemish Community, Vlaamse Radio – en Televisie omroep (VRT), has one DAB multiplex on air since 1997, covering Flanders and Brussels with eight radio stations. The network operator Norkring België operates VRT’s multiplex. As of 12 November 2018, all Flemish national radio stations are available on DAB+.

DSO

In May 2016, the Flemish government approved the concept of automatic renewal of FM licences for the major commercial broadcasters until 2022, alongside an obligation to invest in DAB+. At that time, the government decided that FM shutdown should take place two years after reaching 50% digital listening, with a complete switch-off date still to be decided.

Last update: 24.04.2020 - older versions

DAB+ explained by Digital Radio Belgium (FR)

This two-minute DAB+ promotional video published by Belgium's French-speaking Digital Radio office explains to consumers the various benefits of DAB+, such as improved sound quality and a wider choice of listening, as well as mentioning the EECC directive, which will require new cars across Europe to be compatible with digital radio.

The original video was made by VRT for Digital Radio Vlaanderen.

 

DAB+ - Explainer from DabplusBEfr on Vimeo.

 

DAB+ advertisement published by Digital Radio Flanders

In Flanders, radio is increasingly being listened to digitally. According to Ipsos research comissioned by the Flemish government published in October 2019, 26% of the total listening volume is now digital. The strongest increase was listening on DAB+, up from 3% to 9% year on year. This TV spot launched by www.dabplus.be/nl explains to consumers the benefits of moving from analogue to digital, particularly when listening in the car, with easy tuning and significantly improved sound quality.


TELEVISIE COMMERCIAL DAB+ BELGIË from DAB+ BE on Vimeo.

 

A dedicated digital radio website aiming to promote and inform consumers and broadcasters on DAB and DAB+ was launched in Flanders and Brussels in November 2018 (www.dabplus.be/nl).

Aside from the launch of its website dedicated to DAB, the region of Flanders has been particularly active in terms of marketing activities promoting DAB digital radio across TV, radio and online in the weeks leading to the 2018 holiday season. To that effect, two separate campaigns to raise awareness on DAB+ were set up as part of Digital Radio Week in November and December 2018, which all radio stations broadcasting in DAB+ radio participated in.

 

Business AM launches Flemish radio station with business news
09.12.2022 - Belgium Belgium
On 9 January, Business AM launches the first Flemish radio station with business news, to be heard daily via DAB+ and online. "Business AM brings Talk Radio for the digital content seeker. We extract relevant news and insights from today's complex international business environment and bring local and global stories that touch people and influence our society. We are there for progressive professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives, among others. This target group will find specific content related to our 4 pillars of technology, economy, politics and business", explains Peter Van Oostende, Chief Radio Editor.

(Business AM) Read more


Tomorrowland One World Radio now also on DAB+ in German-speaking Switzerland
08.12.2022 - Switzerland Switzerland - Belgium Belgium
Belgium's Tomorrowland One World Radio is slowly but surely continuing its international conquest. New since this month is a major DAB+ 'deal' for German-speaking Switzerland, which means the radio service can now be listened to across almost all of Switzerland via digital airwaves. The latest jewel in the crown, since 1 December, is a licence for German-speaking Switzerland through Zurich-based My105 DJ Radio from Giuseppe Scaglione (founder and managing director) and Paola Libera (co-owner and marketing manager).

(RadioVisie.eu) Read more


Flanders: Willy Class X launched on DAB+
07.12.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Digital alternative radio station "Willy" in Flanders has a little brother on DAB+. Since Tuesday, "Willy Class X" has been added to the line-up. Willy Class X takes the place of Joe Lage Landen, which recently stopped broadcasting. On Willy Class X, 'non-stop rock classics' can be heard 24 hours a day. The playlist includes Skunk Anansie, Blondie, Lou Reed, Manic Street Preachers, Pearl Jam and Depeche Mode. As such, the station compares well with Arrow Classic Rock or K-Rock in the Netherlands. Willy Class X can be found on the DAB+ Flanders 2 network on channels 5A and 5D. Reception is also possible in large parts of the southern Netherlands.

