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Germany

Last update: 03.07.2026 - older versions

Nationwide programme offering

In addition to the Deutschlandradio programmes Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Deutschlandfunk Nova and the digital channel Deutschlandfunk Dokumente und Debatten, numerous other private radio programmes can be heard on the first national DAB+ platform. Private stations such as Radio BOB!, sunshine live, Klassik Radio and Schwarzwaldradio, which can only be received locally or regionally on FM, are available terrestrially throughout Germany via DAB+. The private programmes Absolut Relax, Energy (national), Radio Schlagerparadies and ERF Plus are only available terrestrially on DAB+.

A total of 12 additional transmitters are scheduled to go into operation on the first national programme platform this year. One focus is Schleswig-Holstein, where the switch from FM to DAB+ decided by politicians, public and private programme providers began this year.

By the end of 2025, the DAB+ transmitter network will comprise a total of 182 locations, bringing the number of residents who can receive the 13 programmes at home with a room antenna to around 77.7 million. This corresponds to more than 91 per cent of the population. Area coverage for mobile reception is already at more than 97 per cent and will increase slightly further by the end of 2025, while coverage on motorways is already over 99 per cent, which is almost full coverage.

The second national programme platform operated by Antenne Deutschland offers additional nationwide stations. Well-known offerings such as RTL Radio, Oldie Antenne, Rock Antenne (both from Antenne Bayern), the Absolut Group and special interest formats such as Beats Radio enhance the nationwide offering and make it attractive to listeners throughout Germany. Ballermann Radio, another programme for a specific target group, was launched in 2024.

Digitalradio Büro Deutschland provides an overview of DAB+ in the federal states 2026.

Latest audience data

Listening data is available in this summary from Digitalradio Büro Deutschland: “The ma 2025 audio II: DAB+ programs with strong growth.” “The figures from ma 2025 Audio II show a continued steady increase in digital radio usage, especially in the DAB+ segment. This is particularly beneficial for providers who broadcast their programs primarily or exclusively digitally, recording significant growth.”

General Radio Usage and Reach

Radio remains the most widely used and dominant audio medium in Germany.
It accounts for 73% of the total daily audio usage.
On average, people aged 14 and older listen to the radio for 189 minutes (3 hours and 9 minutes) per working day. This represents an increase of 6 minutes compared to 2024 (183 minutes).
The daily reach of radio on working days is 74.9% among the population aged 14 and older.
Over a broader four-week period, radio reaches 92.0% of the adult population, cementing its status as a mass medium.
Radio experiences its highest reach in the morning hours, peaking between 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM with an average reach of up to 34% of the population.

Source: VAUNET

FM switch-off in Schleswig-Holstein

2025 has also seen the start of FM switch-off in Schleswig-Holstein. In July 2025, the Medienanstalt Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein (MA HSH) provided an update on the progress of the FM shutdowns. “Now, additional programmes have reduced their FM locations, including both private and public broadcasters: After Klassik Radio decommissioned its FM frequency at the Güby location in Schleswig-Holstein some time ago, FM broadcasting in the Itzehoe region was discontinued on 1 July 2025. In addition to Klassik Radio, Deutschlandradio is also focusing on digital broadcasting.

“Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandfunk Kultur have discontinued analogue broadcasting at a total of nine locations, with only two locations remaining in operation on a transitional basis. The change is part of a state-wide digitisation campaign agreed upon by private and public radio stations, the state government and the state media authority as part of a road map: by 2031, programme broadcasting via FM antenna is to be completely, but gradually, converted to DAB+ digital radio.”

DAB+ world premiere: the new ASA warning system

After two years of intensive collaboration, the WorldDAB association and Digitalradio Deutschland e.V. are presenting an exemplary innovation for DAB+ digital radio: the Automatic Safety Alert (ASA) warning system, which protects the population in emergencies and crises and reliably transmits safety messages digitally via radio without an internet connection.

