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Germany

Last update: 29.07.2025 - 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.”

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: 04.08.2025 - 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.

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	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.

Ingolstadt increases its DAB+ reach

25.06.2024 - Germany

The Ingolstadt local network (channel 6A) is getting a third location for DAB+ today. In addition to the existing transmitters in Pfaffenhofen-Wolfsberg and Gelbelsee, a further site in Eichstätt is now strengthening DAB+ reception in the region. The transmitter operates with a power of 1 kW ERP. The network operator of the regional network is Bayern Digital Radio GmbH. The Ingolstadt 6A DAB network now also covers the large district town of Eichstätt almost completely in indoor quality (approx. 99%). With the expansion of the network through the Eichstätt DAB transmitter, the Ingolstadt 6A DAB multiplex can be received by approx. 93.9% of residents in buildings and approx. 98.6% on mobile devices in the Ingolstadt region.

(Bayern Digital Radio GmbH) Read more

DAB+ on the rise: Drive Time belongs to radio

25.06.2024 - Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) WorldDAB Member - Germany

Cars and radio are a close-knit team - and DAB+ now has a regular place: 37 per cent of the population in Bavaria who listen to the radio in their cars on weekdays on average receive radio programmes via DAB+. Regardless of how radio is listened to in the car, despite increasing competition from online audio offerings such as music streaming or podcasts, 85 per cent of audio time in the car is spent listening to the radio and only 13 per cent is spent listening to online audio. These are preliminary results on DAB+ from the Radio Analysis Radio Bavaria 2024, which will be presented on 25 June at the Local Radio Days. There is good news regarding the ownership and use of DAB+ devices: around half of the population in Bavaria now has at least one DAB+ radio at home or in the car. DAB+ also remains the driving force for the use of digital transmission channels in radio.

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

Switch to DAB+ distribution in parts of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Thuringia

13.06.2024 - Deutschlandradio WorldDAB Member - Germany

At a total of nine locations in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Thuringia, the majority of Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandfunk Kultur programmes will be broadcast digitally in future. Together with Deutschlandfunk Nova and the special channel Dokumente und Debatten (Dlf DokDeb), the two programmes can already be received digitally locally via DAB+. In view of the very good regional DAB+ coverage, parallel analogue broadcasting via some smaller FM transmitters with a limited range will end on 30 June 2024. In Bad Tölz, Bavaria, a new DAB+ transmitter will go on air on 19 June; FM broadcasting (87.8 MHz) will also end here on 30 June. Another frequency will be switched off on 17 September, when Deutschlandfunk's FM broadcasting in Pfronten, Bavaria (96.5 MHz) will end.

(Deutschlandradio) Read more

SWR improves DAB+ coverage in the upper Ahr valley

07.06.2024 - Germany

In June 2024, SWR will put a new location in the upper Ahr valley near Kesseling into operation, significantly improving digital radio reception at home and on the move. Südwestrundfunk (SWR) is further expanding its transmitter network for DAB+ digital radio reception in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Oberes Ahrtal/Kesseling site will go into operation on 11 June 2024, improving DAB+ coverage along the L85 between Ahrbrück and Staffel and the L90 between Kesseling and Weidenbach in frequency block (channel) 11A.

(SWR) Read more

radio SAW improves DAB+ reception in the Burgenland district

04.06.2024 - Germany

Good news for all listeners in the south of Saxony-Anhalt: radio SAW is expanding its accessibility via DAB+. To this end, a new transmitter site has been put into operation in Pettstedt near Weißenfels, significantly increasing reception in the Burgenland district. The radio SAW Managing Director Michael Mezödi is delighted: ‘The commissioning of the DAB+ transmitter site in Pettstädt closes a gap in the digital terrestrial broadcasting of VMG Medien's programmes. Our listeners can finally listen to radio SAW, ROCKLAND and 1 A Deutsche Hits in brilliant digital quality in the Burgenland district. This is made possible by VMG Medien's investment in the technical infrastructure of the DAB+ network.’

