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France

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.

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: 22.09.2023 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

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.

France DAB+ Broadcast Networks

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: 18.07.2024 - older versions

In France, as of H2 2023, 98% of new cars sold are equipped with DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

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

DAB+: Radio FG arrives in Reims and Châlons-en-Champagne

03.03.2023 - France

Radio FG has started broadcasting its programmes on DAB+ in Reims, Châlons-en-Champagne, Epernay, Charleville Mézières, and Vitry-le-François and will cover a large part of Champagne-Ardenne. The Château-Thierry broadcast will open in May. The deployment of DAB+ and its audience are accelerating rapidly in France and FG has supported the deployment of this new broadcasting method from the outset. Radio FG broadcasts its programmes in 32 cities on FM and DAB+.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

France Bleu's DAB+ campaign

02.03.2023 - France

In the coming months, France Bleu's DAB+ broadcasting will be gradually extended to new stations in the network, including France Bleu Armorique, France Bleu Béarn, France Bleu Besançon, France Bleu Breiz Izel, France Bleu Limousin, France Bleu Lorraine Nord, France Bleu Pays Basque, France Bleu Pays d'Auvergne and France Bleu Sud Lorraine. Since 1 March 2023, France Bleu Champagne Ardenne has been available on DAB+ with 7 new transmitters for nearly 858,000 inhabitants. This new broadcasting of this network station allows France Bleu to be received in DAB+ digital radio by nearly 28 million inhabitants, i.e. 42.9% of the French metropolitan population.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

TDF launches DAB+ digital radio broadcasting in Champagne

01.03.2023 - TDF WorldDAB Member - France

On Wednesday 1 March, TDF is launching the broadcasting of DAB+ digital radio at its transmission sites in Reims-ville (Marne), Troyes-Saint-André-les-Vergers (Aube), Sompuis (Marne) and Berru (Marne). These four TDF sites cover the Reims conurbation, the towns of Troyes and Vitry-le-François and, more widely, the A26 motorway for reception in cars. A fifth TDF broadcasting site will be brought into service by the summer to cover the town of Château-Thierry and the A4 motorway to Reims. The population in this area will eventually be able to receive thirteen radio stations in digital quality.

(TDF) Read more

DAB+: Radio Orient available in Nîmes and Perpignan

23.02.2023 - France

From Thursday 23 February, Radio Orient programmes are now available in Nîmes and also in Perpignan on DAB+. These new launches bring the number of areas operated by Radio Orient to 39 on DAB+ and 11 on FM. This makes Radio Orient one of the largest networks currently broadcasting via digital radio. Other important new sectors will be launched during 2023.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Radio FG on DAB+ in several southern cities

23.02.2023 - France

Radio FG has started broadcasting its programme on DAB+ in Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan, Narbonne and Béziers, and will cover a large part of Languedoc-Roussillon. Maison FG publishes a radio bouquet of four stations on DAB+: FG DJ Radio, already present in 41 cities, FG CHIC, haute couture music in Paris and Monaco, Maxximum, the Paris Electronic Radio in Paris and DanceOne for a young audience with EDM programming in Paris, Marseille and Nice.

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Radio Ado and Oüi FM arrive on DAB+ in Montpellier

23.02.2023 - France

Digital terrestrial radio (DAB+) continues to expand in French cities. After Caen and Le Havre at the beginning of February, listeners in Montpellier will be able to listen to digital terrestrial radio and discover Ado, "the mythical hip-hop and R&B radio station", as well as Oüi FM, "the only French rock radio station". "With DAB+, listening to the radio becomes easier and more enjoyable," explains the 1981 Group. "All the stations available around you simply appear as a list on the receiver's screen. To choose Ado or Oüi FM, simply select the name of the radio on a DAB+ compatible device."

(La Lettre Pro de la Radio) Read more

Le Figaro invests in transformation, including DAB+ radio station

20.02.2023 - France

The momentum is strong. After a year of solid recovery in 2021, the Figaro group posted another good performance last year. "We had an excellent year in 2022, even better than 2021," says Marc Feuillée, its managing director. These results will enable the Figaro group, "solidly armed", to embark on an "ambitious" year 2023 and to support new projects. "The most visible investment will of course be in audiovisual development, with the launch of a terrestrial television channel in the Île-de-France region, Le Figaro TV, and a DAB radio station, Le Figaro Radio, which already has three local frequencies, in Île-de-France, Marseille and Nice," explains Feuillée.

(Le Figaro) Read more

Charles-Emmanuel Bon appointed Secretary General of Radio France

20.02.2023 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France

Charles-Emmanuel Bon, previously Director of Distribution and Strategic Projects, was appointed Secretary General of Radio France on 13 February 2023. He is a member of the Executive Committee and the Management Committee of Radio France. His main tasks are to monitor strategic projects and cross-functional issues, internal governance, institutional relations and distribution issues. The departments and services in charge of institutional and international relations, legal affairs, purchasing, internal audit and control, business continuity, distribution, personal data and written archives report to him. As Secretary General, he is also in charge of steering corporate social responsibility (CSR).

(Radio France) Read more

WorldDAB Automotive 2023 date announced

17.02.2023 -

- France

WorldDAB has set a date and place for its next automotive conference: June 15, from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., in Paris, at Maison de la Radio, Radio France. The conference is also online and free to attend, but registration is essential. With millions tuning into their car radio daily, broadcast radio’s presence in the connected dash is critical for years to come. The event will present the latest initiatives broadcasters and auto manufacturers are working on to enhance the radio listener’s experience in the car. Leading car brands and radio broadcasters will share their vision of the opportunities and challenges presented by connected cars and why DAB+ remains essential for radio’s future.

(RedTech) Read more

World Radio Day: An evolving medium

13.02.2023 - France

On the occasion of World Radio Day, Top Music interviewed Christophe Schalk, director of Top Music and president of SIRTI (Syndicat des radios indépendantes). "DAB+ was launched nine years ago in France, and in Alsace we have been broadcasting our stations in DAB+ for four years now throughout the area. At present, all the radio players in France, the national players, public radio and us, the independent private operators, have joined together in an association called "Ensemble pour le DAB+" (Together for DAB+) and we are now going to start a communication campaign on this broadcasting method and therefore on reception for the general public."

(Top Music) Read more

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Key Information

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