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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.

First national DAB+ multiplex to be further expanded

03.07.2023 - Media Broadcast GmbH WorldDAB Member - 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

kulthitRADIO in NRW plays out display ads for clients

30.06.2023 - Germany

Advertisers now have the chance to strengthen their audio campaign on kulthitRADIO with display ads. Thanks to DAB+ technology, kulthitRADIO is the first state-wide DAB+ station in North Rhine-Westphalia to be able to play out images on in-car displays and on display-enabled DAB+ home devices. A purely auditory advertising campaign is supplemented by visual display advertising to accompany the campaign. This combination can significantly increase the activation performance of the advertising.

(STUDIO GONG) Read more

DAB+ in Saxony: radio diversity continues to grow

29.06.2023 - Germany

In its meeting on 27.06.2023, the Media Council of the Saxon State Media Authority (SLM) granted further broadcasting licences for the DAB+ local muxes in Chemnitz, Dresden and Freiberg. The respective licences are initially granted for a limited period of ten years. In addition to the local private multiplexes for the cities of Leipzig, Dresden, Chemnitz and Freiberg, Saxony also has a state-wide uniform private DAB+ multiplex and a DAB+ multiplex divided into three regions with different programme offerings. At present, including the nationwide offerings, approximately 70 private programmes are broadcast; in the future - after all multiplexes are switched on and all capacities are used - this number could be around 90.

(Digitalradio Büro Deutschland) Read more

Nordseewelle 2 and "the wolf" launch on DAB+ in Lower Saxony

27.06.2023 - Germany

On 13 July 2023, an official ceremony will be held to mark the launch of the state-wide private DAB+ platform in Lower Saxony, after which 113 private radio stations will additionally be receivable digitally, such as radio ffn, Antenne Niedersachsen and Radio 21. But new special-interest stations are also expected. Two of them have already been licensed by the Lower Saxony State Media Authority (NLM): the wolf - the new country radio and Nordseewelle 2.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more

Dana Diezemann: "Are new stations not wanted in Baden-Württemberg?"

23.06.2023 - Germany

Since 1 June 2023, a DAB+ test operation for the Heilbronn region as far as Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart has been broadcast from the "Brackenheim 1" telecommunications tower on channel 12B. 580,000 residents will be covered. Dana Diezemann is the initiator of this innovative project. Thomas Kircher from FM Kompakt spoke with Dana Diezemann about the idea, the implementation, but also the hurdles and why broadcasting had to be temporarily stopped again on 30 June 2023.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more

Changes at hr1, hr3 and hr-iNFO via DAB+

23.06.2023 - Germany

Listen to hr-iNFO in stereo: This will finally be possible via DAB+ from Monday, 26 June. In addition, new regional variants for hr1 and hr3 will be made technically available so that listeners will be able to hear even more regional programmes exactly from their region from autumn 2023. With digital radio DAB+, interested listeners will then be able to select and receive the new regional programme services in all parts of Hesse.

(Hessischer Rundfunk) Read more

Royal radio listening in the imperial spas

23.06.2023 - Germany

Those who go to the sunny island of Usedom to switch off can now tune in to even more radio there. NDR is pushing ahead with DAB+ coverage. This time the Baltic resorts of Bansin, Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck are benefiting. NDR is putting another DAB+ transmitter in Block 8B (197.648 MHz) into operation at Heringsdorf. This covers the eastern part of the island of Usedom and also offers good reception in Swinemünde and Misdroy.

(Norddeutscher Rundfunk) Read more

Trial area of the Bad Kreuznach DAB+ multiplex to be expanded

14.06.2023 - Germany

The trial area of the Bad Kreuznach DAB+ multiplex is to be expanded. The assembly of the Rhineland-Palatinate media authority will deal with the application for expansion at its next meeting on 19 June. According to information from SatelliFax, the operator Milling Broadcast also wants to test a single frequency operation via digital terrestrial radio (Single Frequency Network = SFN) within the framework of the existing project. For this reason, a second transmitter is planned, which should better cover the area around the cities of Bingen and Ingelheim in particular. So far, the bouquet is broadcast via the Bad Kreuznach-Kuhberg transmitter with currently 10 programmes on channel 12A with a transmission power of 500 watts.

(SatelliFax) Read more

Beats Radio soon also in Austria and Switzerland

14.06.2023 - Germany - Austria - Switzerland

Klassik Radio wants to expand into Austria and Switzerland with its offshoot "Beats Radio" via digital radio DAB+ and the internet. This was announced by Managing Director Ulrich Kubak. Beats Radio plays a mix of house and lounge music, for the generation of 30-somethings and a youth culture that has come of age. He said Beats Radio is developing rapidly and was able to increase its digital reach by over 400 per cent in 2022. "We are very confident of making money with it very soon. The station alone has seven-figure EBITDA potential for our company," Kubak said.

(SatelliFax) Read more

Deutschlandradio expanding DAB+ coverage

08.06.2023 - Germany

Deutschlandradio, Germany’s national public radio broadcaster, is forging ahead in its DAB+ rollout. It has commissioned five new transmitters from network operator Media Broadcast. Next week, it will switch on the Zwickau transmitter in Saxony. The broadcaster says later this year, it will switch on transmitters in Bad Kreuznach (Rhineland-Palatinate), Hornisgrinde and Mainhardt (Baden-Württemberg) and Merchingen (Saarland).

(RedTech) Read more

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Key Information

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