Netherlands - Current situation - History
19.08.2010
Digital radio in The Netherlands has had ups and downs over the years and, until now, has failed to find traction with commercial broadcasters. This is due in part to the added costs involved in dual transmission.
In 2009 the Ministry agreed that, when analogue licences expire in 2011, instead of auctioning them off to the highest bidder, it would reissue them to the incumbent broadcaster if it in turn agreed to go digital. Commercial broadcasters have until September 2010 to take advantage of this offer however there remains an issue over the cost of these licences.
The issue is further complicated by a recent change of government.
Also in 2009, the Ministry auctioned two broadcast licences, one in Band III and one in L-band. Broadcasters can opt to transmit in DAB, DAB+ or DMB and it is likely that DAB+ will be the standard of choice for most.
For those broadcasting in L-band, it therefore becomes necessary that radio sets receiving DAB+ broadcasts in L-band are available.
The National Public Broadcaster, PO, broadcasts audio nine stations and three data channels on a national multiplex operated by NOS. The services are all simulcasts of existing PO stations, including pop, classical, oldies, current affairs and news. Coverage of this multiplex is about 70% of the population.
Licences have also been issued in Band III to MTVNL which is currently testing DMB transmissions in The Hague, and in L-band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area.
A national Band III multiplex licence will be issued to commercial radio in late 2010 or early 2011. A regional Band III multiplex for combined public and commercial services will be issued in late 2010 or early 2011.
There is no FM switch off date, but FM licences will be extended for 6 years until the end of 2017. Formal policy is that ultimately 1-2 year before the end of the FM licences, there will be a full review regarding FM switch off.
16.08.2010
The National Public Broadcaster, PO, broadcasts audio nine stations and three data channels on a national multiplex operated by NOS. The services are all simulcasts of existing PO stations, including pop, classical, oldies, current affairs and news. Coverage of this multiplex is about 70% of the population.
Licences have also been issued in Band III to MTVNL which is currently testing DMB transmissions in The Hague, and in L-band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area.
A national Band III multiplex licence will be issued to commercial radio in late 2010 or early 2011. A regional Band III multiplex for combined public and commercial services will be issued in late 2010 or early 2011.
There is no FM switch off date, but FM licences will be extended for 6 years until the end of 2017. Formal policy is that ultimately 1-2 year before the end of the FM licences, there will be a full review regarding FM switch off.
13.08.2010
The National Public Broadcaster, PO, broadcasts audio nine stations and three data channels on a national multiplex operated by NOS. The services are all simulcasts of existing PO stations, including pop, classical, oldies, current affairs and news. Coverage of this multiplex is about 70% of the population.
Licences have also been issued in Band III to MTVNL which is currently testing DMB transmissions in The Hague, and in L-band to CallMax which plans testing in the Eindhoven area.
A national Band III multiplex licence will be issued to commercial radio in late 2010 or early 2011. A regional Band III multiplex for combined public and commercial services will be issued in late 2010 or early 2011.