Listeners benefit from a system that keeps them informed even when mobile phone or internet connections are down. ASA works automatically in the background, can be adapted to the region where you live, and offers high availability thanks to the DAB+ radio transmission network.

Public and private radio stations in Germany, the device industry and security authorities such as the BBK (Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance) have set themselves the goal of providing a new important component in the warning mix for crisis situations with ASA and DAB+ digital radio. With powerful transmission masts covering large distances, DAB+ offers the possibility of sending regionalised warning messages. This function ensures that people in the affected areas are warned accurately and in good time. New generations of DAB+ radios now support the ASA standard. The website www.dabplus.de/asa has been set up for B2B customers.

DAB+ regulation

According to Germany's Telecoms Law, all new car radios should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21 December 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code.

The law also requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example, DAB+ or IP) – from the same date. Read the press release on the new German national legislation here

Last update: 04.08.2025 - older versions

Digital radio is available in all metropolitan areas. The total coverage (combined coverage of ARD multiplexes and the national multiplex) is 98% of the population.

The 1st level road coverage of the national network is 12,700 km which is equal to 98%.

Detailed information on the network coverage can be found on the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland website.

Last update: 27.08.2025 - older versions

In this country there are

National multiplexes: 2 Regular
Regional multiplexes: 44 Regular
Local multiplexes: 34 Regular

on air.

An up-to-date overview of the DAB+ digital radio services on air in Germany is available on the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland website.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	200	100	300

Last update: 04.08.2025 - older versions

Amendment to the Telecommunications Act, Section 48, para. 4 and 5

According to Germany's new national legislation on digital radio, all radios in new cars should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21 Dec 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code. The law also requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example,DAB+ or IP) – from the same date.

The new German national legislation with explanatory text is available in English here.

Last update: 04.08.2025 - older versions

German Government mandates Digital Interface in most radios

In September 2019, the German federal parliament reiterated its commitment to DAB+ by passing a revision to its Telecoms Law. The law was approved, and made official in November 2019.

The law requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example, DAB+ or IP) – from the same date. The new German national legislation with explanatory text is available in English here.

Initiative Digital Radio Deutschland Product Finder

Overview list of the digital radio receivers available on the German market

The 2020 Digitisation Report carried out by Die Medienanstalten during IFA 2020 is available here (in German)

Digital Radio Germany's 2020 DAB+ report is available here (in German)

Last update: 18.07.2022 - older versions

There are currently no news available for this section.

Last update: 01.12.2022 - older versions

What about the radio button in the car?

Are audio systems and voice assistants in car user interfaces within the meaning of the State Media Treaty? This question is the subject of a legal opinion commissioned by the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia. On 23 November 2022, the expert opinion by Prof. Dr. Ralf Müller-Terpitz entitled "Rechtliche Einordnung von Audiosystemen und Sprachassistenten mit dem Fokus Auto" (Legal classification of audio systems and voice assistants with a focus on cars) was published and can now be downloaded from the Authority's website.

The conclusion of the expert opinion is that integrated audio systems represent a user interface for linear radio reception in the car. The same applies to the manufacturers' own voice assistants which are responsible for the navigation of the audio system. Thus, car manufacturers fall under the Treaty and must in future comply with the regulations for linear radio reception in the integrated audio system. "The result of the expert opinion is essentially: What looks like a user interface and is operated like a user interface is a user interface. This is good news for radio, for journalism and for users," said Dr. Tobias Schmid, Director of the Landesanstalt für Medien NRW, commenting on the results of the expert opinion.

Read the full press release from Landesanstalt für Medien NRW

DAB+ regulation in Germany

In September 2019, the German federal parliament reiterated its commitment to DAB+ by passing a revision to its Telecoms Law.

The law was approved, and made official in November 2019. According to the revised law, all radios in new cars should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21st Dec 2020 – as required by the European Electronic Communications Code.

