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Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

Arcom White Paper on Radio

The result of more than 30 hearings and consultations with the main players in radio, Arcom has published its White Paper on the future of radio in France, which provides a broad overview of the sector and its economic, legal and technical aspects, as well as changes in usage.

The White Paper on Radio was presented by Roch-Olivier Maistre, President of Arcom and by Hervé Godechot, Arcom member and chairman of the Radio and Digital Audio working group, at the Assises de la radio 2024 conference on Tuesday 18 June at the Arcom headquarters in Paris.

Arcom is proposing a two-phase trajectory, aiming to achieve predominantly digital broadcasting by the end of 2033 and requiring the mobilisation of the entire ecosystem:

• Phase 1: Preparation (2024-2027): Establishing a balanced radio ecosystem within a legislative and technological environment that facilitates continued digitisation under optimal conditions.

• Phase 2: Migration (2028-2033): Completing a market-initiated transition to a digital broadcasting model, six years after the preparation phase and nine years after the publication of the White Paper in 2024.

The transition will require regulation, metrics, planning, marketing and then resources.

Read more on the Arcom website.

Download the English-language summary.

 

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. 

Arcom says that "In total, it is expected that 17 multiplexes, extended or local, will have started broadcasting during the summer of 2023. At the end of these start-ups, the coverage of the metropolitan population by DAB+ will exceed 50%."

French DAB+ Broadcast Networks Factsheet

A new factsheet on DAB+ digital radio in France has been produced for automotive manufacturers, as the country achieves over 50% DAB+ population coverage.

The factsheet from WorldDAB - the global industry forum for DAB digital radio - was produced as part of the work of its Automotive Working Group, in partnership with network operator TDF, and RadioDNS which promotes hybrid radio.   

France DAB+ Broadcast Networks

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: 06.01.2025 - older versions

DAB+ digital terrestrial radio continues to roll out across France. With its arrival in 2023 in towns such as Bayonne, Besançon, Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, Metz, Nancy and Pau, in summer 2023 DAB+ passed the symbolic milestone of covering 50% of the French population. A trial has also been underway in Martinique since January 2023, and La Réunion since March 2024. 

Regulator Arcom announced that "In December 2024, more than 62% of the population of mainland France was covered by DAB+, compared with 50% at the end of 2023."

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. 

Last update: 24.09.2025 - older versions

In this country there are

  • National multiplexes: 2 Regular
  • Regional multiplexes: 37 Regular
  • Local multiplexes: 65 Regular
on air.

An up-to-date overview of the DAB+ digital radio services on air in France is available on the Ensemble pour le DAB+ website.

France DAB+ Broadcast Networks

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: 24.09.2025 - older versions

In France, as of H1 2025, 98% of new cars sold are equipped with DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics).

French DAB+ Broadcast Networks Factsheet

A new factsheet on DAB+ digital radio in France has been produced for automotive manufacturers, as the country achieves over 50% DAB+ population coverage.

The factsheet from WorldDAB - the global industry forum for DAB digital radio - was produced as part of the work of its Automotive Working Group, in partnership with network operator TDF, and RadioDNS which promotes hybrid radio.   

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: 04.07.2024 - older versions

  • La Réunion: Arcom has authorised two trials of DAB+ radio broadcasting in Saint-Denis from March 1, 2024.
  • La Martinique: trial authorised since January 2023 ; three sites in Martinique and 11 stations: Radio Fusion, Fusion 100 % Infos, Fusion Compas, Fusion Salsa Kl@moson, Fusion Gold, Maknet Jazz, Mixx FM Martinique, Radio Évangile Martinique, Radio Actif Martinique, Identité Radio and Martinique La 1ère.

Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

DAB+ regulation in France is outlined on the French Media regulator's website. 

Arcom's annual report

Arcom's White Paper on the future of radio

Last update: 04.07.2024 - older versions

Ensemble pour le DAB+

“Ensemble pour le DAB+” is an association created in 2022 on the instigation of the Bureau de la Radio, Radio France and SIRTI, with the aim of setting up and coordinating communication and marketing actions around the development of DAB+, both nationally and locally. The French Ministry of Culture is a partner of the Association.

The first global campaign took place in January 2024. The objective was to raise awareness of DAB+; the reach was 70% of the French population over 13 years old with a 1000 audio spots played during a week. It was completed by a social media campaign and a billboard campaign in the Paris metro, outdoors in the Ile-de-France region and in Nantes, Strasbourg, Lyon and Lille.

