Denmark

Last update: 20.11.2020 - older versions

The Danish government has proposed a closure of FM broadcasting two years after more than half of radio listening is digital or in 2021 at the latest. Press release (in Danish) Full document (in Danish)

National DAB+ services

In August 2019, Viacom announced the launch of MTV Radio. The radio station, which is only available in digital format, is available to DAB+ listeners nationwide.

In November 2020, Bauer Media launched three national radio stations - including the launch of new station Pop FM 80s - bringing the total number of Bauer's national stations on DAB+ to nine.

EECC implementation

In June 2020, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Supply, in charge of the implementation of the Code, published its Draft Proposal implementing parts of the EECC Code. Under chapter 6b on “Applications of regulations”, the proposed bill states the obligation for manufacturers and importers of Class M vehicles to ensure that a car radio receiver which is built into new class M vehicles, consists of a receiver that can receive and reproduce radio services broadcast via digital terrestrial radio transmission. The public consultation period for the draft legislation ended on 11 November 2020

Last update: 30.03.2016 - older versions

Multiplex 2’s coverage was improved during 2012 and both multiplexes now have close to 98% indoor coverage.

Estimated timeline for DAB+ gatekeeper beauty contest

Jan 2016: Decision concerning operating model (gatekeeper)
Q1 2016: Preparation of EU tender material
Q2-3 2016: EU tender prequalification (RFI) and main bid (RFQ)
Q4 2016: Announcement of winner
Q1 2017: Establishment of commercial DAB+ multiplex
Q2 2017: Gatekeeper operation launched

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.

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 120 63 183

Last update: 18.06.2021 - older versions

In Denmark, following a relaxation in tax rules which treated digital radio as a “luxury good”, the proportion of cars fitted with DAB as standard has increased dramatically to 62% as of H2 2020 – up from 5% in 2015 (Source: JATO Dynamics 2021).

Last update: 08.10.2020 - older versions

Cumulative sales of DAB receivers have reached 1.9 million (excludes scrapped units) (Source: Branchen ForbrugerElektronik estimate Q2 2015). Approximately 300 specialised electrical retail stores currently sell DAB radios. Supermarket and food chains are also significant players with frequent product offerings. For information on the Danish market please visit http://www.digitalradio.dk

In January 2015 Danish Retailer Elgiganten reported 50% increase on sales year on year compared to Christmas 2013, and two other retailers Fona and Hi-Fi Club in South Jutland reported tripling of nationwide sales.

Last update: 10.09.2013 - older versions

A local trial is conducted in DAB+ by grass roots station Kanal Plus based on off-the-shelf hardware and encoder/modulator software. The multiplex comprises local radio stations from the area north-northwest of Copenhagen.

Last update: 06.03.2019 - older versions

On 29th April 2015 the Danish Ministry of Culture, together with all political parties, finalised and published a new roadmap for digital radio, saying "the limited frequency space on FM means that we will eventually turn off FM". Read the press release here.

The overall focus of the roadmap is to speed up the process of utilising capacity in the DAB network and to secure a more rapid development of the network. 

Key features of the roadmap are:

- decision to switch off FM to be taken when 50% of listening is digital

- swap of content on MUX1 and MUX2 at the end of 2016 which will ensure that available frequencies can be brought into use, making it possible to have a commercial network operator of MUX1

- "Gatekeeper Model" will be adopted for MUX 1 (currently owned by Danish Radio) which will drive the market

- full transition from DAB to DAB+ by 1 Oct 2017

- new licences for spare capacity in MUX3 available by end 2015

The consensus is that FM shutdown is inevitable, in order to offer listeners more choice and the goal is to stimulate new channels on DAB.  By end 2015 new licences will be available for application, and a shift from DAB to DAB+ is now underway. 

Denmark has one of the highest numbers of DAB users per capita in the world, with 40% of the population having access to a digital radio.  Public service broadcaster DR (Danish Radio) began regular services in 2002 and more than 36% of all radio listening is digital.

Last update: 21.04.2020 - older versions

Denmark's Palaces and Culture Agency, with communications agency Prime Time, produced a public information campaign on digital radio which was broadcast across Denmark in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The campaign inform everyone that DAB radio will be transmitted in DAB+ from 1st October 2017 and have furthermore as its goal to move radio listening from analogue to digital. 

