Norway - Current situation - History

08.03.2011

Norway began test transmissions of DAB digital radio very early, in the mid-90s. In fact, NRK Alltid Klassiskwhich launched in 1995, was the world's first 24-hour digital station.

The Government, in their recent Digital Radio Report, released 4th February 2011, has set a switch-off date for FM broadcasting. The date is January 2017, provided certain conditions have been met. These are:

1 - Coverage. The public broadcaster NRK must achieve similar coverage to the FM-coverage of their flagship channel P1 within 2015 for the shut-down to take place in 2017. This coverage has not gotten an exact definition yet, but will probably be in the +97% area. Commercial broadcasters on the national network #1 are required to reach 90% of the population.

2 - Listening. 50% of the listeners must daily use a digital platform in 2015 for the date to remain Jan 2017. This does not specify market share of listening, contrary to the UK requirement, only reach. “Digital platform” also includes listening via internet and via the digital tv-network.

3 - In-car sloution. There must be reasonably priced, well functioning in-car adaptors on the market by 2015 for the switch-over date to remain Jan 2017

4 - Added value for the listeners.

5 - If the criteria are not met in 2015, the switchover date will be moved to 2019.

After 2017, small local stations may continue on FM. The criteria for exactly which stations will have this opportunity will be specified by 2013. The report leaves it to the broadcasters to choose between DAB or DAB+ transmissions

In Norway, there are two national DAB multiplexes on air, one of which is split into seven regional muxes. One student radio also has temporary licence to broadcast in the Oslo central area on DAB+. There are nine audio and one data services on the national multiplex. These are a mix of stations from the public broadcaster NRK and commercial radio operators. The seven regional multiplexes broadcast local services from NRK as well as some niche programming such as classical and folk music. In total the DAB networks offer 18 channels (DAB), with 2 additional ones available in central Oslo only (DAB+). All major FM radio channels in Norway are also available via DAB Coverage is at 80% of the population, with around 350,000 DAB sets sold.Penetration is currently at 20%

Norway's three leading broadcasters, NRK, TV2 and MTG, have jointly set up a new company to launch mobile TV services via DMB. MiniTV trials began in the Oslo area in 2009 with six live TV channels, on demand content and other related services. These trials, which reach 30% of the Norwegian population, will continue on air until 2011.

08.02.2011

Norway began test transmissions of DAB digital radio very early, in the mid-90s. In fact, NRK Alltid Klassiskwhich launched in 1995, was the world's first 24-hour digital station.

Coverage stands at around 80% of the population, and Norway intends to achieve 99% coverage by 2017. The Government, in their recent Digital Radio Report, released 4th February 2011, has set a switch-off date for FM broadcasting once certain conditions have been met - 50% of listening must be done digitally by 2015, and coverage should be equal to FM. The report also stipulated that “inexpensive and technically satisfactory solutions for radio reception in cars” must be available by early 2015. It also stipulates that “Digital radio must include additional value to the listeners [such as extra radio channels or additional services]”.

In Norway, there are two national DAB multiplexes on air, one of which is split into seven regional muxes. One student radio also has temporary licence to broadcast in the Oslo central area on DAB+. There are nine audio and one data services on the national multiplex. These are a mix of stations from the public broadcaster NRK and commercial radio operators. The seven regional multiplexes broadcast local services from NRK as well as some niche programming such as classical and folk music. All major FM radio channels in Norway are also available via DAB Coverage is at 80% of the population, with around 350,000 DAB sets sold.Penetration is currently at 20%

16.09.2010

Norway began test transmissions of DAB digital radio very early, in the mid-90s. In fact, NRK Alltid Klassiskwhich launched in 1995, was the world's first 24-hour digital station.

Coverage stands at around 80% of the population, and Norway intends to achieve 99% coverage by 2017. The Government has said a switch-off date for FM broadcasting will be set once 50% of the population has a digital radio. The Digital Radio Report, due Autumn 2010, is expected to go further. Conditions to switch off FM, and possibly a specific switch-off date could quite possibly be some of it`s content. Penetration is currently at 20%.

In Norway, there are two national DAB multiplexes on air, one of which is split into seven regional muxes. One student radio also has temporary licence to broadcast in the Oslo central area on DAB+. There are nine audio and one data services on the national multiplex. These are a mix of stations from the public broadcaster NRK and commercial radio operators. The seven regional multiplexes broadcast local services from NRK as well as some niche programming such as classical and folk music. All major FM radio channels in Norway are also available via DAB Coverage is at 80% of the population, with around 350,000 DAB sets sold.