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Spain

Last update: 19.07.2024 - older versions

Radio Nacional de España begins DAB+ broadcasts

Coinciding with the celebration of World Radio Day and the centenary year of radio in Spain, Radio Nacional de España has started digital radio broadcasts in DAB+ together with Cellnex Telecom on 13 February 2024, with the firm intention of deploying this digital radio standard in our country, which is set to replace FM in the long term.

You can listen to the following broadcasts on DAB+:

- Radio Nacional and Radio 5 in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

- Radio 3 in Valencia, Seville, Murcia and Bilbao.

These broadcasts are in addition to the existing DAB broadcasts of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3, Radio 5 and Radio Exterior in Madrid and Barcelona.

On a monthly basis, RNE's offer on DAB+ and the coverage of the service will be progressively increased, starting broadcasts in other Spanish cities.

On 19 March 2024, Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 launched on DAB+ in the metropolitan area of Santiago de Compostela. On 18 April 2024, DAB+ broadcasts launched in Pamplona; on 17 May 2024, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; on 18 June 2024, in Mijas, covering Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola; and on 18 July 2024, broadcasts started in Mallorca, from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in Alfàbia. 

Once deployed throughout Spain, DAB+ will allow Radio Televisión Española to provide the public radio broadcasting service in the terms currently entrusted to it by law, providing maximum geographical and social coverage, with the best quality and additional services specific to DAB+ and with free-to-air broadcasts and free reception.

Regional DAB+

In January 2020, the regional government in Navarra advertised capacity for six DAB services on a future ensemble for the region, designated FU-Nav. Simultaneously, the regional government advertised a total of 72 DAB licences across 12 ensembles, each of which will have local coverage.

In Mallorca, a multiplex licensed by the Autonomous Government of the Balearic Islands began broadcasting in February 2024, broadcasting four stations from the Serra de Alfabia.  

In July 2024, The Govern de les Illes Balears will implement, through DAB+ technology, IB3's digital radio in the first quarter of 2025. The Balearic Islands becomes the first Autonomous Community in which all three radio coverage (local, regional and national) will be offered in DAB+.

Last update: 18.04.2024 - older versions

RNE DAB+ services are on air in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela and Pamplona.

These broadcasts join the existing ones on DAB in Madrid and Barcelona.

RNE will increase monthly its content offer and coverage on DAB+ until the end of 2024.

 

RNE coverage: > 30% population

Rest of national stations: 20% population

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In this country there are

on air.

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.

A total of 18 DAB and 4 DAB+ legal audio services are on air, but enhanced features as text, images or programme guides are not available.

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB programmes 17 2 19
DAB+ programmes 3 0 3
Total20222

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

In Spain, 98% of new cars sold in 2023 have DAB+ as standard (Source: JATO Dynamics 2023).

 

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

Almost a 5% of digital radio receivers sold in retailers includes DAB/DAB+ receiver, although no DAB/DAB+ national promotion has been carried out.

It is estimated that nearly 3 million cars already have a DAB/DAB+ receiver in Spain.

Last update: 21.10.2019 - older versions

Spanish Broadcaster Radio Maria (http://www.radiomaria.es/) started DAB+ test transmissions in Madrid and Barcelona on 2014 December 30th.

This is the first time DAB+ has been used for radio broadcasting in Spain. This DAB/DAB+ network is operated by the Broadcast Network Operator Cellnex Telecom.

Last update: 04.03.2024 - older versions

National station licenses are issued by the central government, while local and regional licenses are the responsibility of the regional government. Licenses are valid for 15 years with an automatic renewal for a further 15 years. Advertising and sponsorship are permitted under the same rules which exist for analogue radio, and data is permitted on up to 20% of multiplex capacity.

Digital Audio Broadcasting is allowed by law in Band III.

There are three layers of services set out by law:

  • National, with 1 SFN multiplex and 2 MFN multiplexes
  • Regional (Comunidad Autónoma basis), with 1/3 SFN multiplex (nowadays without transmissions) and 2/3 MFN multiplex (not implemented)
  • Local, with 237 areas covered by different frequency blocks in Band III

Nowadays, due to the entry into force of the Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting, DAB services are on air only to cover a 20% of the Spanish population (Madrid and Barcelona including their metropolitan areas). It is the minimum population coverage required by the current National Technical Plan for Digital Audio Broadcasting.