The obligation only applies to new cars, and does not apply to quads, trucks or other vehicles for goods transport. The law also requires all new consumer radios, capable of displaying a station’s name, to be able to receive digital signals (for example, DAB+ or IP) – from the same date.

The new German national legislation with explanatory text is available in English here.

Last update: 20.08.2025 - older versions

The following websites provide information on all available services, the latest marketing and receivers for home and on the move:

Digitalradio Büro Deutschland

DAB+ promotion campaigns

YouTube tip: to see video subtitles in your local language, click on the settings icon located at the bottom right of the video, select settings, then auto translate, then your preferred language option.

2025

2021

Summer 2019

The German digital radio industry (public and commercial radio) organised a DAB+ promotion week from 13-24 May 2019. Cross-media activities included on-air radio spots, consumer and B2B print advertisements and advertorials, social media and on www.dabplus.de. The week included also training and promotion within the retail sector.

Summer 2018

A new German multimedia campaign promoting DAB+ will launch on 27 August, with the slogan "DAB+. Mehr Radio" (DAB+, More Radio) to be branded across TV, radio, print and online. On 30 August, an "Editorial Theme Day" will be held at IFA Berlin by German broadcaster ARD and other commercial radio stations to discuss the benefits of DAB+. The initiative is a collaboration between German broadcaster ARD and other commercial radio stations, as part of a nationwide rebrand of DAB+.

Christmas 2017

Christmas promotion "Give a DAB + Radio" Starting November 27th, in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, radio and TV spots will once again be broadcasting spots and actions about the DAB + listening experience at ARD, Deutschlandradio, private radio stations and other partners.

May 2017

ARD and Deutschlandradio started a cross-media nationwide marketing campaign for DAB+ radio from 2 May 2017. The campaign will include radio, television and internet, as well as images for print and online use. DAB+ has also received an eye-catching new logo, with which broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers can promote the new radio standard.

Examples of the implementation of new DAB+ logo can be viewed here: http://www.digitalradio.de/index.php/de/haendlerbereich. Download the Press Release.

Under the motto "As clear as if I were there", the ARD has a nationwide marketing campaign for DAB+ together with Deutschlandradio and other partners. This includes TV commercials as well as on numerous online channels. In the ARD, with Deutschlandradio and private broadcasters are broadcasting various radio adspots. In addition, there are print and online motifs on the new website www.dabplus.de.

Last update: 04.08.2025 - older versions

The "Automatic Safety Alert (ASA)" warning system protects the population in emergencies and crises with reliable safety messages on the radio. Listeners benefit from a system that informs them even when mobile or internet connections are interrupted. ASA operates automatically in the background, can be regionally adapted to the location, and offers high availability. The new standard has been introduced worldwide; initial tests were conducted at the IFA Berlin and on the nationwide warning day in September. New generations of DAB+ radio devices now support the ASA standard.

Find out more on the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland website and on our Automatic Safety Alert page.

BR radio frequencies in the Inn Valley will change from 21 July

10.07.2026 - Germany

For listeners in the coverage area of the Inntal/Ebbs transmitter near Kiefersfelden, the FM frequencies for five BR radio stations will change from 21 July: Bayern 1, Bayern 2, Bayern 3, BR Klassik and BR24. In future, the BR will broadcast these programmes exclusively via DAB+ from the Inntal/Ebbs site. They can still be received via FM on the frequencies of the Wendelstein transmitter. The reason for this is the decommissioning of the Inntal/Ebbs FM transmitter for economic reasons and to improve energy efficiency in broadcasting. The municipalities of Kiefersfelden and Oberaudorf, which were previously also served by the transmitter via FM, will still be able to receive the BR’s FM programmes via the Wendelstein transmitter.

