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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.

DAB+ networks are down to their last month before launch, CTU is about to check them

31.12.2024 - Czechia

During January and no later than in the first half of February, operators of the auctioned networks for digital terrestrial broadcasting of commercial radios must launch transmitters in all regions for which they have auctioned frequencies. This is required by the Electronic Communications Act. The one-year deadline is calculated from the moment the operators received the decision on the frequency allocation from the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). This happened during January and February this year, and all participants in the auction of frequencies for DAB+ networks had to pay the auctioned amounts by 16 February.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

What was the year 2024 in DAB+? A watershed year for commercial broadcasting

31.12.2024 - Czechia

The auction of frequencies for networks dedicated to digital broadcasting of commercial radios this year started the gradual building of infrastructure for 29 DAB+ multiplexes. The year 2024 in digital radio broadcasting got off to a literally bombastic start. On 5 January, the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) published the results of an auction of frequencies for two nationwide and 27 regional DAB+ networks for commercial radio. The Czech Digital Group (CDG), owned by Czech Radio Communications, won the all-screen multiplex B, while the competing multiplex C was acquired by RTI cz.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

RTI cz will retune DAB+ in the centre of Bohemia, Beroun and Pribram transmitters change channel

30.12.2024 - Czechia

RTI cz's Central Bohemian transmitters are switching from channel 5A to the final channel 8D and increasing their power, which will require a lockout. Then, tomorrow night, the operator plans to re-identify all of the radio multiplex C transmitters that have been launched so far and regionalise its entire network. The changes to the Central Bohemian network for digital radio were announced by RTI cz this morning via its own Facebook profile. "On Monday, 30 December 2024, between 10.00 and 16.00, there will be a switchover to the final DAB frequency 8D on the Příbram and Beroun - Zahrabská sites. The transmitters will therefore be out of service for several tens of minutes," said the operator.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

Radio 1 and Signal are now in DAB+ in Ústí nad Labem

20.12.2024 - Czechia

Thursday 19 December brought a significant distribution change in North Bohemia in the field of digital broadcasting DAB+. The operator RTI cz started to use the Kukla mast, the Teleko company ended its operations there. In view of the different programme offer of the two operators, distribution changes have also been made to some stations. Newly, Radio 1 is available from the North Bohemian transmitter Kukla, which, like some other DAB+ stations, includes the RTI cz multiplex. These are specifically Signal Radio and Radio Beat.

(MediaGuru) Read more

RTI cz can retune DAB+ in Pribram, has acquired the final frequency

20.12.2024 - Czechia

The twenty-second individual authorisation for the use of frequencies of the multiplex C for digital broadcasting of commercial radios concerns the transmitter located at the Příbram observatory. After switching to the final channel 8D it will be able to increase the transmitter's power almost tenfold to 2 kW. Earlier, the operator obtained individual authorisation for its other Central Bohemian transmitter in Beroun, which will be re-tuned at the same time as in Pribram. RTI cz has already tuned its Prague transmitter in Strahov to the same channel 8D and is also planning to use another Prague transmitter of Teleko digital at the City Tower building in Pankrác.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

CRA to launch third regional DAB+ network, after Prague and Pilsen in Liberec

17.12.2024 - Czechia

České Radiokomunikace (CRA) is about to launch its third regional network for terrestrial digital commercial radio. After Prague and Plzeň, where it has switched the frequencies of the existing temporary CRA DAB+ network, it is now planning to launch a new transmitter in Liberec. CRA is launching the first transmitters of its regional DAB+ networks before the launch of its nationwide radio multiplex B. After Prague and Pilsen, it will be Liberec's turn. There, CRA will start broadcasting from Jested on channel 7B with a power of 0.8 kW, launching Regional Network 4, which is to gradually cover not only Liberec, but also the Ústí nad Karlovy Vary region.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

Radio Dechovka broadcasts digitally in the in the Vysočina region

13.12.2024 - Czechia

Fiera touch, which has so far operated its DAB+ multiplex only in Prague and the eastern Bohemian region of Černá hora, launched a transmitter in Jemnice in the Vysočina region on Wednesday 11 December. The reason for commissioning this location is to test the possibility of operating digital radio in a small area and to offer a signal for approximately eight thousand inhabitants. "Jemnice was chosen as a model location for testing small transmitters that can complement the coverage provided by large transmitters in the network. The operator's intention is to test the effectiveness of a small transmitter in an urban environment, especially to improve indoor coverage," said Pavel Hájek, owner of the pHmedia group.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Prague and its surroundings will get better signal of Radio Proglas, Radio 7 and Signal Radio in DAB+

12.12.2024 - Czechia

Owners of DAB+ receivers in Prague and its surroundings can count on better coverage of the RTI cz radio multiplex from Thursday, 12 December. The operator will be switching its Strahov transmitter containing seven stations from the existing channel 5A to the new frequency block 8D between 10am and 2pm. Andrea Jančová, the operator's manager, told our editorial office that the current transmitter power will increase from 1 kW to 10 kW after the changeover to the new frequency. The multiplex includes stations such as Radio Proglas, Radio 7, Signal Radio and others.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Four more DAB+ sites from RTI cz: Brno, Liberec, Olomouc and Zlín

10.12.2024 - Czechia

RTI cz's nationwide radio multiplex C already has 21 individual frequency licences. The latest additions are four regional cities, three in Moravia and one in Bohemia. These are locations where digital radio is already operated by partner operator Teleko digital, which will provide transmitters for RTI cz north and east of Prague. The South Moravian region will be covered by multiplex C on channel 9B from the Brno - Barvičova transmitter. The Olomouc Region will be covered from a transmitter located at the Regional Office building next to the main railway station. For the Zlín region, RTI cz will use the Zlín - Mladcová transmitter. Finally, with Liberec, it will use a transmitter in Proseč.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

DAB+ development criteria met, Teleko reports as the first operator

27.11.2024 - Czechia

The first of the eight winners of the auction of frequencies for networks dedicated to digital broadcasting of commercial radios has reported meeting the development criteria of the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). Teleko digital, a company from Příbram, has covered at least 40 percent of the population of all regions for which it has won frequencies with DAB+ signals. "Digital radio transmitters have been launched in Liberec, Kralovehradec, Vysočina and other regions in the east of the Czech Republic - Moravian-Silesian, Olomouc, Zlín and South Moravian regions - on the final channels issued by the CTU. This makes us the first DAB network operator to meet the development criteria set by the licence in advance," announced the owner of the company, Tomas Řapek.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more