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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.

Progress Digital launches DAB+ testing

10.07.2023 - Czechia

Progress Digital launched experimental operation of two DAB+ transmitters on Monday 10 July. They broadcast Radio Time and Radio Time Rock. "We want to confirm the correctness of our internal single frequency network tuning processes," the operator announced. The DAB+ test is being conducted from the Benesov-Kozmice and Buchov sites with 1 kW of power on channel 5B (176.64 MHz). Progress Digital also wants to verify its planning models in real signal propagation conditions.

(Lupa.cz) Read more

Dance radio part of CRa DAB+ multiplex

29.06.2023 - Czechia

From the 26th week of 2023, Dance Radio from the Active Media Group is part of the station offer of the České Radiokomunikací digital radio network. In the broadcaster's portfolio it complements the programmes Evropa 2, Frekvence 1, Rádio Bonton and Pigy rádio. The multiplex can be tuned in from three locations - Prague, Plzeň and Ostrava; the network does not broadcast in Brno. In the CRa DAB+ multiplex, not to be confused with the public Czech Radio network, Dance radio has replaced Radio Zet.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

ČTÚ likely to launch DAB+ frequencies auction in August

28.06.2023 - Czechia

The Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) will probably announce an auction of frequencies for digital radio broadcasting DAB+ in August. In the 174-230 MHz band, 27 regional and two nationwide networks may be created, CTU spokeswoman Tereza Meravá said at a meeting with journalists. According to her, bidders will be able to submit their applications in September and the auction itself will start in October. The starting prices for the allocations for the nationwide networks are around CZK 1 million, while for the regional ones they reach tens to hundreds of thousands of crowns depending on the number of inhabitants of the region covered.

(Czech Press Office (ČTK) ) Read more

Czech Radio plans an eighth new DAB+ transmitter for Železná Ruda

21.06.2023 - Czech Radio WorldDAB Member - Czechia

Železná Ruda in West Bohemia, which lies close to the border with neighbouring Bavaria, would be the eighth location to receive the signal of the public multiplex ČRo DAB+ this year. The town in the Pilsen region would be followed by seven other sites, the coordination of which has already been announced by Czech Radio. A 100-watt transmitter with vertical polarisation is to be located in the Vodárna locality. "If everything goes well, we will see another seven or eight transmitters of the CRo DAB+ network in autumn, which will thicken and improve the coverage of our multiplex," said Pavel Balíček, Head of Signal Distribution at Czech Radio.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

We want to award frequencies for commercial DAB+ multiplexes this year, confirms CTU

17.06.2023 - Czechia

The Czech Telecommunications Office plans to continue to grant frequency allocations this year so that telecommunications operators can start operating proper commercial DAB+ multiplexes. "There will be eight layers of frequencies - two commercial nationwide and 27 regional networks," said Jiří Duchač, director of the Czech Telecommunications Office's Frequency Spectrum Management Department. Duchač also reiterated that the CTU's goal is to launch the tender as soon as possible so that DAB still has a chance to succeed with listeners. "It will be an opportunity for both old and new operators. The conditions cannot favour any of the participants," he pointed out.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Digimedia conference 2023

15.06.2023 - Czechia

Jiří Duchač, Head of the Frequency Spectrum Management Department of the Czech Telecommunications Office, reported on further progress with the upcoming tender for digital terrestrial radio frequencies intended for commercial radios. On 28 June, the Authority plans to hold a workshop to deal with all comments and inform on the next steps. However, the CTU has not yet set a date for the launch of the tender. "We would still like to select the frequency allocation holders this year," Duchač said. Also, Czech Radio continues to increase its DAB+ network. This year it will launch seven new digital transmitters in Svitavy, Krnov, Ústí nad Labem, Valašský Klobouky, Most, Hradec Králové and Domažlice, said Pavel Balíček, head of signal distribution at ČRo.

(Televizníweb.cz) Read more

Rádia Čas and Čas Roc on DAB+ in the second half of this year

14.06.2023 - Czechia

Progress Digital plans to launch its pilot DAB+ multiplex in Benesov and Buchovo during the second half of this year. Jakub Juhas, CEO of Digital Broadcasting, made the announcement at Wednesday's Digimedia 2023 conference. The two companies belong to the portfolio of media group Pohoda, which also operates TV and radio programmes on its own network. "We would like to launch experimental DAB+ broadcasting in the second half of this year. The launch of the two new transmitters is significant for us, not in terms of testing DAB technology, but in terms of the SFN (single frequency network, ed.)," Juhas said, adding that the radio network will include stations Rádia Čas and Čas Roc.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Czech Radio to launch new DAB+ transmitters for Domažlice, Svitavy and five other regions

14.06.2023 - Czech Radio WorldDAB Member - Czechia

Czech Radio, as the natural leader in the introduction of DAB+ digital radio, plans to launch seven new transmitters this year. Its representatives announced this today at the Digimedia 2023 industry conference. The exact terrain for the launch of the new sites has not yet been determined, but again the focus is on indoor signal coverage, both in the Czech Republic and Moravia. "At the moment we have seven new DAB+ transmitters in the pipeline, which we will almost certainly launch this year, 2023. Again, these are mostly transmitters that will significantly improve indoor DAB+ signal coverage in cities, both in Bohemia and Moravia." said Karel Zýka, Director of Technical and Administration at Czech Radio.

(Český rozhlas) Read more

Commercial radio wants to operate a DAB+ digital multiplex themselves. Will they get the chance?

09.06.2023 - Czechia

Private radio stations associated with the Association of Private Broadcasters (APSV) want to acquire their own nationwide network for terrestrial digital radio broadcasting DAB+ and operate it under their own direction. The request was made during the comment procedure on the draft conditions for the auction of frequencies for digital radio networks published by the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). The auction is due to take place later this year and is intended to distribute among operators networks intended for the distribution of digital signals of commercial radios. Jiří Hrabák, president of APSV, and Jiří Duhač, head of the frequency spectrum management department of the CTU, will comment on the issue at the DIGIMEDIA 2023 conference, which will take place on Wednesday 14 June 2023 in Prague.

(AČRA-MK) Read more

Radio Proglas: ready to turn off FM, waiting for development of DAB+

07.06.2023 - Czechia

Christian radio station Rádio Proglas is ready to switch off analogue FM broadcasting and replace it with DAB+ technology in the future. However, this step must be preceded by a favourable approach from the Czech Telecommunications Office in the form of a tender for new frequency networks. In the current issue of the Proglas newsletter, the station's director Martin Holík reports on this.

(Český rozhlas) Read more