(Bayerischer Rundfunk) Read more

Bavaria will be chilling in a whole new way! CHILLOUT ANTENNE Bayern goes on air at sunrise on DAB+

08.07.2026 - Germany

When the sun rises, the people of Bavaria will wake up to a new radio station: CHILLOUT ANTENNE Bayern launches on 7 July, on DAB+ with a fresh sound for Bavaria – and promises: “Everything in the flow”. Following audience surveys over the past few weeks – the station had only been awarded the licence by the Media Commission of the Bavarian State Office for New Media at the beginning of May – the sound has now been finalised: CHILLOUT ANTENNE Bayern is focusing on a modern electronic mix of pop dance and house. Deep house, chill house, melodic house and organic house characterise the programme. Via DAB+, the new programme reaches around 9.6 million people in Upper Bavaria, Swabia, Middle Franconia and Upper Franconia.

(ANTENNE BAYERN) Read more

Radio Energy is giving up its FM frequency in Erlangen

03.07.2026 - Germany

The FM frequency 93.6 MHz in Erlangen will be switched off on 30 June, Radio Energy has announced. The station is encouraging its listeners to switch to digital broadcasting. Communication with listeners is primarily focused on the switch to DAB+. As part of this, the station is highlighting the standard’s typical advantages, such as crystal-clear sound quality and uninterrupted reception whilst driving. Radio Energy is supporting the frequency change with an on-air promotion. Through a prize draw, the station is currently giving away DAB+ radios to selected members of its audience in order to further boost hardware penetration within its coverage area.

(radioWOCHE.de) Read more

Funkanalyse Bayern 2026: egoFM grows by 66 per cent, even after FM switch-off

03.07.2026 - Germany

From egoFM: "Once a year, the Funkanalyse Bayern (FAB) surveys the reach of all radio and television programmes. The results of the 2026 Bavarian Radio Analysis were published today in Nuremberg as part of the 2026 Local Broadcasting Days. And this year’s figures have us absolutely delighted. egoFM has increased its average hourly reach in Bavaria by an impressive 66 per cent – from 18,000 to 30,000 listeners. We have also seen a significant increase in our daily reach: From 74,000 to 97,000. This development is particularly remarkable given that last year we gave up all our FM frequencies in Munich, Augsburg, Regensburg, Würzburg and Nuremberg and have since been focusing consistently on DAB+, streaming and digital distribution channels."

(egoFM) Read more

DAB+ services in the federal states: an overview

03.07.2026 - Germany

DAB+, today’s radio standard and the digital successor to FM, remains the key driver of radio digitisation in 2026. According to the latest ma 2026 Audio I survey – the benchmark for radio and online audio usage – DAB+ now reaches 34.5 per cent of the population in the WHK. The WHK (Weitester Hörerkreis) is a reach metric that measures, for example, the awareness of a radio brand. This represents an increase compared with the 32.9 per cent recorded in ma 2025 Audio II. Among the 30–59 age group, the figure is even higher at 41.7 per cent (previously: 39.9 per cent). As shown by the media authorities’ “Audio Trends 2025” report, more than three-quarters of all people who had listened to linear radio in the past four weeks already had access to DAB+ or web radio within the “Wider Audience” (WHK).

(Digitalradio Büro Deutschland) Read more

DAB+ nationwide: Deutschlandradio’s network continues to grow

01.07.2026 - Deutschlandradio WorldDAB Member - Germany

Deutschlandradio is continuing to drive forward the digitalisation of radio. With eleven new transmitters planned for 2026, the number of DAB+ transmitter sites will rise to a total of 193. Following the successful launch of the Rottweil-Deilingen site at the end of June, further sites are due to come online in the third and fourth quarters in Baden-Württemberg (Witthoh and Heidenheim), Bavaria (Gemünden, Esselbach and Einödriegel), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Wustrow), Rhineland-Palatinate (Linz), Thuringia (Suhl), Saxony (Weißwasser) and Schleswig-Holstein (Puttgarden). In selected regions with very good digital radio reception, Deutschlandradio switched off a number of smaller FM transmitters with a short range on 30 June.

