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Germany

Last update: 24.08.2023 - older versions

DAB+ in Germany in the first half of 2023: More use, more variety, more radio
DAB+ radio continued its successful course in the first half of 2023. The use of DAB+ stations is growing, while network expansion continues regionally and nationally. Broadcast launches in Lower Saxony, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein bring more choice for listeners. According to ma 2023 Audio II, 52 million people use radio services daily (Mon.-Fri.). In the current study published by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Media-Analyse (agma), DAB+ radio is holding its own with some growth: DAB+ is listened to by 28.6 per cent (ma 2023 Audio I: 28.5 per cent) in the "widest listener group" (WHK) segment. According to agma, it is also the services broadcast nationwide via DAB+ that are recording increases in listener numbers. For example, the "Absolute" radio programmes: With a growth rate of 21.4 per cent in listeners in the average hour, the stations are achieving new record values.

Read the Digitalradio Büro Deutschland press release

 

Launch of second national multiplex

In October 2020, Antenne Deutschland launched a second DAB+ multiplex that will host up to 16 new national commercial radio stations. In addition to distributing its own programs, Antenne Deutschland also plans to offer stations to third parties. The NRJ Group will be also be broadcasting its popular Nostalgie station on the multiplex from January 2020.

DAB+ regulation

According to Germany's Telecoms Law, all new car radios should be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio from 21th 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. Read the press release on the new German national legislation here

An overview of the status of DAB+ digital radio in Germany is available at www.dabplus.de/sender

Last update: 08.10.2020 - 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 www.digitalradio.de/empfang.

 

 

Last update: 10.05.2023 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

An up-to-date overview of the DAB+ digital radio services on air in Germany is available at www.dabplus.de/sender.

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.

 

 

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 200 70 270

Last update: 16.02.2022 - older versions

94% of new cars sold equipped with DAB+

In Germany, as of H2 2021, 94% of new cars were sold with digital radio as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2022).

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: 04.03.2021 - older versions

Receiver sales and revenues

In 2020, over 1.83 million DAB+ receivers were sold in Germany - this represents a 15.2 percent growth compared to 2019. 

Revenues from DAB+ receiver sales also grew by 13 percent, from €216 million in 2019 to the current record of €244 million in 2020.

As of Q2 2020, cumulative DAB/DAB+ receiver sales stood at 16,623,000 (including line fit automotive).

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: 08.09.2020 - older versions

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

dabplus.de

Rundfunk Forum

DAB+ promotion campaigns

In this 3-minute DAB+ promotional video published by German broadcaster ARD Digital, media personality Anni Dunkelmann explains to consumers the various benefits of DAB+, such as improved sound quality, a wider choice of listening and the ability of certain receivers to show visual displays.  

 

 

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. 

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: 08.09.2020 - older versions

There are currently no news available for this section.

TOGGO Radio and RAUDIO.BIZ new members of Radiozentrale
12.07.2023 - Germany Germany
The generic initiative Radiozentrale has expanded its membership to include the radio station TOGGO Radio, broadcast on DAB+ radio throughout Germany, and the marketer RAUDIO.BIZ, whose focus is on new audio and data-driven audio advertising. A total of 83 public and private radio stations and companies in the radio industry are now merging under the umbrella of Radiozentrale. Radiozentrale sees itself as a joint platform for public and private radio stations as well as related companies in the radio industry and has set itself the goal of positioning the medium of radio and providing comprehensive information about the (advertising) medium of radio.

(RadioWoche.de) Read more

Party station Radio Bollerwagen starts on DAB+ in Lower Saxony
12.07.2023 - Germany Germany
From 13 July, Radio Bollerwagen can also be received via DAB+ throughout Lower Saxony. This means that the party station of the ffn media group from Hanover can now also be heard digitally in the "motherland" of the Bollerwagen. "After our successful launches in NRW, Hesse, Hamburg, Flensburg and on Sylt, we are delighted to now also broadcast in Lower Saxony via DAB+: Now we will also be bollerwagging from the Harz Mountains to the coast," says Mathias Bartels, deputy programme director and editor-in-chief of Radio Bollerwagen.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more

The WOLF: The new German country radio starts
10.07.2023 - Germany Germany
The German radio landscape is getting a new addition: The WOLF - New Country & The Legends is the first German country radio station to be launched. From now on, country fans and music lovers all over Germany can enjoy the best hits from the genre. The WOLF will broadcast around the clock and can be received via various platforms. Listeners can hear the station via DAB+ throughout Lower Saxony.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more

2nd national DAB+ mux: Network expansion in the eastern foothills of the Alps
05.07.2023 - Germany Germany
The Wendelstein site in the eastern foothills of the Alps goes on the air for the 2nd national DAB+ ensemble on channel 12D. On 13 July, the transmitter in Oberammergau in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen will follow, announced the platform operator Antenne Deutschland. In the course of the second half of the year, the Raichberg transmitter site in Baden-Württemberg will be switched on. By the end of the year, the network of the 2nd DAB+ Bundesmux will comprise 82 locations.