 

 

An industry forum has been established with the participation of major stakeholders, as well as a website portal - www.mereradio.dk - providing information on digital radio in Denmark.  The campaign will receive basic public funding and will be supported by the Danish radio industry.  

Download flyer 

Facebook profile

YouTube profile (campaign videos)

Christmas Campaign 2017

A video advertisement will run on national TV and also on Facebook, web tv and YouTube.

 

Danish media houses compete for spaces on commercial DAB network
10.08.2021 - Denmark Denmark
The demand for vacancies on the regional, commercial DAB radio network has been greater than supply, with two media houses competing for space. There were 199 applications from 113 different applicants received for the 97 vacancies available.

(Media Watch) Read more


Denmark - Bauer Media launches Planet Rock on DAB+
19.04.2021 - Denmark Denmark
Launched on Friday, Planet Rock - the Danish version of the existing UK national radio station - is now available to listeners on DAB+ in and around Denmark's capital city of Copenhagen.

(Media Watch) Read more


Bauer expands nationwide DAB+ offering in Denmark
10.11.2020 - Denmark Denmark
Bauer Media's launch of three additional radio stations - including the launch of new station Pop FM 80s - brings the total number of Bauer national stations on DAB+ to nine. "This is a perfect time for us to expand on DAB+. Listening is increasing and with DAB+ as standard in all new cars, we expect even more digital listening to come" said CEO Jim Receveur.

(Ritzau) Read more


DAB+ marketing video from Denmark
03.06.2020 - WorldDAB News - Denmark Denmark
This marketing campaign from Denmark highlights the benefits of DAB+, which offers better sound quality, and a higher number of stations for listeners to choose from.

Read more


Denmark steps up implementation of EECC
28.05.2020 - Denmark Denmark
The Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Supply, in charge of the implementation of the EECC, has published its draft proposal implementing parts of the code. The proposed bill - which is open for stakeholders’ consultation until 26 June 2020 - states the obligation for manufacturers and importers of Class M vehicles to ensure that a car radio receiver which is built into new class M vehicles, consists of a receiver that can receive and reproduce radio services broadcast via digital terrestrial radio transmission.

(Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Supply) Read more


Norwegian station launches in Copenhagen on DAB+
07.10.2019 - Denmark Denmark
Bauer Media is now broadcasting its main Norwegian program Radio Norge in Copenhagen via DAB+. The station is aimed at Norwegians who live and work in the Danish capital.

(Radio Woche) Read more


MTV launches nationwide DAB+ radio station in Denmark
16.08.2019 - Denmark Denmark
Viacom has announced the launch of a new MTV radio station on DAB+ in Denmark. The nationwide radio station will be available to DAB+ listeners across the country.

(Radio.nl) Read more


Radioplayer expands with licensing agreement in Denmark
13.05.2019 - Denmark Denmark
Denmark becomes the 10th country to sign up to Radioplayer – with the service to be promoted locally as mereRadio. The new collaboration from Radioplayer Worldwide will use Radioplayer technology to enable Danes to access radio stations across the country all in one place. There will be around 60 stations at launch, drawn from across the public service, private, and non-profit sectors.

(Radio Today) Read more


NRJ will also be nationwide in Denmark
11.04.2019 - Denmark Denmark
Following its launch on FM in North Sealand and Greater Copenhagen, from 15 April, NRJ will also be available nationally on DAB+ in Denmark.

(Radionytt.no) Read more


NRJ now available nationally on DAB+ in Denmark
11.04.2019 - Denmark Denmark
After launching in autumn 2018 in North Sealand and Greater Copenhagen, NRJ has expanded its distribution and is now available nationally on DAB+ in Denmark. NRJ is present in 18 countries.

(MediaWatch) Read more


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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 5.8 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 98%
Services: 183 DAB+
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 393,270 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 93%
Total Sales (cumulative): 1,547,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 36%
Last update: 01.11.2021

Useful Links

Mere Denmark
DR DK Digital Radio
Digitalradio.dk
DR DK
DR RADIOKANALER
Kanal Plus
Danish Agency for Culture