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Germany

Last update: 04.03.2026 - 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 2025.

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.

Younger, more diverse: WDR plans to revamp its youth radio programming

27.03.2026 - Germany

WDR intends to strategically reposition its youth radio stations in order to specifically target younger people, particularly those with international backgrounds. WDR’s statutory remit stipulates that one of its programmes must continue to focus on intercultural coexistence. Alongside the well-known youth channel 1LIVE, the existing COSMO is to be developed into a channel for the culturally diverse and urban community, in which hip-hop – the world’s largest and most unifying youth culture – plays a central role. The new third channel, which, as before, can be accessed online and via DAB+ as 1LIVE DIGGI, is intended to target the growing group of young people who, in a digitally overstimulated media world, long for peace, security and a calm media environment.

(WDR) Read more

Schleswig-Holstein: Radio reach stable or growing after switch to DAB+

27.03.2026 - Germany

Last year, several radio stations in Schleswig-Holstein switched their broadcasts from FM to DAB+ digital radio, including RADIO BOB! rockt Schleswig-Holstein, Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandfunk Kultur. The latest ma 2026 Audio I study provides insights into audience reach trends in Germany’s northernmost state as well as at national level. Among other things, it contains data on how many listeners tuned in to each programme within the so-called widest audience reach (WHK) over the past four weeks. This figure indicates how well-known a radio brand is and how many people it reaches. Deutschlandfunk was able to significantly increase its reach in the WHK by 8.7 per cent (previous year: 401,000 listeners).

(Digitalradio Büro Deutschland) Read more

The DAB+ landscape in Berlin and Brandenburg is being restructured

25.03.2026 - Germany

The Berlin-Brandenburg Media Authority (mabb) is paving the way for a radical overhaul of digital radio broadcasting in the capital region. The tender for DAB+ transmission capacity, approved by the Media Council on 3 March 2026, marks the start of a multi-stage transformation process that will fundamentally alter the existing structure and, from September 2028, transition to a new, regionally differentiated system. The focus is on moving away from the previous nationwide multiplex structures towards a more regionalised model. “We want to make the entire DAB+ landscape future-proof,” emphasises mabb Deputy Director Dr Marco Holtz to RADIOSZENE. The reorganisation is intended to take into account the differing needs of both nationwide and locally operating broadcasters.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more

Back on the airwaves across Saxony: Rundfunk-Kombinat Sachsen returns to DAB+

21.03.2026 - Germany

After a lengthy period without digital broadcasting, Rundfunk-Kombinat Sachsen will return to the statewide DAB+ platform on 31 March 2026. This officially marks the end of the period of technical restrictions during which the programme could only be broadcast via alternative channels. The comeback will be celebrated with a special day of programming that once again highlights the diversity of the project’s content. The programme is designed by and for people in Saxony and aims to give a voice to those who are often overlooked in the commercially driven media landscape. The relaunch on DAB+ is a crucial step for the team behind the station to secure a statewide presence and permanently establish non-commercial broadcasting even outside the major urban centres.

(radioWOCHE.de) Read more

NDR continues with FM switch-offs in Schleswig-Holstein

17.03.2026 - Germany

Norddeutscher Rundfunk is continuing with its FM switch-offs in Schleswig-Holstein. This time, listeners on the North Sea island of Heligoland are affected. The following stations are due to be switched off at the Heligoland site on 8 April: N-Joy – 91.5 MHz; NDR Info – 92.5 MHz; NDR Kultur – 97.0 MHz All NDR programmes can be received via DAB+ on channel 11B. The transmitter on Heligoland has a radiated power of 400 watts. In addition to the programmes familiar from the FM band, NDR Blue, NDR Info Spezial and NDR Schlager also broadcast digitally.

(SatelliFax) Read more

German armed forces are upgrading: the Bundeswehr will soon be broadcasting on DAB+

16.03.2026 - Germany

The Bundeswehr is upgrading its equipment: as revealed in a current tender, broadcast teams will in future be able to transmit not only on FM but also via DAB+ digital radio. Radio Andernach is the name of the Bundeswehr’s troop support radio station and reports to the Cyber and Information Space Command (CIR). To date, signal processing and the transmission of radio programmes have been carried out exclusively via mobile FM broadcasting systems. However, as DAB+ digital radio becomes increasingly widespread, the existing technology is to be upgraded accordingly. According to the tender, mobile antenna masts with a height of 25 metres are to be used, as before, which can be operated via FM with a transmitter output power of up to 5 kW and on DAB+ with up to 10 kW.

(teltarif.de) Read more

mabb puts DAB+ capacities in Berlin and Brandenburg out to tender

13.03.2026 - Germany

At its meeting on 3 March 2026, the Media Council of the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Authority (mabb) decided to put out to tender several DAB+ transmission capacities for the nationwide distribution of private radio programmes in Berlin and Brandenburg. Four capacities in six multiplexes are expected to be available: one multiplex for Berlin and five regional multiplexes in Brandenburg, which together cover both federal states and enable regional separation of the programmes. The six multiplexes will be occupied by a mix of private and public radio programmes. One transmission capacity each for nationwide distribution is planned for the open channel ALEX Berlin and non-commercial local radio (NKL).

(Media Council of the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Authority (mabb)) Read more

Radio Deck 1 launches on DAB+ in Hamburg

11.03.2026 - Germany

The non-commercial radio project Radio Deck 1 will also be available via DAB+ in the Hamburg metropolitan region from 16 March 2026. Until now, the station has only been available via its internet stream. With its launch on channel 10D, Radio Deck 1 will be broadcast terrestrially via digital radio for the first time, potentially reaching several million listeners in Hamburg and the surrounding metropolitan area – for example, in their cars or via stationary and mobile DAB+ receivers. The programme is designed by various presenters with different musical focuses. In addition to music programmes, the station also offers special formats and editorial contributions.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more

VAUNET Media Usage Analysis 2025: Media consumption in Germany approaches 11 hours perday

04.03.2026 - Germany

In 2025, people in Germany consumed media for an average of 10 hours and 53 minutes per day. Of this, 9 hours and 38 minutes were spent on audio and audiovisual content – including radio and television as well as audio and video streaming – equivalent to 88.5% of total media consumption. Compared with the previous year, both overall media consumption and the use of audio and audiovisual content remained stable. These are the key findings of the VAUNET Media Usage Analysis 2025, published on 16 February. Average daily audio consumption in 2025 amounted to 4 hours and 19 minutes, representing an increase of 6 minutes on the previous year (2024: 4 hours and 13 minutes). Of this, 3 hours and 9 minutes – the largest share – continued to be accounted for by weekday radio listening (2024: 3 hours and 3 minutes).

(VAUNET) Read more

Radio MK, market leader in the Märkischer Kreis district, now also available on DAB+

25.02.2026 - Germany

Radio MK is and remains number one in the Märkischer Kreis district. This is confirmed by the latest audience survey conducted by Electronic Media Analysis (EMA), which was published on 25 February 2026 throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. Since the turn of the year, Radio MK has finally been broadcasting on DAB in addition to FM. ‘Commuters in particular can now receive Radio MK far beyond the Märkischer Kreis district,’ emphasises Editor-in-chief Holger Jahnke. ‘Motorists can now listen to Radio MK without interruption on their way to Dortmund, Unna, Hagen or, for example, the Hochsauerlandkreis district. Even in the Münsterland region, Radio MK still has excellent reception,’ says Jahnke.

(RADIOSZENE) 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:	95%
Total Sales (cumulative):	28,300,000 devices
Penetration by household:	34%
Last update: 20.08.2025