(radioWOCHE) Read more

Thinking ahead instead of carrying on! BLM discusses course for local audio - Local Broadcasting Days
04.07.2023 - Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) WorldDAB Member - Germany Germany
How can local radio and local television position themselves wisely in challenging times to stay relevant? This question is the focus of this year's Local Radio Days. Dr Thorsten Schmiege, President of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM), has just opened it in Nuremberg: "Thinking ahead instead of carrying on like this must be the motto for the future. In concrete terms, this means that without a clear strategy, local radio will have a hard time in the future. And this future is primarily digital. How can local radio make its proven strengths even more visible? How can it position itself even more digitally in the digital world? The State Broadcasting Authority is doing everything it can: we want to set the necessary course with long-term strategies for audio and moving images together with the local providers."

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

DAB+: Network expansion in Saxony
04.07.2023 - Germany Germany
MDR is expanding its DAB+ transmitter network in Saxony with the new Zwickau location. DAB+ coverage in these regions will be further improved and stabilised with immediate effect. "We are already very well positioned with digital radio reception in Central Germany. The task now is to close individual gaps in coverage and to optimise reception of all MDR radio programmes via DAB+ as a whole," says Niels Schulze, Head of Programme Distribution at MDR. The commissioning of the transmitter by MDR at the new transmitter mast erected by Deutsche Funkturm GmbH will enable better DAB+ coverage in the Zwickau region for approximately 140,000 inhabitants.

(Mitteldeutsche Rundfunk) Read more

DAB+ in Bavaria gets new location in Inntal Ebbs
03.07.2023 - Germany Germany
The "Upper Bavaria South" regional network gains a new location with Inntal Ebbs, and therefore an expansion of the DAB+ transmission area. The transmitter is already the twelfth location in channel 7A and improves digital radio reception, especially in the southern part of the Rosenheim district. The transmitter operates with a power of 3.9 kW ERP. The network operator of the regional network is Bayern Digital Radio GmbH. The Inntal Ebbs transmitter closes the last coverage gap on motorways in the Oberland and south-eastern Upper Bavaria regions.

(Bayern Digital Radio GmbH) Read more

DIVICON MEDIA successfully puts Dresden local DAB+ mux into operation
03.07.2023 - Germany Germany
As of today, coloRadio, DRESDEN EINS, egoFM, MEGARADIOmix, PELI ONE Urban Music Radio, Radio Dresden 2 and Radio Holiday are seven more stations receivable via DAB+ in the Dresden area. The start of the DAB+ Lokalmux for Dresden was carried out by the platform operator DIVICON MEDIA promptly at 10 am. Via the powerful antennas on the Dresden television tower, the programmes now potentially reach around 800,000 people in and around the Saxon state capital. The commissioning of the mux is part of the successful implementation of a DAB+ initiative throughout Saxony driven by the broadcasters, the Saxon State Authority for Private Broadcasting and New Media (SLM) and DIVICON MEDIA.

(DIVICON MEDIA) Read more

DAB+ steps on the gas: More than 30% listen every day
03.07.2023 - Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) WorldDAB Member - Germany Germany
DAB+ is very popular in Bavaria in 2023: almost half (48%) of the population has at least one DAB+ receiver in their home or car (+4 pp). And: around 31% of the population in Bavaria, or around 3.5 million people, listen to the radio via DAB+ on an average day (+4 pp). DAB+ is thus extending its lead as a digital playout channel - ahead of web radio with a daily reach of 17%, which has been virtually stagnant for three years (2022: 16.5%, 2021: 16.8%). These are some preliminary results from the Radio Analysis Bavaria Radio 2023, which will be presented tomorrow at the Local Radio Days.

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

First national DAB+ multiplex to be further expanded
03.07.2023 - Media Broadcast GmbH WorldDAB Member - Germany Germany
Media Broadcast continues to expand the transmitter network of the first national digital radio programme package. Today, a new transmitter in Zwickau in Saxony will go into operation, and in the second half of 2023, four additional new transmitter sites will be added in three other federal states. "Programmes broadcast nationwide are undoubtedly among the drivers of digital radio via DAB+. We are therefore pleased to further increase the quality of the network with the construction of additional sites in the 1st national multiplex and to offer listeners in the respective reception areas improved listening pleasure and more programme diversity," says Francie Petrick, Managing Director of Media Broadcast.

(Media Broadcast) Read more

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 83.8 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 98%
Services: 270 DAB+
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 95%
Total Sales (cumulative): 25,800,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 34%
Last update: 26.02.2024

Useful Links

Intelligent transport systems Action Plan and Directive
Bill of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy - Fourth Law amending the Telecommunications Act 
The Action Plan for the Transformation of Radio Broadcasting in the Digital Age Roadmap - Progress Report for the Digital Radio Board
dabplus.de
Digitization Report
DAB Technical Forum