(Digitalradio Büro Deutschland) Read more

Regionalised DAB+ coverage in North Rhine-Westphalia: DAB+ multiplex in the Münsterland region launches on 1 July

01.07.2026 - Media Broadcast GmbH WorldDAB Member - Germany

The expansion of regionalised DAB+ radio broadcasting in North Rhine-Westphalia continues to progress: Media Broadcast has successfully launched the DAB+ multiplex for the Münsterland region at three locations. This marks the roll-out of the sixth and final region of the regionalised DAB+ network in NRW. With the start of broadcasting, up to 16 programme slots with a wide reach are now available to independent radio broadcasters in the Münsterland region. Listeners can now enjoy an expanded range of regional programmes in digital quality. The Münsterland region is served via the three sites in Münster, Schöppingen and Recklinghausen. The following six stations are now available via DAB+ in the Münsterland region: Radio WAF, Radio WMW, Radio Kiepenkerl, Hit Radio Vest, Radio RST and Antenne Münster.

(Media Broadcast) Read more

Digital ahead of FM: Radio reception in Bavaria reaches a turning point – DAB+ is growing

23.06.2026 - Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) WorldDAB Member - Germany

Radio listening in Bavaria continues to shift towards digital platforms. In 2026, 48.1 per cent of the population aged 14 and over in Bavaria will listen to the radio via digital platforms on an average working day – and for the first time, this will be significantly more than via FM. DAB+ is the key driver of this shift. These are the initial preliminary findings from the ‘Funkanalyse Bayern Hörfunk 2026’ (FAB) study, which will be presented tomorrow at the Local Media Days in Nuremberg. Dr Thorsten Schmiege, President of the Bavarian State Office for New Media (BLM): “Radio usage in Bavaria is becoming increasingly digital. A turning point has been reached this year: digital radio usage will overtake FM in 2026.”

(Bayerischen Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM)) Read more

Hesse Media Authority Assembly discusses DAB+ capacity

23.06.2026 - Germany

At its meeting, the Assembly of the Hesse State Media Authority took decisions on the allocation of digital capacity for two radio stations: RADIO BOB GmbH & Co. KG, based in Kassel, will also broadcast its Hesse-based niche radio programme ‘RADIO BOB!’ via DAB+ from 1 September 2026. The allocation is valid until February 2030, in line with the temporary state-wide licence. In addition, the broadcaster’s nationwide programme “RADIO BOB!”, for which it holds an indefinite licence, will continue to be available via the first DAB+ national multiplex in Hesse and throughout Germany. The full-service radio programme “ANTENNE MAINZ” from Radio Mainz Live Rundfunk GmbH, which has been broadcast via the “Hessen Süd” DAB+ multiplex (channel 12C) since 2016, will continue to be available via DAB+ in southern Hesse for the next ten years following the extension of the allocation.

(Medienanstalt Hessen) Read more

More regional news coverage for Brandenburg

23.06.2026 - Germany

From 2028, the DAB+ programmes from BB Radio, 94 3 rs2, Berliner Rundfunk 91.4 and Schlager Radio will be split into five regional channels in Brandenburg. For listeners, this means they will receive local news, weather and traffic updates tailored precisely to their region. The Media Council of the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Authority (mabb) awarded the necessary DAB+ allocations in June. Martin Gorholt, Chair of the mabb Media Council: “You can’t get any more regional than this! This technical change will enable radio producers to respond even better to the needs of their listeners in Brandenburg. And for the listeners themselves, it represents a huge benefit, as they will be provided with even better locally relevant information.”

(Medienrat der Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg (mabb)) Read more

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Key Information

Status:	regular
Population:	83.8 million
Population coverage:	98%
Services:	300 DAB+
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard:	96%
Total Sales (cumulative):	28,300,000 devices
Penetration by household:	34%
Last update: 24.04.2026