France
Last update: 06.04.2023 - older versions
DAB+ : a structural choice for the radio industry
Launched in 2014 in Paris, Nice and Marseille, DAB+ is now seen as critical to contribute to the future of radio and to address the saturation of FM. It is a means to preserve diversity and plurality. As DAB+ is reaching a turning point, the regulator, Arcom, is launching in 2023 a consultation with the radio industry which will include the switchover from FM to DAB+ both in the metropolitan area and overseas. The economics of radio are a key element of the expected white paper, as well as the potential acceleration of the deployment.
Deployment of DAB+
On 12 October 2021, France launched two new national multiplexes broadcasting 26 DAB+ stations, including national services from Radio France, leading private broadcasters and four new national services. The new multiplexes are broadcast along the major motorway corridors of Paris-Lyon-Marseille. The 26 services include four new DAB+ only stations and 22 stations that are also broadcast in FM. Extension to more main roads and highly populated areas is planned for the end of 2023. These 26 radios are in addition to the hundreds of radio stations already available regionally and locally on DAB+
The CSA rollout plan, the so-called "nodes and arcs strategy" described in 2017, which also includes continued regional and local rollouts alongside the launch of national services, was updated in 2021. It aims to bring population coverage in France well above 50% by the end of 2023.
Receiver legislation
Older pieces of legislation in France related to DAB+ in cars have been superseded by the transposition in November 2020 of the EECC into French legislation. This law passed the last stage and was made official in December 2020, with the transposition of the EECC into French law officially published on 28 May 2021. Domestic receivers, for which the reception function of radio services broadcast is not purely incidental, and have an alphanumeric screen, must be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio. Discussions are ongoing to make DAB+ mandatory in all receivers.
Last update: 06.04.2023 - older versions
As of March 2023, population coverage in France stands at 45%.
In December 2021, the French media regulator CSA, published an updated DAB+ roadmap highlighting DAB+ developments plans for the 2022-2024 period.
According to the new roadmap, calls for applications will be launched for 50 local allotments in that period of time – these primarily concerned the cities of Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Caen, Nancy, Paris, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Poitiers and Toulouse. An overseas trial has also been licensed in Martinique.
Last update: 06.04.2023 - older versions
In this country there are
- National multiplexes: 2 Regular
- Regional multiplexes: 33 Regular
- Local multiplexes: 57 Regular
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.
An interactive map showing all services currently on air in France, as well as those licensed to go on air, can be found at: Ma radio DAB Plus - CSA - Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel.
Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
---|---|---|---|
DAB+ programmes | 358 | 102 | 460 |
Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions
In France, as of H2 2021, 90% of new cars sold are equipped with DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2022).
Last update: 05.02.2021 - older versions
Receiver legislation
In December 2018 DAB+ coverage reached 21.3% of the French population, which triggered a law requiring that all radio receivers (including in-car) sold in France be compatible with the broadcasting standards (ie DAB+). This 2018 law was amended in June 2020 to align with the EECC deadline of 20 December 2020.
In November 2020, the French parliament voted in favour of a law to transpose the EECC into French legislation. This law passed the last stage and was made official in December 2020, enabling the government to take a final decree which is expected by early 2021. The decree will confirm that new passenger cars in France will be required to include digital terrestrial radio from 20 December 2020, in line with the EECC. Additional obligations regarding consumer receivers have yet to be agreed and may also be included in that decree enacting the EECC.
More detailed information is in the WorldDAB EECC Factsheet.
Last update: 02.10.2018 - older versions
40,000 households in eastern Paris can now receive DAB as part of a test by Towercast. Radio France is broadcasting their portfolio of radio stations on that trial.
There is one trial local multiplex in East Paris and one trial local multiplex on air in Rambouillet. One of the 5 DAB+ stations on air in Rambouillet are available exclusively via DAB+ digital radio (not on FM).
Several stations offer Slideshow services (SLS).
