Last update: 30.03.2026
- older versions
On 7 August 2023, the Saudi Broadcasting Authority officially launched DAB+ broadcasts in Riyadh, Damman and Jeddah, with six stations on air. In 2024, five more cities Neom, Hail, Al Madinah, Al Ahsa, and Al Qassim were activated. Transmitters from Syes were used for these sites. Each city has separate reception and encoding systems compatible with DAB+.
In early 2026, First Gulf Company (FGC) handed over a major Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) project across multiple cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deployment covered key locations including Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Abha, Al-Baha, Tabuk, Arar, Sakaka, Najran, Duba and Al-Ula. The project scope included the installation and commissioning of advanced DAB transmission systems to enable high-quality digital audio broadcasting services. The implementation was supported by satellite-based backhauling via Arabsat, ensuring reliable nationwide distribution. In addition, a state-of-the-art multiplexing and encoding platform was established in Riyadh to support centralized content aggregation and distribution.
In December 2025, FGC also completed the deployment of DAB infrastructure across key locations along the Riyadh–Abha road corridor. The scope of work for this project mirrors the multi-city deployment, including full installation, testing, and commissioning of DAB transmitters, along with satellite backhauling and centralized multiplexing and encoding integration. The system was designed with 1+1 redundancy to ensure uninterrupted broadcasting using DAB+ technology, providing seamless digital audio coverage across the route.
Saudi Arabia has legislation requiring radio receivers to be equipped with terrestrial DAB+ capabilities. According to Saudi legislation, starting from 1 January 2021, home receivers, portable receivers and vehicle receivers are required to be equipped with DAB+.
Last update: 21.09.2020
- older versions
According to Saudi legislation, starting from 2021/01/01, home receivers, portable receivers and vehicle receivers are required to be equipped with DAB+.
Last update: 14.11.2023
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) List of GSO Technical Regulations for Motor Vehicles (2024 Model Year) states:
Implementation of Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications for AM/FM/TDAB+:
Saudi Arabia: All vehicles should be provided with AM/FM/T-DAB+ according to SASO 2938:2019: Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analog broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T- DAB+).
Last update: 15.08.2023
- older versions
Saudi Arabia has introduced legislation requiring radio receivers to be equipped with terrestrial DAB+ capabilities.
According to Saudi legislation, starting from 2021/01/01, home receivers, portable receivers and vehicle receivers are required to be equipped with DAB+.
This must comply with SASO 2938:2019: Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analogue broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T-DAB+).
Saudi Arabia’s digital radio revolution reaches new cities as DAB+ network expands
05.02.2026
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Saudi Arabia 
While the world obsesses over streaming apps and podcasts, the Kingdom has been quietly building something that may surprise the digital-first generation: a state-of-the-art broadcast radio network. And it’s expanding at remarkable speed. DAB+ has now expanded to nine additional cities across the Kingdom and covers major highway corridors connecting them. Since its launch in August 2023, the technology has evolved from a pilot project into core national infrastructure. This progress will be prominently showcased at the Saudi Media Forum 2026, offering a clear picture of how far digital radio has advanced in a short time.
(The Saudi Times) Read more
DAB+ well established in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain
05.02.2026
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Saudi Arabia
DAB+ is now well established in Saudi Arabia following a successful launch in August 2023. It will again be part of the upcoming Saudi Media Forum. Last year, the network expanded to nine more cities and additional major highways. Across the wider region, Bahrain also launched DAB+ in 2023, and Kuwait was one of the earliest adopters in the region back in 2014, with 15 stations now on air. WorldDAB works closely with regional organisations such as the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), including the development of the specific set of Arabic characters used in the ASBU profile within the WorldDAB digital radio standard.
(RadioInfo Asia) Read more
Saudi Media Forum 2026 explores global media transformation
05.02.2026
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Saudi Arabia
The 5th Saudi Media Forum opened in Riyadh on 2 February. It ran through 4 February bringing together regional and international media leaders under the theme “Media in an Evolving World.” In her masterclass “DAB: The Future of Digital Radio Broadcasting and the Evolution of Audio,” Jacqueline Bierhorst, president of WorldDAB, outlined how digital broadcast radio is essential to keeping radio free, universal and resilient in a platform-dominated world. She highlighted Saudi Arabia’s rollout of DAB+, with coverage expanding across major cities and highways and noted that other Middle East and North African markets, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Tunisia, were also moving forward with DAB+, positioning the region as an emerging digital radio cluster alongside Europe and Australia.
