Netherlands - Current situation - History
23.07.2020
The Dutch launch of DAB+ has been called the most successful yet in Europe, thanks to high sales figures for digital receivers. The commercial radio stations (VCR) and the public radio stations (NPO) both have 95% coverage. NPO extended coverage of its existing DAB multiplex from 70% to 95% in early 2014, and migrated services to DAB+ in 2013. Commercial stations were launched from 1st September 2013 and the total number of stations increased from 9 to 21.
Digital Radio Netherlands is leading the promotion of DAB+, using the international DAB+ logo.
Increase in national services with DAB+ vs FM
By using DAB+ the national public broadcaster NPO went from 4 channels on FM to 15 currently on DAB+.
For the national commercial broadcasters: at present, they have gone from 9 on FM to 18 currently on DAB+.
For regional stations, by using DAB+ their coverage area becomes much greater.
Regional stations
In the first quarter of 2020, ten local DAB+ ensembles with over 40 stations went into operation in the Netherlands. DAB+ licences were issued for a total of 22 regions, with broadcasts on air in large cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague as well as rural parts of the country.
National DAB+ auction
In July 2020, The Netherlands launched new consultation regarding the launch of a second national commercial multiplex. With this auction, all radio stations in The Netherlands (national, regional and local) would be broadcast on DAB+.
The licences in question will be granted for a period of 12 years (2021-2033), with a starting price of 50.000 euros per licence. The auction will be held in the first quarter of 2021.
22.05.2020
The Dutch launch of DAB+ has been called the most successful yet in Europe, thanks to high sales figures for digital receivers. The commercial radio stations (VCR) and the public radio stations (NPO) both have 95% coverage. NPO extended coverage of its existing DAB multiplex from 70% to 95% in early 2014, and migrated services to DAB+ in 2013. Commercial stations were launched from 1st September 2013 and the total number of stations increased from 9 to 21.
Digital Radio Netherlands is leading the promotion of DAB+, using the international DAB+ logo.
Increase in national services with DAB+ vs FM
By using DAB+ the national public broadcaster NPO went from 4 channels on FM to 15 currently on DAB+.
For the national commercial broadcasters: at present, they have gone from 9 on FM to 18 currently on DAB+.
For regional stations, by using DAB+ their coverage area becomes much greater.
Regional stations
In the first quarter of 2020, ten local DAB+ ensembles with over 40 stations went into operation in the Netherlands. DAB+ licences were issued for a total of 22 regions, with broadcasts on air in large cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague as well as rural parts of the country.
26.06.2018
The Dutch launch of DAB+ has been called the most successful yet in Europe, thanks to high sales figures for digital receivers. The commercial radio stations (VCR) and the public radio stations (NPO) both have 95% coverage. NPO extended coverage of its existing DAB multiplex from 70% to 95% in early 2014, and migrated services to DAB+ in 2013. Commercial stations were launched from 1st September 2013 and the total number of stations increased from 9 to 21.
Digital Radio Netherlands is leading the promotion of DAB+, using the international DAB+ logo.
Increase in national services with DAB+ vs FM
By using DAB+ the national public broadcaster NPO went from 4 channels on FM to 15 currently on DAB+.
For the national commercial broadcasters: at present, they have gone from 9 on FM to 18 currently on DAB+.
For regional stations, by using DAB+ their coverage area becomes much greater.
Awareness
Awareness of DAB+ or Digital Radio+ is reasonably high; 58% of the Dutch know Digital Radio and/or DAB+.
Weekly 90% of the population (10+) listens to the radio (nearly 13.2 mio)
NL:
• 53.3% listens at home
• 17% in car or on the move
• 22 listens at work or at school
Source GfK 2015