Denmark

Last update: 22.09.2023 - older versions

In September 2023, Denmark's Radio and Television Board invited tenders for programme services in the 13 areas in DAB block 3 and DAB block 4. In accordance with the contract conditions, up to 32 licences can be issued in each area. If there are more qualified bidders than available licences in a region, the Radio and Television Board will carry out an assessment of the bidders based on their attractiveness. The deadline for submitted bids is Monday 16 October 2023. The licences will come into effect on Monday 1 July 2024 and will apply until 30 June 2032.

 

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.

 

Teracom launch new DAB+ services in Denmark
02.10.2017 - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) WorldDAB Member - Cibicom A/S - Denmark Denmark
On October 1, Denmark moved from DAB to DAB+, launching 12 additional radio channels including services from BBC, Extra Bladet and Bauer Media.

(AVM) Read more


Ekstra Bladet and the BBC World Service get the ball rolling on DAB+
28.09.2017 - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) WorldDAB Member - Cibicom A/S - Denmark Denmark
Ekstra Bladet and the BBC World Service are the first new players on the new nationwide commercial DAB+ radio network in Denmark. Several other agreements are on the way, reports the network provider, Teracom.

(MediaWatch) Read more


Ekstra Bladet Radio now on DAB+ in Denmark
28.09.2017 - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) WorldDAB Member - Cibicom A/S - Denmark Denmark
On Thursday evening, the Danes got two brand new channels on the DAB+ radio network. In addition to the BBC World Service, Ekstra Bladet Radio moves to the brand new network that was officially opened by Culture Minister Mette Bock on Thursday. 80% of Danes will be able to listen to Ekstra Bladet Radio, which only plays music by Danish artists.

(Ekstra Bladet) Read more


British BBC and Ekstra Bladet Radio are now in DAB+
28.09.2017 - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) WorldDAB Member - Denmark Denmark
Danes can now tune into the BBC World Service and Ekstra Bladet Radio in the latest DAB+ format. The transition from DAB to DAB+ radio in Denmark now allows for 12 new radio stations.

(Kristeligt Dagblad) Read more


Digital Radio grows in Northern Europe
20.09.2017 - Norway Norway - United Kingdom United Kingdom - Netherlands Netherlands - Denmark Denmark - Germany Germany - Switzerland Switzerland - Poland Poland - Belgium Belgium - France France
With 50 million receivers now sold, DAB radio is popular in Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and is growing in Poland, Belgium and France. In Norway, DAB receivers are now supplied in 98% of new cars, in 88% in the UK, and 66% in Switzerland. During the WorldDAB session at IBC2017, Patrick Hannon, President WorldDAB, reaffirmed the call from EU authorities to halt the sales of analogue-only radio receivers in Europe.

(Rai) Read more


Strong growth in digital radio sales
24.08.2017 - Norway Norway - Belgium Belgium - Denmark Denmark - France France - Germany Germany - Italy Italy - Netherlands Netherlands - Sweden Sweden - Switzerland Switzerland
In the first half of the year, sales of digital radios were growing at a tremendous rate throughout Europe. Consistently double-digit growth rates in an analysis in nine different countries indicate a regular boom. On average, it was a 30 percent growth from January to July.

(Digitalfernsehen) Read more


Strong growth for digital radio sales in Europe
24.08.2017 - WorldDAB News - Belgium Belgium - Denmark Denmark - France France - Germany Germany - Italy Italy - Norway Norway - Netherlands Netherlands - Sweden Sweden - Switzerland Switzerland
The first half of 2017 has seen rapid growth in sales of DAB+ receivers across Europe – driven by Norway’s switchover from FM to DAB+ and the development of digital radio markets across the continent. The latest GfK research, covering nine European markets, shows a 30 percent increase in sales volumes for the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

(Content+Technology) Read more


Growth in sales of DAB+ receivers continues
18.08.2017 - WorldDAB News - Norway Norway - Belgium Belgium - Denmark Denmark - France France - Germany Germany - Italy Italy - Netherlands Netherlands - Sweden Sweden - Switzerland Switzerland
“These figures demonstrate the strength of the market in Europe. Not only do we have the impact of digital switchovers in Norway this year and Switzerland (2020-24), but we are also seeing the rapid development of DAB+ in a growing number of territories," said Patrick Hannon, President, WorldDAB.

(Radioempfang) Read more


Strong growth for digital radio sales in Europe
17.08.2017 - Norway Norway - Belgium Belgium - Denmark Denmark - France France - Germany Germany - Italy Italy - Netherlands Netherlands - Sweden Sweden - Switzerland Switzerland
GfK research, covering nine European markets, shows a 30 per cent increase in sales volumes for the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

(Advanced Television) Read more


Strong growth for digital radio sales in Europe
17.08.2017 - WorldDAB News - Norway Norway - Switzerland Switzerland - Netherlands Netherlands - Belgium Belgium - Denmark Denmark - Italy Italy - France France - Sweden Sweden - Germany Germany
The first half of 2017 has seen rapid growth in sales of DAB+ receivers across Europe – driven by Norway’s switchover from FM to DAB+ and the development of digital radio markets across the continent.

(WorldDAB) 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): 624,000 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 98%
Total Sales (cumulative): 1,903,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 36%
Last update: 26.02.2024

Useful Links

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