Last update: 13.06.2022 - older versions
The Regulator (ARCOM - previously CSA) refers to a “Nodes and Arcs” phase of DAB+ rollout bringing DAB+ coverage to the 50 largest cities and to the highways connecting them. The target completion date is end of 2022. Then the so-called “Percolation Phase” will cover the lower density regions.
Four calls for applications are expected by end of 2023 to reach 50 smaller cities and their surrounding areas. From the point of view of enhancing the digital radio experience for consumers, the CSA initiated a forum with French broadcasters to discuss the DAB+ user experience.
DAB+ regulation in France is outlined on the French Media regulator's website here.
The 2021 annual report of the CSA / ARCOM which includes substantial information about the deployment of DAB+ in France is available to download here.
Last update: 05.02.2021 - older versions
DABplus.fr
The website DABplus.fr was set up to summarise the deployment of DAB+ in France. It is paid by and for stakeholders of DAB+ in France. www.DABplus.fr
Consumer Marketing
French broadcasters are developing a marketing strategy in preparation for the national launch of DAB+. The work involves collaboration between all broadcaster groups - Radio France, the large private broadcasters as well as independent radios.
Arcom spotlights digital radio at "Fête de la Radio"
01.06.2023 - Top story - France
(Arcom) Read more
Replay News broadcasts on DAB+ on the Côte d'Azur
26.05.2023 - France
(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more
Nantes: Sun hosts DAB+ training
11.05.2023 - France
(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more
Draft French broadcast bill: DAB+ in all new receivers
04.05.2023 - France
(CB News) Read more
Draft broadcasting law: SIRTI welcomes bill, calls for measures to protect radio in digital world
03.05.2023 - France
(SIRTI) Read more
Radio Laser goes DAB+ in Guichen
26.04.2023 - France
(Ouest-France) Read more
A new radio festival in June
25.04.2023 - France
(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more
Three new DAB+ transmitters for the Pyrenees
18.04.2023 - France
(La Lettre Pro) Read more
Le Figaro invests in DAB+ radio
13.04.2023 - France
(Le Figaro) Read more
DAB+. The new digital technology that can change the way radio stations are broadcast
03.04.2023 - France
(France Info) Read more
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Paris Radio Show highlights DAB+ growth
16.06.2022
All parts of the French radio industry came together to celebrate the medium at the second edition of the Fete de la Radio during the Paris Radio Show, held at La Seine Musicale earlier this month. Will Jackson & Jean-Marc Dubreuil look back at the digital radio highlights of the event.
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Major new milestone for DAB+ in France on 12 October
06.10.2021
Seven years after the commercial launch of DAB+ in Paris, Nice and Marseille, a major step change in the deployment of DAB+ in France takes place on 12 October 2021. 25 national radios stations (19 commercial, 6 public) will launch, covering the major motorway corridors of Paris-Lyon-Marseille.
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France – DAB+ strategic for broadcast, despite drop in advertising revenues
23.04.2020
Despite consumers’ increasing interest in DAB+, broadcasters in France are now facing a uncertain future caused by the coronavirus outbreak and drop in advertising revenues. However, new DAB+ services continue to launch in the country, with regional DAB+ services set to launch in Bordeaux and Toulouse in the summer.
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DAB+ gets a boost in France: CSA announces a clear and detailed plan
08.01.2018
Just after Christmas French regulator, the CSA, announced its plan for the acceleration of DAB+ rollouts in France. In this blog, Jean-Marc Dubreuil, Country Manager, France, at WorldDAB, explains the key points from the consultation and the CSA’s proposals.
Key Information
Status: | regular |
Population: | 65.2 million |
Population coverage: | |
Services: | 460 DAB+ |
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): | 4,168,000 devices |
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: | |
Total Sales (cumulative): | 5,428,000 devices |
Penetration by household: | |
Last update: 06.04.2023
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Useful Links
DAB+ services on air in FranceAnnuaire des radios Françaises en AM, FM et RNT
Regulator - ARCOM
Call for application for 2 multiplexes covering main roads
DAB+ in France - interactive map
DAB+ regulation in France
dabplus.fr