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Czechia

Last update: 08.08.2024 - older versions

The ČTÚ announced on 5 January 2024 that the Authority successfully completed the auction procedure for the sale of individual auction blocks offered for the purpose of developing commercial nationwide (Blocks B, C) and regional networks (Blocks R1 - R27) for the distribution of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting (DAB). The auctioned frequency blocks were divided among all eight participants of the tender.

The total auction price for all Auction Blocks was CZK 79,325,000 (c. €3.2m).

"I am glad that we managed to complete the auction successfully, having satisfied all the participating bidders and managed to distribute all the blocks offered. Thus, nothing stands in the way of the further development of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting." said Marek Ebert, Chairman of the CTU Council.

The tender sets out development criteria that should ensure not only the successful development of DAB broadcasting but also the efficient use of the allocated radio frequencies. The nationwide networks are to cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways within a further 12 months. Regional broadcasts are to cover 40% of the population of the region concerned within 24 months and 70% of the population of the region thereafter.

Radioprojekt data released in August 2024 shows that 18 per cent of listeners who said that their reception is provided by a conventional receiver or car radio use DAB+, an increase from 17% in 2023, and 11% in 2021.

An amendment to the Electronic Communications Act was passed by the Czech Parliament's Chamber of Deputies on 15 September 2021, granting Czech Radio the right to operate its own digital radio network in Band III and reservation of frequencies/spectrum by the Czech Telecommunication Bureau.

Czech Radio has one regular multiplex, available for 95% of the population of the Czech Republic, divided for Czechia and Moravia segment (12C and 12D). Four other multiplexes are on air in the Czech Republic and are operated by TELEKO, Ceske Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.

In 2021 Czech Radio launched two new DAB+ only stations – "Radiožurnál Sport” (CRo-RZ-SPORT) and "Pohoda” (CRo-POHODA), targeted to the 'sports lovers' audience and senior audiences.

In September 2020, Czech Radio launched 10 new DAB + transmitters, increasing population coverage from 85% to 95%.

A brochure highlighting the 15-year history of DAB+ digital radio in the Czech Republic is available in Czech here.

Last update: 13.09.2023 - older versions

Population coverage currently stands at 96%.

Detailed and up-to-date maps of DAB+ coverage can be found at www.DAB-plus.cz.

Czech Radio has one regular multiplex in the Czech Republic divided into CZECH and MORAVIA. Currently, 16 Czech Radio stations are broadcasting.

There are four other multiplexes in the Czech Republic operated by TELEKO Digital, České Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.

The network operator TELEKO DAB operates one regular local DAB+ multiplex using band III, which reaches 5.8 million inhabitants in the Czech Republic. The signal broadcasts in and around Prague, Příbram, Brno and surroundings, Moravian-Silesian Region, Ústí nad Labem Region and Hradec Kralove Region. The TELEKO DAB multiplex broadcasts 6 radio stations.

The operator of the RTI cz network operates 60 radio transmitters in the FM band, mostly in western Bohemia. In 2011, RTI CZ obtained a licence for digital radio DAB (L-band, later III band) in the Pilsen Region, Karlovy Vary Region, South Bohemia Region and Prague. RTI cz currently operates 10 DAB+ transmitters and broadcasts 6 radio stations in the RTI cz DAB multiplex.

České Radiokomunikace operates a CRA DAB+ multiplex (four transmitters) in Prague, Pilsen and Ostava where 14 radio stations are broadcast.

From the end of 2020, JOE Media operates the COLOR DAB+ multiplex (two transmitters in Prague), which broadcasts 8 radio stations.

Last update: 03.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

Regional multiplexes: 2 Regular
Local multiplexes: 4 Regular

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 comprehensive listing of DAB+ services on air in the Czech Republic is available at the website http://www.digitalradiodab.cz/ by choosing the DAB v ČR option.

Slideshow services are offered by all network operators in Czech Republic. TELEKO uses the latest Rapid software in their DAB CLOUD MULTIPLEXOR. TELEKO transforms the news from RSS feeds into JPEGs and also sends pictures from webcams in studios or weathercams.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	47	25	72

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

In the Czech Republic, 93% of new cars sold in 2021 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2022).

Last update: 17.05.2021 - older versions

DAB radio is using L-band and Band III in the Czech Republic and it is important to check if the receiver is ready for use in both bands.

