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Czechia

Last update: 29.04.2024 - 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.

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.

Amendment to bring DAB+ back into play removes licensing limits

27.01.2023 - Czechia

One operator could own more than two licences for terrestrial radio broadcasting and the radio network should not have any limitations in terms of its coverage, MP Marek Novák (ANO) has proposed. The government's amendment to the Electronic Communications Act could, after all, address the issue of radio licences for final DAB+ networks by way of an addendum. Instead of the Ministry of Culture, it was submitted to the Chamber of Deputies by opposition MP Marek Novák (ANO). In his proposal, Novák asks that the Broadcasting Act abolish the restriction that one operator may not hold more than two licences for full terrestrial radio broadcasting and that the radio network should not be limited to the maximum permitted coverage of 80% of the Czech population. The Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to consider the government's amendment and the amendment at its session on 7 February.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

CTU has included the development of DAB+ among this year's priorities

25.01.2023 - Czechia

The Czech Telecommunications Office presented its plan for this year's activities. It would like to launch a tender for commercial digital radio networks. "To support the development of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting, the CTU will conduct a tender in 2023. Its aim will be to award radio frequency allocations necessary for the nationwide and regional T-DAB terrestrial digital broadcasting networks," reads another priority. The Authority informed about the 2023 action plan in its regular monitoring report, which is available on the CTU website.

(Lupa.cz) Read more

The law change that unblocks DAB+ may be delayed

20.01.2023 - Czechia

Under the Broadcasting Act, only two broadcasting licences can be held by one private radio operator. The amendment to the Act was intended to change this restriction from the analogue broadcasting era and open the way for future DAB+ networks to be filled. "The timing of the adoption of the necessary amendments to the Broadcasting Act depends on the manner in which the draft is submitted to the Chamber of Deputies. The specific procedure is currently under negotiation and in about a month we could provide information on further developments in this matter," Jana Malíková, spokesperson for the Culture Ministry, told Televizníweb.cz.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

Radio station ZUN on DAB+ multiplex Teleko with RadioDNS support

20.01.2023 - RadioDNS WorldDAB Member - Czechia

Teleko Příbram has included a hybrid RadioDNS function on its DAB+ multiplex, which combines traditional and internet reception. The company highlighted the news with a practical demonstration on Facebook. "Radio ZUN from the TELEKO DAB multiplex now supports RadioDNS functionality, which among other things enables DAB ⇔ WEBstreaming," the operator informed in a short post, which is accompanied by a practical demonstration in the form of a video. In it, interested parties can see the listening of the ZUN station and its transition between DAB+ digital radio broadcasting and Internet distribution. The function is implemented as an additional service for drivers.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

What's in store in 2023 with DAB+? Frequency auctions and new radios.

28.12.2022 - Czechia

If the next year will be crucial for digital terrestrial TV, for DAB+ digital radio everything depends on domestic institutions. Already at the end of this year, things were looking really promising. At the end of September, the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) published for discussion the basic principles of the upcoming auction of frequencies for DAB+ networks intended for commercial radio. At the same time, it outlined its ambition to deal with the comments on the document very quickly so that it could submit a draft of the conditions of the tender for these frequencies for public consultation before the end of this year. However, it turned out that the CTU was very optimistic and nothing had happened by the end of the year. However, it is still envisaged that the auction of frequencies will take place in 2023.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

The DAB era: Czech Radio Liberec broadcasts from Jested in digital quality

22.12.2022 - Czech Radio WorldDAB Member - Czechia

In this week's Serial of the Week, Editor Jaroslav Hoření will take you to the Czech Radio broadcasting hall at the Ještěd transmitter. We will explain how the broadcasting hall at Ještěd looks like, what is the coverage of Czech Radio Liberec, how to know that the new radio will play in perfect quality, and that the DAB+ format is the future of radio broadcasting.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

DAB+ will become the main live broadcasting platform for Czech Radio, FM distribution may be limited thanks to 5G

09.12.2022 - Czech Radio WorldDAB Member - Czechia

On Thursday, 8 December, Czech Radio presented the technological development of the public service broadcaster in the coming years on the floor of the Senate. The project is simply called Strategy 27. DAB+ will be the main distribution platform for the next period, until 2027, and will continue to expand its coverage. In the case of linear terrestrial distribution, Czech Radio is building on VHF (FM) broadcasting, but this can no longer be strengthened. In the coming period, the focus for public institutions will be on improving the reception of DAB+ digital broadcasts, especially indoors. It has already implemented the first of its steps in this direction at the end of November.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

DAB time as an application in Prima TV's HbbTV

09.12.2022 - Czech Radio WorldDAB Member - Czechia

Czech Radio is cooperating with Prima TV to promote DAB+ digital radio broadcasting. As part of an information campaign deployed before the Christmas holidays, viewers on FTV Prima can come across a special application under the virtual red button, HbbTV technology. The DAB+ digital radio promotion will also appear directly on air. If the viewer is hit by an advertising campaign promoting digital radio via HbbTV, a large box will appear on the bottom right corner of the screen with the unmistakable information "Radio can do more now".

(Český rozhlas) Read more

The auction of DAB+ networks - how will radio multiplexes be allocated?

08.12.2022 - Czechia

Ten weeks have passed since the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) published the principles of the tender for DAB+ frequencies on its website. We asked how the public consultation went and when the final terms of the auction can be expected.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

České Radiokomunikace (ČRa) to bid for digital commercial radio multiplex

01.12.2022 - Czechia

České Radiokomunikace (CRa) is likely to apply for a licence for DAB+ digital radio broadcasting. It will depend on the specific conditions of the upcoming tender to be announced by the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) next year said Miloš Mastník, director general of Czech Radio. Radiokomunikace is currently already distributing radio signals for the public Czech Radio in DAB+. This network currently covers around 95 percent of the domestic population. The commercial multiplex will accommodate up to 15 radio stations. Commercial radios are currently broadcasting on analogue FM frequencies. "We see great potential in DAB+. For one thing, since last year it has been compulsory to fit DAB tuners in all new cars, and there is a market where around 250,000 radios are sold every year. Digital broadcasting is also about twelve times less energy-intensive compared to FM," said Mastník.

(Týden) Read more