(radio SAW) Read more

Expansion of private DAB+ mux in the Burgenland district

31.05.2024 - Germany

The expansion of the private DAB+ digital radio service will continue in 2024. From 3 June, a further transmitter site will be put into operation in Pettstädt, significantly increasing reception in the Burgenland district. The Chairman of the Assembly of the MSA, Markus Kurze, welcomes the further expansion of DAB+ coverage and emphasises: "The aim of the media authority is to make private radio programmes digitally receivable throughout the country and thus make an important contribution to the equality of living conditions in urban and rural areas. The construction of a DAB+ transmitter site in Pettstädt in the Burgenland district is the next step in this direction, which the assembly of the Saxony-Anhalt Media Authority has unanimously supported with infrastructure funds from its budget."

(Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt) Read more

Antenne Deutschland expands network of Germany's second national DAB+ multiplex

30.05.2024 - Germany

The transmitter network of the 2nd national digital radio platform continues to grow and will receive eight new transmitter sites in six federal states on 1 June 2024. From July 2024, a further site will be added in Bavaria. With this expansion, Antenne Deutschland, operator of the 2nd national DAB+ platform, together with the platform's private programme providers, is expanding its network to 91 locations throughout Germany. The commissioning of the nine transmitter sites means that around 59 million people in Germany can receive the programmes at home. This corresponds to over 70 per cent of the population. The area coverage for mobile reception increases to 82 per cent and covers more than 73 million people on the move. Along the motorways, mobile reception is then at over 92% with over 11,000 kilometres.

(Antenne Deutschland) Read more

DAB+: How Bavaria will promote in future - Media Council adopts transformation incentive concept

17.05.2024 - Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM) WorldDAB Member - Germany

At its meeting on 16 May, the Media Council of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) adopted a new concept for the promotion of radio broadcasting via DAB+, the so-called Transformation Incentive Funding (TAF). The BLM is thus implementing a component of the audio strategy adopted by the Media Council at the end of 2023. This is in line with the coalition agreement of the Bavarian governing parties. Both the BLM's audio strategy and the coalition agreement aim to drive forward the digitalisation of radio broadcasting in Bavaria and provide particular support for digital providers. The concept ensures that any DAB+ funding from the Free State of Bavaria is handled independently of the state. It could come into force on 1 July 2024.

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

BR radio frequencies in the Tegernsee valley will change on 4 June

16.05.2024 - Bayerischer Rundfunk WorldDAB Member - Germany

Listeners in the town of Tegernsee and in the communities of Bad Wiessee, Gmund, Kreuth and Rottach-Egern may have to tune in to other frequencies on their FM radio on 4 June. The reason for the frequency change is the decommissioning of the FM filler transmitter ‘Tegernseer Tal’ on the Wallberg for economic and environmental reasons. All five BR FM programmes can still be received on FM radios. The entire region has also been very well served with DAB+ radio reception by the ‘Tegernseer Tal’ station since December 2017. Ten BR programmes plus their regional variants are on air via channels 10A and 11D. Including the private programmes (on channels 7A, 10A, 11D), around 30 radio programmes are currently on air via DAB+ in the Tegernsee valley.

(Bayerischer Rundfunk) Read more

Green forests, green radio: New DAB+ transmitter in Unterlüß in the Lüneburg Heath goes on air

06.05.2024 - Germany

In one of the most densely wooded communities in Germany, NDR will be putting two DAB+ transmitters into operation on 7 May 2024, which will lead to improved DAB+ coverage between Munster, Uelzen and Celle. The feast for the eyes will now be joined by a feast for the ears. One transmitter broadcasts in a south-westerly direction on channel 7A (188.928 MHz). Thanks to it, the previous coverage gap along the Örtze river between Faßberg and Winsen will be plugged. And in Bergen, Hermannsburg, Faßberg, Unterlüß and Eschede, digital reception is now also possible indoors. The second transmitter, which can be received on channel 9B (204.640 MHz), serves to improve coverage in the northern section between Wietzendorf and Ebstorf.

(Norddeutscher Rundfunk) 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