A wide range of receivers are available to buy online:

www.pureradio.cz

www.radiodab.cz

www.omko.cz/digitalni-radia/

www.gogen.cz/dab-radia/

Stores:

Electroworld (www.electroworld.cz)

LIDL (www.lidl.cz) (Sale)

TESCO (www.itesco.cz)

DATART (www.datart.cz/dab-radia.html)

Last update: 30.09.2013 - older versions

In August 2007 a trial was launched by TELEKO in cooperation with the public broadcaster Český Rozhlas with three DAB programmes and two DAB+ programmes. This trial used both Band III and L-Band and covered almost 130,000 people. A further trial began in June 2008, again as a joint project between the TELEKO company in cooperation with the public broadcaster Czech Radio. A 2.5Kw transmitter provided coverage of the capital city, Prague, to a population of around 1.3 million. The goal of this noncommercial trial was the promotion of digital radio to the Czech public and Government administrators. In early 2009 a further trial was launched in the second largest city Brno covering approximately 0.5 million people.

Trials have been completed in the Czech Republic and all network operators have been awarded with licenses. Technical trials e.g. for checking signal parameters are operated using the licensed frequencies as a part of the regular transmission implementation. For example, the company Ceske Radiokomunikace is using its L-band licensed frequency for such a test with two programs using the Prague-Zizkov transmitter since early 2013.

Last update: 03.12.2021 - older versions

Key features of regulation for digital radio in Czech Republic

Band III only used
Five network operators operate one nationwide multiplex (public service Czech Radio) and four regional multiplexes with public and commercial programmes all on DAB+
Licences are granted for different periods, up to a maximum of 10 years, some to be granted or renewed in 2022, all in III Band only
No analogue radio switch-off date
Analogue radio licences will be prolonged without a clear time limit

Spectrum and content regulation is divided between the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (content) and the Czech Telecommunication Office (spectrum).

Analogue radio licenses will be prolonged for all analogue licence holders, at this point in time, for an unspecified time. Czech Radio as the public radio broadcaster operates its own DAB+ network with national coverage. Some private broadcasters use DAB+ networks by private operators to broadcast their stations via DAB+. Therefore, the transition to digital radio in the Czech Republic has successfully started and digital radio is being rolled out by both the public and private radio sectors. There are no obstacles to the deployment of digital radio from the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting and from the Czech Telecommunication Office.

The Radio Spectrum Utilisation Plan (RSUP, or PVRS in Czech language) for particular bands sets out detailed regulation for the use of frequencies. The current RSUP dedicates all III Band (frequencies from 174 to 230 MHz) to DAB (the Czech Telecommunication Office refers to DAB+ as T-DAB). Further information about the RSUP is available at https://www.ctu.cz/plan-vyuziti-radioveho-spektra

For a detailed overview on 174 - 380 MHz spectrum see here: https://www.ctu.cz/sites/default/files/obsah/ctu/sdeleni-o-vydani-opatreni-obecne-povahy-casti-planu-vyuziti-radioveho-spektra-c.pv-p/21/01.2018-2-pro-kmitoctove-pasmo-174-380-mhz/obrazky/pv-p210120182.pdf

Allocation of additional DAB+ multiplexes for private network operators is planned by the Czech Telecommunication Office for 2022 and beyond.

The switchover to DVB-T2 digital TV was finished in 2020, and digital TV frequencies are allocated exclusively outside III Band, which is intended for DAB+ radio only. L Band is no longer used for DAB+ radio.

At the time of writing there are five DAB+ network operators:

Czech Radio, Ceske Radiokomunikace, TELEKO digital, RTIcz and JOE Media.

The principal document for electronic communication regulation is the Act. No. 127/2005 Coll. on Electronic Communications, was amended in 2021 by the Act. No. 374/2021 Coll. This document explains spectrum regulation in the Czech Republic represented by the National Table of Frequency Allocation (NTFA) which allocates the frequency bands to particular radio communication services and describes the general conditions for frequency use. Detailed information about NTFA is available here: https://www.ctu.cz/narodni-kmitoctova-tabulka

Last update: 29.04.2019 - older versions

A marketing campaign is due to be launched, in collaboration with the automotive industry - primarily Skoda - and the main retailers in the country

Broadcasters are investing inmultimedia, with each of the 14 channels in a mux equipped with full multimedia services - headlines, artists information and images

The company RTI cz also promotes DAB+ open days in the Czech Radio, as per the images below taken in Prague, Pilsen and Ceske Budejovice.