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

Maison FG expands its DAB+ coverage to 136 towns 
22.12.2025 - France France
With seven new cities covered by DAB+ for its Radio FG and FG Dance stations, Maison FG continues to expand its broadcasting reach. The group now has 136 cities covered by DAB+ for Radio FG and 14 for FG Dance. Maison FG announces the launch of Radio FG in Saint-Malo, Vitré, La Roche-sur-Yon, Les Sables d'Olonne and Challans. The station is now broadcast in DAB+ in 136 towns, complementing its FM presence in 41 towns, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Lille and Bordeaux. FG Dance is expanding to Lorient, bringing the number of cities covered by DAB+ to 14, including Paris, Marseille, Nice-Cannes, Bordeaux and the Arcachon Basin. Maison FG's Parisian DAB+ package includes Radio FG, FG Dance, Maxximum and FG Chic, the latter also available in Monaco-Nice, Ibiza, Berlin and Hamburg.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

DAB+ continues to roll out across France
22.12.2025 - Top story - France France
DAB+ continues to roll out across France. On Wednesday 17 December, digital terrestrial radio reached a new milestone with the launch of new DAB+ sites in several areas. In some areas, DAB+ is arriving for the first time, offering unprecedented access to this radio revolution. In others, coverage is expanding, with more radio stations joining those already available. This includes: The Brittany region (mainly Morbihan, Finistère and Côtes d'Armor), The Vendée department, The Charente department, Bourges, Montluçon, Cholet, as well as many other areas. The result: more radio stations, unrivalled quality and enhanced coverage for equipped listeners. The momentum continues, area after area.

(Ensemble pour le DAB+) Read more

TDF expands DAB+ radio broadcasting in Brittany, Normandy and Pays-de-la-Loire
19.12.2025 - TDF WorldDAB Member - France France
This week, TDF is launching nearly forty transmitters to ensure DAB+ radio broadcasting in France, including eighteen in Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire region. These new deployments, managed and carried out by TDF teams, often require impressive lifting equipment, such as helicopters or cranes. They demonstrate the expertise and technical mastery of TDF's experts and the commitment of its operational teams. The Ploërmel antenna, which has just been commissioned, now provides simultaneous FM and DAB+ radio broadcasting. This new ‘mixed’ technology, which TDF is developing throughout France, is the result of cutting-edge engineering work carried out by TDF's experts, who have a wealth of recognised experience and are based in Liffré and Toulouse.

(TDF) Read more

Rollout of DAB+ reaches a new milestone in Brittany and the Pays-de-la-Loire region
18.12.2025 - France France
At the end of 2025, DAB+, the digital terrestrial radio broadcasting mode, will continue its roll-out with the commissioning of 90 transmitters on 17 and 18 December 2025. These transmitters will mainly enhance the range of radio stations already available on DAB+, primarily in Brittany and the Pays-de-la-Loire region. Other towns in western France, such as Fontenay-le-Comte, Bernay and Bolbec, will also be covered by DAB+ for the first time. Metropolitan multiplexes, which bring together the main national public and private networks, will launch a total of 69 additional transmitters on 17 December 2025. From now on, the main urban areas of Brittany and the region's road network will be very well covered. The metropolitan offering can also be received on more than 9,000 km of motorway.

(Arcom) Read more

RMC expands its DAB+ broadcasting to new areas
17.12.2025 - France France
Starting this Wednesday, 17 December, RMC is expanding its DAB+ broadcast coverage to new areas in France. This development will initially affect several departments in the west of the country, before a second phase of roll-out planned for the coming months. The aim is to broaden access to the radio's news, talk and sports programmes via digital terrestrial broadcasting. Starting this Wednesday, RMC listeners will now be able to listen to the radio in the Côtes-d'Armor, Finistère, Morbihan and Vendée regions. This first step marks a geographical expansion of the digital terrestrial broadcasting of the sports news talk radio station. The system will be completed in a second phase.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Renewal of DAB+ trials in Martinique
26.11.2025 - France France - Martinique Martinique
Arcom has decided to renew the licences issued to IMédias and the Federation of Category A Radio Stations of Martinique (FEDERAM) for a DAB+ broadcasting trial, from 15 October 2025 to 31 July 2026, for the following radio services: Public service: France Inter, Martinique la 1ère; Category A: Espérance FM, FM Plus, Handi FM, Identité Radio, Mouv FM, Nord FM, Radio Actif Martinique, Radio Espoir, Radio Évangile Martinique (REM), Radio Fréquence Caraïbe, Radio Inter Tropicale, Radio Saint-Louis, Radio Sud-Est, RBR (Radio Banlieue Relax), RCA (Radio Canal Antilles), RLDM (Radio Lévé Doubout Matinik), SEM Radio, Super Radio; Category B: Mixx FM, Radio Fusion, Radio Imagine, RFA (Radio Fréquence Atlantique); Web radio : Fusion Compas, Fusion Gold, Fusion Salsa, Marknet Jazz.