RNE is providing DAB+ services covering a percentage of the population above that minimum.

IB3 Ràdio will broadcast in DAB+ in the first quarter of 2025
19.07.2024 - Spain Spain
The Government of the Balearic Islands will implement, through DAB+ technology, IB3's digital radio in the first quarter of 2025. This was announced on 18 July by the director general of Digital Strategy and Administrative Simplification, Xisco Cànovas.‘We are pleased to see that we are the first autonomous community in which all three RTVE radio coverage (local, regional and national) will be offered with DAB+ digital technology,’ he said. The general director of IB3, Albert Salas, added: ‘The announcement by the Government of the Balearic Islands to launch DAB+ broadcasts on IB3 Ràdio is part of the digital strategy of the regional government. The digitisation of public radio and television in the Balearic Islands is a fundamental part of our project. DAB+ will allow us to improve the quality of transmission and coverage and will put us in a leading position in the national radio market.

(IB3) Read more

Balearic Islands Government to launch IB3 digital radio in Q1 2025
18.07.2024 - Spain Spain
The Govern de les Illes Balears will implement, through DAB+ technology, IB3's digital radio in the first quarter of 2025. This was announced on 18 July by the director general of Digital Strategy and Administrative Simplification, Xisco Cànovas, at a joint event with Radio Televisión Española (RTVE), in Ca n'Oleo (Palma), to celebrate the start of broadcasts in Mallorca of Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio 5 in DAB+, with a transmitter centre located in Alfàbia. "We know that public channels can be a catalyst for the transition from analogue to digital. And this transition is an essential element of the Balearic Islands Government's strategy. An administration that is committed to digitalisation is an administration that is more agile, more efficient, more effective and that adapts to the new times," said Cànovas.

(Govern de les Illes Balears) Read more

Radio Nacional de España starts DAB+ in Alfàbia, Mallorca
18.07.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain Spain
RNE has started broadcasting Radio Nacional, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio 5 in DAB+ in Mallorca, from Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in Alfàbia. This start of broadcasts responds to the commitment to increase coverage on a monthly basis until the end of the year, with the aim of reaching around 50% of the population coverage. Coinciding with the start of broadcasting, an informative session was held in Palma de Mallorca, attended by leading national and Balearic Islands experts in the field. The session highlighted the historic milestone for radio in Spain that this start of broadcasting represents. The Balearic Islands becomes the first Autonomous Community in which all three radio coverage (local, regional and national) will be offered with digital technology in DAB+.

(RTVE) Read more

Gorka Zumeta: "There is an open war against radio".
11.07.2024 - Spain Spain
Juan San Ildefonso, director and presenter of the programme "Amigos de la Onda Corta", on Radio Exterior de España, speaks to the journalist, consultant and trainer Gorka Zumeta. "Radio has to decide what it wants to be when it grows up", says Zumeta in reference to the two paths that are currently being considered to guarantee the future sustainability of the medium: the traditional broadcast channel, broadcasting via radio waves, and the digital content distribution channel represented by the Internet. "RNE is leading a process of implementation of DAB+, although it recognises the delay that has been incurred, but its current commitment is absolutely determined, just as it also led, in the 1960s, the arrival of FM in our country," recalls Zumeta.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

5G Broadcast, the new panacea for digital radio? by Javier Sanchez
25.06.2024 - Spain Spain
Gorka Zumeta writes: A new instalment of Radio Exterior de España's "En menos de tres" ("In less than three minutes") micro-space is available, with Javier Sanchez of RTVE. There is no mobile phone with 5G Broadcast technology and, for the moment, it is not even expected. It is very easy to worship the totem of technology, driven by fashions and the rhythm of the times, but it is important to contextualise the reality of the facts and the real possibilities of the application of new technologies. In analysing this new digital standard of content dissemination, the author prioritises two questions that he considers fundamental: the real use that it satisfies and its penetration among the population. This is the starting point of his reflection on the 5G Broadcast in Spain.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Radio Clásica starts DAB+ broadcasts to coincide with European Music Day
21.06.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain Spain
European Music Day is a very special year for Radio Clásica, as it starts broadcasting on DAB+ in ten Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Murcia, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Pamplona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Málaga. This represents more than 30% population coverage. DAB+ makes it possible to start listening to Radio Clásica's programming with very high audio quality, which is of paramount importance due to the type of musical works that are broadcast. Once deployed nationwide, DAB+ will enable Radio Televisión Española to provide public service radio broadcasting under the terms currently mandated by law. It will provide maximum geographical and social coverage with better quality, free-to-air broadcasts, complementary information and free reception.

