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.

WDR launches Kanevalsradio on DAB+
08.02.2024 - Germany Germany
Under the slogan "Karneval hoch Vier", Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is launching a special carnival programme that can be heard digitally terrestrially via DAB+ and on the Internet. The station will broadcast the cheerful programme with carnival music live on the WDR Event channel every day from 6 a.m. from Old Wives' Day (8 February) to Violet Tuesday (13 February).

(SatelliFax) Read more


BR expands DAB+ network in Upper Palatinate and Upper Franconia
05.02.2024 - Bayerischer Rundfunk WorldDAB Member - Germany Germany
Bayerischer Rundfunk will be broadcasting its DAB+ service from two new locations from 5 February: the transmitter network will grow to 87 DAB+ locations and reception of the digital radio service will continue to improve. In the Upper Palatinate, near the Czech border, the Geigant transmitter will cover the municipalities of Waldmünchen, Schönthal and Rötz in future. In the district of Forchheim in Upper Franconia, the new DAB+ site in Ebermannstadt will go into operation for the municipalities of Ebermannstadt, Forchheim, Kirchehrenbach, Leutenbach, Pretzfeld and Weilersbach.

(Bayerische Rundfunk) Read more


Change in the management of Bayern Digital Radio
02.02.2024 - Germany Germany
The year begins with a change at the top of Bayern Digital Radio GmbH. After almost 20 years as Managing Director of BDR, Johannes Trottberger will retire at the end of January 2024. From 1 February, Frank Strässle will take over until further notice. As project manager for the DAB pilot project in Saxony-Anhalt from 1997 - 99, Johannes Trottberger was one of the pioneers of digital audio broadcasting. He took over the management of BDR in June 2004 and was largely responsible for the successful establishment of BDR as a transmitter network operator for DAB+ in Bavaria.

(Bayern Digital Radio GmbH) Read more


BR switches on another DAB+ site
02.02.2024 - Germany Germany
Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) has put another transmitter for DAB+ digital radio into operation. The state-wide multiplex (channel 11D) and the Upper Franconia mux (channel 10B) are broadcast from the Ebermannstadt/Pretzfeld site, each with a transmission power of 5 kW. As reported, BR had previously connected the Geigant transmitter (Waldmünchen-Sinzendorf) to the network. The Upper Palatinate mux is broadcast here on channel 6C and the Bavaria-wide ensemble on channel 11D with a power of 6.3 kW each.

(SatelliFax) Read more


New DAB+ transmitter in Central Hesse ensures better quality and regionality
01.02.2024 - Germany Germany
From now on, listeners in Central Hesse can receive the programmes of the FFH MEDIENGRUPPE (HIT RADIO FFH, planet radio, 80er-Radio harmony) in even better quality on their digital radio. The expansion of the private digital radio transmitter network in the DAB+ standard continues with the activation of a further transmitter in Hesse. The network operator Hessen Digital Radio is putting the DAB+ transmitter at the 'Giessen-Dünsberg' site into operation with immediate effect. This will improve the reception of HIT RADIO FFH, planet radio and the 80s radio station harmony in Central Hesse. Last year, the DAB+ channel was already expanded with the regional news from the FFH studios in Kassel, Giessen, Fulda, Darmstadt and Rhine/Main including Wiesbaden. In addition, a new DAB+ transmitter for the Rheingau and western Taunus regions was switched on at Hohe Wurzel near Wiesbaden. The transmission power of three other existing transmitters - Großer Feldberg, Hardberg in the Odenwald and in Fulda - has been increased in 2022.

(RADIOSZENE) Read more


DAB+ in Saxony with a steadily growing range of stations
01.02.2024 - Germany Germany
Saxony State Media Authority licences a further four radio stations for DAB+ local muxes in Chemnitz, Dresden and Leipzig. The Media Council of the Saxon State Media Authority (SLM) today decided to award four further radio licences for the DAB+ local muxes in Chemnitz, Dresden and Leipzig. The stations are: HITRADIO RTL SACHSEN, PRIMAL.FM, RADIO BOLLERWAGEN and Gewandhaus-Radio.

(Sächsische Landesmedienanstalt ) Read more


VdC on DAB+ funding: "A good signal for NRW"
30.01.2024 - Germany Germany
From next year, the NRW Media Authority will receive around 1.6 million euros more and wants to use this to support local radio broadcasters in their entry into DAB+, among other things. Last week, the NRW state parliament approved a change in the use of the broadcasting levy for this purpose. "This is a good signal for NRW," said the board of the Association of Chief Editors in NRW Local Radio (VdC NRW). Last year, all 44 local radio stations unanimously expressed their interest in regional DAB+ broadcasting - combined with the desire for financial support for the infrastructure costs incurred for the additional broadcasting (in addition to FM and web streaming).

(RADIOSZENE) Read more


Trigger FM in Hamburg new on DAB+
30.01.2024 - Germany Germany
Trigger FM began broadcasting via DAB+ in Saarland just under a year ago. The private radio station can now also be received terrestrially in the greater Hamburg area. The former ERF Jess slot in the multiplex for private broadcasters on channel 10D is being used. Trigger FM has thus secured capacity in the regional private radio multiplex in the Hanseatic city, on which it broadcasts with a radiation power of 10 kW. In Hamburg's second regional private radio multiplex on channel 12C, the broadcasting power is 4 kW.

(SatelliFax) Read more


BR switches on another DAB+ site
29.01.2024 - Germany Germany
Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) has further expanded its DAB+ network and switched on the Geigant transmitter (Waldmünchen-Sinzendorf). The Upper Palatinate Mux is broadcast on channel 6C and the Bavaria-wide ensemble on channel 11D, each with a power of 6.3 kW.

(SatelliFax) Read more


State-wide DAB+ broadcasting slot in Baden-Württemberg advertised
21.01.2024 - Germany Germany
From 1 April 2024, transmission capacity will be available in the state of Baden-Württemberg for allocation to private radio broadcasters for the distribution of radio programmes using DAB+. The Baden-Württemberg Communications Authority (LFK) is currently inviting tenders for a broadcasting slot of 54 CU for this purpose. Broadcasting will take place via the state-wide multiplex (channel 11B). Programme makers can apply until 26 January.

(radioWOCHE.de) 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