(Arcom) Read more

French National Assembly committee supports DAB+ promotion
03.11.2025 - France France
In a statement on Friday, the association Ensemble pour le DAB+, which works to promote DAB+, a digital radio broadcasting technology, welcomed the creation of a €600,000 grant from the sector, earmarked for the association. Last Wednesday, the National Assembly's Committee on Cultural Affairs and Education approved the creation of this grant to promote DAB+. ‘The amendment received broad cross-party support, notably from the Committee Chair and the rapporteur for the Media, Books and Cultural Industries Mission,’ the association said. DAB+ currently covers two-thirds of the French population and will reach 80% by the end of 2026.

(CB News) Read more

The transition to DAB+ debated within the FCRA
07.10.2025 - France France
The Corsican Federation of Community Radio Stations brought its member stations together in Cervioni to discuss an issue that is raising questions among community radio stations: the transition to DAB+. ARCOM (the French Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication) launched a consultation and a call for contributions, which the Federation's partner radio stations followed via videoconference before meeting in Cervioni to discuss this fundamental change, which is scheduled to officially begin in January 2028. During this meeting in Cervioni, the FCRA radio stations jointly assessed how to approach the technical and financial aspects of the DAB+ rollout in Corsica.

(Stampa Paese) Read more

More DAB+ trials in Réunion: now in Saint-Leu and Saint-Paul
19.09.2025 - France France - Réunion Réunion
Arcom has decided: to renew, from 1 August 2025 to 31 May 2026, the authorisation granted to SAS Coméquip to trial DAB+ broadcasting in Saint-Denis, Le Tampon and Saint-André; to authorise the aforementioned company to trial DAB+ broadcasting in Saint-Leu and Saint-Paul from 1 August 2025 to 31 May 2026; to renew, from 1 August 2025 to 31 May 2026, the authorisation granted to the Fédération des radios associatives de La Réunion (FAR) to trial DAB+ broadcasting in Saint-Denis.

(Arcom) Read more

Fip to be available in 76% of the country via DAB+ in 2026
17.09.2025 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France France
After a historic year, Fip is maintaining its programming schedule for the 2025/2026 season. This gives media+ the opportunity to discuss the station's highlights and the benefits of DAB+ deployment with Ruddy Aboab, Director of Fip. media+ asked: What does the rollout of DAB+ mean for Fip? "Thanks to the rollout of DAB+ digital radio, Fip's unique, feel-good programming is now more widely available across the country," said Aboab. "Not only will Fip be accessible across 76% of the country by 2026, but it will also offer much higher sound quality. We are moving from 10 FM frequencies to 189 frequencies via DAB+. That's the challenge for tomorrow!"

(media+) Read more

  • Paris_radio_show_600

    Retrouvez le WorldDAB au Paris Radio Show 2025

    14.01.2025

    Le 28 janvier, le Paris Radio Show, le seul événement professionnel en France dédié à l'industrie de la radio, ouvrira ses portes. Le WorldDAB propose d’échanger sur les tendances qui façonnent l’avenir de la radiodiffusion numérique mais aussi de partager les meilleures pratiques dans le déploiement du DAB+.

    Read more

  • Paris_radio_show_600

    WorldDAB at Paris Radio Show 2025

    13.01.2025

    On 28 January, the Paris Radio Show, France's only trade event dedicated to the radio industry, will open its doors. The Show covers major issues for the future development of radio, including the deployment of DAB+. WorldDAB will discuss the trends shaping the future of digital broadcasting, and to share best practices.

    Read more

  • Arcom_livre_blanc_600

    Radio in France looks to a digital future

    19.07.2024

    Arcom has recently published its “White Paper of the future of radio”. WorldDAB's Programme Manager in France, Jean-Marc Dubreuil looks at the country's radio sector and how DAB+ is at the heart of Arcom's proposals for the digital future.

    Read more

  • Logo-prs-generique-fnoir_600x400

    WorldDAB centre stage at events in 2024

    31.01.2024

    It’s another packed year of amazing industry events around the world. We start this year with Paris Radio Show, from 6 February. Plus we hope to see you at our own WorldDAB Automotive 2024, which we’re delighted to announce this year will be in the beautiful city of Prague on 13 June.

    Read more

  • Rendez-vous-les-2-et-3-juin-pour-celebrer-partout-en-dans-toute-la-france-la-fete-de-la-radio-2022

    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.

    Read more

  • Dab__major_launch_12_october_2021_%282%29

    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.

    Read more

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 65.2 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 54.8%
Services: 460 DAB+
Line-fit automotive sales (cumulative): 6,346,000 devices
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 98%
Total Sales (cumulative): 8,394,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 13.7%
Last update: 18.07.2024

Useful Links

DAB+ services on air in France
Annuaire 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
Ensemble pour le DAB+