The company RTI cz operates its own e-shop with a DAB+ receiver (www.radiodab.cz)

The company RTI cz operates a Web portal about digital radio in the Czech Republic on www.digitalradiodab.cz. You will find here:

Current information
What is digital radio
History of digital radio
DAB in the Czech Republic (operators / list of radio stations / channel list / map coverage)
DAB in the world
Links to websites about digital radio

1) Day with digital radio (Exhibition of DAB radio receivers and lectures on digital radio in cooperation with Czech Radio)

www.densdigitalnimradiem.cz (only in Czech) Promo video here: https://youtu.be/WvDdK3xqEMI

2) Digital radio in schools (lectures on digital radio at vocational schools)

3) DAB radio for the blind (RTI have prepared a Czech version of the audio files for the NOXON dRadio1 radio with voice output)

Last update: 09.01.2014

DAB radio is used for emergency warning distribution by distributing programs of the public broadcaster.
For example, during the floods in June 2013 the actual emergency information was included in the DAB radiotext transmission of two public broadcaster programs.

Media Bohemia's radios will be on the DAB+ networks of ČRA and RTI cz

08.06.2025 - Czechia

Media Bohemia Group enters DAB+ digital radio broadcasting DAB+. The company has applied for licences for eight stations, including all Hitradio stations. A test broadcast is scheduled for July. Media Bohemia has submitted eight applications split between two multiplexes. Four programmes should be included in the Czech Radiocommunications network, while the remaining four should be included in the RTI cz network. RTI cz was chosen for its ability to precisely target regions where local content is essential. It was according to the regional key that the company distributed its stations among the multiplexes. The first phase of broadcasting is scheduled to begin in mid-July in test mode, with full operation of all programmes planned from January 2026.

(MediaGuru.cz) Read more

2025 will be a busy year for DAB+ in Czechia, with operators building more transmitters and many new stations to come

08.06.2025 - Czechia

DAB+ digital radio broadcasting will continue to expand in 2025. Operators, it was said at the Digimedia conference, are planning new transmitters and new stations are heading to multiplexes. A significant step will be taken by the Media Bohemia group, which will add new programmes alongside existing stations. At the same time, investments by Czech Radio Communications, Teleko digital, Digital Broadcasting and pHmedia are continuing. According to Marcel Procházka from Czech Radio Communications, the network is being thickened mainly according to the needs of broadcasters. "We want to improve coverage in the tunnels, including Blanka, but also in other regions. DAB+ needs new digital stations and, above all, exclusive content, otherwise people will not be motivated to buy DAB+ receivers," he said.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Expres FM and Classic Prague expand coverage, PLAY.CZ DAB+ mux takes them to new regions

03.06.2025 - Czechia

Radio stations Expres FM and Classic Praha have newly expanded their digital broadcasting thanks to their inclusion in the PLAY.CZ DAB+ multiplex. They complemented Relax Radio from Kladno, which was the only one in this network until now. Both stations use a bitrate of 64 kbps, which corresponds to the standard of this network. The change means better availability of these stations for listeners in a wider area of the Czech Republic. At the same time, the Expres FM and Classic Praha programmes were disconnected from the ČRA DAB+ REGION network, which currently includes five radio stations. The change reflects transfers between network operators and optimisation of distribution.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Historic moment: Czechia's Radio Proglas switches off FM from Ještěd and Žďár nad Sázavou transmitters

30.05.2025 - Czechia

Radio Proglas is preparing for a major technological change, which means the end of the era of FM broadcasting from two important transmitters - Ještěd and Žďár nad Sázavou. This move represents a historic milestone not only for the station itself, but also for the entire Czech radio market. In an interview with Digitalk, Martin Holík explains that the main motive is the shift to DAB+ digital broadcasting, which will enable the station to cover up to 80-95% of the country's territory, whereas FM transmitters only reached thirty to thirty-five percent. Proglas is thus responding to the overcrowding of the FM band and the impossibility of further expanding coverage via this route. ‘We are going in to save money and cover new territories,’ says Holík.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Digital momentum: CRA grows DAB+ network

27.05.2025 - Czechia

Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited, the operationally focused, specialist digital infrastructure investor, managed by Cordiant Capital Inc, is pleased to announce that its Czech portfolio company, CRA, continues to successfully expand and commercialise its DAB+ network with the launch of a further six commercial radio stations with Active Radio and Londa, which have combined weekly listeners of over 5 million. These DAB+ radio stations, similar to the other stations on the network, have been launched under long-term contracts. CRA’s commercial DAB+ network (“DAB B”) now broadcasts from 31 transmitters, reaching 83.4% of the Czech population and, with the recent launch of additional radio stations, is now at 73% capacity.