(RedTech International) Read more
Major highways and nine further cities across Saudi Arabia to benefit from DAB+ upgrade
22.07.2025
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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s DAB+ network is expanding to nine more cities this year, coupled with five projects now underway to cover major highways with DAB+ digital radio. Speaking in a session on 16 July at the ABU-ASBU-WorldDAB Technical Workshop, Eng. Bander Alrasheedi, General Manager of Radio Projects, Saudi Broadcasting Authority, revealed the significant enhancements were expected to be completed by the end of 2025. “Currently, the network is expanding to nine more cities: Abha, Makkah, Taif, Al-Baha, Jazan, Sakaka, Arar, Najran, and Tabuk,” Alrasheedi said. “Following directives from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, five projects are also underway to cover Saudi Arabia’s major highways with DAB+ digital radio,” he added.
(WorldDAB / Saudi Broadcasting Authority) Read more
Saudi Media Forum: "the future of radio is already here"
21.02.2025
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Saudi Arabia
“New opportunities in media are helping us open up to the world,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud at the opening of this week’s Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh. At the conference and forum there is a focus on media, the economy, energy, AI technologies, politics and entrepreneurship. In another session on the first day of the conference titled The Future of Radio Begins Now, World DAB’s Jacqueline Bierhorst and MBC Music Group’s Group Director of Audio Ziad Hamza discussed the importance of being digital with session host Ghadeer Al-Shehri, a presenter at local station AlUla FM. Jacky said: “In my own country, FM listening is 30% and the rest is digital, this is a common trend in Europe where digital broadcasting has gained a huge audience.”
(RadioInfo Asia) Read more
Fourth annual Saudi Media Forum set to take place in Riyadh
03.02.2025
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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Media Forum, the largest specialized event in the media industry in Saudi Arabia, is set to take place in Riyadh from February 19 to 21. The annual event provides a platform for dialogue to discuss prominent global issues from a media perspective. It offers opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts, decision-makers, and practitioners in the media field. The event also provides a unique experience to explore new media spaces, discuss the latest global trends in the sector, and stay updated on the latest technological innovations. WorldDAB President, Jacqueline Bierhorst, will be participating in the Forum.
(RadioInfo Asia) Read more
GCC: New regulation for AM/FM/T-DAB+ in vehicles
21.01.2025
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United Arab Emirates 
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Bahrain 
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Kuwait 
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Oman 
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Qatar 
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Saudi Arabia
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Yemen 
The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen) have published a new regulation for AM/FM/T-DAB+ in vehicles. So far, this topic has been regulated only in two of the GCC members – now, more harmonization is brought to the GCC. The name of the regulation is GCC Technical Regulation for Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications for AM/FM/T-DAB+, and it is mostly based on the one applicable so far in the united Arab Emirates. The standard describes the specification of devices, which can receive terrestrially transmitted AM, FM and T-DAB+ radio services. The proposed date of adoption is still be determined.
(Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research) Read more
Saudi Arabia: Embarking on excellence
20.05.2024
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Saudi Arabia
Under the ambitious framework of Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Broadcasting Authority is spearheading a transformative journey to revolutionise its broadcasting infrastructure. With plans to revolutionise digital radio broadcasting as well as improve the quality and accessibility of radio broadcasting throughout the Kingdom, SBA installed new DAB+ transmitters in key cities and along critical highways. Adam Moustafa Hamza, Director of Project Delivery at FGC, remarks: “Deploying the DAB radio system in major Saudi cities marks a significant advancement in our digital broadcast capabilities. Through collaborations with GatesAir, ST Engineering and others, we’re not just expanding coverage, we’re enhancing the quality and reach of radio services. This initiative redefines radio broadcasting, ensuring superior digital sound for all, from city centres to the Riyadh-Abha highway.”
(BroadcastPro Middle East) Read more
Jaguar Land Rover launches DAB+ in 2024 models in Saudi Arabia
18.09.2023
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Saudi Arabia
In a new step to develop the driving experience and enhance passenger enjoyment inside its vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) is introducing the digital audio broadcasting (DAB+) service in its 2024 models.
Bruce Robertson, Regional Director of JLR in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “At JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), we always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and provide them with outstanding experiences, and the launch of the third generation of radio broadcasting (DAB+) comes In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it reflects our commitment to providing the latest technologies to improve the driving experience and luxury in our cars.”
(Arqam) Read more
Saudi Radio and Television Corporation launches DAB+
08.08.2023
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Saudi Arabia
The Radio and Television Corporation has launched the third generation of radio broadcasting, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+), to provide media services that keep pace with modern technological development. The Radio and Television Corporation is expanding the use of digital broadcasting to increase the number of broadcasts by using only one transmitter instead of 16, which opens the way for broadcasting new licensed services, and it is also preparing to increase digital broadcasting areas by around 44 digital frequencies after launching three frequencies in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.
(Saudi Broadcasting Authority) Read more
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22.07.2025
Saudi Arabia’s DAB+ network is expanding to nine more cities this year, coupled with five projects now underway to cover major highways with DAB+ digital radio, Eng. Bander Alrasheedi, General Manager of Radio Projects, Saudi Broadcasting Authority, announced at the ABU-ASBU-WorldDAB Technical Workshop on 16 July.
Read more
