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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

National multiplexes: 3 Regular

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
Total	20	2	22

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.

Automotive'25': 'DAB+ leads the way for radio's future'

25.06.2025 -

- Spain

Nearly 200 radio industry professionals gathered in Madrid for one of the most important events organised by WorldDAB at a global level: the one dedicated to guaranteeing the presence of radio in future connected cars. The meeting began by showing the unity of the sector, which brings together public and private companies, around this priority objective, given the real threat that, on the future screens of smart cars, radio will not occupy a predominant position, to the benefit of other audio content, such as access to platforms like Spotify or Amazon Music, for example. Megan Lazovick, one of the vice presidents of US measurement institute Edison Research, provided the key data that underpins WorldDAB's primary objective in organising Automotive'25: to work to ensure that radio continues to dominate future connected car entertainment screens.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Public and private sector work together to ensure radio in the car

24.06.2025 -

- Spain

Madrid was the setting chosen by representatives of the UK's third largest private radio company, Bauer Media Group, on 19 June to present “Radio Ready”, the initiative in defence of the presence of radio in future connected cars. Speaking at the “Automotive'25” event, organised by WorldDAB, Tobias Nielsen, senior vice president of digital at Bauer Media Group, highlighted the “historic moment” we are in, which calls for “collaboration between broadcasting leaders in Europe and Australia on a new vision to ensure listener access to radio in connected cars”. The reason is none other than to defend the interests of an industry - the radio industry - which accounts for more than 80 percent of audio consumption in today's car.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

WorldDAB Automotive 2025 brings together 200 radio and automotive industry executives in Madrid

23.06.2025 -

- Spain

Madrid has hosted WorldDAB Automotive 2025, which in this edition has brought together around 200 executives from broadcasting and the automotive industry from all over the world. Taking advantage of the event, WorldDAB held a meeting of its Board of Directors at the Radio House, headquarters of Radio Nacional de España, as the corporation has claimed in a statement. Public and private broadcasters have analyzed the future of radio in vehicles, where they have considered that its visibility and accessibility are increasingly threatened. They have also issued a joint message: terrestrial sound broadcasting must maintain its prominence in the digital ecosystem of the car.

(TM Broadcast International) Read more

WorldDAB Automotive 2025 calls for the survival of in-car radio from Madrid

23.06.2025 - Spain

The Spanish capital hosted WorldDAB Automotive 2025, an event that brought together more than 200 broadcast and automotive industry executives from around the world to discuss the future of radio, under the auspices of RTVE. The opening session featured prominent voices from the European scene, such as Edita Kudláčová, director of radio at the EBU, who defended the emotional and functional value of radio: "Radio has always been our companion in the car. I can't imagine what could fill that gap. We must continue to innovate, together, to adapt its distribution to the connected world we live in". Meanwhile, Tobias Nielsen, Senior Vice President of Digital at Bauer Media Group, stressed the need to ensure that radio remains accessible, visible and easy to find in the cars of the future.

(Panorama Audiovisual) Read more

Spanish government announces regulatory news on DAB+ ‘before the summer’.

23.06.2025 - Spain

There was great expectation for the participation of the Secretary General for Telecommunications of the Spanish Government, Matías González Martín, and although he did not want to offer many details, he did make an announcement that, seen in perspective, two decades after the first failed attempt to implement Digital Terrestrial Radio in Spain, has a singular value. The presence of a senior government official to open this event, which seeks to analyse and take the temperature of the radio landscape in future smart, or connected, cars, provoked an inevitable expectation in the sector about the attitude of the executive on this issue, especially the private sector, which remains wary of supporting its deployment. And it has not disappointed.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

Broadcast industry joins forces at WorldDAB Automotive Summit 2025

23.06.2025 -

- Spain

WorldDAB Automotive 2025 took place in Madrid on June 19. Organizers said the choice of the host city reflects Spain’s role as the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe and the country’s growing digital radio market, with public service broadcaster RTVE leading the DAB+ movement. In his keynote session, Matías González Martín, Spain’s secretary general for telecommunications, said, “We are fully aware of the value of DAB+ digital radio and we support it.” He confirmed that in recent months, the country has experienced growing interest in digital radio, particularly from the public service broadcaster. He said public regulators are analysing possible ways to move forward with digital radio deployment, based on the assumption that digital and analog broadcasts will have to coexist for several years.

(RedTech) Read more

Madrid hosts WorldDAB Automotive 2025 with the support of RTVE

19.06.2025 -

- RTVE WorldDAB Member - Spain

With the support of RTVE, Madrid hosted WorldDAB Automotive 2025, an event that brought together nearly 200 broadcasting and automotive industry executives from around the world. Taking advantage of the event, WorldDAB held a meeting of its Steering Board at the headquarters of Radio Nacional de España. Public and private broadcasters have launched a joint message: terrestrial sound broadcasting must maintain its leading role in the digital automotive ecosystem. They also discussed the future of in-car radio, where its visibility and accessibility is increasingly under threat. Coinciding with Automotive 2025, the WorldDAB Board met at the Casa de la Radio, headquarters of Radio Nacional de España.

(RTVE) Read more

Zumeta: "19 June: WorldDAB Automotive 2025 in Madrid"

17.06.2025 -

- Spain

This coming Thursday 19 June, Madrid will host the meeting of WorldDAB, the organisation dedicated to the implementation and promotion of Digital Terrestrial Radio in the world, dedicated to analysing the situation of radio in the future connected cars, “WorldDAB Automotive 2025”. The meeting will be opened by the Secretary General for Telecommunications and Regulation of Audiovisual Communication Services of the Spanish Government, Matías González Martín, who will share his strategic vision on digital infrastructures and audiovisual regulation with those present in the inaugural conference entitled: ‘Shaping Spain's digital future’.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

‘Never before has audio been listened to more’

02.06.2025 - Spain

I am a believer in Digital Terrestrial Radio. But not a radical. I believe that radio in Spain must tackle this subject that has been pending for two decades. But I understand the reality of the private sector, their fears and reservations (because I also worked from this side of the stage). But then you realise the huge role played by FM radio during the blackout, proving that it can continue to broadcast, even if the power is out. We talk about the future, and our mouths are full defending IP radio, streaming. But broadcast - over-the-air radio - continues to save lives in the midst of natural disasters and national emergencies. We defend progress and identify it with the network of networks. But dictatorships have an enormous facility to censor and cut off access to internet content, while they can do nothing to cut off terrestrial broadcasts.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

The lessons of Spain's blackout for radio's future

19.05.2025 - Spain

Gorka Zumeta reflects on the lessons learned from the events of 28 April: Radio has shown, as a medium, that it is capable of reassuring a frightened country, it is capable of informing when no one else can, and it is capable of bringing light into the darkness. But we must draw from this crisis the main lesson, which is none other than the channel: terrestrial radio, the one transmitted over the airwaves, is the safest in the face of a catastrophe or emergency, in the face of which the internet is weak and defenceless. The blackout on 28 April at 12:33 collapsed the country's entire media system, except for radio. The lack of electricity supply meant that television was useless, and the digital press did not work.

(Gorka Zumeta) Read more

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RTVE Director Castillejo calls for national plan for digital radio

11.03.2024

English text of Ángel García Castillejo of RTVE's speech at the DAB+ launch in Spain. "If we're not able to offer the DAB+ service, they are not going to come to the radio, radio will disappear. There are no more excuses." says Castillejo.

Read more