(RadioWereld) Read more


Belgium: A new DAB+ campaign
15.11.2022 - maRadio.be WorldDAB Member - Belgium Belgium
In Belgium, the new national DAB+ campaign, developed by the agency Plan B, has started. It will be broadcast until 31 December on all French-speaking TV channels (RTL, RTBF, LN24 and BX1) and on the back of buses in Brussels and Wallonia. This campaign will also be reinforced by a national radio campaign during the same period. The maradio.be collective has chosen to highlight the advantages of DAB+, the sound quality and the diversity of stations.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more


Flanders: Joe Christmas back on DAB+
09.11.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Like the Netherlands, Flanders also has its own Christmas channel on DAB+ again, Since Friday, Joe Christmas can again be received via the network 'DAB+ Flanders 2' on channels 5A and 5D. Joe Christmas has been an annual theme channel on DAB+ since 2019, just like Sky Radio Xmas in the Netherlands. The station plays the biggest Christmas hits non-stop until Christmas.

(RadioWereld.nl) Read more


Belgian eastern cantons get their own DAB+
27.10.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Progress is actually being made on a DAB+ of its own for the German-speaking community in eastern Belgium. RadioVisie heard from a very good source that the government of the German-speaking community gave the final green light on Tuesday evening. If everything goes smoothly, a digital ensemble with two transmitters may already start in Block 8A at the end of November, in Amel and Petergensfeld.

(RadioVisie) Read more


DAB+ Belgium: Will there be a regional mux for the German-speaking Community?
24.10.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Something could be happening with digital radio DAB+ in eastern Belgium. A network on channel 8A has now been put into coordination for the German-speaking Community (DG). So far, the German-language stations Radio 700, Radio Contact, Rdaio Sunshine and 100'5 - Das Hitradio cannot yet be heard on digital terrestrial. There has already been a temporary test with the programmes in Eupen. The public Belgian Broadcasting Corporation (BRF) cannot yet be heard flawlessly on DAB+ in the entire DG.

(Satellifax) Read more


Big success for Nostalgie+ on DAB
20.10.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Nostalgie+ achieved a historic audience in this wave, adding 10,197 additional listeners and reaching a total of 63,537 listeners. It also became the number one radio station in terms of listening time with 191 minutes. This result places it simply in tenth place, with a rise from 1.49% to 2.35% in audience share. Nostalgie+ becomes the number one radio station in digital and DAB+. "Nostalgie+ achieves a record result even though it only broadcasts in digital and DAB+. In this last wave, the Nostalgie brand (Nostalgie and Nostalgie+) achieves an incredible 16.7% PDM," said Kim Beyns, director of NGroup.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more


Big success for Nostalgie+ on DAB
20.10.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Nostalgie+ is the little sister of Nostalgie, the most listened to radio station in French-speaking Belgium. Distributed only on digital and DAB+, Nostalgie+ has achieved a historic audience according to the latest quarterly report just published, becoming the leading radio station in terms of listening time.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


Flanders: Business AM announces launch of radio station on DAB+
17.10.2022 - Belgium Belgium
Flanders will soon get a commercial news-talk station on DAB+. Last Saturday, 'Business AM' was added on the second commercial network for Flanders (channel 5A/5D), announcing the start of the new station in a continuous message.

(RadioWereld.nl) Read more


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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 11.0 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 97%
Services: 126 DAB+, 2 Data
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 1,672,524 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 99%
Total Sales (cumulative): 2,697,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 28%
Last update: 26.02.2024

Useful Links

Belgischer Rundfunk
Digitalradio.be
Digitale Radio Vlaanderen
Norkring
maRadio.be
RTBF
Flanders Department of Culture, Youth and Media
VRT