Denmark - Current situation - History
29.01.2013
Denmark has one of the highest numbers of DAB users percapita in the world, with 32% of the population having accessto a digital radio set. Public service broadcaster DR (DanishRadio) began regular services in 2002 and more than 10%of all radio listening is now on DAB, with an additional 4% on the digital internet platform. Cumulative set sales in2012 were approximately 1.7 million, of which 0.6 million were DAB+ sets.
Since 1 November 2011, DR broadcastsexclusively on DAB multiplex 1 except for a news loop, andmultiplex 2 is reserved for commercial broadcasters. A third multiplex is planned for regional and local stations.The latest parliamentary Media Agreement 2012-2014stipulates that the FM band will close in 2019 if at least 50%of radio listening is on digital platforms by that time. As part of the agreement, the national single-frequency DAB block nowused by public service broadcaster DR may be swapped for the two DAB regional frequency blocks presently employed fora single commercial multiplex. The proposed frequency swapwill also mark the switch-over of all Danish DAB transmissions to the more efficient DAB+ standard. This increases the total transmission capacity of DR enough to migrate its nine regional FM-only stations to DAB, and allow the commercial multiplex to develop further.
17.10.2012
Denmark is one of the most successful DAB markets in the world. With more than 34% of the population accessing digital radio services, Denmark has one of the highest numbers of DAB users per capita in the world. The public broadcaster, DR (Danish Radio) has been an enthusiastic supporter of digital radio since it began trials in 1995. Regular services have been available since 2002. Over one third of the 2.5 million Danish households have one or more DAB radios and around 10% of all radio listening is via a DAB set. Cumulative set sales in 2010 were approximately 1.5 million. Since 1 November 2011 DR has broadcasted on multiplex 1 and multiplex 2 is reserved for commercial broadcasters. At the same time two of DRs FM channels switched to be full time digital channels and only broadcasted part time on FM where the two channels share a frequency. A third multiplex is under discussion for regional and local stations and expected to be decided by the legislators in the autumn of 2012. The radio industry has suggested full analogue switch off, following the Norwegian model. The suggestion is also to switch to DAB+ in the near future.
The signing of a new media policy agreement by the Danish government for the period of 2012-2014 has seen a clear focus on DAB digital radio and its expansion with a proposed date for FM switchover in 2019. The media agreement was broadly accepted across party lines demonstrating Denmark’s commitment to DAB digital radio and providing industry stakeholders with a clear set of objectives and targets. Both sides of the Danish parliament have agreed to close the FM band by the end of 2010 if half of all radio listening has migrated to digital platforms. As part of the agreement, the national single-frequency DAB block used by the public service broadcaster DR multiplex will be swapped in 2013 for two DAB regional frequency blocks now occupied by a single commercial multiplex. The frequency swap will also mark the switch-over of all Danish DAB transmissions to the more efficient DAB+ standard. These changes will increase the total budget of DR to allow its nine regional FM only stations to migrate to DAB, and allow the commercial multiplex to develop further. 11 million Danish Krona (1.5 million Euros) have been allocated for a public information campaign about digital radio.
Danish Culture Minister, Uffe Elbæk said in a statement “The world is digital and therefore it is a natural continuation of previous efforts and policy decisions in the area that we now will speed up the digitisation of radio, just as we did with the TV a few years ago. We do this by continuing to expand the digital radio network, and not least by establishing, albeit with conditions, a date for the switch-off of FM. By setting a date, we are sending a clear signal to both the industry and the Danish radio listeners about where we are going.”
11.10.2012
Denmark is one of the most successful DAB markets in the world. With more than 34% of the population accessing digital radio services, Denmark has one of the highest numbers of DAB users per capita in the world. The public broadcaster, DR (Danish Radio) has been an enthusiastic supporter of digital radio since it began trials in 1995. Regular services have been available since 2002. Over one third of the 2 .5 million Danish households have one or more DAB radios and around 10% of all radio listening is via a DAB set. Cumulative set sales in 2010 were approximately 1.5 million. Since 1 November 2011 DR has broadcasted on multiplex 1 and multiplex 2 is reserved for commercial broadcasters. At the same time two of DRs FM channels switched to be full time digital channels and only broadcasted part time on FM where the two channels share a frequency. A third multiplex is under discussion for regional and local stations and expected to be decided by the legislators in the autumn of 2012. The radio industry has suggested full analogue switch off, following the Norwegian model. The suggestion is also to switch to DAB+ in the near future.
The signing of a new media policy agreement by the Danish government for the period of 2012-2014 has seen a clear focus on DAB digital radio and its expansion with a proposed date for FM switchover in 2019. The media agreement was broadly accepted across party lines demonstrating Denmark’s commitment to DAB digital radio and providing industry stakeholders with a clear set of objectives and targets. Both sides of the Danish parliament have agreed to close the FM band by the end of 2010 if half of all radio listening has migrated to digital platforms. As part of the agreement, the national single-frequency DAB block used by the public service broadcaster DR multiplex will be swapped in 2013 for two DAB regional frequency blocks now occupied by a single commercial multiplex. The frequency swap will also mark the switch-over of all Danish DAB transmissions to the more efficient DAB+ standard. These changes will increase the total budget of DR to allow its nine regional FM only stations to migrate to DAB, and allow the commercial multiplex to develop further. 11 million Danish Krona (1.5 million Euros) have been allocated for a public information campaign about digital radio. Danish Culture Minister, Uffe Elbæk said in a statement “The world is digital and therefore it is a natural continuation of previous efforts and policy decisions in the area that we now will speed up the digitisation of radio, just as we did with the TV a few years ago. We do this by continuing to expand the digital radio network, and not least by establishing, albeit with conditions, a date for the switch-off of FM. By setting a date, we are sending a clear signal to both the industry and the Danish radio listeners about where we are going.”