(Cordiant Digital Infrastructure) Read more

Radio Proglas, Radio 7 and ZUN covered the Orlické Mountains on DAB+

16.05.2025 - Czechia

Digital radio stations Rádio Proglas, Rádio 7 and ZUN have expanded their coverage of eastern Bohemia. Now they can be tuned in DAB+ also in the Orlické Mountains thanks to the launch of the transmitter on Suchý vrch. This step means better availability of digital radio for the residents of the Pardubice Region. The transmission is currently in the testing phase. The new Králíky - Suchý vrch transmitter is part of the TELEKO DAB1 multiplex and operates on channel 10D with ERP 3,2 kW. Its launch significantly extends the signal range in mountain and foothill areas where digital radio reception was previously limited.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

DAB+ is promoted for ČRA by presenter Tomáš Pancíř

14.05.2025 - Ceske Radiokomunikace a.s. WorldDAB Member - Czechia

České Radiokomunikace has deployed a new information spot promoting the advantages of DAB+ digital radio on its information channel "Tune in to digital broadcasting. The telecommunications company České Radiokomunikace (CRA) continues its long-standing cooperation with Czech Radio presenter Tomáš Pancíř, whom listeners may know, for example, from Radiožurnál's midday journalism or 20 Minutes. Pancíř has already conducted a series of interviews for CRA on the occasion of the brand's 60th anniversary or accompanied the Innovation Day industry conference, which is organised by the operator itself. The aim of the new promo spot, which has replaced the existing generic promo loop, is to promote DAB+ digital radio.

(MediaGuru.cz) Read more

The region's most listened-to regional radio station will begin shutting down FM transmitters; the first four will end in two months

23.04.2025 - Czechia

Radio Proglas, currently the most listened to regional station in the Czech Republic, is starting to reduce its analogue network. During May and June it will stop broadcasting on the first four FM frequencies. The move is linked to the long-term transition to digital distribution. This is an important milestone for the Czech radio digitalisation. The exact schedule shows that the first broadcast will end in Žďár nad Sázavou on 31 May at 12:04. On the same day, the transmitter at Jested in Liberec will also go silent, namely at 21:15. This will be followed by switch-off in Písek (30 June at 12:04) and České Budějovice (30 June at 14:00). All of these locations belong to the original FM transmitters of Proglas, of which six areas are to be preserved.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Evropa 2, Frekvence 1 and Radio Bonton launch broadcasts on CRA's DAB network

16.04.2025 - Ceske Radiokomunikace a.s. WorldDAB Member - Czechia

České Radiokomunikace (CRA) has launched the broadcasting of other commercial stations from the Active Radio group, namely Evropa 2, Frekvence 1 and Radio Bonton, on its DAB B network. This network now broadcasts from 31 transmitters and has a reach of 83.4% of the Czech population. CRA's DAB network allows for regionalisation of broadcasting, meaning that stations can deploy different content in each region. "We are very pleased to see more major commercial radio stations entering DAB broadcasting. We are trying to support DAB broadcasting both technologically and in terms of communication," says Miloš Mastník, CEO of CRA. Listeners can now tune in to 9 digital stations on the CRA's nationwide DAB network, some of which have higher coverage than FM.

(České Radiokomunikace (CRA)) Read more

Radio Impuls, Český Impuls and RockZone 105,9 heading to DAB+

16.04.2025 - Ceske Radiokomunikace a.s. WorldDAB Member - Czechia

The media group Londa has agreed with České Radiokomunikace (CRA) to enter its stations into the DAB+ digital broadcasting system. Distribution will begin on Wednesday 23 April at 10am. Londa will distribute all three of its stations on the DAB+ multiplex of CRA nationwide. Apart from Radio Impuls, the analogue distribution of Czech Impuls and Rockzone 105.9 is only regional or local (medium wave, FM in Prague). Technical director Roman Culek confirmed the planned move to MediaGuru.cz. The distribution of all three stations is scheduled to start on Wednesday 23 April at 10 am. The bitrate will have a uniform value of 48 kbps in stereo mode. The only mono station in the CRA network will be Radio Bonton.

(MediaGuru.cz) Read more

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WorldDAB at Radiodays Europe 2023

04.04.2023

The radio industry gathered for the 2023 edition of Radiodays Europe, held in Prague to mark the centenary of Czech Radio. WorldDAB was there as delegates discussed the impact of AI, and the importance of securing radio's prominence in the connected car and on smart speakers. (Photo: Radiodays Europe)

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