(RTVE) Read more

Radio Nacional de España starts DAB+ broadcasts in Mijas (Málaga)
18.06.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain Spain
In keeping with its commitment to increase coverage on a monthly basis until the end of the year, with the aim of reaching around 50% of the population coverage, RNE has begun broadcasting Radio Nacional, Radio 3 and Radio 5 in DAB+ in Mijas at Cellnex Telecom's broadcasting centre in the town. From there, coverage is provided to the towns of Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. The start of broadcasts also coincides with the high season in an area that is a tourist destination for citizens from different countries where DAB+ is already available to listen to. Moreover, these visitors use rental cars which are no more than three years old and which therefore incorporate DAB+ receivers.

(RTVE) Read more

AIMC puts DAB on the audience map for the first time
10.06.2024 - Spain Spain
2.6% of Internet users acknowledge tuning in to Digital Terrestrial Radio. This is a milestone in the history of radio audiences in Spain, although the figure is more testimonial than representative. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), in its DAB/DAB+ standards, is included for the first time in a study carried out by the AIMC. It was in the 2024 Q-Panel, exactly a quarter of a century after the approval in our country of the National Technical Plan for Digital Terrestrial Sound Broadcasting, which developed this new technology. This reality has nothing to do with the one experienced twenty-five years ago: right now there are around 3,200,000 DAB/DAB+ receivers on wheels, circulating on Spanish roads. RNE has switched on its DAB+ broadcasts in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Bilbao, Murcia, Santiago de Compostela, Pamplona and will soon do so in other Spanish cities, until it reaches 50% of the country's population coverage by 2024.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Radio listening reaches 73% of Internet users
04.06.2024 - Spain Spain
AIMC (Asociación para la Investigación de Medios de Comunicación) has presented the results of the 10th edition of the study dedicated to radio, carried out through the AIMC Q PANEL, its panel of Internet users formed from the contacts of EGM (Estudio General de Medios) interviewees. The objective of the survey is to deepen the knowledge of individuals who listen to radio and have access to the Internet, in the interaction between analog and digital, expanding and complementing the usual information obtained through the EGM. DAB/DAB+ debuts as the channel of choice for Internet users with almost 3% of the audience. The car remains the most reported place to listen to radio in general: 59% of those who listened to radio yesterday did so in the car.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Zumeta: DAB+ at "100 years more of radio" digital fusion forum
21.05.2024 - RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain Spain
The Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid hosted the 5th edition of the forum ‘A world of digital fusion’ on Monday. The event, organised by the Observatorio Humanidades y Tecnología (OHT), was entitled ‘100 years more of radio’. Ángel García Castillejo, Director of Audiovisual Policies, Public Service and International at RTVE, pointed out that RNE, as a public service, must ensure that in the future it continues to offer free, universal broadcasting, which is only offered by broadcast radio, through the DAB+ standard, ‘which is much more energy efficient, between 75 and 90 percent cheaper than FM’, he said. The Internet does not guarantee universal coverage or free coverage, unlike over-the-air broadcasting, a model that Digital Terrestrial Radio continues to follow. If we do not defend our own channel, ‘radio will end up being diluted like a drop in a vast ocean of million-dollar offerings on the internet,’ he warned.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

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Key Information

Status: regular
Population: 46.4 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 30%
Services: 19 DAB, 3 DAB+
New cars with DAB/DAB+ as standard: Sparkline Graph 98%
Last update: 21.03.2024

Useful Links

Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism
rtve
Cellnex Telcom