France

Last update: 22.09.2023 - 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. 

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Older pieces of legislation in France related to DAB+ in cars have been superseded by the transposition in November 2020 of the EECC into French legislation.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: 22.09.2023 - older versions

DAB+ digital terrestrial radio continues to roll out across France. With its arrival in towns such as Bayonne, Besançon, Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, Metz, Nancy and Pau, this summer DAB+ passed the symbolic milestone of covering 50% of the French population. A trial has also been underway in Martinique since January. With the continued roll-out of national antennas between October 2023 and March 2024, more than 60% of the population will be covered by DAB+ by early 2024.

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: 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.

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

 

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.  

Radio France stations now available on DAB+
18.10.2021 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France France
Since 12 October, France Bleu, the local network of Radio France, can now be received on DAB+ by nearly 16 million inhabitants. Ditto for other radio stations in the group (France Inter, Franceinfo, France Culture, France Musique, FIP and Mouv’), thanks to 28 DAB+ transmitters going live.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


towerCast France launch national DAB+
13.10.2021 - towerCast WorldDAB Member - Paneda WorldDAB Member - France France
The network operator towerCast has completed the roll out and launch of the new national DAB+ network, using multiplexer systems from Paneda. The new systems were put into operation October 12th. The system has been installed in towerCast's own datacenter, using the new Paneda template handling for VMware, enabling customers to install a complete DAB system by themselves in an easy way. Lars-Peder Lundgren, Marketing Director at Paneda says: “Now that France is starting up national DAB, it is of course very satisfying that Paneda has been chosen as a supplier for this prestigious order. This makes us proud and at the same time we are aware that it comes with a responsibility, and we are ready to handle such commitments”. Raphael Eyraud, President of towerCast says: “We show once again that we are a leading provider of total solutions for the broadcast industry, and we are proud to keep working with national digital radio for the French audience”.

(Paneda, towerCast) Read more


25 national DAB+ stations launch in France
12.10.2021 - France France
In a statement CSA President Roch-Olivier Maistre said: "The deployment of DAB+ in France has entered a new phase with the launch on 12 October 2021 of 25 national radio stations in Paris, Lyon and Marseille, integrating all the agglomerations located on this route. Today, digital radio is already a reality for 30% of the population and DAB+ receivers are present in all new passenger vehicles sold in France. In the coming weeks and months, there will be 465 radios stations available on DAB+ covering nearly 40% of the population. The deployment of DAB+ will continue and intensify in the coming months."

(CSA.fr) Read more


National DAB+ launch in France fuelling rapid growth in DAB+ receiver sales
12.10.2021 - France France
France has launched two new national multiplexes that will broadcast 25 DAB+ stations, including national services from Radio France and leading private broadcasters. Patrick Hannon, WorldDAB president, said ‘The launch of two national multiplexes in France is a critical milestone in the development of DAB – not only for France but for the whole of Europe. This launch, coupled with the recently introduced French radio receiver law, creates an unprecedented opportunity for growth in the DAB+ receiver market in France. As the market leader in DAB receivers, Frontier is supporting DAB growth in Europe with their Siena and Kino DAB+ receiver solutions.’

(Advanced Television) Read more


Latina goes national thanks to DAB+
11.10.2021 - France France
France's Group 1981 continues to grow its audience on DAB+ with the launch of Latina on national DAB+ on 12 October. To celebrate the launch, Latina will dedicate a special day to DAB+ on 12 October to introduce listeners to this new broadcast mode. For Jean-Éric Valli, President of the 1981 Group: "I am happy to see Latina become a national radio station. DAB+ is an essential project for radio that we have firmly supported since 2008. More efficient for listeners, this mode of broadcasting guarantees publishers control over their broadcasting.

(La Lettre Pro) Read more


DAB+ deployment continues across France
06.10.2021 - France France
The start of national DAB+ covering the Paris-Lyon-Marseille axis and its 2,000 km of road and motorway network is a significant step in the deployment of digital radio and represents a major advance in the modernisation of radio. By 2022, 50% of the French population will be covered by DAB+. Thanks to DAB+ radio is looking firmly to the future as it celebrates its 100th year.

(CSA.fr) Read more


Major new milestone for DAB+ in France on 12 October
06.10.2021 - France France
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. These 25 radios are in addition to the hundreds of radio stations already available regionally and locally on DAB+, and bringing DAB+ coverage to over 30% of the French population. This launch is complemented by further new regional deployments taking place in Dijon, Avignon, Toulon as well as new multiplexes going on air in the major city of Marseille.

(WorldDAB ) Read more


French broadcasters prepare listeners for DAB+
22.09.2021 - France France
With the national launch of DAB+ in October, commercial radio stations OÜI FM, Latina and others are educating its listeners via its website about DAB+: "82% de la population française pourra écouter OÜI FM en DAB+". Listeners are informed that listening on DAB+ is better sound quality with no interference, is free-to-air, and no longer any need to search frequencies.

(ouifm.fr ) Read more


Turning point for national DAB+ in France
21.07.2021 - Radio France WorldDAB Member - France France
Last Thursday the CSA authorised 25 stations to broadcast programmes via DAB+ on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille axis. This first step towards the national deployment of digital radio aims to strengthen radio listening. Last week was the date when broadcast could start at the earliest. Taking into consideration the time to set up the infrastructure, the radio stations should start broadcasting 12 October.

(France Culture) Read more


French children's station Radio Pitchoun extends reach
20.07.2021 - France France
Radio Pitchoun is launching on DAB+ in 40 urban areas across France. As part of its national deployment, Radio Pitchoun is now broadcast from 15 transmitters, most recently in Toulon and Calais. Says Laurent Brochet, its founding president: "DAB+ is the innovation that will drive the radio of tomorrow; better listening quality, wider reception, continuity of reception and visual programmes".

(La Lettre Pro) 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: 26.02.2024

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